Wedding Favors - How to Graciously Thank Your Wedding Guests

Thank You, Merci, Arigatou, Gracias, Xie-Xie?

Gratitude is a universal emotion. People of different cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs can understand no matter what language it is expressed in. This sentiment is experienced at momentous events in our life. A wedding celebration is a special event connecting two people and their families in holy matrimony. Planning a wedding is indeed no task for the feeble minded, so for those that help the Bride and Groom do all the leg work or just simply being present at each event deserves a big Thank You.

How might one ask, do you give thanks and make a lasting impression on your guest? The simple answer is with a Wedding Favor. For those that are not familiar with this word, a wedding favor is a gift, a small token of appreciation for guest to treasure and remember your wedding day. This word is also interchangeably referred to as keepsakes, giveaways, or bomboniere. It is recommended to order wedding favors at least a couple of months before the wedding date to ensure that there is plenty of time left to order more if the guest list grows longer.

Wedding favors have been around for a very long time, we can trace its roots back to the Italians where the infamous sugarcoated candies called Jordan Almonds made its symbolic presence. The almond which naturally has a bittersweet taste, representing life and the sugarcoating on the exterior brings forth anticipation of sweetness that life also has to offer. Jordan Almonds are not just colored hard shelled candies that seem to pop up in weddings but they are symbolic confections of married life and the journey that lies ahead.

In the modern world of high tech innovations and fast track living, Jordan almonds wrapped in tulle or filled in bags or boxes are not the only options for favors today. Professionals in the wedding industry have come up with novel ways of making favors fun, stylish, trendy, and most of all, affordable. Tradition has fused with style to create favors that represent the lifestyle of the couple. No two wedding you attend, will you receive the same wedding favor.

If Jordan almonds wrapped in tulle netting was the favor you received at the last wedding you attended, here is the 411 on the different types of wedding favors out there.

• Edible Munchies - chocolate truffles, liquor filled chocolates, fortune cookies, mints, designer cookies, jellies, and doughnuts
• Candles - fruit shaped, aromatic, votives, candle filled jars, flower shaped
• Soaps - hearts, rose petals, fruit shapes
• Place Card Holders - mini chairs, vases, bells, picture frames, napkin rings
• Silver - mint julep cups, key chains, wine stoppers, compact mirrors, fortune cookie, chopsticks, bells

Be inventive and use theme to create the mood, like a coffee inspired theme with coffee scoop favors, an Asian inspired theme with engraved chopsticks, or Garden inspired theme with mini pear candles that has the tag reading "The Perfect Pear".

When the decision is finally made on the type of wedding favors to get, the next dilemma faced is if each person should get one favor each or should it be given one favor per couple. This depends on the guest list. If a larger percent of the guest list consists of people who are single versus married then opt for one favor per person instead. One good rule to go by is if the favor costs more than $10 a piece, consider giving one favor per couple to cut down on expenses.

Now that you know the Who, What, When, on wedding favors, here is the How part. How is each favor displayed and distributed? The most popular way to give out the favors is by displaying it on each place setting that is if you are giving one favor per person. This allows your guest to use it as a conversational piece with one another, which is a great way to get the guest to start mingling with one another. If placing the favors on each table is too mundane for you, try using it as the focal point of your wedding, similar to your wedding cake. Have a special table decorated just for your wedding favors and place it near the entryway so it will be the first thing guest will see and also the last thing they will remember as they grab one as they leave the reception. This method is good for those that just could not part with giving one favor per couple, because your guest will never know if everyone received a favor since it is self served. Just beware of those that always want a second helping by grabbing more than one favor.

Whether it is known by the alias keepsakes, giveaways, or bombonieres, wedding favors are gifts that will make a lasting impression. Just like Great Food, Great Favors never go out of style. Graciously say Merci, Arigatou, Gracias, Xie-Xie with a wedding favor.

Copyright Tracy Yang, 2005. All rights reserved.

Reprint Rights: You may use this article as long as you include the author's copyright and link to the author's website.

Tracy Yang is the creative director for HansonEllis.com. The place for unique wedding favors and bridal shower gifts for your special event.

---

Budget Tips For Your Wedding Reception

Wedding receptions are expensive affairs and can set you back... Read More

Cheating Wives - Play with Your Lives!

Many wives cheat on their husbands. This could be due... Read More

Wedding Etiquette for the Best Man, Groomsmen, and Ushers

Undoubtedly, the groom will want to choose a few good... Read More

Get Wedding Gifts Youll Enjoy -- Creating Your Wedding Registry

Receiving wedding gifts is a whole lot more fun when... Read More

Twelve Ways to Make Your Spouse Dislike Sex

It's really not difficult to ruin what could have been... Read More

Marriage and the Election

Dear Friends of Marriage,There is a lot of talk on... Read More

Lingerie Party Ideas: Tips to Help Break the Ice

Are you in the process of planning that last special... Read More

Make Sure You Do: Before You Say ?I Do?

Tina Turner asked an important question in the title of... Read More

Whats a Goldfish Doing at a Wedding?

Time was when you'd open a wedding invitation you'd find... Read More

Living in LOVE : Remembering Why You Married

The kids are yelling, the dog is barking, and you... Read More

Searching For An Affordable Mother Of The Bride Dress

It is absolutely possible to find a beautiful and affordable... Read More

Which Came First, Love or Marriage?

I came across an article today: LOVE AND MARRIAGE THE... Read More

Getting Married? What You Should Do With Your Checking Accounts and Credit Cards

Marriage is a wonderful thing, but planning the wedding is... Read More

Legislating Morality: The Sanction of Marriage

Biologically, a coupling between male and female (with some very... Read More

Las Vegas Helicopter Weddings

If you've always dreamed of flying in a helicopter, Las... Read More

Wedding Cake Design Through History

The design of the traditional wedding cake has varied greatly... Read More

Personalized Wedding Favors

Personalized wedding favors are among the most popular of gift... Read More

Selecting the Perfect Wedding Gift for the Bride and Groom

One of the most memorable days in our lives is... Read More

For Second Weddings Only - Eight Tips

Planning a second wedding? Prevent favorite guests comparing your second... Read More

Honeymooning on the Waves

Cruising down the river was always deemed by couples the... Read More

June Weddings

From the book Spider's Big CatchAs June wraps its arms... Read More

Is Your Heart Set On An Antique Engagement Ring?

As Mark Twain said "Let us not be too particular;... Read More

Honeymoon Vacation Ideas can be Economical

If you are looking for honeymoon vacation ideas that will... Read More

Prescription for a Happy Marriage

Prescription for a happy marriage: one cup of tea or... Read More

To Choose a Wedding Planner or Not to Choose a Wedding Planner

When I was the owner of a major wedding facility,... Read More

Business Partners & Marital Partners Will The Marriage Survive - Part I

With today's economy, and the layoffs occurring as a result... Read More

The Runaway Brides ( & Grooms)

The 1999 Julia Roberts movie 'Runaway Bride' is about a... Read More

To Register or Not to Register (for Wedding Gifts)

I say always register for gifts! You see, people tend... Read More

An Ethical Alternative to the Conspicuous Excess of the Average Wedding

Many happy couples are turning their backs on the traditional... Read More

Have a Garden Theme Dream Wedding

You've found the perfect venue: old oaks, a stone wall,... Read More

Wedding Dresses - How to Buy Dreamy Wedding Gowns Online

Wedding dresses are literally the icing on the cake on... Read More

New Findings on Happiness Have Implications for Rocky Marriages

Not only do individuals who follow Time Magazine's "Eight Steps... Read More

Here Comes the Bride

As we hear the music begin to play the Bridal... Read More