The 411 on Wedding Favors

Courtesy of Oriental Trading

A favor is a small gift that you can give your guests, as a way of saying ‘thanks’ for attending your wedding. They can range from a small picture frame containing an engagement pic of you and your new husband, a trinket with your name and wedding date on it, or even something edible (edible favors are my favorite!). The possibilities are endless!


Are they necessary?
Favors are a nice thing to have, but in my opinion, are not always necessary. If you are on a tight budget or are looking for a way to decrease costs, this is something that can be eliminated. You are already providing your guests with a delicious meal, delectable dessert, and great entertainment. And if you guests are not really into the favor you give, it may be left on the table, which is a waste of money!

Ideas
If you are going with favors, they should coordinate with your theme or your color scheme. For example, if your wedding has a Mardi Gras theme, your favor could be a mask, something in Mardi Gras colors, or even a slice of King Cake to go (can you tell I’m from New Orleans?) Before deciding on what you will have, think about your guests. Will they enjoy and appreciate what you give? If you choose something more feminine (like a votive candle or a sachet), or something like a shot glass, there will be some guests who would not be able to relate to it (i.e., they don’t drink), and will not take it with them. An edible favor tends to fit both men and women, but you must be aware that some people may be allergic to certain things (like nuts). For more ideas, Google ‘wedding favors’ for an entire list of websites!

DIY favors
When considering DIY favors, keep in mind how much time it will take to put them together, along with the number of guests. If your favor is something with a complex fold or needs a ribbon or some other applique, factor in enough time to get this done (not the night before the wedding). Solicit bridesmaids or other friends to help you with this project….do not do it alone!

Your Planning Assignment

Discuss possibilities with your fiancé, and even ask him what his friends would like. And don’t feel pressured to provide a favor. Happy Planning!

What Qualities Should I Look For In A Wedding Planner?

The task of choosing a wedding planner is not one that should be taken lightly. The person you hire will be a part of your life for quite some time (a year or more in some cases), so it’s important that you take your time in making this very important decision. As you consider a planner, what qualities should you look for?


Passion
When a person loves what he or she does, it shows! Your wedding planner should show enthusiasm about working with you and planning your special day. Don’t get me wrong, wedding planners have bad days just like everyone else, but their overall mood should be one of heartfelt excitement about what they are doing!

Knowledge
What is passion without knowledge? Your wedding planner must know what know what he or she is doing, and must be able to articulate that knowledge to you. If you have a question, your planner should be able to answer it or get an answer for you. Beware of those who don’t take the time to answer your questions or are condescending when they do answer! Also, a wedding planner should use his or her knowledge and experience to plan for certain risks. For example, if a bride wants an outdoor wedding, a wedding planner should immediately suggest having a ‘Plan B’ in case of inclement weather.

Open-Mindedness and Flexibility
This is your wedding day, not the planner’s! Your wedding planner should be open to your ideas and help you make them come to fruition. If the planner sees that a particular idea may not work for a particular situation, or can suggest another way to do it, he or she will do so. But the planner should never impose his or her own will on yours!

Trustworthiness
Trust is built over time, and should be displayed in the fact that your wedding planner is a person of his or her word. He or she follows up as promised, and should let you know if there will be a delay in responding or answering your questions. He or she should return calls and emails in a timely manner (don’t forget that planners have lives too, so please be reasonable in your expectations). The responsiveness continues well beyond after you signed the contract and throughout the life of your working relationship.

Detail-Oriented

Having many years of project management experience, I can tell you that a wedding is a project, with lots of details that must all come together to make a beautiful occasion. Your wedding planner must be a detail-oriented person to ensure nothing is missed.

Kindness

I’ve listed this quality last, but it is certainly not least! Your wedding planner should be a kind person who cares about you. As I stated earlier, this person is in your life for a period of time, so they should genuinely want to ensure you have a beautiful wedding day. You should be treated like an individual, not just another paying client. When a planner stops caring about the couples he or she is working with, it’s time to close up shop!

Your Planning Assignment

As you consider hiring a wedding planner, ponder these characteristics. They will help you find the person who’s just right for you. Happy Planning!