How to Pick the Perfect Wedding Favor that Reflects You Both

When it comes time for the perfect day, any bride will tell you that they want their guests to be happy. In the midst of all the planning, the small details become monstrous, and one thing that couples routinely stress over is the perfect wedding favor to give their guests. Having successfully survived my own wedding, and having assisted in the planning of a multitude of others, perhaps this guide can be of help.

First and foremost, if you'd like a unique favor, stay away from all of the catalogs that arrive in the mail. The Knot website can be helpful with themed wedding favors, such as flip-flops for beach wedding guests, or labeled packages of hot chocolate for winter wedding guests, but again, most of their sponsors tend to sell the common favors. Their message boards (www.knot.com) create a community where people can share their ideas with others. Most notably, a friend of mine found the idea for her favor there.

"Always Remember..." was printed on 3x5 card stock in a color to match the wedding, and left on the guest's plate, along with a pen that had "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" printed on it. Guests were to leave the bride and groom a piece of wedding advice, and then they kept the pen. It was from a very practical bride and groom who wanted their favor to be useful. I still use the pen, and the wedding was two years ago.

Recently, charitable donations have become the trend in wedding favors. Couples who have a charity that means something to them, or who have lost a beloved family member to an illness, contribute on behalf of the wedding guests. A note is left for the guest stating, "A donation in your honor has been made to the American Cancer Society." This is truly the gift that keeps on giving. All charities need donations, and in this economy, a little goes a long way. Are you animal lovers? The North Shore Animal League, the Humane Society of the United States, the ASPCA, and many others stand ready to accept your wedding day honor. Want to help cure disease? Why not donate to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Are you eco-conscious and a friend of the environment? The Amazon Conservation Association, the Adirondack Council, and the Audubon Society await your call. You can have your wedding make a difference.

Do you and your betrothed have strong ties to where you live or are getting married? Some of the best favors are location-oriented favors. Getting married in the Napa Valley? Gift a small bottle of line with a label thanking your guests for attending your wedding. If you're getting married at the seashore, why not gift your guests a small box of salt-water taffy? Are you hosting a destination wedding? If it's at a beach, why not order custom tote bags, wedding-themed beach towels, or personalized sun hats? It might cost a bit more, but with a destination wedding, you have a smaller amount of guests to worry about. If you and your groom want to get married overseas, why not give everyone a small photo album in which they can save mementos of their trip, a passport holder, or another travel related item, like a small cosmetic case? If you're having a Disney wedding, why not give everyone mouse ears? If nothing else, they're fun and will make for great wedding photos.

The key to finding a unique and perfect favor is to find something that expresses the both of you. Are you foodies? Why not print a small collection of your favorite recipes for your guests. Are you music lovers? Burn Cd's of your favorite romantic songs and customize the label. If you're coffee lovers, why not give out a coffee mug with your names on it? If you're both into photography, why not use small picture frames that can double as your place card holder and the favor?

Do your new initials spell something fun? A couple in which both of their first names started with the letter 'M' recently opted to make M&Ms their wedding favors. Friends whose first initials were D & D opted to give everyone a bag of Dunkin' Donuts coffee.

The key to the wedding madness is to be creative and stay within your budget (and this applies to everything, not just wedding favors). Whether it is a box of M&Ms or a wedding themed beach towel, make sure it is something you can afford. Provided that you can find a way to reflect you and your future spouse in the present, everyone is sure to love what you've picked.