Wedding Favors...what to do? Candy, Picture Frames, Fortune Cookies, Personalized Gifts?

There are hundreds of ideas for Wedding Favors these days...some traditional, some more unique. We thought it would be fun to explore a little bit on the topic and see what is condered the "top ten" list as far as favors go. See what you think about this list...do you think something else should be on the top 10 list? What is the most "unique" favor/item you have recieved at a wedding you attended? Don't forget we sell favors here at Thee Wedding Warehouse as well as on our website www.theeweddingwarehouse.com, let us know if we can help you!


Top Ten Wedding Favor Ideas

The practice of handing out favors as a token of appreciation to wedding guests dates back to the Middle Ages.

Since then, wedding favors have evolved from fancily packaged sweets to the elegantly presented sugar-coated Jordan almonds.

Today the wedding favor is a firmly entrenched wedding tradition, with endless choices ranging from sterling silver trinkets to more inexpensive ways to simply say "thanks for coming."

Here are some of the most popular:

• Do it yourself - Good old fashioned ingenuity comes into play when planning a do-it-yourself favor, and can get everyone involved. What's more, you're sure to save lots of money on homemade gifts. Scented candles or tea lights, fancily wrapped candy tins or home baked cookies, homemade sachets or potpourri fit the bill nicely, and can be easily personalized with labels created on a home computer.

• Personalized wedding favors - Champagne bottles, sterling silver coasters, matchbooks, pens and even golf balls are all part of the wedding favor industry's bonanza for supplying the bride and groom with their names and wedding date professionally printed on items handed out to guests. Pricey, sure, but the 'wow' factor is definitely still there.

• Edible wedding favors - Personallized fortune cookies, chocolate, candy, almonds, mints, honey jars ("Meant to bee!"), gourmet teas and coffees, candy hearts.

• Bubbles - A favorite pasttime from childhood makes a whimsical gift that's a hit with both kids and adults.

• Au natural - Think sea shells, engraved natural stone, wild flower seeds, jute tote bags, natural soaps & gels.

• Seasonal wedding favors - Incorporate these into a winter or fall wedding theme with gifts of spice-scented candles, baked goods, jams and jellies, snow globes or personalized Christmas ornaments.

• Frames - The versatile picture frame may hold a photo, the wedding invitation, or serve as a keepsake place card holder that guests can bring home.

• Candles - Practical, elegant, and today packaged in all sizes, shapes and scents.

• Plants & flowers - A Love in Bloom theme can be displayed in personalized packets of flower seeds, elegantly presented flowering bulbs or potted plants

• Cameras - Keeping shutterbugs busy at the reception is even more popular as prices come down on throwaways, while supplying the bride and groom with memorable moments only their guests could have shared.

• Silver - Bells, cookie cutters, (inscribed "we were cut out for each other") coasters, spoons, wine stoppers, ice cream scoops.


(top 10 list courtesy of www.chiff.com)

Another Fairy Tale, coordinated and designed by Thee Wedding Warehouse...

Stephanie & Ian, who are from Canada, planned their wedding in Arizona for our beautiful resort-like atmosphere and fantastic weather...and it worked out beautifully as you can see in these amazing images taken by one of our own preferred Vendors, Kiss The Camera. Thee Wedding Fairy, Kathy Bagett, was on site coordinating and making sure everything flowed without a hitch. We wish this couple all the happiness in the world.

To View More Images, please see Kiss The Camera's Website/blog: http://www.kissthecamera.net/2010/11/stephanie-ians-wedding-at-a-private-home-in-cave-creek-az/

Another Installment of Meet Thee Vendors We Love!

Meet Carl Anderson, of Princess Bride Cinematic Videography!

One of the most important and lasting memories from your wedding is captured via Video, and Carl certainly has the flair and the knack for making it AMAZING! Be sure you take a look at their website www.princessbridevideo.com for more info and some "clips" of what they do, how they do it, and what makes it special. You won't be disappointed! Now, take a look below at some great facts (and advice) about Carl & his company:

1. How long have you been doing Video at Events & Weddings?
25 years and counting! I turned 40 this year and started filming weddings professionally at age 15. I was the consummate "video geek" in High School and was asked by a graduating Senior to film her wedding for $25. I loved it, started the biz, and never looked back. Of course, my rates haven't changed in 25 years, making us a great investment...

