Wedding favors are often the first item to suffer deletion from a bride's to-do list. They're not mandatory, so why waste precious dollars on these seemingly frivolous items? Before brushing this task aside due to budget constraints, realize that wedding favors offer a relatively inexpensive outlet for you to demonstrate your creativity and set your wedding apart from the rest.
Think Double Duty Enjoy two-for-one savings when you choose favors that will serve another role in your wedding day production. For example - miniature picture frames can hold place cards and double as a take-home memento. Or trade the pricey table arrangements for bunches of small potted plants your guests can take home and enjoy long after the final dance.
Get Crafty You don´t have to be a budding Martha Stewart to craft your own wedding favors. If you´ve got the creative knack, we say go for it; it´s not as difficult as you may think. Round up some friends or family for a night of homemade favor-making. Simplicity is the key here; assemble tulle bags filled with Jordan almonds or test your culinary skills with homemade baked goods.
Go for the Gold Give your guests the gift of dreaming big. $1 state lotto tickets are fun and inexpensive, and they can double as place cards if you place them in customized envelopes. You never know - if someone hits it big, they may be willing to share the wealth.
Mix It Up Finally – a wedding favor that will do more than collect dust in your guests´ dresser drawers. Send them home with a compilation of the songs featured at your reception or a sample from your favorite playlist. You can find blank CDs and jewel cases for less than $1 each.
Go Green A gift from the earth can be a "naturally" inexpensive alternative to a costly knick knack. A packet of seedlings tied with ribbon is both eco- and budget-friendly, and your guests will reminisce your wedding day as their gifts blossom. The green weddings article link below provides even more ideas and advice on planning an environmentally friendly event.
Give Back With altruism at an all-time high, more and more couples are taking an advantage of an effortless opportunity to give something back, donating to charity in the name of their wedding guests. Charitable donations are inherently budget-friendly, since you specify the amount you can afford. And the reward for your philanthropic actions definitely exceeds the cost.
Cut that List Already! This bit of advice is the easiest path to instant savings. Remember - the cost of your wedding favors multiplies by the number of guests at your wedding, so even an inexpensive $1 favor idea starts to look pricey when you have to purchase 500. Solution? Duh…invite fewer guests.
This complete wedding favors guide has even more advice on selecting your favors and guest gifts.
Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine - and a recent bride. Elegala.com is a complete weddings and wedding planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, how-to guides, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries to walk brides and grooms through every step of the planning process.
Cori graduated from Tulane University with a Bachelor's degree in communications.
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