Favor Cakes

As a blushing bride you want your wedding to be unique and memorable, just like you will be as you walk down the isle in your wedding dress.  There is no detail too small to be customized, and it’s the little extras that will make your wedding exceptional for your guests.  When it comes to choosing wedding favors the options can be absolutely overwhelming.  As a bride you want to give out something new that people haven’t seen before and yet what you choose still needs to be affordable and classy.

Favor Divas has a line of some of the most unique wedding favors available.  They’re called “Favor Cakes”, and not only are they wedding favors, but they can double as reception decorations and stunning table centerpieces.  Favor Cakes look like beautiful wedding cakes from afar and are available in two, three, four, and five layers.  It’s when your wedding guests get close to Favor Cakes that they realize there’s something special about them.  These Favor Cakes are not edible cake at all but are unexpectedly wedding favors!  Your guests will be pleasantly surprised to take home their very own slice of your Lavender Turrets of Love Favor Cake.

Two Ways to Have Your Favor Cake

What’s unconventional about Favor Cakes  is that you can choose to have them arrive assembled and ready to go, or unassembled in a do it yourself kit!

• The assembled version arrives with each pearl handled favor box containing Jordan almonds and a sweet love poem.
• The unassembled option comes with colored instructions and everything you need to easily assemble your Favor Cake minus candy.  This  option is great for the bride who went over budget on her dress and is trying to make up for costs where she can, or the bride who just likes to do it herself.

No matter which version you choose, and unlike most other high quality wedding favors, both options are affordable.  From a decoration standpoint the silk flower toppers are elegant and will make your reception feel classy and timeless.  The satin ribbons on each of the pearl handed favor boxes are the icing on the cake and add a stylish dash of color.

While the pressure will be on trying to get last minute preparations finished for your big day, a Favor Cake just may be the answer to your wedding favor prayers.  They’re unique, budget friendly, and will be memorable for your guests.

Here are the ingredients:

2 1/2 cups sea salt (do not use table salt; this will dry your skin)
1 cup baking soda (Arm & Hammer baking soda will do well)
1/2 cup citric acid
1 tbs fragrance oil (cosmetic grade; do not use fragrance oils used for candles)
Colorant: Use mica colors of your choice. In the video, Mary used two colors. The first one is a combination of 1/4 tsp each of FDA F&C mica yellow and matte red. 1/2 tsp of FDA F&C mica yellow is used for the second color.

You can use your own wedding theme colors for the colorant. With a little elbow grease and creativity, you’ll have  your personalized scented bath salt wedding favors in no time.

To buy your ingredients online, visit Bramble Berry, where I shop for my handmade soaps and bath salts.  For your ribbons, shop at Bridal ‘N Beauty.  For cork-top bottles, get them wholesale at Sunbrust Bottle.

Butterflies Laser-Cut Favor Boxes

Butterfly Favor Box (Click to Enlarge)

Small gifts inside a pastel pink or sage green Butterflies Laser-Cut Favor Box with color-coordinated, satin ribbon and bow accented by a finely detailed, metal, silver-finish butterfly will leave your guests with pleasant memories of an exquisite day.

This “Work of Art” Antique-Finish Place Card Holder/Photo Frame

Antique Frame (Click to Enlarge)

These frames make nice keepsake that can be enjoyed by all.  With the addition of a special word or a numeral, the frames also are a wonderful way to designate tables.  These frames can be used later for a favorite photo.

Theme Wedding Favors

Cherry Blossom Coaster (Click to Enlarge)

Cherry Blossom Candle (Click to Enlarge)

Make up the selection of favors by choosing gifts in assorted styles and uniting them with your wedding theme or color scheme. Like these Cherry blossoms candles and frosted glass coasters.  Cherry blossoms have had many meanings throughout the world, including femininity and spiritual beauty – perfect sentiments for your wedding day.  Your guests will LOVE taking home a set of these glass coasters, complete with padded feet, a rich brown, picture-window gift box decorated with light- and dark-pink cherry blossoms on brances with a little, brown bird on a branch.   The matching mini-pillar Cherry Blossom Elegance candles features finely painted, pink cherry blossoms on brown branches at the front of the wax candle. Clear gift box is accented with chocolate-brown, grosgrain ribbon and bow, with a matching, round “For You” tag.  These unique wedding coasters or candles are an elegant way to mix sassy style with classic elegance, while showing your thoughtful side to boot.

Wedding favors are small gifts given to your wedding guests to serve as souvenirs of your wedding and to thank them for sharing your happiness in your wedding day.  Usually, these little gifts are placed  on the reception table next to each plate setting.  They range from spectacular to very simple.  In several weddings I attended, most of these wedding favors are left on the reception table.

Would you like to give your guests wedding favors that are going to be appreciated without spending several hundred dollars?  Here are our suggestions  – Part 13 of our 101 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding.

