Making An Effort With Personalized Favors

Personalized favors are still a relatively new idea, but they're gaining in popularity among many wedding parties.

For mere pennies, you can have your names and wedding date etched onto just about anything, such as boxes, wrappers, bars of soap, flasks, wine glasses, water bottles, lip balms, mint tins and more! You may also want to consider personalizing the wedding party's grooms men and bridesmaids favors too, although these gifts should be a little more expensive and thoughtful to show your appreciation for all they've helped you with. Here are some thoughtful favor ideas to help you get started.

For bridesmaids, useful personalized favors may include a mirrored compact. For $24.95, you can get personalized, silver-plated, purse-shaped compact mirrors at www.perfectwedding.com.

There is a large selection of personalized mirrored compacts at www.enchantedlantern.com for $30, that include pictures of cherubs, vintage beach wedding favors, western themes, Rosie the Riveter, Chat Noir and more.

Over at the unique independent merchant site, www.etsy.com, you can choose a monogrammed lighted compact for just $12 -- that is, if you don't fall in love with any of their other one-of-a-kind unique wedding favor designs first!

To save money, some people prefer to go with custom party favor boxes, rather than personalized favors. For instance, at www.favorsbyserendipity.com, you can personalize tuxedo and wedding dress favor boxes, which can be filled with breath mints, tea bags, cocktail drink mixes, coffee, hot chocolate, spices or your favorite candy.

These favor boxes can be purchased for $1-$3, depending on the design and can be stuffed for even less, making them one of the most cost-effective gift types. Often times these favors double in function, acting as a take-home souvenir and a placeholder!

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Showing Your Personality With Unique Favors

The most unique favors are items that offer guests a glimpse into your personality, interests, tastes and favorites. One of the most interesting facets of a wedding is that guests can learn even more about you and your new spouse by looking at the decorations, the cake, your outfits, your theme and your color scheme.

The wedding reception party favor of your choice definitely plays into the finishing touches of your overall display. Your favors should complement the design, colors and concept you've already built upon with every other detail. The best favor ideas are items that can be reused or disposed of immediately, rather than little trinkets that will go to a garage sale later on.

Couples are finding new ways to put their own twist on the traditional chocolate wedding favor. Even though Godiva's Grace Yu says "Heart-shaped chocolates are the most popular," using creative presentation can re-invent this old favorite.

For instance, one couple filled gigantic white-chocolate hearts with the San Francisco couple's names written in dark chocolate. When the hearts were broken open, several chocolate truffles were found inside, much to the delight of the guests.

Another couple wrapped dark chocolates in gold foil and wrote place holder cards on them in calligraphy. There are also a number of party favor boxes to house your unique favors.

There are many ways to present your unique favors. You can choose an inexpensive item and dress it up with lavish trim. For instance, you can buy decorative party favor boxes that match your theme for under $1. Or you may use a plain box and slap on a personalized sticker to add personality.

Typing picot-edged ribbon with mini wedding bells adds a finished look. Lining a box with colored tissue paper and securing the top with a charm leaves a lasting impression. Mini Chinese takeout boxes are gaining a lot of popularity, especially with Asian-themed weddings.

With proper presentation, even the smallest gesture can be breathtaking and clever.

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