| Many brides are flummoxed when it's time to | | | | that guests can use indefinitely -- picture frames |
| choose the wedding favors. They aren't sure | | | | to hold photos of the event or family members, |
| when to order them, and they aren't sure what | | | | personalized champagne flutes, clever miniatures |
| to get. If you're one of those brides, this article | | | | that remind everyone of the destination wedding |
| can help you figure it out.When to Order | | | | you held. When you ask other brides what favors |
| ThemBrides like to put off ordering their favors | | | | to give, what you really mean is, "what type of |
| until shortly before the wedding. This isn't because | | | | keepsake favor would you find most |
| they're lazy; it's because they have a more | | | | meaningful?"The Inevitable But Not Very Helpful |
| accurate guest list then, and they're less likely to | | | | ResponseHere's what inevitably happens.Bride A, |
| end up with the wrong number of | | | | an older, non-traditional bride, responds: "Well, I |
| favors.Sometimes this is a good idea, and | | | | personally find picture frames boring, but I gave |
| sometimes it isn't. For brides that plan to buy | | | | out sushi candle favors at my small, Asian-themed |
| something fairly generic, such as a truffle or | | | | reception and everyone adored them."Bride B, a |
| specialty chocolate in a decorative box, putting off | | | | young, traditional bride, responds: "I didn't think |
| the favors is fine. That way, if your first choice | | | | that everyone would like picture frames, but |
| ends up back-ordered, you won't feel much grief | | | | everyone likes chocolate, so I handed out truffles |
| in ordering an alternative -- after all, chocolate is | | | | in an elaborate ribboned box."Bride C, who's a little |
| chocolate.On the other hand, if you're having an | | | | tired of wedding planning, responds, "I don't really |
| unusual theme wedding and only one kind of | | | | care about favors, and I threw away every |
| favor will do, or you simply have your heart set | | | | favor I ever got. Skip 'em; nobody likes |
| on something, you're better off ordering sooner. | | | | them."Bride D, who may be a social activist or |
| Favors are subject to churn -- styles come and | | | | may have lost someone recently, says: "I have |
| go. More than a few brides have bookmarked | | | | several diabetic relatives who couldn't enjoy |
| "favorite favors" on my site for months, then | | | | candy, and I wanted to do something meaningful, |
| written in anguish when the items went out of | | | | so instead of favors I donated to my favorite |
| stock or hit a six-week backorder shortly before | | | | cause."All these responses are valid and thoughtful. |
| the time they planned to order.In short, if you can | | | | Yet none of them are helpful to the keepsake |
| substitute easily, then wait until your final guest | | | | bride, who will find the most personal satisfaction |
| count comes in. If not, play it safe.What to | | | | in handing out something as lovely as the favors |
| GetMany brides ask themselves, "What will | | | | she herself has received and saved over the |
| everyone like?" Trying to please everyone didn't | | | | years.The moral of the story? Stop asking other |
| work when you decided who to marry. And it | | | | people what to get, and start thinking about you. |
| won't work when choosing your favors, | | | | What kind of bride are you? Fairytale and |
| either.Sometimes brides get so intimidated with | | | | traditional? Sleek and contemporary? Quixotic and |
| the question that they start asking other brides | | | | independent?If you have any doubts at all on that |
| what to get. This never works either -- and | | | | score -- and believe it or not, it's easy to have |
| here's why.Brides come in distinct flavors, like ice | | | | them -- go and hie yourself hither to one of the |
| creams. Some are vanilla. Some are more exotic, | | | | Web's many "What Kind of Bride Are You?" |
| like avocado-coconut. The Hallmark Wedding Press | | | | quizzes. As silly as they seem, they're actually |
| Room has a little gem that puts it perfectly: | | | | incredibly useful if you're still in the process of |
| younger brides often want a traditional, fairytale | | | | figuring it out.Once you have your style nailed |
| affair where everything goes by the book. But | | | | down, you're closer to identifying what favors will |
| many older brides having a second wedding are | | | | truly satisfy you, which is the point. Taking a CNN |
| determined to do things their way ... which can be | | | | poll of friends, relatives and strangers is a great |
| pretty non-traditional. Are these two brides going | | | | way to stay in office, but it's not a great way to |
| to be happy with the same kinds of favors? Of | | | | choose your favors."Know thyself," said the oracle |
| course not!Let's say you're the kind of bride who | | | | at Delphi. It's been golden advice ever since -- |
| has a little drawer or shelf full of silver picture | | | | especially for brides.Blake Kritzberg is editor of |
| frames and miniature wedding cake candles. | | | | FavorIdeas. Stop by for continually-updated |
| Almost every wedding you've attended has given | | | | celebrity |
| you a little keepsake reminder, which you | | | | wedding news, remarkable beach wedding |
| treasure. In turn, you'd love to give the same | | | | favors, exclusive hairstyling articles and gorgeous |
| type of keepsake to your guests. You'll probably | | | | and unique wedding favors. |
| naturally gravitate toward the kinds of favors | | | | |