Ten Creative Wedding Favors for Contemporary Couples

Wedding favors: a tough topic for contemporary couples preparing to walk down the aisle. Many modern couples are tired of the standard mints and bubbles. Instead, they want fun, fresh wedding favors. Most couples would deem this task a daunting one. Not you. Why? Because you have the following ten suggestions to consider.

"Mr. & Mrs." Swizzle Sticks by Kate Aspen

Gift your guests with these clever swizzle sticks decked out in wedding attire, particularly, dapper top hats and veiled tiaras. After guests take them home, they'll remember the happy couple every time they stir their cocktails.

Love Bird Salt & Pepper Shakers

Modern, refined and romantic, these white porcelain salt and pepper shakers are truly unique. Place pullout box at each table. Guests will be delighted when they open the boxes and see the Love Birds nesting cozily inside. Buy a few –or a few dozen, depending on the size of your reception– extra to use as the actual salt and pepper shakers at each reception table.

"Good Wishes" Pearlized Photo Coasters

Extend good wishes to all your guests. These handsome pearlized glass frame coasters are surrounded by positive terms such as love, forever, joy, faith, bliss and hope. Get creative with these wedding favors. Frame a photo of the newlyweds, use them as placecard holders or simply leave as-is, which encourages guests to make their own memories to place inside. Packaged in twos and tied with organza ribbon.

"A Leisurely Game of Love" Golf Ball Tape Measure

Whether you both love golf or simply seek a creative theme, this useful tape measure in the shape of a golf ball can be personalized on a flat area of the ball. Let your guests know your love is "fore-ever." Whether guests are golf buffs or not, they won't be able to resist these favors.

Miniature Wooden Birdhouses

These wedding favors are simply adorable. What a clever way to thank your friends and family for being there as you take the first step in feathering your love nest. Great for outdoor, warm-weather receptions. Guests will enjoy using them at home as garden accessories or even holiday tree decorations.

"Castles in the Sand" Sand Castle Tea Light by Kate Aspen

Bet you've never received a sand castle wedding favor before. Bet your guests haven't either. This favor lends a tender, contemplative feel. Guests will use it for years to come. Sand-textured castle has tiny windows, turrets and comes with a tea light. Also functions as a place card holder, disguised as a flag atop the castle.

Blooming Bookmark Verse 4

These sustainable gifts are all the rage in wedding favors. Show your guests you care about not only them, but the planet. Give green favors. These bookmarks feature the Ralph Waldo Emerson quote, "Friendship is the breathing rose, with sweets in every fold," followed by a note of thanks from the happy couple, stating "We sincerely thank you, friends and loved ones, for sharing with us the sweet moment of our wedding day." Bookmarks include detachable adornments that guests may planet in their gardens and watch life spring forth.

"Love is Sweet" Sweetheart Towel Cakes

These "cakes" appear so realistic, one might try to eat them. What appears to be a tasty dessert is truly two folded, brown and white hand towels, perfectly arranged to resemble a heart-shaped cake. A highly unique and whimsical way to treat your wedding guests. Towels are made of 100% cotton, and are even topped with faux wafers and strawberries. The clever packaging features the wedding favor atop a doily and packed in a clear, heart-shaped "cake box," making it a fun focal point at the reception table.

"Calla Lily Elegance" Vase-Shaped Candle

This small, elegant candle with a vase-shaped profile features a handrolled fabric lily tied with a tiny silk ribbon, lending the appearance of a bouquet. Guests will appreciate this thoughtful gift.

Monogrammed Tea Wedding Favors

Personalized, individually packaged tea bags featuring a single initial or classic monogram, as well as the name of the bride and groom or wedding date. A trendy and sophisticated way to appreciate your guests.
With tea on the rise as an "in" beverage, this gift is perfect for contemporary couples searching for new options in wedding favors. Tea is a rich, traditional black blend, and comes sealed in a glossy, white foil envelope to lock in freshness and flavor.
With so many extraordinary gift ideas, some couples may have trouble narrowing down their choice to one selection. Fortunately, there are frequently bridal showers and bachelor parties, as well. Don't be afraid to tell the hosts in advance about these fantastic favors. Chances are, they're stuck in the same favor rut you were. Perhaps you'll be doing them a… favor!

