Please excuse the punny title of this post. While wedding favors aren't always a necessity, there are tons of fun ways to give your guests a small token of thanks. Because we are such huge foodies, we want our favors to reflect that. In traditional Italian culture, five Jordan almonds represent five wishes for the bride and groom: health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity. While Jordan almonds can certainly be a little cheesy, I found these stunning silver ones that would make a really fun favor. Here are a few things that are inspiring me this week as I think about favors:
DIY wedding favors
Now that I'm just 54 days away from saying "I DO" it's time to talk about favors! I have often thought to myself, "do I really need to do favors?" After-all, I can think of numerous weddings I've been to where I either didn't take the favor, or never used it. The thought of putting a ton of effort into making favors and being left with a majority of them bothers me. So.... what's a bride to do? Well, I did a little research by googling "wedding favors that people actually want." (Believe it or not, Google actually finished that sentence for me, so at least I know I'm not alone on this subject.) Here are some of the creative favor ideas I came across:
A wine stopper & a CD of the bride and groom's favorite love songs
DIY Rice Crispy Treat Favors! yummmmmm! Click the photo for the step-by-step TUTORIAL!
Homemade Limoncello!
candies in the color of your wedding. simple, but cute
Italian Wedding Bombonieres.... pretty sure Greeks do these too ;-)
Are you a bride that plans on doing favors? If so, what ideas can you offer for those of us debating whether or not we should do them? Looking forward to reading your comments! :)
Breaking the Ice {Table Games}
This past weekend I was lucky enough to attend the wedding of one of my dearest friends Caroline who has been with her now-husband Carter almost exactly as long as Kyle and I have been together. Among many of the personal elements that I loved about the wedding, one thing that both Kyle and I loved was the little hand-stamped packet that was set at each place setting filled with one fake mustache and one set of false teeth.
We knew no one there before the wedding, but by the end we felt like we had made great new friendships with so many people. And I think we can thank the mustaches for that.
Needless to say, we loved this idea! Now I'm looking for inspiration for some other fun and awesome ice breakers for wedding reception tables. Here are just a few that I have found.
Photos by Emma Case
Isn't this cool? Guest pick a button out of the jar and write some "words of wisdom" based on the word on the button. Better yet, it doubles as your guest book. There's a great DIY with printables over at Rock My Wedding for this darling Jar of Hearts!
Top left: Penny for Your Thoughts; Top right: Date Night; Bottom: He Said, She Said
Have you been to a wedding with some great dinner table ice breakers? If so, what were they? We really want to do this at our wedding, and want to hear your ideas!
time to accessorize {2 month mark}
Whenever I find myself wondering where should I be in the planning process I refer to Brides magazine. In every issue they have a countdown, and so far it hasn't failed me. At the 2 month mark it suggests:
- discuss ceremony readings and songs with officiant... check! We'll be doing that next week
- Check your state's requirement for a marriage license... need to do this.
- Mail the invitations.... they're arriving THIS WEEK! woohoo!
- Do a hair and make-up trial.... need to schedule, and at least I know who I'm using ;-)
- Order or make the favors... oye, this will be a task.... stay tuned for a future post on this one.
- Accessorize your look!
The last bullet point is what I'm doing today- accessorize your look! Check out some of my inspiration!
A little clutch to hold gloss & other make-up:
Diamonds vs. crystals.... who can tell the difference? Either way, both of these chandelier earrings are fabulous:
Since I'm not wearing a statement necklace, I think a statement cuff will do.... especially one like this!
Belts and sashes are very in this season. Although I'm not wearing one, I really love these:
So brides-to-be.... how do you plan on accessorizing your look??
Gift Wrapping With Stencils | Neon Pink + Kraft Paper
If you following my Pinterest, you know by now that I am obsessed with gift wrapping. I'm having so much fun trying every pattern, color, paper, and of course, toppers!
I picked up this furniture stencil from Royal Design Studio as well as some kraft wrapping paper. This neon pink paint comes from Michaels (It was on sale, only .10!!!!)
Simply, I put the stencil on the paper and took a sponge brush to dab and paint the paper. I tried taking a roller to the paper, but paint started to build on the side and looked pretty bad. To create the cleanest lines possible, you have to go piece by piece on the stencil and dab, brush and dab again until you get the desired amount of paint.
This small present took about 45 minutes total, so if you are looking for a cheap and fast alternative to wrapping paper, this definitely isn't it. But if you are looking for something totally different, well just check out how awesome this looks done. I added some Washi Tape to complete with look :)
There is plenty more where that came from! I already have 3 more complete gift wrapping projects to show off, so stay tuned.
Thanks to Royal Design Studio for the stencils to create this awesome wrapping paper.
Getting Into Gift Wrapping
Recently I have been highly enthralled by all things wrapping and gift. (In fact, I have already started Christmas shopping/wrapping!) I love a simple wrap, something subtle with just a hint of color, an awesome pattern or a badass topper.
In hindsight, this is something I should have paid more attention to during my wedding. I wasn't unhappy with the way my jam jars were wrapped, but there are just so many different things I could have done. (Like put the jam in craft boxes and wrapped each of those up, stamp those with our monogram stamp and a cute little topper.....just thinking off the top of my head) To get my fix, I have been loving unique ways to wrap just about anything I can get my hands on!
Credit: Flag, Muslin Bags, Floral Toppings
Unfortunately kraft paper has been used time and time again, and as gorgie as it is, it is time for me to move on to something just as awesome. I have about 10 showers and birthday's happening in the next few months, so I am going to practice making my own wrapping paper and hopefully I will get good enough by the time Christmas rolls around.
I love a simple sewn detail! This might just be my favorite of the bunch, however I must confess that I am horrible at sewing paper!
Credit: Boxes, Poms, Wooden Box
I'll probably do all of these and a whole bunch more in the next few months. Which should I try first??
Peanut Butter Jelly Time - {Favors}
With less than six months to go until Wedding Day, it is time to start thinking about some of the smaller DIY projects that still need to be completed. One projects that I am looking forward to completing is making favors for our guests. As a kidgrowing up my family would always make homemade blackberry jam. It was always a family affair with all the kids and adults helping to pick and can all the jelly that we could. So, it only seemed fitting that this labor of love, and family tradition would make for great wedding favors. 
Source: Top: Snippet & Ink via Sarah Cramer, Bottom Left: Etsy Right: Rustic Country Wedding
I love the idea of a custom label for our each jar and great display area.
Source: Inspired by This via Steep Street
Source: Top: The Brides Cafe via. Katy Gray, Bottom Left: Polka Dot Weddings via. Bottom Right: Once Wed via Aaron Delesie
What memorable favors are you making for your guests?
Personalized Hand-Lettered Mugs by Wandersketch
I'm loving these mugs SO much. The hand-lettering is so perfect. This is definitely going on my must-buy list. Wandersketch is an awesome Esty shop with a variety of hand-drawn dishware including plates, bowls and of course, these amazing mugs. I am definitely keeping these in mind for upcoming weddings as well, such an awesome gift for the couple!
While looking for favor inspiration I came across these and was os inspired by the possibilities. How amazing would these be as favors for your guests? Of course it is kind of a toss-up if guests will want a mug with your initials and the wedding date on it, but as a gift, I have to say, this is pretty amazing. And for those special people in your life, this would be a gift they would love to have.
They are kind of on the pricey side, but if you don't want to splurge on your favors, this is a fun gift for your wedding party or close family.
Aren't you guys loving these? So beautiful.