| We all know that today's brides feel free to | | | | |
| mix it up. You'll see electronic RSVPs in | | | | Brides are stealing items from the |
| place of card stock, and you might find a | | | | out-of-town baskets and retooling them as |
| handful of tiered key lime pies instead of | | | | favors. Miniature gifts with major mouth |
| the traditional French confection on the cake | | | | appeal include jars of wild blueberry jam for |
| table. Favors are another spot where wedding | | | | a Maine wedding, leaf-shaped maple syrup jars |
| couples put their personal spin on the | | | | for Vermont, cranberry "Bog Frogs" for Cape |
| proceedings. | | | | Cod, or individual salmon spice rub tins for |
| | | | Seattle (the "Rub with Love" tins by Tom |
| The last few years have seen an explosion of | | | | Douglas are adorable). |
| favors to match the explosion in theme | | | | |
| weddings -- and to suit all those weddings | | | | * Hi Ho, Silver. |
| that simply don't fit any rubber stamp. | | | | |
| | | | This theme's as old as time, but silver's |
| Even so, brides hit the online boards and | | | | showing up everywhere in weddings, from |
| forums bemoaning that they haven't found the | | | | sparkly sandals to silvery satin-lined favor |
| right favors. When you read between the | | | | boxes. It's not hard to go over the top with |
| lines, you realize that what many brides want | | | | gold, but silver's innate restraint makes it |
| is: | | | | a perfect choice for weddings ranging from |
| | | | ultra-traditional to celestial. Sleek |
| - A favor so unique (or so uniquely | | | | placecard frames and silver key chains are |
| presented) that it could practically only | | | | both au courant and elegant. |
| show up at their wedding. | | | | |
| | | | * Wild at Heart. |
| - A favor so perfect for their wedding that | | | | |
| none other would do. | | | | Brides are opting for favors that reflect the |
| | | | current lust for the outdoors -- and all the |
| In other words, brides want to find the one | | | | weddings taking place on golf greens, beaches |
| favor that's just about as perfect a match as | | | | and vineyard hideaways. Favors that offer |
| the man they've opted to marry. | | | | tactile reminders of the natural world are |
| | | | hot: engraved sand dollars, for example, or |
| ** Do You, Jill, Take This Favor ... ? | | | | votives or glass bottles graced with embedded |
| | | | sand and shells. Favors that reflect popular |
| It wasn't long ago that the ability to order | | | | niches within the beach theme are strong, |
| scented pear soaps or silver-plated salt and | | | | too: consider starfish soaps and coasters |
| pepper shakers came as a huge relief to | | | | that support the increasingly popular |
| brides and guests alike -- what a refreshing | | | | starfish theme, and abalone or paua shell |
| change from five Jordan almonds wrapped up in | | | | jewelry that's making a big splash at Pacific |
| tulle! But these days, a multitude of choices | | | | Rim weddings and bridal showers. |
| just isn't enough. Brides are looking for | | | | |
| uniqueness with a capital U, and they're | | | | Of course, it's not just the favors where |
| choosing: | | | | brides want something different -- they're |
| | | | putting their individual spin on presentation |
| * Favors that are Anything but | | | | too, tucking those unique little favors into |
| One-Size-Fits-All. | | | | unexpected packages, such as the new pyramid |
| | | | or triangular-shaped truffle boxes (which |
| Instead of two truffles in ballotin box, | | | | double as placecards), small apothecary jars, |
| brides are choosing "fair trade" truffles | | | | or lidded boxes in strong, unexpected colors |
| with a dusting of chipotle pepper. Instead a | | | | like celadon and chocolate, red and black or |
| pair of enamelled chopsticks, brides are | | | | hot pink and brown. |
| going for miniature bonsai or tiny Zen garden | | | | |
| kits. Fortune cookies in a takeout box are | | | | So as you can see, it's not that hard to find |
| sleek, but brides really want their cookies | | | | the one perfect favor for your wedding. Think |
| to come in custom flavors and colors | | | | local or outdoorsy, think presentation, or |
| (blueberry, anyone?) with a fortune they've | | | | simply ponder your theme until you find the |
| penned themselves. You get the picture -- | | | | edges that lead to a fresh and exciting idea. |
| brides want favors that looks like they came | | | | Simply think for yourself and your favors |
| out of a little shop of elves assembled just | | | | will show it -- just as if you really did |
| for their wedding. | | | | have your own platoon of elves in the |
| | | | backyard, ready to turn your dreams into |
| * Favors the Locals Love. | | | | reality. |