by Heidi Labron

Created on: February 12, 2009   Last Updated: February 22, 2009

These days, weddings are a big production with themes and cute ways to express something unique about the bride and groom. Favors are usually something that guests will toss in a drawer when they get home, so how can you make some unique favors that will be enjoyed, save you money and say something about the happy couple? Here are a few tips to make your own unique wedding favors:

#1. Cookies. If you or a friend or family member is a great baker, you can purchase inexpensive wedding-themed cookie cutters and bake your own favors. A cherished family recipe or favorite cookie flavor can be a fun token to give to your guests on their way out. Ice the cookies in royal icing in your wedding colors or just leave them plain and package them in cellophane bags wrapped with curling ribbon in your wedding color. You can even make your own sticker labels to attach to the front of each bag to really make them personal.

#2. Candy. Many people have candy bars at their weddings now, long tables stocked with candy in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. If you don't want to package your own favors, try putting out small bags or little cardboard boxes along with personalized stickers and your guests can take home what they like. I've even seen one wedding where vases filled with candy were placed on the tables and later, the guests could take home a vase already filled.

#3. Wine. Wine is a favorite for brides and grooms. You can make your own wine at many locations very affordable and use your own personalized labels to cover the bottles. This takes a bit of time and energy, but the results are great and people really enjoy being able to take home a bottle of homemade wine.

#4. Music CD. This is a great way to save on costs for your wedding. Purchase blank Cd's and select your favorite songs or music which is played at your wedding by your favorite artists. You can then burn as many Cd's as you like and send one home with each guest to remember your big day. There are many software packages now that allow you to make your own CD label as well so that these can really look nice to give to your guests.

#5. Fans or parasols. Many weddings take place outdoors in the summer months when the heat can be intense. Purchase inexpensive paper parasols in a variety of colors or your wedding color and stencil your monogram in a script font in a co-ordinating paint color. You can do the same with small paper fans. Your guests can use these at the wedding and then take them home later.

There are some wonderful favors that you can make without much time, effort or expense. Just be a little creative and be willing to try something new. Your guests will be happy you did!

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