2. Why did you decide to start this biz?
I have always had a passion for film-making, cinematography, and story-telling. Ever since I was a kid I wanted to make movies, and become the next Steven Spielberg. So, I attended a special cinematography summer-school at U.S.C., arguedly the best film school in the country, and got specially-trained for storytelling with a video cam some 20 years ago. I decided instead of 18 hour-a-day workdays on film sets that I loved the feel and the raw emotion of a wedding "flim-set" better, so I went full-time with my Princess Bride Sarah and a great staff of Cinematographers some 15 years ago. We are the longest-running wedding video company in AZ!

3. What is your favorite part of doing what you do?
My favorite part is capturing the emotion of a wedding day; the first meeting together of the bride and groom, hearing what they feel for each other just before the Ceremony, the beauty of the Vows and Rings, the amazing stories of the Toasts, and the emotion of the first dance. Every wedding day is unique and when I sit down to edit, I love creating a fresh Masterpiece on the canvas of original footage.

4. What is the funniest thing that has happened to you while doing your job?
Funniest moment: last year during the dinner, the glasses were being "clinked" and instead of the B and G kissing, the parents of the Bride were asked to kiss in front of 300 guests instead. I was rolling video in perfect position, and the Father of the Bride went to dip-kiss his wife and DROPPED her, with a thud, on the floor! They both landed spread-eagle on the ground and the whole room GASPED, then of course applauded when the embarrassed parents got up and kissed again!

5. How long have you been married & how did you meet?
Married 14 years this March. We met in Church. I was on my way in to visit Sarah's church, and I was praying a prayer to God on my way in the door. I said, "LORD, this is the kind of place I could meet myself a woman. Come on!" Well, the LORD answered that prayer about 8 seconds later, as when I walked in the front door, Sarah was the greeter and shook my hand! We ended up going out for a bite to eat after the service, and the rest is history...
We met (and married) 7 months to-the-day from the day we met!

6. Do you have any Fantastic Tips for people who are considering Videography at their event?
Fantastic Tips: hire a professional! don't let "Uncle Ned" video your wedding. Also, hire a pro who films and out-puts in HD on a stunning blu-ray disc! Good cinematographers understand so many technical and creative elements in wedding shooting, with experience as the best teacher, than any "uncle" or "friend" can offer. We understand good sound (wireless mic always placed on the groom for awesome vows and rings' sound) appropriate lighting technique, shot composition, candid style, being everywhere and nowhere at the same time, and now delivering a finished Movie in stunning High Def quality on a Blu-ray disc to enjoy for a lifetime.

7. What are your own personal hobbies/pastimes?
I love fishing, reading, movies (I watch movies from a cinematographer's perspective and they are all "training" for learning new techniques!), and hangin' out playing games with my wife and 3 young children. One thing that most people in the wedding industry don't know about me, is that I am also an ordained minister! I don't "marry people" but I do travel the world in missions and share the gospel to various folk. Last year alone I travelled to London, Belfast, Sydney and Melbourne on various trips, in-between filming about 62 weddings in both Minnesota (the summer) and Arizona (the winter)!!!

8. If you could do your job anywhere in the world, where would you be?
We love doing our job and fulfilling our dream of living in Minnesota for the gorgeous summers, and Arizona for the warm winters! We live a dual life by having homes in both States and shifting between them as the weddings are booked. The northwoods and lakes for most of the year and the desert for the other part. I am a 40 year-old Snowbird!

We hope you enjoyed learning about Carl and Princess Bride Cinematic Videography! Please stop by Thee Wedding Warehouse to meet and/or learn more about any of our fantastic wedding vendors. And visit our website at www.theeweddingwarehouse.com for more info as well.