About the Author

Dena Merlino is a freelance writer who writes about a variety of topics including wedding accessories.

Highgate Manor Bunny Salt and Pepper Ceramic Shakers

Pepper Shakers

7 Practical and Affordable Ideas for Fall Wedding Favors

Finding the perfect favors to convey your sincere gratitude towards family and friends for attending your fall wedding can be overwhelming. You want your favors to be unique and useful. Never fear, we have 7 fall wedding favor ideas to jump-start the creative side of your brain and buffer your budget.

Votive Candles - Votive candles decorated with leaf-shaped designs or silhouettes, cinnamon sticks, and raffia will add the magic of fall to your reception tables. Candles can be lit during the reception to add the romantic atmosphere of candle light. They can also be presented in organza bags and place on the tables or in gift bags for family and friends to take home. You can create your own unique votive favors with supplies from your local craft store. For those who don’t have the time to create their own candles, many attractive, pre-packaged candle favors are available through your local bridal shop or at many online favor retailers.

Drink Coasters - Drink coasters make fantastic thank you favors that are both decorative and functional. Autumn-themed drink coasters have become popular favors for many fall party events. The reason why is simple, many favors are used only once. Edible favors are consumed either during the reception or party or afterwards at home. Some favors will be stored in a curio cabinet or in a keepsake box. Coasters, on the other hand, can be used all year long, either for daily use or for social gatherings in one’s home. Imagine the delight of family and friends as they discover a set of coasters at their table setting.

Key Chains - Another useful favor that serves a purpose is the key chain. A gold-tone key ring and chain attached to oak leaf charms will accent your fall table decorations and provide an affordable, functional favor recipients can use every day.

Bookmarks - Say thank you to guests for celebrating your special day and promote good reading habits with fall-themed bookmark favors. Leaf-shaped bookmarks will remind family and friends of your special day every time they open their current novel, book, or magazine.

Place Card Photo Frames - Here is a dual-purpose favor that is always a winner. Place card frames can be used in two ways at your reception or party. Set a frame at each table seat with a place card displaying the table number or name of each guest. If you are not using place cards to seat your guests you can insert a picture of the bride and groom into each frame. After the reception, guests will take their frames home to display your picture, or any picture, on their desk, end table, or buffet.

Salt & Pepper Shakers - Think back to the last wedding reception you attended. I’ll bet you didn’t see salt and pepper shaker favors at your table setting. Here we have another unique favor idea that is functional and will accent your fall wedding table decorations. Miniature salt and pepper shakers, shaped like apples, pears, or even peas represent the shapes and colors of fall.

Favor Boxes - Favor boxes are included in my list of fall wedding favors for one reason - you can’t go wrong with treasures hidden in tiny decorated boxes. How many weddings have you attended to discover a beautiful little favor box on or above your dinner plate. How long did it take before you broke down and opened it....30 seconds, 90 seconds? Today’s favor boxes are available in a plethora of shapes, sizes and colors. All you have to do is decide what to put inside of them. So, if you are going in circles trying to decide what to give as thank favors at your wedding, you can always go with the tried and true tradition of favor boxes filled with anything from truffles to lottery tickets.

Now that you have 7 practical and affordable ideas for fall wedding favors, all you need to do is decide which option will best suit your needs. Discuss your ideas with your wedding coordinator or close family and friends. Decide what favors you want to present to your guests and order your supplies early. Having your wedding favors in hand and ready to place on tables or in gift bags will help prevent unnecessary stress as your wedding day draws near.

About the Author

Ray Miller is the founder and chief editor of My Wedding Reception Ideas.com. My Wedding Reception Ideas offers couples helpful ideas, information, and products for wedding favors, accessories, and wedding party gifts to complete their wedding reception plans.

do you know where i can get the salt and pepper shakers from star trek?

my mom is in love with star trek and collects salt and pepper shakers so i really want to get her the salt and pepper shakers from the new movie star trek for her birthday. i looked for them online and i just can't find them. does anyone know where i can get them?

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Golf Club vs. Salt & Pepper Shakers

Tags: and, antique salt and pepper shakers, design, pepper, pepper shakers, salt, salt and pepper shakers, shakers, unique salt and pepper shakers, vintage salt and pepper shakers

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