Wedding Favors

90. Make your own favors – It is easy to make simple, but elegant favors with a little creativity.  You can buy  small organza bags or small favor boxes and fill them with personalized chocolates or mints.  Finish the decor with personalized ribbon in your wedding colors.  If you think candies in bags or boxes are too common, here are 10 more ideas for making cheap wedding favors.

91. Have a candy bar instead of individual favors – Buy a variety of bulk candies and arrange them in glass containers.  You can choose candies in the same colors as your theme colors or buy different sizes, flavors and/or colors to make your candy table colorful.  Add some sugar-free sweets and non-peanut ones for your guests who want sugar-free treats and/or have peanut allergies.  Give your guests Cello Bags or small Chinese Takeout Box for them to pick their own candies.

Photo Credit:  Polyvore

Read All Previous Posts:
101 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding - Part 1: Planning

More to Come:
101 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding - Part 14: Wedding Attendants
101 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding - Part 15: Wedding Ceremony
101 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding - Part 16: This and That

Sweet Wedding Favors

Jordan almonds are a long-standing wedding tradition that has been around for more than 3,000 years. In France and the Middle east, they are called dragees. In Greece they are Koufeta. Whatever name you call them, these candy-coated almonds offer the same symbolism. The almond itself is bittersweet in taste. This represents both the good and bad in marriage and life. It is no secret that any long lasting relationship surely has both bitter and sweet moments.

To emphasize the good times, and sweetness in the new marriage, these almonds are coated in sugar or candy coating. You can find these coated almonds in a variety of colors to match your wedding theme. However, the most traditional color is still white. This symbolizes purity. The actual shape of the almond is thought to symbolize love.

If you select Jordan almonds for your wedding favor, there is one more detail you should attend to. These treats are traditionally distributed to the guests in odd numbers. This represents the union of the bride and groom. By giving guests an indivisible number of almonds, your favors are demonstrating the fact that you as a new couple are also indivisible. In the Middle East, the number of almonds is even more precise. This tradition dictates that your guests each receive five, to represent five blessings – health, wealth, happiness, fertility and longevity.

Today you can present this classic wedding favor in a very decorative and modern way. The almonds can be wrapped in tulle, satin, or a small bag tied with colorful ribbons. You can order your Jordan almond favors fully assembled or your can make them yourself.  Watch the video below to see on how easy it is to make them.

For written instructions and/or ordering the supplies or ready-made Jordan almonds favor, go to this website: www.jordanalmondflowers.com.

Evening Enchantment Wedding Theme

For day 3 of our 12 Creative Wedding Theme, we bring you an Evening of Enchantment -a “grown-up” fairytale wedding theme accented with purple, deep blue, black and silver.  Put on your “glass” slippers and explore the ideas for this wedding theme.

Décor:  Use stars and moons in the décor along with sparkly white Christmas lights.  Remember this is a grown-up fantasy wedding theme.

Invitations:  Send black and white invitations written in calligraphy to give a hint of the formality of your wedding and reception.

Reception:  Use purple linens on the table with  light purple napkins gingerly slipped into silver napkin rings.  Place napkins on white porcelain dishes with silver rims to complete the evening of enchantment setting.

Flowers: Carry a purple, blue and green bouquet wrapped in silver satin as you march towards your groom.  Use deep blue and purple flowers accented with purple candles at the center of your reception tables.

Favors: Give your guests chrome finished bottle stoppers with star shapes and five tiny rhinestones and an engraved “Wish Upon Star” detail that will surely leave a lasting memory of your fabulous wedding.

12 Creative Wedding Themes

Photos: Polyvore

Although the thought of a wedding being held underwater came to my mind, too.  But that would be a destination wedding, wouldn’t it?  There’s an idea I can write about in my next post about destination weddings.  But, for now, let’s stick to the original idea of having an undersea wedding theme above water.

Undersea Adventure Wedding Theme

Undersea Adventure Wedding Theme

Location: An aquarium,  yacht club, or private boat are ideal settings.

Décor: Bright blues and greens, lights on the ceiling which give the illusion of water, fish bowl centerpieces; napkins with sea shell napkin rings.

Favors: Seashell candles, seashell bottle openers, sand and seashell tealight holder or sand dollars. Sand dollars can be painted with the date.

Menu: Serve seafood such as shrimp, crab legs, mahi mahi with white wine or a specialty drink like Blue Lagoon (vodka, Blue Curacao liquer and lemonade), or for your non-alcoholic guests, Craberry Punch (cranberry juice, pineapple juice, almond extract, and ginger ale). Remember to include non-seafood and vegetarian dishes for your guests who are not seafood lovers.

Attire: Dresses with a mermaid skirt.  Blue or green for bridesmaids dresses.

