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