Creative, Trendy Wedding Favors Get Personal For 2006

We all know that today's brides feel free to mix itbaskets and retooling them as favors. Miniature
up. You'll see electronic RSVPs in place of cardgifts with major mouth appeal include jars of wild
stock, and you might find a handful of tiered keyblueberry jam for a Maine wedding, leaf-shaped
lime pies instead of the traditional Frenchmaple syrup jars for Vermont, cranberry "Bog
confection on the cake table. Favors are anotherFrogs" for Cape Cod, or individual salmon spice
spot where wedding couples put their personalrub 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 weddingsThis theme's as old as time, but silver's showing
-- and to suit all those weddings that simply don'tup 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 forumsgo over the top with gold, but silver's innate
bemoaning that they haven't found the rightrestraint makes it a perfect choice for weddings
favors. When you read between the lines, youranging 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 nonecurrent 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 favorvineyard hideaways. Favors that offer tactile
that's just about as perfect a match as the manreminders 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 orderFavors that reflect popular niches within the beach
scented pear soaps or silver-plated salt andtheme are strong, too: consider starfish soaps
pepper shakers came as a huge relief to bridesand coasters that support the increasingly popular
and guests alike -- what a refreshing change fromstarfish theme, and abalone or paua shell jewelry
five Jordan almonds wrapped up in tulle! But thesethat'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 areunique little favors into unexpected packages,
choosing "fair trade" truffles with a dusting ofsuch as the new pyramid or triangular-shaped
chipotle pepper. Instead a pair of enamelledtruffle boxes (which double as placecards), small
chopsticks, brides are going for miniature bonsaiapothecary jars, or lidded boxes in strong,
or tiny Zen garden kits. Fortune cookies in aunexpected colors like celadon and chocolate, red
takeout box are sleek, but brides really want theirand black or hot pink and brown.
cookies to come in custom flavors and colorsSo as you can see, it's not that hard to find the
(blueberry, anyone?) with a fortune they'veone perfect favor for your wedding. Think local or
penned themselves. You get the picture -- bridesoutdoorsy, think presentation, or simply ponder
want favors that looks like they came out of ayour theme until you find the edges that lead to a
little shop of elves assembled just for theirfresh 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-townbackyard, ready to turn your dreams into reality.