Teresa in MO Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 my dd is getting married in November. They do not want to do wedding favors. All the weddings we have been to lately have them. Are they absolutely necessary and if you think they are can you give me any ideas that would not be real expensive. They expect 200-250 people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie in AR Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 I vote to do away with all wedding favors. And party favors, too, while we're at it. :D Do we all really need gifts to take home with us when we attend a social function? :confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMindy Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 my dd is getting married in November. They do not want to do wedding favors. All the weddings we have been to lately have them. Are they absolutely necessary and if you think they are can you give me any ideas that would not be real expensive. They expect 200-250 people. Nope, not necessary, and I think they are kind of silly (even though we did have them in our wedding). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 No one ever liked them. They were things like a couple of white candied almonds in a net bag, or match books with the names and date (that you could never use, because after all, they are KEEPSAKES!), or other cluttery things like that. They would sit around on the kitchen counter for a couple of weeks and then often be thrown away. So when we got married, we decided to have imprinted napkins, to have a great deal of fun at our own wedding, to have a lunch rather than a dinner so that people from out of town could stay longer (and have more FUN!), and to have a very long dancing period and relatively short ceremonies at the reception (so that everyone would have more FUN!). I met with the DJ for about 7 hours before hand, feeding him names of the VARIETY of styles that we would need (big band, soul, rock, Charleston, the chicken dance IIRC, 50's) and specific songs. There was something for everyone, even the 80 year olds. I don't think that anyone missed the favors, even my very negative mom. We also had the receiving line as people left the church, which is technically improper, but they had to file out anyway, and so this way we greet them then and they could relax and HAVE FUN at the reception (which was downtown at a hotel.) We took pictures at the church after the wedding, but our guests were served champagne and appetizers at the hotel while they waited for us. So they HAD FUN instead of waiting around. I did buy very nice gifts for the bridesmaids and Bible readers, but gave those out at the rehearsal dinner the night before the reception. People still talk about how much fun they had at our wedding. And we have been married for 21 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leah Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 my dd is getting married in November. They do not want to do wedding favors. All the weddings we have been to lately have them. Are they absolutely necessary and if you think they are can you give me any ideas that would not be real expensive. They expect 200-250 people. Another vote for doing away with wedding favors! I am so, so not a fan. :) A lot of the weddings I have attended recently have not had them-you can call it a California trend. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 Just say no! Both of my dds did favors. They did not ask my advice, which would have been NO! You gotta know that most people are gonna toss those favors when they leave, if they even take them with them. What a waste of time and money. Your dd sounds like a smart cookie:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 No, not necessary. Although dh and I did get a sort of morbid amusement out of using a book of matches the other day that said, "C__ and S__: a perfect match [date]" on the front... Their wedding favor matches lasted longer than the marriage. Sigh. At least they came in useful in a power outtage! But no, I don't think they're necessary or even particularly welcome by most of the guests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laylamcb Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 We had a tiny sit-down dinner for about 30 folks, and I haven't been to many weddings, so forgive my ignorance: What are wedding favors? A little gift you give to the attendees? Are you kidding me?! I can't believe that they could be considered necessary; the reception is the gift to the attendees, right? (I'm not being sarcastic--I'm really asking and assuming.) I mean, I like swag as much as the next gal, but really--I'd prefer that the newlyweds enter marriage without debt. So I'd say, skip the favors and use the money you would've spent on those to pay off the florist. ;) Just my $.02! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teresa in MO Posted August 7, 2008 Author Share Posted August 7, 2008 Thanks everyone, no favors it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdWTMer Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 I vote no as well. I wouldn't expect it either, although the book of matches sure do sound nice! ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 I agree with no wedding favors. We didn't have them at our wedding and I've never missed them at weddings I've been to that didn't have them. We did go to a wedding this summer that had bags for all the kids at the receptions...they had a silly straw, a lot of chocolates, some crayons, some bubbles (it was an outdoor reception), and some glow-sticks. I was really appreciative of those, it was totally unnecessary but so sweet and my kids (and all the others I saw) appreciated it so much. Weddings can be pretty boring for kids. At our wedding (also a summer outdoor reception) we also had those glow in the dark necklaces, mainly for kids but we had more than enough for anyone that wanted them. They were cheap and fun and many people remember them even now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubbsfamily Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 No, my sil just organized a b-day party for my 70yo mil and made party favors - it was a bunch of junk and a waste of money! I am against them . