I am one to advocate that my clients forgo favors and save the money and the time. From my experiences – 99% of time, the favors are left on the tables and at the end of the night, I end up putting 75% of them in the trash. In my opinion, it’s just not a great use of time and money.
With that said, there were two instances where guests took an interest in and really enjoyed the favors – and in both of those instances, the Bride and I went through great lengths and expense putting them together.
Despite my thoughts – many of our clients still feel that favors are a necessary part of their wedding – but how do you minimize waste and expense, while maximizing impact? In December I wrote about some very cute plantable seeded favors from Dream Green Weddings. Very cute, very practical and very unique.
Another very ecologically and socially responsible way is donation. Almost everyone has something they care about. Why not help someone else on the most important day of your life? You can donate privately in all of your guest names – and then place a nice sign at the guest table, or make little cards out of post consumer recycled paper – and place one at each guest place setting or put them at a favor table – as they make an impressive impression in bulk.
Happy planning
Seeds are an excellent idea. I attended a wedding a few years ago where the bride had the seeds in a little clay pot to plant them in. Unfortunately, I lost my seeds somewhere during my travel accross the country to my home. I still have the little clay pot.
Whenever I see the pot I think of the really beautiful wedding and wish that I had planted the seeds.