Wedding Shower Favors
From LoveToKnow Weddings
Looking for the perfect wedding shower favors? There are so many things to choose, from fun to practical, that it can be difficult to decide. Browse this article for ideas for the perfect favor, and add your own ideas in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Why Give Wedding Shower Favors
The matron or maid of honor, a close friend, or a co-worker is usually expected to host a wedding shower. According to traditional rules of etiquette, immediate family should not host the shower. As wedding rules become more relaxed, however, more family members host showers.
Whoever hosts the shower, whether friend or family, should plan on distributing wedding shower favors both as an expression of thanks for attending and a memento of the occasion. It doesn't have to be extravagant, just a token of appreciation. If a group is hosting the shower, a member of the bridal party or friend may be designated to handle the favors.
Appropriate Favors
What type of favor you will give depends on who will be attending the shower. If the shower will be an all female affair, you may want to give something like the following:
- Small bottle of lotion
- Nail polish
- Heart shaped keychain
- Bonne Bell Lip gloss
- Small bottle of bubble bath
- candle
Wedding shower favors of this nature will be appropriate for almost any age of woman that attends.
If the wedding shower will be co-ed, however, you want to give something that is appropriate for male and females. Photo frames, magnets, and mini-photo albums are all good gender neutral choices. Pens, paperweights and mini notebooks are other options.
Edible favors, such as Recipes chocolate, Recipes candy, Recipes cookies, fortune cookies, gourmet coffee or tea packets, or personalized candy bars are also great for co-ed showers. Things like personalized shot glasses and Page wine stoppers may be gender neutral, but keep in mind the ages and people attending. If there will be grandparents or other elderly guests, skip the shot glass and go with a personalized mug instead.
Cost
The cost of wedding shower favors vary. More elaborate favors will naturally cost more, and engraving will usually raise the price a bit more. If you choose a miniature silver engraved jewelry box like the one sold by Beau Coup for an all female shower, you can expect to pay around thirty dollars per favor.
If that seems a bit out of your price range, don't worry. Your wedding shower favors don't need to be elaborate or expensive -- remember they are a gesture, a token of appreciation. Something as inexpensive as a couple of Andes' mints wrapped in tulle with a pretty ribbon is perfectly acceptable and may cost less than a quarter per person.
Presentation
Something that can make a big difference in how your favor is received is the presentation. Even simple or inexpensive favors leave a good impression when they are packaged beautifully. Make or buy small tags or cards to display a thank you message, use some raffia or pretty ribbon in the wedding colors, and wrap the favor in organza or tulle.
Alternately, pretty tins or containers are a great way to display inexpensive gifts like candy. There are also many different types of favor bags and favor boxes you can purchase. Many are inexpensive, especially if you are buying a large quantity.
Favor Ideas
Whether they are fun, practical, or edible, there is almost no limit on what you can choose for your wedding shower favors. As long as it's appropriate, within your budget, and packaged nicely, you can't go wrong.
If you have a theme for the shower, find a way to incorporate the favor into the theme. If you are hosting a more traditional shower, you can choose something with a love or wedding motif. Need favor ideas? Here's a few to think about.
- Heart shaped measuring spoons or cookie cutters
- Coffee scoop
- Candy scoop
- A packet of flower seeds
- Nuts
- Trail Mix
- Mints
- Hershey's Kisses
- Lollipops
- Scented or shaped soap
- Mini manicure kits
- Bookmarks
- Letter openers
- Coasters
- Ice cream scooper
- Cheese grater
- Spreading knife
- Candy dish
- Bottle opener
- Mini bottle of maple syrup or honey
- Mini bottle of olive oil
- Measuring tape
- Luggage tag
- Potpourri
- Incense kits
- Bottle opener
- Playing Cards
- Small flower vases
- Eyeglass or sunglass cases
- Mini mirror compact
- Money clips
Community
What favors were used for your wedding shower? Post suggestions in the comments below. Do you have any questions regarding etiquette, planning or any other business? Why not ask our expert, Sharon Naylor? Don't forget our discussion topics. Look on our Main Page for our questions of the week.
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Comments
Also, consider shopping at discount stores... Places such as Target are starting to offer $1 spots with very reasonably priced favor items.
-- Contributed by:While many people shop at party stores to find favors or favor ideas, I prefer going to the craft stores. Not only are there more items to offer inspiration, but they're cheaper. Once when I was a bridesmaid, those of us in the wedding party had a "favor party" the night before the shower. We got together and had a great time eating, drinking and gabbing while putting together beautiful favor baskets.
-- Contributed by:This page has been accessed 2,418 times. This page was last modified 15:53, 7 October 2008.
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