How to Create: "Love in Bloom" Wedding Decorations and Favors

This is a relatively simple decoration and/or favor to create for a wedding and though any color can be used in the project, I have found weddings that use a bright color add a festive, fun look to this project and make it stand out as something interesting and different. Plus this is a decoration that also serves as a party favor later on and guests will find themselves actually putting to use the different components of this decoration, unlike some of the traditional rolled "thank you" notes with brass rings or even small net bags of mints. With this decoration/favor, the bride and groom certainly won't be accused of being ordinary, but rather will be praised for their creativity and usefulness of the items greeting the guests as they arrive.

Supplies Needed:

Small box. This can either be precovered with netting as the one shown in the illustration, one that you cover yourself in tulle or even a small box of a suitable shade in the design of a Chinese take out box. Note: the Chinese take out box is not the ideal container for this project but can be used if other items are impossible to find or if time is at a minimum.

Small candies in the shape of hearts, kisses, or any decorative, brightly colored candies to fill the box. In my case, I used foil wrapped chocolate hearts, which are easily available at this time of year, but chocolate kisses would also work. The effect you are going for is a slight glimmer through the netting, thus the reason why netting works better than plain boxes.

Packets of flower seeds. There are many varieties of seeds to choose from. Either color coordinates your flowers to match your décor or go with "cute" and use forget me knots or simple daisies. Sunflowers and daisies are two of the easiest to grow and because of this, I tend to use them for this decoration.

Poem, which states (or something along these lines, let your creativity work here)

When in spring these seeds you see

Plant them deep and think of me...

When flowers grow like heavenly kisses

You'll remember us as Mr. and Mrs.

Print this on your computer and size to fit the back of the seed package, lightly gluing with a glue stick in place.

Ribbon in coordinating colors

How to:

Print, cut out and assemble seed packets with note on back

Punch small hole with paper punch in upper left corner of seed packet

Place candies in box, draw up tulle to cover, gather at top and secure with ribbon.

Using left over ribbon, tie seed packet on top of box making a bow if desired.

Add ribbon roses or other decorations as you see fit or leave as a simple decoration.

And that is that. A very simple yet effective decoration/favor for the reception table. You can group these in the middle of the table or place them at each place setting using a simple candle with candies and seed packets scattered around it in the middle of the table for extra favors. If used as a centerpiece, flank the box with candle votives similar to the ones shown here. These were purchased at Pier One but interesting an inexpensive candle holders can be found at nearly every dollar store for reasonable prices.

These are simple and inexpensive to put together and a favor that will be used and admired for months afterwards, and when the flowers bloom, your wedding is sure to be discussed and remembered again. Enjoy and take it easy. The importance is fun in a wedding, not the fanciness of favors but the love and affection that goes into creating them.