Tag: Green

The one thing that I love about budget and DIY weddings is that the couples, and their families, look for ways of reusing items after the wedding instead of using disposable items. And this is one thing that everyone can agree on, whether you’re a diehard Earth Day person, living Green, being Frugal, or just getting more bang for your buck.

I’m going to focus on one wedding item that tends to be wasteful or even a financial drain…wedding favors.

There are so many cute ideas out there. I really get it.

Some of them are practical. Like the paper fans on those hot summer outdoor weddings.

But if we’re being honest, how many of those items are really used by your guests after the wedding?

The problem that I see is that all those monogrammed, personalized items really don’t see a life outside of the wedding. The true exceptions are for the family and guests who are truly sentimental.

My husband is one of those sentimental people. I kid you not, he’s the one who collects the paper fans after the wedding and brings them home. His feelings are hurt if the one of the boys plays too rough with one and rips it. And 5 years later I just see a blue fan, but he remembers who wedding it was from and at least five new people he met, and a funny story or two from the reception.

So I want to challenge you to find a way to make your wedding favor do double duty. Or even triple duty!

One idea I have for you are little candles that you can purchase at craft fairs and support a local vendor.

Use #1 Wedding Favor

Instead of personalizing these with your names, initials and wedding date, try finding phrases or words that represent your love for each other. Funny phrases work if you’re a funny or prank making couple. When you take away the obvious personalization and go with personalization that your guests can identify with, you automatically guarantee that your guests are going to want to take your favors home.

Use #2 Year Round Gifting

For example, if you’re keeping with the romantic or Boho themes, this floral wreath is absolutly perfect! It adds to your wedding decor, but it’s absolutely something that people will love to decorate their homes with when they leave our reception. Worse case scenario, you take a few home and they are still an appropriate gift to give for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, an add on trinket to another couple or bride, the possibilities are endless.

Use #3 Centerpiece Decorations

If you’re thinking about using tea light candles on your reception tables anyway, these are perfect because one purchase price for a favor is fully utilizable for your centerpiece. And if you design it just right, you can combine it with other candles. For example, here’s the same candle with gold mercury glassware.

Use #4 After the Candle is Gone

People love cute little things. Even more than that, they love cute little things that they can easily see using when the contents are gone.

This little jar is perfect for adding:

• A new tea light
• Coins
• Q-tips
• Toothpicks
• Sink side jewelry holder
• Small office supply holder (ex. tacks)
• Tooth Fairy jar
• Spice holder
• And any crafty person can find a million uses for this size of a jar on a craft project

I think I bought several of these scented candles from a Christmas Craft Fair vendor for about $5 each. Yes, there are most certainly wedding favors out there that you can find cheaper per unit. BUT my big question is…

Which favor is going to be memorable for your guests? Pull double or triple duty for your decor? Will be used long after your wedding?

Another bonus to purchasing an item like this from a local vendor is that they are likely to work you a deal if you buy something in bulk from them. It’s something to talk to them about. But even at $5, it really is a great deal.

But the absolutely best thing about this favor is that it will absolutely not end up in the trash as soon as you leave for your honeymoon!