So You Want To Make Your Own Wedding Favors?
by Kristie McDaniel-Price

Well you can, and they can be beautiful and unique with your own personal touch. I notice that a lot of brides are trying to find ideas to make their own original wedding favors. I know that you want something that your guest will love that gets them into the joy of the day!

Let's start with some important tips for getting started with your search for the perfect favor to make. First you have to start early. I know that wedding planning usually begins about 18 months before the wedding. Do not leave your wedding favor as a last minute detail. Think about what you want to make and then shop around for the best prices. You can find the best prices at craft stores after holidays like Valentine's Day, Christmas and Thanksgiving. Also, you can go to your local party stores and find materials that you can use for your favors. They usually have very good sales after the holidays. Always be on the lookout for the materials you need because you might just find them for next to nothing at any store.

Next you need to find something that you can make yourself. There are a lot of good ideas but some of them are not for everyone. For instance, I can't sew so I stay away from projects that require me to sew more than a simple stitch. Try to pick something that will be easy for almost anyone to put together because you will probably have an assembly line of helpers, especially since most weddings have more than 100 guests.

Well here are some of the steps to creating that wedding favor you and your guest will love! First, you will need to answer a few questions:

1. What is something unique about you, the Bride?
2. What is your favorite hobby?
3. What is something that you and your fiancé love to do?
4. What message do you want to convey to your guest?
5. What is the mood of your wedding, like formal, party time, or family get together?
6. Is there a theme to your reception?
7. Is your wedding during a holiday like Christmas or Thanksgiving?
8. Do you want the guest to keep the favor or just eat it?

When you answer these questions, you'll be able to come up with a lot of ideas for favors that you might want to have. While answering the questions, don't restrict yourself to the traditional. I've recently seen request on many message boards for very unique favors like military favors, bowling favors, and especially destination wedding favors. For example, if you are an avid stamp collector, then develop your favor around this interest.

The next step is to develop a miniature representation of your theme or hobby. For example for the Christmas wedding, you could find tiny pine trees and decorate them with candies and ribbon as ornaments. Make sure you make the favor as simple as possible, so it is easy to assemble. This is especially important for large weddings.

The final step is to go to the craft store and look around for materials to make your idea. For example with the stamp collector, that person could get some card stack or post cards and print out a Stamp with the happy couple, a message for guests and the price in the corner like an actual stamp. They could attach these cards to envelope or tulle with candy. There are so many things in the craft store that will inspire ideas in the creative bride. You can even start with this step and just look around and see what you can find. There are so many miniature materials that you can develop into beautiful craft ideas. Also, don't just go to the wedding aisle of the craft store, look around the whole store. Wedding favors can be made with just about anything. Popsicle sticks, Forster Woodsies, and plastic spoons are just a few materials that you can use. If you plan on making your own favors and you want something unique then take time to develop your idea and make it personal to you! You will save money and you will definitely love the outcome!