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofkhm Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 No favors. We stayed long enough that they told us to take flowers off the table. But no favors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy in Indy Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 The last wedding I went to had cards at every place setting that the bride and her mom had made. (Sort of like name cards) These had some sort of saying appropriate for a wedding (Scripture or quotes about love). Those were the favors. Very inexpensive, but meaningful. (To make the cards, print the sayings on the printer and cut the cards. Paste those to half the side of a larger sheet. Fold the card over. Hole punch two holes near the fold and tie a ribbon through the holes. Voila!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 I think a name card or memento card stating the event/date would be enough for folks who want something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrid Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 Hmmm...your first post, and your screen name is your product. Advertising? I think it's against the rules, no? astrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfgivas Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 i think its about expectations. if folks coming will expect something, and be sad/annoyed if there isn't anything, then i would think try to do it, but with a personal, inexpensive spin. not for anything would i do any of the things they typically sell for "wedding favours". for oldest dds wedding, we had stuffed bears for the children that they received when they picked up their table name card. we found them for $2- a piece at an after Christmas sale. they were great, because they gave the kids something to cuddle and play with during toasts, etc. for the others, there were glass coasters that had room for a picture of the couple to go in. people are still using them joyfully. they came in packs of 2 or 4 (i can't remember), but we unwrapped them all, and set one at each person's place. that made them quite reasonable, too. for our own wedding, we gave people giant sunflower seeds to plant and remember us when they bloomed. that was a hit, too.... and even less expensive. if we hadn't done that, i think we would have made a shaped sugar cookie for each person. have fun, ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jplain Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 My vote is no, not necessary. I planned our wedding long distance and wedding favors didn't make the cut. I did look into custom chocolates, but they were just too expensive. The week before the wedding my soon-to-be-MIL asked about them, and offered to make some. Fine by me! She got some candied almonds, tulle, and plain ribbon in our wedding colors, and she and her sister assembled them. I thought it was very sweet of them, but I wouldn't have regretted not having them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 No favors. Please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I went to a reception for a couple who were very into literature. The place cards were bookmarks with a literary quote on them. They made them by hand and laminated them. I still use them today. This was the best favor I have ever had. Funny, I still have the matches from my sister's first marriage. We use them to light the grill and to light candles. She caught us using them for the candles on one of the birthday party and tried to throw them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 OK, I made these really cute molded glittery soaps for my wedding 7 year ago. They were scented, too. Took me a lot of time. They were cute. I wrapped them in cellophane bags with irridescent ribbons and a tag with our names and the date on them. Do you know what our friends did with them? Used them to write things on the get away car. Yes, that is what they did with my precious soaps. If I were going to do it again I'd probably just make little bags of candies or something and place them at each place setting. But, overall, I don't think wedding favors are necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkpan Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I went to a reception for a couple who were very into literature. The place cards were bookmarks with a literary quote on them. They made them by hand and laminated them. I still use them today. This was the best favor I have ever had. Funny, I still have the matches from my sister's first marriage. We use them to light the grill and to light candles. She caught us using them for the candles on one of the birthday party and tried to throw them out. My brother did something similar. They pressed flowers and laminated bookmarks with various lines of romantic poetry, scripture. They really were lovely. Still have and use mine. But you dont need favors.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom2GirlsTX Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 No they aren't. I have been to alot of weddings lately and they all had them, and they are just really bothering me. I helped a friend clean up after her step daughters wedding and most of those little ditty items were all in the trash. What a waste of resources. They are just another reminder to me of mass commericalism gone amuck... Please tell your daughter to save herself the money I really feel all these wedding favors are the McDonalds toys of weddings.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 Favors are not necessary for a wedding reception. Can be fun and memorable, but this is an area to hold costs down. Many cultures, however, include reception favors as part of their traditions. Our Greek wedding reception wouldn't have been "right" without the white Jordan almonds ! (We found a bulk supplier, though, so it didn't break the bank.) As they were an edible "favor", they disappeared following the reception. