Thanks For Coming
Give a gift to thank guests for making the effort to attend your nuptials
By Bev Bennett
CTW Features
Remember how thrilled you were to be given a trinket, usually in a goodie bag, as a reward for attending a birthday party as a child?
Children aren’t the only ones who get the goodies. Favors, though not essential, are popular at wedding celebrations as well.
If you’re getting married, you may be looking for the perfect token gift that tells your guests you’re glad they came. The favor, which is usually given at the wedding meal, should be a personal reminder of the occasion, unique to you and useful enough that it isn’t discarded, say wedding mavens.
That’s a lot of expect of a $2 to $5 purchase.
But even with those parameters, you’ll find a wealth of ideas to choose from.
Traditionally couples gave guests a small bundle of Jordan almonds wrapped in fabric to represent both fertility and the bitter and sweet of marriage, says Darcy Miller, editorial director, Martha Stewart Weddings, New York City.
Although you can still give almonds, preferences are changing.
“Now the wedding favor is personalized and specialized as with everything else [having to do with weddings],” says Miller.
Fortunately you can put your stamp on everything from an oversized cookie to a key chain.
Food is always appropriate, especially, if the favor is a regional specialty.
For example, if you’re in New England, present guests with small boxes of Nantucket fudge. For the Northwest, something as simple as a luscious Oregon pear, wrapped in an organza bag is a lovely presentation.
Tara Guérard of Soiree, Inc., Charleston, S.C., ordered chocolate grits truffles, which were a hit at a wedding she designed.
You can also get a baker to make oversized cookies with the wedding date in frosting, or ask a local chocolatier to create miniature boxes of chocolate with the date printed on the box, Miller says.
If you prefer a non-food option, think about your interests and those of your guests. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate a water bottle or compass as a favor. Urbanites might prefer whistles on key chains.
Guérard looks for favors guests can use at the wedding and at home. Personalized lighters fit the bill for one celebration.
“We used the favors to light sparklers at the wedding and then everyone got to take their lighters home,” she says.
Although it’s tempting, resist the urge to up the ante, says Guérard.
“You don’t want to be so extravagant that people leave thinking you’ve been ridiculous spending too much money.”
