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Monday, July 27, 2009 9:30 AM

BRIDES Magazine

Do favors have to last?

Andrew McCaul/BRIDES

We have a kitchen drawer full of miniature glass hearts, silver bells, and assorted wedding favors that we'll never use. So when we produced the favor story in our July/August issue, we edited out anything that seemed like a money-wasting trinket. Instead, we featured ideas like these tulips—each guest gets a bunch of flowers to brighten a side table for a few days. They don't last, but does a favor have to sit around forever, collecting dust? Tell us what you think—and if you've come up with any brilliant favor ideas. —Sally, BRIDES Magazine

comments (5)

category: Brides Magazine Favors & Gifts Flowers & Decorations
Comments
1. We did NOT have favors at my daughter's wedding! GASP!!!
  Instead, we concentrated on really good food and really good music for the party.
  We also had the valet parking guys put a cute rear view mirror window hangar note in each car, thanking them for coming and the newlyweds new address.
  Anyone else NOT do favors?
  
  posted by Mary Beth | July 27, 2009 12:07 PM
2. As a wedding planner, I have thrown away so many wedding favors that are left on the tables after the guests leave.
  
  I have been suggesting to my brides to give a donation to a favorite charity instead of spending time, energy and money on something that will be thrown away.
  
  A card can be printed saying "in lieu of favors a donation has been made to _____ on your behalf". My favorite so far was a couple that donated to an orphanage in Cambodia and the cards included pictures of the children at the home.
  
  I think most favors are a waste of money - invest your money in something worthwhile - your guests will appreciate it!
  
  posted by Mary | July 27, 2009 4:21 PM
3. Wedding favors can be great or they can be an epic fail, in my opinion. While some things seem needlessly wasteful, others are really good ideas. I think that it's ok to have lasting favors if they're useful- a book of matches for instance. Those would come in handy. For a better, more eco-friendly idea, giving potted plants or sapling trees is also one of my favorite favor ideas, since these give back to the environment, and are something guests can enjoy for years. I also agree with the above, and think making charitable donations in lieu of favors is a great idea.
  
  posted by Heather | July 28, 2009 8:43 AM
4. For my son's wedding, the favor we gave was in the form of us renting a photo booth and everyone present could go in as many times as they wished to take photos. The pictures printed out in doubles and one set went into a scrapbook for my son and his new wife and the other set went to the guests to keep.
  
  posted by Deborah | July 28, 2009 5:33 PM
5. My sister and me both chose to go with edible favors. I'm getting Married this NOvember - YAY!! and I think I am going to have either chocolate covered Oreo cookies with my wedding colors (Burnt Sienna and Champagne) or capuccino mixes. I had personalized chocolate bars for my engagement party and they were a big hiT!! I think I'm going to use the chocolate bars as the seating cards this time, maybe with a picture on it, haven't decided yet. I got everything and all my ideas from www.ChocolateTreasureChest.com
  email me if you want to know more about my wedding!!
  
  posted by Megan | September 1, 2009 10:07 AM
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