| Planning a wedding of any size or budget can have | | | | out of fashion. Recent favorites have included flower |
| numerous items that may be quite costly. In addition | | | | seeds packaged in transparent, frosted envelopes |
| to planning for the dress and cake, a bride will want | | | | with a small sentimental card attached with a ribbon |
| to spend thought considering the wedding favors for | | | | commemorating the event. Decorative candles tied |
| her guests. These small tokens of appreciation don't | | | | with a delicate ribbon are another great item to show |
| have to be expensive. Frequently, the most | | | | sentiment and many can be purchased for about one |
| enjoyable part of planning a wedding, is the selection | | | | dollar. Custom designed bookmarks with personalized |
| of the wedding favor. Preparation for right the token | | | | sentiments can be cherished by guests for a lifetime. |
| at the least possible cost adds to the fun, allowing | | | | Today's desktop publishing software and quality |
| the bride a chance to tap into creative talents. | | | | papers greatly reduce the cost compared to the |
| The practice of providing gifts to the guests of | | | | costs of using a professional printer. |
| weddings began with European aristocrats who would | | | | The art of presenting wedding favors, provides |
| endow guests with a fancy box called a bonboniere, | | | | unlimited possibilities for a couple to express gratitude |
| named for the bonbons that it would protect. A | | | | to guests for being present at the event. Wedding |
| bonboniere was crafted of crystal, porcelain or gold | | | | favors serve a dual purpose of allowing the bride to |
| and could be encrusted with precious stones. Today | | | | express herself emotionally or creatively and can be |
| these gifts for the guests, are known as wedding | | | | chosen to provide décor to the reception |
| favors and is a tradition that has continued worldwide | | | | table. The selection of inexpensive favors doesn't |
| since the sixteenth century. A common belief of | | | | have to compromise quality or elegance. Simple |
| many cultures worldwide was, that the wedding | | | | placecards in small decorative frames or placecard |
| couple was the focus of benevolent spirits who | | | | holders will make a lasting gift selection. Frames and |
| brought good luck. They believed that the same | | | | placecard holders can be made with a variety of |
| auspicious luck could be passed on to anything they | | | | materials from ceramic to stainless steel, for about a |
| touched. Betrothed couples would give small items to | | | | dollar each. Decorative candles, soaps and cookies are |
| others in the village to share same good luck, that | | | | easily found in a variety of shapes from cupids to |
| was expected to last a year. | | | | wedding cakes. Stylish bottle stoppers and bottle |
| For more than a thousand years, almonds were a | | | | openers are available in a variety of shapes and |
| common gift given to the wedding couple, signifying | | | | crafted in frosted glass or stainless steel. |
| the good wishes on their new life together. Brides | | | | If a bride is open minded to a wide range of gift |
| would choose to pass on those same good wishes | | | | items when shopping, it's possible to find excellent |
| to others by preparing a small gift of the almonds, | | | | prices on bulk purchases, or closeouts from retailers |
| beautifully wrapped in elegant fabric. The custom in | | | | that specialize in wedding paraphernalia. Avoid having |
| the Middle East is for the bride to make a gift of five | | | | gifts engraved or personalized, as that will greatly |
| almonds to represent fertility, longevity, wealth, | | | | drive the prices up. If it is desired to personalize an |
| health and happiness. In the thirteenth century the | | | | item, consider custom designed labels for chocolates, |
| trend of coating almonds in sugar became popular. | | | | coffee or packages of tea assortments. Although |
| Today the candy coated nuts are pastel adorned | | | | prices for private labeled chocolate bars can be about |
| treats, known as Jordan almonds and remain a staple | | | | $2.00 each, a bride or her friends can design and print |
| of many wedding celebrations. Jordan almonds | | | | unique labels with a home computer. Candy bars can |
| provide one of the most common and inexpensive | | | | be picked up at the local grocery for as little as a |
| wedding favors when wrapped by delicate fabric to | | | | quarter each or bought in bulk from a club store. |
| form small bundles tied with ribbon. | | | | The presentation of wedding favors is a time |
| Wedding favors are typically presented to guests at | | | | honored tradition and provides the bridegroom couple |
| the reception table, but can be distributed at the end | | | | with an excellent means to share feelings with those |
| of an informal gathering of coffee and cake. Brides | | | | they care about. Wedding favors continue to be one |
| have learned be very creative when it comes to | | | | element of the wedding, where presentation and |
| selecting wedding favors that won't go over budget, | | | | imagination have a greater value than the price of |
| and still honor all of her guests. The trends may vary | | | | the item. |
| each year, but the favors a bride selects are never | | | | |