Wedding Favor Ideas - Party Favors

By: Yolanda Nash

The tradition of giving your guests a wedding favor, or something to remember your wedding day, is one that goes back hundreds of years. One of the most popular still today is the giving of five candy-coated almonds to each guest. These are supposed to symbolize happiness, long life, wealth, fertility, and health. Italian tradition dictated that the almonds be tied into mesh bags and then tossed at the bride and groom. Today, the almonds can be placed into organza bags or delicate fabric and tied with a decorative ribbon with a message attached for the guest.

Are you looking for unique and elegant or simple and personal favors to give your wedding guests? Making your own favors with the help of store-bought items is a great way to stay within your budget and still create a special favor that tells your guests you are glad they are celebrating with them.

There are many sources online that can be of assistance when deciding on what type of favor to make. Put the key words wedding favors in your search engine and have fun!

Ideas for containers could include small screw top metal tins, gold screw top metal tins, glass bottles of varying colors, glass jars of varying colors, small rectangular tins, small round or oval tins, CD tins or plastic containers in varying shapes. Fill these with things like coffee, mints, jellybeans, bath salts, or any small item that would compliment your wedding theme and please your guests.

If your wedding theme is a garden theme, use mini terra cotta pots and fill them with seedling packets or small flowers. Or, use miniature garden pails or watering cans to bring the garden ’feel’ to your reception.

Another beautiful way to present your wedding favors is in wedding favor packaging such as boxes, bags, jars or cans. Boxes and bags come in a variety of colors, styles and shapes. Ribbon, beads and a gift tag complete the package.

Beaded organza bags, mini wire baskets, and many other styles of favors are tailored especially for your theme. Use your imagination and your guest will love the result.

Candle wedding favors are very popular also. These can come in the form of a bucket candle, a candle in the shape of a cake, flower, heart, etc., frosted glass containers, wire candle holders, monogrammed votive candle holders, or mini lanterns.

For a unique idea, create a bookmark for each guest with pictures of you and your spouse. Personalize the bookmarks by including a message to your guests. Perhaps on the back side you could provide your new address, phone number and e-mail address so they can easily keep in touch.

In addition to online suppliers, craft stores offer a large variety of supplies from which to choose when creating your wedding favors. Glass bud vases and candles can be adorned with paint or gems. Birdhouses can be painted to look like mini churches or chapels.

Whatever the theme or effect you are wanting to portray for your one-of-a-kind wedding/reception, keep in mind that your time and creativity can go a long way toward creating the perfect wedding favor for your big day.