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I have seen so many creative wedding favors and I have packed up or tossed out so many wedding favors that have been left behind. Here are some ideas that your guests will actually like! (All of the photos are clickable to links that I am affiliated with and earn a small commission on purchases) Something edible- is always a safe bet! Almost every edible favor is taken by the end of the night (except for Jordan Mints!). I recommend having one at each place setting to make sure each guest gets one. It can tie into your decor and add a special touch. Cookies- because who doesn't like cookies? Not anyone I know!  Popcorn- because it's yummy and everyone will eat it (probably before dinner)!  Mints- Buy some Tic Tacs in bulk from Sam's Club and apply these cute stickers! So easy!  Make your own Find some cute boxes or bags and put your own sweet treats inside. Maybe a Godiva truffle in each?   Seeds- these wildflower seed packets are so cute! If you have leftovers, you can plant a whole wild flower garden at your house.  Plants- I have a little bit of a plant obsession but I think most people like plants too.  How cute are these to stick in the plants?!?!?  Dog treats- If you are a dog lover, a basket of treats by the exit is a sweet favor for your guests to bring home to their pup.  Shots- One to take home or have your ushers pass them out at your ceremony. You could do a toast during your ceremony! Make sure your venue allows outside alcohol. States have different laws on this.  Something interactive- Photo booths have been popular for a long time. The guest's photos can be their wedding favor. Having a sketch artist or caricature artist at your reception is something fun and unique for guests to bring home.
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So what do you really need for your wedding? Here are some items you need or are optional. (Some of the links will take you to affiliate links where I receive a small commission on purchases). Table Numbers- Yes, you need them. Your guests need to know where to sit! Check here for table numbers. Yes, you need to do assigned seating. In my experience it is always a disaster if you do not assign guests to a certain table.  Guest Book- Not necessary but it is fun to have special notes from your guests to read later. Check out traditional guest books and guest book alternatives.  Cake Knife- If you are planning to cut a cake, then you need a knife. I recommend registering for one or borrowing one from a family member. I had a bride that used the same cake knife that had been used in her family for generations! It was really sweet and there was a card with the knife that had the couple and their wedding date that used it. You can also just order one from Amazon.  Champagne Flutes- No, you do not need them. But if you receive a set as a gift, you should use it. If you are doing a champagne toast and do not have a set, ask your venue if they have them. Favors- Nope! If you want to do them, go for it! But it is not something that is expected. I highly recommend something edible! So many trinket favors get left behind after a wedding. Cookies or candy are rarely forgotten! Here are some fun favor options. ....continued from "You're engaged....now what???" You have your budget, guest list, venue, bridal party, and most of your vendors booked. By this time you should have a good idea of your color palette and style. So, what's next? I created a list of what else there is to do. Keep in mind this is a very generic list because everyone's wedding is different and some things won't apply to you. 11. Officiant You will need someone to perform the ceremony and legally marry you! You may have an officiant provided for you by your church or you may need to bring in your own. You can hire someone or choose someone you know. If they are not ordained, it is super simple online. 12. Bridal party attire You will likely need bridesmaid dresses, groomsmen suits, flower girl dresses, etc. Whether you choose the exact outfit, just the style, or just the color, you will not want to wait on this. Sometimes these things can take a long time to come in and they will likely need alterations. 13. Florals If you have a florist you love book them! Even if you do not have all of the details yet. You likely won't be able to get a quote until you know more details. Once you have attire figured out, colors, general idea of what you want (long tables vs. round tables, ceremony arch, how many bouquets, etc.), then it's time to make that appointment with your florist! It's a good idea to save some photos of things you like to share with your florist and listen to their advice on how that will work or not work. They are the experts.  Florals by the Flower Alley Photo by Raelani Stockwell Photography 14. Hair and Makeup This one is often put off and shouldn't be. Hair and Makeup artists book up fast! Especially on location artists. So book services for yourself, all the ladies in your bridal party, and don't forget any moms. 17. Timeline You probably won't have every timing detail yet but it is a good idea to have a ceremony and reception start times and end times. This will help with your vendors' timing and figuring out the logistics of everything before the wedding (If you hire a Wedding Coordinator, they should be creating this timeline with you.) 15. Food This is probably the most important thing to your guests! Make sure you try the food and have a good variety of things. 16. Dessert My favorite part! You have to have dessert. Guests expect it! But you do not have to have cake! You can have enough cake for everyone, a small cut cake, or no cake at all! You can have donuts or an ice cream cart. Dessert tables with mini desserts are my fav! They look amazing and tie in to the details and guests can try multiple things.  Cake by Bella e Dolce Photo by Raelani Stockwell Photography 18. Hire any remaining vendors Some other vendors you may want are ceremony musicians, a photobooth, transportation for bridal party and/or your guests, lighting, rentals, and a stationery designer. 19. Things to Buy