Winter Wonderland
Red Wedding Theme
Wine Wedding Theme
Winter Wedding Theme in Blue
Princess Fairytale Wedding Theme
Eco-Friendly Wedding Theme Holiday Wedding Theme

Photos: Polyvore

Rescue Me Groom's Cake

The groom’s cake is an old wedding tradition experiencing a new comeback. In the past, groom’s cakes were often cut and wrapped as favors for wedding guests to take home. An old wives tale claims that if a single woman sleeps with this cake under her pillow the same night she receives it, she would dream of her future husband.

Today, groom’s cakes are still optional additions to the wedding reception or rehearsal although they are gaining popularity. The groom’s cake is traditionally a richer or darker flavor than the wedding cake and is usually given by the bride to her groom. Most brides opt for a cake designed to reflect the groom’s personal interests, career or hobby, sometimes in a very humorous way. If you are lucky enough to live in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut or eastern Pennsylvania areas, you can order and have your groom’s cake delivered from Pink Cake Box in Denville, New Jersey. Check out our cake carousel to see samples of their amazing groom’s cake, and then go visit their site.

The groom’s cake can serve a variety of purposes. At your wedding reception, having a groom’s cake, displayed beside the wedding cake, can be an excellent way to offer guests a second choice from the traditional wedding cake. Perhaps your groom’s cake will provide a chocolate option as opposed to your white wedding cake, or a sugar-free option for guests with special dietary needs. When cake is served, it can be served separately by the wait staff. Another option is to channel old traditions and send home pieces of this cake with your guests as a wedding favor. The pieces of cake can be boxed and wrapped in your wedding colors and style. A third option is to serve the groom’s cake at your rehearsal dinner, since this event is usually hosted by the groom’s family.

However you feature this cake, it’s a wonderful opportunity to give your future husband a chance to select his favorite flavor or show off his personality. This age-old tradition can be an excellent way to honor your groom on your special day. In addition, if the old wives tale holds true, your single female friends would probably prefer the boxed groom’s cake favor than catching your wedding bouquet – here’s their chance to see their future husband in their dreams.

Location

Choosing the location for your wedding ceremony and wedding reception comes first and foremost. A winery or a vineyard is the best location for your wedding and reception. If you are planning to have your ceremony and reception outdoors, consider an alternative plan in case it rains. Most wineries have both indoor function halls and outdoor gardens intended for special occasions such as weddings. Do not hesitate to ask the wineries near you.

Reception Menu
Choose a wine wedding theme menu that will complement the wines you will be serving. If you are serving seafood and salad, rose wine will be the best compliment. Red meat will best compliment red wines. White wines are good with white meat and seafood. You can even offer wine tasting during the cocktail hour served with scrumptious hors d’oeures. If you plan not to serve dinner on your wedding reception, you can still use a wine wedding theme. In this case, choose dessert wines that best compliment your wedding cake or dessert.

Wedding Favors
Complete your wine themed wedding with wedding favors that will delight your guests – a rich, hearty Petite Merlot gel glass candle with a harvest grape scent. The wine wedding favor is a real petite wine glass filled with transclucent gel and adorned with a cute heart charm and elegant satin ribbon, packaged individually in a clear display gift box with wine and grape design. What a perfect way for saying – “thank you for sharing this happy moment with us!”.

Wedding Invitation
Part of your wine wedding theme is your wedding theme invitations. Cute wine wedding invitations will help you bring the drama you want to project in your wine wedding theme. You can design your wine wedding theme invitations by shaping them like grapes or wine glass image. You can also use the colors of wines like deep red, burgundy, and off white. You can adopt these colors in the bridesmaids dress, bride’s wedding gown, napkins and tablecloths. Your wine wedding theme invitation will give your guests hint about your wine wedding theme.

Photos from: Chateau Julien Winery and Atlanta Bridal

Today, choosing wedding reception favors has become an intricate and necessary part of wedding planning. You are no longer longer limited to bombonieres, confetti or Jordan Almonds, although these are still popular. The choice of wedding reception favors is usually given to you, the bride, to decide. You have the option to select favors based on your wedding theme, your wedding colors, the wedding season or anything you fancy. Your choice is limited only by the your imagination, budget, personality type and taste.

How many wedding reception favors should you buy or make? The number of favors to purchase for your wedding depends on; you guess it, your wedding budget. A good rule of thumb is to plan on purchasing one wedding reception favor for each couple or, if the favors are expensive, one per family in your wedding guests list. However, budget on giving each guest one edible wedding reception favor, unless you have at least two in the edible favor container. In essence, each guest should get a taste of the edible favor.

You can also choose keepsakes and practical wedding reception favors such as photo frames, photo albums, wind chimes, CD’s with music that you both love and share, seedlings or personalized gifts that your guests will remember you by and still enjoy using the keepsakes years after your wedding.

Best of all, once you have chosen your wedding favors, relax and look forward to having a grand time at your wedding reception.