• Crystal, gold, or silver bells (your guests can ring them to initiate the kiss between the bride and groom)
• Bottle of wine with a personalized label
• Picture frames that can also be used as place card holders
• Candles and candleholders
• Porcelain Vase
• Small potted plant
• Seedlings for planting in celebration of your marriage
• Bubbles for blowing
• Wine goblets
• Sugar coated almonds tied in a small net bundle
• Chocolates (or any kind of candy wrapped in tulle)
• Cookies
• Potpourri wrapped in tulle and tied with a ribbon
• Homemade CDs of the bride & groom's wedding songs along with some personal favorites
• Small bud vases with a single short stemmed rose or flower with a tag for guest seating arrangements
• Baseballs or golf balls marked with the bride & groom's name and date (for the sports fanatic)
• Use Christmas bulbs and print/handwrite the bride & groom's names and dates - attach with a thank you note and festive ribbon
• Make a donation to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, in return, they will supply you with elegant scrolls for each of your guest.  For more information, visit
  http://www.dana-farber.org/how/gifts/table.

It's a great idea to personalize your favors with your names, date, and perhaps a little poem or thank you note.

When selecting favors for your wedding, use your imagination. If you are having a theme wedding, find favors that go with the theme. For instance: if you are going to Hawaii for your honeymoon, give out leis. Be creative! The choice is yours.

Thanks to Michelle, Jill & Jennifer for sending us some of their favor ideas!

Trendsetting Ideas, by Georgia Watson, Owner, Enchantment
Favors are a fun way to say "Thank you for sharing our special day with us". Below is a list of some new trendsetting ideas for favors. If you have a great idea and would like to share it with us, send us an email to webmaster@riweddingguide.com. We'd love to hear your ideas!

• Rather than a floral arrangement for the centerpiece, make up the floral decor using small floral bouquets that every guest at the table can take home. Tie the bouquets with ribbons holding their place card.
• Fruit shaped candles with personalized tags are great for springtime and summer weddings.
• Fragranced soap in organza bags with place cards attached. See www.enchantmentonline.com for bags.
• On your tables, combine menu cards and place cards. For example, if placing individual menus on the guest tables, use as a place card as well by writing "A Menu for Sheila Johnson" in calligraphy, at the top of the card.
• Freeze-dried roses in small terracotta pots, attached with place cards. Great for showers or receptions.
• A silverplated fortune cookie where you can add your own personal message on the fortune.
• Sugar frosted cookies or sugar sculpted personalized lollipops. Decorate these with your new last initial and cut the cookies in shapes that coordinate to your theme.
• Embossed cookie coins, gold foil, choose your design or message for the wrapping.
• Chocolate bars with personalized wrappers - Enchantment has elegant and whimsical styles to choose from.
• Give your guests an extra treat at the end of the reception - present slices of cake in a personalized box, with your own special message inside.
• Place cards made of chocolate cookies - with elegant writing in icing, put your guests' initials.
• Mini cupcakes with buttercream flowers to match your colors. Place in small champagne glass made of plastic. Place the place card inside.
• Have the wait staff hand out ice cold hand towels dipped in fragrant lavender oil with ice tongs before the meal. The guest can keep these towels - have them embroidered with an initial or message. This is a big statement for a low cost.
• At the ceremony, give out mini corsages of fresh flowers tied with ribbon. Have the clergy describe the flowers as a symbol of your love and wedding promise.
• Make a small donation to your favorite charity in the name of each guest. Give them an elegant note to read at the reception, explaining your gift.
• Give a book of love - choose a small miniature book filled with love sonnets or poems and personally sign them from the bride and groom.