You will probably need to buy things like a card box. But do you really need a huge list of things? Check out "Things you need and things you don't need" for some of the small details. I wanted to share some fun ways to ask your bridal party to be a part of your big day. Of course, you can just ask them. But what is the fun in that? (The images are clickable to Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)   Don't forget the bottle of wine!  Insert beer here...   Don't forget the bottle of wine or liquor.  Don't forget the little ones.....     Photo by Amy Gibson Photography I get asked all of the time if I have a set timeline for planning. I personally do not use one. You can find planning timelines on the Knot or anywhere on Google, but I would just use those as a suggestion. Couples get engaged at any time of the year. You might have a two year engagement or a 6 month engagement. So timing is going to be different for everyone. The most important thing is to not overwhelm yourself with it. Wedding planning should be fun! There are enough stressful things in life. This is supposed to be a happy time. Enjoy being engaged! I like to use Pinterest early on. It is my favorite source for inspiration. Start looking at wedding ideas to get yourself thinking about styles, colors, aesthetics, etc. You might like a few different styles. That's ok! You do not need to have that all planned right now. Don't put a ton of pressure on yourself. This should be something fun you can start doing on your phone when you have extra time. I put together a simplified list of things that can help with planning, without deadlines. 1. Decide if you need a wedding planner If you do not have time to plan a wedding or have no clue what to do and want the extra help, I would start here. If you plan to do it yourself then later down the road decide it's too much, then hire a wedding planner. If you hire a wedding planner, you can skip the rest of this list! If it is not in the budget or you simply want to do it yourself, go on to step 2. 2. Budget $$$$ We all know weddings are expensive! The average wedding is around $33k in 2024. You might be paying for the wedding yourselves or you might have parents helping out. If you have parents contributing it is a good idea to sit down with them early on and discuss the budget. They may contribute a set amount and you can decide as a couple if you want to add to that or stay in that amount. If you are planning to pay for it yourself, it is a good idea to sit down as a couple and talk about what you can realistically afford and what you are both comfortable with spending. 3. Date Figure out when you want to get married. Do you want a winter, spring, summer, or fall wedding? Do you have a specific date in mind that is significant to you? I advise couples to choose a time of year that work is not very busy or perhaps you are off for the summer. If you can, I would be flexible with your date so that you have more venue choices. 4. Guest Count Figuring out how many guests you will have is important to decide early on. It will help narrow down venues and help with budgeting. I suggest that you both make a list of everyone that you would like to invite. I also suggest that you have each set of parents give you a list (especially if they are contributing!). 5. Venue Once you have a budget, a guest count, and a date (or approximate date), it will narrow down your venue choices. Then discuss what kind of venue that you want. Are you going to get married in a church, outside, or do you have something else in mind? There are so many different kinds of venues such as barns, lofts, museums, restaurants, a yacht, etc. Think outside the box if you want something non-traditional. If you have a really large guest count you may not have a lot of choices and will probably need to go with something more traditional like a ballroom.  Photo by Raelani Stockwell Photography 6. Bridal party Now that you have your date and venue, it's time to assemble your bridal party. If you are not having a bridal party move on to the next. There are no rules here. Choose who you want in your bridal party! If you have a male that you want on the female side, do it! If you have an uneven amount on each side, who cares? If you have 6 nieces and no nephews, have 6 flower girls and no ring bearers. Don't choose your bridal party because you feel obligated. There are other ways to include family or friends in your wedding without having them stand up in your wedding. They could officiate, be an usher, do a reading during the ceremony, give a toast or blessing at the reception, or can be given a different task. Here are some fun ways to ask your bridal party. 7. Vendors You have your venue! That is a huge check off the list. I like to break up vendors into groups by importance for couples. This is going to be different for every couple. If your venue provides dinner, that is great! If they do not and they have specific caterers that you can use, book that first! Food is going to be a huge chunk of your budget. It's important to have good food and good service for your guests. Next, talk about what things are important to you. Is music really important? Do you want a band or a really great DJ? Do you want over the top flowers or something more simple? Are photos or videos really important? Whatever thing is most important to you, book that! Make a list of the rest in order of importance. There are so many amazing vendors everywhere! Don't stress yourself out choosing them all at once. Take your time and focus on one vendor at a time. Some vendors to consider are a Caterer, Photographer, Videographer, Day of Coordinator, Officiant, Florist, Rentals, and Bakery. 8. Attire Start shopping for dresses and tuxes or suits. Keep an open mind. Sometimes what you picture might not be the right dress for you. I had my mind set on an elegant, all lace ivory dress for my wedding. I went to so many bridal shops and tried on so many dresses. When I finally found that dress, it hated it! I ended up with a completely different style and color.  Photo by Emwill Co. 9. Hotel Blocks Don't wait on this one. So many timelines online have this late in the list. If your venue is in a downtown area or an area that holds a lot of big events, book a block of rooms right away. Some hotels won't allow a block if there is a big convention, concert, or sporting event going on. Ask about perks such as complimentary rooms or a complimentary shuttle for guests. This is usually a super simple check off your list and is a great task to delegate. 10. Websites and Save the Dates Websites are a great way to share details about your wedding with your guests that you wouldn't normally include on an invitation. Things such as hotel blocks, things to do in the area for out of town guests, attire, day after brunch, etc. If you plan to send save the dates, send them as early as you want. The more time your guests have to plan, the better. Now it's time for the details (my favorite!). Check back for more.
