Unique wedding favor ideas

Guests bring gifts to weddings to express their love for couples. Gift-giving also tends to be reciprocal, with couples making sure that guests leave the celebration with their own tokens of affection and mementos of the special occasion. Although favors are not mandatory, they often are included in wedding planning to make the celebration that much more special.

Favors run the gamut from simple, such as tulle-wrapped Jordan almonds, to elaborate, like crystal vases. While there are no rules regarding the type of favors couples can offer, most soon-to-be-newlyweds prefer something that is not only unique, but will have utility as well. The following are some favors to consider.

· Food-based favors: Guests who already have a drawer full of personalized shot glasses, pens and drink stirrers with couple's names and wedding dates may appreciate the simplicity of a favor they can enjoy without having to store. A gourmet cookie, special jerky, small bottle of olive oil or maple syrup, or another food item that is widely enjoyed can be practical and affordable.

· Thank-you cards: Offer each guest in attendance a heartfelt thank-you for attending the wedding. Personalize the sentiments to each guest. If you have a photo of yourself with that guest, include it in the card.

· Candy or snack bar: A wedding takeaway can be as simple as letting guests fill up decorative containers with various candies and other treats displayed on a special table at the reception. For a fun twist, try to find old-fashioned candy or items you remember eating as a child to stir up nostalgia.

· Flower seeds or seedlings: Sustainable gifts such as flower seeds or small seedling plants can let guests plant something as a remembrance of the day.

· Scratch-off lottery tickets: The opportunity to return home from a wedding with a winning ticket and a few extra dollars in their pockets can appeal to guests.

· Charitable donation: Rather than giving guests favors, you may want to offer donations to a charity instead. This is a popular gesture among modern couples.

· Temporary tattoos: As a funny gag gift and segue to entertaining photo opportunities, give guests temporary tattoos that have your photo on them. They're clever and will not go to waste.

· Luggage tags: Guests will always think of you when they travel far and wide thanks to luggage tags printed with sweet sentiments.

· Wine stoppers: Customized wine stoppers will keep guests' bottles of wine fresh without taking up much space in a home bar.

Unique favors will help wedding guests feel even more special at the end of the celebration.