Good wedding favors?

[CKBear]

We had jars of NC honey for our wedding favors. We live in NC, but got married in FL where most of our family is at, so this way we were able to bring a little piece of NC to the weddings. I wanted something that people wouldn't have to feel like they had to hold on to, this was usable and you can get rid of the jar when you are done!

 

[PollyannaMom]

We did chocolate bars with personalized wrappers, and desinged them ourselves. - Our wedding symbol was on the front, and the "nutrition facts", "ingredients", etc. on the back were things like love, caring, loyalty, patience...

Some other favorites I've received are Christmas ornaments, frames, and once, a tree. - No, I'm not kidding! The wedding was near Christmas, and each couple got a tiny little evergreen to nurse on the window sill and then plant in the spring.

I love the flower seeds idea someone mentioned, too, and the cake all wrapped to go home.

 

[okeydokey]

I have some nice ones (ornaments etc) and some forgettable ones. Honestly, if I went to a wedding and there was no favor, I wouldn't even blink. I really don't see the need for them.

 

[Tiana]

.....

 

[Lauralee]

My son and DIL had an October wedding. For their favor we bought caramel apples from the very best candy shop in our area. They packaged them in clear plastic wrappers (the caramel did not stick). We finished them up by tying a lovely green (her color) satin ribbon on the stick of each apple.

I was surprised that many people actually opened their apples and enjoyed them at the reception rather than taking them home. Some ate them right on the stick and others cut them with a knife and fork on a plate.

We got lots of compliments on how they fit in with a fall wedding.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

We gave white pine saplings. Yes, most either never got planted or didn't survive, but a number did. We still have people that come up to us at parties and tell us they still have our tree and how it's doing. Just doing our part for the environment. Plus someday, our kids will play beneath a tree in our yard that was from our wedding. Kinda cool.

 

[Scurvy]

I don't see favors as a necessity at all, but if a couple wants to give favors there are definitely some things I prefer. I don't like actual items. No offense to the couple, but I have enough stuff lying around. I'm trying to get rid of a bunch of my own stuff and I don't need something else with their names or wedding date on it - something like that would probably end up tossed in a drawer or thrown out. I love the idea of a little tree or seeds, even though I'd probably kill mine. I also like the idea of edible things, particularly if it's something that has significance to the couple or to the time of year or area where the wedding is being held.

I used to think donations were a nice idea, but I've been surprised at how controversial that actually is. Apparently people have very strong opinions about certain charities, and some people are bothered when a donation is made in their name to a charity they object to. I can understand that - there are some groups I definitely don't support. But even some of the groups that I thought everyone would support have controversy surrounding them. The consensus on the etiquette board I frequent is that you really shouldn't use a donation in someone's name as a gift to them (or as a favor) unless you are certain it's a group they actually support.

 

[msjprincess]

Friends of ours did engraved shot glasses with mini bottles of Jack Daniels.

 

[Tinkermommy]

The best favor I have gotten: Homemade pralines to take home. Yummm
The catering company made them on-site and they were outrageously good. We still talk about them.

Perhaps there is a local/regional treat that they could give out.

Worst favor: A fridge magnet with the couples picture on it.

I like the candy bar idea too.

I love the idea of donation, but agree with a pp. You never know what some people might object to.

 

[Pigeon]

I have some nice ones (ornaments etc) and some forgettable ones. Honestly, if I went to a wedding and there was no favor, I wouldn't even blink. I really don't see the need for them.

This. And it's not uncommon around here not to have favors. I think the money is better spent elsewhere. Usually I end up chucking the favor anyway.

 

[wendy46001]

add me to the list of "id rather not get one"
even eatable treats normally go to waste (well that candy apple did sounds good)

for our wedding we gave out those silly blinking glow necklaces disney sells
passed them out at the cocktail hour so people could wear them during illuminations
it made for a fun picture....actually the nicest thing was my uncle collected the ones left behind and handed them out to the kid he saw on the way to the reception

 

[Disney Doll]

I would rather have something that could be eaten (candy or almonds) or used up (candles or mini champagne bottles or bubbles) over something that would have to be dealt with (photo frame or a CD or anything I wouldn't know what to do with that would make me feel bad for tossing after a few years.

The best favor for me so far was homemade pressed paper with a cute poem written on it about the couple and a new life to grow that was imbedded with seeds. After the wedding, you plant the paper and little flowers were grown!

I agree with this and that sounds like a cool favor!

 

[missypie]

I don't really "get" favors. The bride and groom have just spent money providing a lovely reception. Why does there need to be anything to take home? I actually feel guilty when there are favors...I think "here someone spent all this money, then spent all this time to wrap it up in pretty ribbon [or whatever] and I totally don't care about having this [whatever]."

 

[missypie]

As long as I'm looking a gift horse in the mouth... (I'm actually not, just don't like to see young couples wasting money)

It is very sweet for the couple to provide a nice gift basket for out of town guests...BUT, if those guests came by airplane, give some thought to how difficult it might be to get the goodies home. A lovely basket will invariably be left behind at the hotel, because who has room for a basket in their luggage. If you give a full bottle of wine, what is the person who carried on their luggage to do? Pay $25 to check the bag to be able to get the wine home?

 

[Mary•Poppins]

Two of my friends are cancer survivors and for both of their weddings there was a little note at each place that in lieu of a favor a donation was made to the American Cancer Society. Better then candy I probably wouldn't eat anyway of some little thing I'd have to move from place to place and eventually get rid of.

I like this idea!

A really cool favor we got was a collection of love songs on a CD. The married couple put their photos on the front. The songs were from every genre. I still play it. (they had this done professionally ... so I am not sure how the copyrighting worked on this ??)

 

[Disneyluvr]

For a friends wedding this summer they had 8oz bottles of water and they put theri own label on it. Really cute and useful

 

[minniecarousel]

When older DS & DDIL got married 2 1/2 years ago, they set out cards stating that a donation was made to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation (can't remember if this is the actual name of the fund-raising group). DDIL's dad had just been diagnosed with Parkinson's and this seemed appropriate.

Younger DS & DDIL made homemade fudge and boxed up 2 little pieces in little boxes for each guest - it was cute and personal.

 

[HelenePA]

This. And it's not uncommon around here not to have favors. I think the money is better spent elsewhere. Usually I end up chucking the favor anyway.

Most favors I've got at weddings went in the trash as well. That's why I was wondering if there was a such thing as a "good favor" I shall pass along all the idea's everyones given me... Thank you all!

 

[NotUrsula]

Skip 'em. No one notices when they are not there. The money is better spent on upgrading or extending the refreshments or entertainment.

 

[golfgal]

I don't really "get" favors. The bride and groom have just spent money providing a lovely reception. Why does there need to be anything to take home? I actually feel guilty when there are favors...I think "here someone spent all this money, then spent all this time to wrap it up in pretty ribbon [or whatever] and I totally don't care about having this [whatever]."

I agree.

For a friends wedding this summer they had 8oz bottles of water and they put theri own label on it. Really cute and useful

Ok, this one would be something I would appreciate since chances are you just came from a church or service for the actual wedding and are probably thirsty.

I did like one wedding I was at where they spread Peppermint Patties on the tables. They were good after dinner mints.