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happygrrl Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 Favors are not necessary for a wedding reception. Can be fun and memorable, but this is an area to hold costs down. Many cultures, however, include reception favors as part of their traditions. Our Greek wedding reception wouldn't have been "right" without the white Jordan almonds ! (We found a bulk supplier, though, so it didn't break the bank.) As they were an edible "favor", they disappeared following the reception. Slight tangent :). When we join the Church, my husband and I will be married (yippee! our first "wedding" was merely a civil ceremony.) Do you think the almonds appropriate for this "second" wedding? We do intend to have a reception, as many folks from out of town will be attending (it will also be our Chrismation and the boys' baptism day. So excited!) and we want to visit and party afterwards. What do people in our situation do, in your experience? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieW in Texas Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 The only things I've seen that have come close to what I'd call a wedding favor are the bubble solution bottles with the wedding date imprinted on them (to blow at the bride and groom as they exited in place of throwing rice or bird seed) and party blowers like you see on New Years (again, to blow at bride and groom as they exited the building). I've never seen anything else like that. We had little mesh bag thingies with bird seed at our wedding. I'd definitely go for bubbles over bird seed or rice. I don't think this is what you're talking about here. I've never seen anything given out at a wedding aside from what your supposed to throw/blow at the bride and groom. I haven't gone to a whole lot of weddings though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I'll PM you, so as not to pull the thread in an offside direction. Slight tangent :). When we join the Church, my husband and I will be married (yippee! our first "wedding" was merely a civil ceremony.) Do you think the almonds appropriate for this "second" wedding? We do intend to have a reception, as many folks from out of town will be attending (it will also be our Chrismation and the boys' baptism day. So excited!) and we want to visit and party afterwards. What do people in our situation do, in your experience? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phathui5 Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 I don't think you need them. I just throw them away after weddings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 I have never heard of them before. completely unnecessary in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatCyndiGirl Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 favors are fun ways to tell your guests that you appreciate their presence. In my wedding I filled goody bags with a chocolate favors, a bottle opener and a candle favor. There are many more such practical, inexpensive favors at Buy Wedding Favors Online. I think a place card holder which can be doubled up as a photo frame is a good idea. The reception is the 'fun way to tell your guests that you appreciate their presence'. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 My dd gave out disposable cameras for wedding favors and we ended up with tons of great pictures from everyone's different POV. Some of my favorite picture came from other people. I thought that was a great idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 We made a donation to the Jimmy Fund (cancer research) in lieu of favors for our wedding reception. My grandfather had passed away from cancer a few years prior and DH's grandmother had passed away from cancer when he was a little boy. The Jimmy Fund printed up nice little scrolls for us and I personalized them by handwriting a little note thanking the guest for attending our wedding. We got so many compliments from folks on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy loves Bud Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 my dd is getting married in November. They do not want to do wedding favors. All the weddings we have been to lately have them. Are they absolutely necessary and if you think they are can you give me any ideas that would not be real expensive. They expect 200-250 people. Back in the day didn't everyone give Jordan almonds tied up in a little tulle? If you want to go old school you could do that and it wouldn't cost a ton. Now they seem to be very theme related, and some I've seen have been very cute. But they are not necessary, and I definitely wouldn't miss them or even notice their absence if they weren't there. At all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy loves Bud Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 No, not necessary. Although dh and I did get a sort of morbid amusement out of using a book of matches the other day that said, "C__ and S__: a perfect match [date]" on the front... Their wedding favor matches lasted longer than the marriage. Sigh. At least they came in useful in a power outtage! But no, I don't think they're necessary or even particularly welcome by most of the guests. Up in flames, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom0012 Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 Well, I don't think they are necessary, but I have to say I do love jordan almonds. I don't know how many people are using those as favors these days though. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty in Pink Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 Nope, not necessary at all, and cutting them out is a good way to save money if the couple is on a budget. I do like jordan almonds though, and they can be purchased rather inexpensively and wrapped in tulle or placed in clear, celophane pouches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan in SC Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 We went to a cute beach wedding and they had chapstick printed with their names and the date on it. They were a big hit! Most people here don't have favors at the wedding, maybe a kazoo or something, but ususally koozies and printed cups are available at engagement parties and showers. (Can you tell we are Very Southern!?