We all have a favorite part of going to a wedding, the dancing, the vows, the cake, the old friends, and possible new hook-ups. Oh wedding season. We’ve really missed you.
Does anyone look forward to the Favors? The what? The favors.
If you’re planning your wedding, and are considering favors, keep reading!
Over the last 12 years as wedding coordinators we have seen a full spectrum of favors; from a book of matches to a bottle of wine for each guest. Here we give some planning advice on how to really set your favors apart, as functional, and fun, while avoiding them being wasted, or not appreciated.
What in the world is a favor? As a wedding guest, some might think, why am I getting this koozie with the wedding date on it? Let’s unpack the who, what, where and why we have these tiny offerings at most weddings we RSVP to.
With so many of the details that involve weddings, they at one point started out as a tradition. The favor tradition specifically, is hundreds of years old and was very commonplace amongst European aristocrats.
Favors, also known as Bonbonniere, was a small trinket box that was made of crystal or porcelain. Inside these boxes were a sweet treat of some sort, or sugar cubes. Sugar was expensive at that time, it was a sign of wealth or royalty to have the means and give this as a gift. As sugar became more readily accessible for most people, the sugar cubes were replaced with almonds. In the 13th century, sugar coated almonds, which were also known as confetti, were introduced. Which soon took the form of the famous Jordan almonds. These popular favors are a small tulle sack with five candy coated almonds inside. These five almonds are to wish the new couple, fertility, longevity, wealth, health, and happiness. The symbol of the almonds was to represent the bittersweet ups and downs of marriage embodied by the sugary candy coat, and the bitterness of the almond.
We have come a long way from Jordan almonds, and now favors range in all directions, as well as in tandem with representing the couple, their families and their culture. They are certainly a nice addition to a wedding if they are in your wedding plans.
The cost of wedding favors range from about $2- $10+ on average per favor. Add this against a long wedding guest list and you have a large, almost unnecessary line item that can be spent on other planning needs. Off the top of my head, a wedding planner or day of coordinator, possibly?
The do’s and don’t of favor planning are simple. DO be intentional about what you are trying to do with your favor. DON’T just have one to have one, because you think you need too. If your heart or budget is not set on having a favor, do everyone the favor and skip it. Otherwise, you will end up with some half thought out plan that will end up getting smooshed into the floor or thrown away. Wasteful of your time, money, and to the landfills.
We know you are super excited about your day and we are too! Ahh, you’re getting married and it is friggin’ AWESOME. But, that doesn’t mean that we all need a candle with your date on it, or a shot glass inscribed with Ted and Lilly forever. Although, as a guest I would appreciate a shot of tequila, or a locally made chocolate, or even a good cause that you donated to in lieu of a silly trinket.
As wedding planners, we advise our couples to keep their favor simple. Something edible, something on the way out for the evening, like a fun snack in a to go box, or cookies and some milk/ alt milk choices. Or, even boxed cake slices for those who didn’t get a chance to enjoy it during the cake cutting. And, as mentioned before, an awesome charity that needs the money more than anyone needs monogrammed T & L coasters.
FINAL PRO TIP: If you are set on your favor, and it has the option of not being a part of the tablescape, order less, and have it as guests walk out. Best of both worlds.
Follow these steps and you are on your way to having the most favorable favor!
We are always here to answer your questions as honestly and thoroughly as we can.
Thank you so much for checking out our blog, and happy planning to you both!
Who is It’s Your Day Events?
We are a Seattle, Bellingham and Bremerton, WA based wedding planning, wedding coordination and design agency. What we do is at times difficult to picture because the services we offer are intangible. When you are scrolling through beautiful photos, with stunning flowers, and amazing cohesive design; the magic behind that is the planning, design, and coordination. This is what we do.
We professionally organize, plan, and coordinate the details.
We dot the i's and cross the t's.
We triple check it all once more.
Then, when the day comes, we watch the wonderment and happiness on your face as your wedding day unfolds, just as you dreamed it would.
Contact us for any wedding planning, wedding coordination or design needs!