Can't forget the guys! Check out my gift ideas for all of the special guys in your wedding. (The images are clickable to Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Easy gifts are items they can use on the wedding day such as ties, socks, and cuff links. (This one comes in 72 different patterns and is 100% cotton!)    Consider paying for their suit or tux Toiletry Bag Something every guy can use.   Beer Stein Because who wouldn't want a Stanley beer stein???  Barber Shop Take all the guys to an old school barber shop in the morning of the wedding for a fresh shave, beard trim, or any other grooming. Rent out the place, just for the guys and make sure your photographer tags along. Guys need getting ready shots too! A nice bottle of Whiskey They can enjoy it while they are getting ready or save it for another time. Pair it with a nice whiskey glass set.  Something that has nothing to do with your wedding!
Choose a gift that they would enjoy at any time. It could be a gift card, tickets to a concert or sporting event, or anything that you know they will like. Do you need to buy gifts for your bridal party? Yes! They are likely spending a lot of time and money on your engagement party, wedding shower, bachelor/bachelorette parties, dress or suit, accessories, hotel, hair and makeup, etc. It is a way to say thank you for all of that and for being an important person in your life. Today I am going to focus on the ladies. I am not a fan of things that say "Bridesmaid", "Bride Tribe", or anything like that. They will likely never use it again. If you haven't noticed I love things that have multiple uses. So this is no different! Check out some of my gift ideas for your special ladies. (The images are clickable to Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) A Travel Jewelry Box Who couldn't use one of these? Bonus if you put earrings or other jewelry for them to wear inside.     A Purse Give them a pretty place to keep their phone, id, and touch up makeup.      A Tote Bag- I have a little bit of an obsession with bags. You can never have too many! They will be great for your ladies to carry their spare shoes, change of clothes, etc. for the night.   Robes or Pretty Pajamas I am sure you have seen or participated in getting ready photos where everyone matches. Again not a fan of "Bridesmaid" on it but you could personalize with their name or initials.    Emergency Kit Specially made just for bridesmaids. Pinch Provisions has so many pretty kits. Don't forget your Mom, Future Mother in Law, and yourself!   Spa Treatment A massage, manicure, or pedicure to have a spa day with you before the wedding. Or for a future date! Hair and Makeup Pay for their hair and makeup services for your wedding day. Hotel Pay for their wedding night accommodations. A Bottle of Wine!
To enjoy after the wedding when they can relax. Something that has nothing to do with your wedding! Choose a gift that they would enjoy at any time. It could be a gift basket, gift card, tickets to a concert, or anything that you know they will like. Phone guest books have been so popular this past year! It is such a fun way for guests to wish you a happy marriage. Check out Life on Record for their selection of phones. Here is how it works:
 Life on Record has so many styles to choose from.  This one comes in quite a few different colors.    This one is my favorite! How fun would that be to use?  The recordings are a fun alternative to a guest book that you can keep forever and it is not something that takes up space!
Planner tip: make sure you take the phone out of the box and understand how it works. If you do not have a Coordinator on the day of your wedding, be sure to designate someone to set it up, know how it works, and will box it up at the end of the night. Be sure to have clear instructions for the guests as well! Check out these fun, easy, and inexpensive guest book alternatives. (The images are clickable to Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)      There are so many different options for non-traditional guestbooks. But I am going to share the traditional guest books that I love. Later this week we will get into the fun alternatives :) Some couples have a traditional book for a keepsake and have another non-traditional option for guests to sign or record a message on. So here are some of my favorites. Bonus- most of them are from small businesses! (The images are clickable to Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)        Don't forget pens! I keep these Sharpie pens in my emergency kit for this reason. So may people forget pens.  |
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