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 My dd gave out disposable cameras for wedding favors and we ended up with tons of great pictures from everyone's different POV. Some of my favorite picture came from other people. I thought that was a great idea. The last wedding we were at also did this and the family said they had the best time looking through our pictures. Unbeknownst to them, the owner of the reception hall came around to each kid present offering to make them their favorite food (whether it be shrimp or mac & cheese) and the couple got a big chuckle over seeing one of our kids with a huge plate of pancakes. The bride also had hand crocheted dishcloths in black and white and added ribbons to make them look like brides and grooms. It was personal, practical, and at least at our table kept the kids entertained by taking pictures of the bride and groom sword fighting with the miniature appetizer swords from the cheese tray .:D I'd do away with them if the couple doesn't want to do them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 Up in flames, eh? Just like the needlework piece I did for a couple of close friends as a wedding gift. It was hours of work. It was also the first and last piece I did with names and dates on it. :cursing: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teachermom2834 Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 Favors are not necessary, IMO. I made some sort of silly mint thing I made myself to save money. We did tell the women of my mother's and grandmother's generations to take the floral centerpiece home with them. It just kind of worked out that way numbers wise and what was I going to do with all those centerpieces??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lasulliva Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 We did a candy bar - mason jars / apothecary jars filled with our favorite candies, and little bags for the guests to fill up and bring home. Think it ended up being less than $1 per guest, but I spent hours finding the right bulk candy sites, lol. In my mind, if it's not edible or practical (like the bookmarks mentioned), it's probably a waste. But, if they don't want to do favors, don't! I doubt anyone will actually miss them.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tex-mex Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 I was just at a wedding and they did not give out expensive favors. But they did gather us up at the end of the wedding -- passed out cheap (Oriental Trading) "pink heart-shaped" bubble bottles. The bride and groom ran to the getaway car while we showered them in bubbles. Cheap and fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyable Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 I think they are totally unnecessary, but I did like ours - they were relatively cheap and I'm pretty sure most people ate theirs - we bought a few bags of Hershey's Kisses and Hershey's Hugs (do they even make those anymore?) and wrapped two kisses and two hugs up in a little tulle. Hugs and Kisses. Cute, huh. :tongue_smilie: I think I was much goofier back then. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardening momma Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 We had those little bubble jars for people to use in lieu of throwing rice as we exited the church--we had a couple of people hand them out from baskets as the guests exited. Then, at the reception, we had little bells for guests to ring instead of banging silverware (for bride & groom kiss). And we had Hershey's miniatures that we put our own wrappers over--pastel paper with our names & wedding date printed on them, printed on our home computer. Those and the bells were on the reception tables. Ours was a somewhat-casual reception, in that it was in the church fellowship hall rather than at a rented banquet center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 Nope, not necessary, and I think they are kind of silly (even though we did have them in our wedding). I would never be offended to attend a wedding without favors. I could never quite see the point of it. One usually remembers whose wedding one attended without the "memorabilia". However, a very thrifty lady in our church purchased several shiny looking pebbles (they have silver and gold colored ones) from a craft store and small plexiglass containers (this cost her less than $20.00 in 2003) as well as paper roses in pink and mauve (I think). She put the pebbles in the containers and decorated the top with the flowers. Depending on what time of year the wedding is and if you and your friends have a nice flower garden, you could use real flowers of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 I don't think they are necessary or expected. If kids will be in attendance, some simple activities at their tables would be nice. My sister had a kid table at her reception with crayons, markers, paper, stickers, and a few other things. Very helpful. She also gave each kid a disposable camera to take their own pictures at the reception. I think that was the favorite item over all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeneralMom Posted December 29, 2009 Share Posted December 29, 2009 We had a very small wedding and we did do favours, but they had a reason behind them - we had a plain white wedding cake, and then decorated it with little marzipan animals that told a story about us (I was the Beaver because I am Canadian, and he was the Grizzly Bear because he is from Montana) and we had things like penguins and moose about 10 different animals. So, we bought little boxes and gave everyone a little edible marzipan animal as a "favour". I actually know many of our guests still have them saved away (okay the ones who didn't eat them right away). As a general rule I don't like meaningless favours, but if there is some story to it, then go ahead and favour people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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