DIY Wedding Favors

Happy Friday to everyone... and happy 3 day weekend to everyone that has it!
Recently I have been finding great blogs with DIY things such as shirts, furniture, and a million other things. I love being able to do something myself and see the result afterwards. This made me start thinking of a great DIY wedding favor. I have a couple ideas so I hope you all find something you like as well. These ideas are helpful if you are on a budget or just want to be able to say you made something yourself.

Martha Stewart

1. Homemade cookies/sweets: If you are any sort of a baker at all or have a fiance or mother that is, this is a great idea. Don't make break apart cookies, but make them from scratch (easier than you think)! Think 2 or 3 cookies per guest and figure out how many cookies you will need. Also figure in some for the bakers and others. This should be done only 2 days before the wedding since you do not want the cookies going stale. But if you make up all the dough and give it to bridesmaids and others to bake to make the time go faster. Go to the craft store and find cellophane bags or use cute paper bags to put the cookies in. Stuff the bags and close them off. You can go a little more above and beyond and get stickers that represent your wedding or have your names on them for the bags. You can find other cute ways to give your cookies such as a cute box or a cute small cookie jar! Although this may be time consuming what a great wedding favor that your guests will truly appreciate! They will know you took the time and energy to make something for them!

2. Already mentioned in another post is a candy bar. This is something so simple and easy that guests really love and a great DIY gift. It is easy to find candy that you all love and will go good to be scooped and put into a bag. Then you can make cute signs with the candy name and directions all from home just get nice paper and use some ribbon.

3. For a fall wedding cute cute smaller pumpkins that can double as escort cards for each quest to take home

4. Another very popular favor has been seed packets or flowers/herbs. Go to your local Lowe's or home depot and look at their potted plants. You can buy a ton on small flowers already in soil at the store. Then get small Terra Cotta pots and put ribbon around them or paint them. Put the flowers in the pots and what a great gift... this can also double as an escort card. You can also skip the pots and get burlap to wrap around the soil part. This works better with a little bit larger plant or a tree buddling to give as a gift. Add a cute poem and how the guest should plant the plant to represent the start of your life together and watch it grow. Martha Stewart has some great ideas and instructions: http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/floral-favors#slide_3

Martha Stewart

5. Another great thing to do is go to Esty.com and look through what people have posted! You may be able to find a great little gift at a cheaper price not made by you! This will save you time and the site is so amazingly cute! You might just find a ton of things on there for your wedding!

6. Great for a fall or winter wedding but can be turned into anything you want. Create a mixture of spices use for making hard apple cider. Mix the spice packet and but into a bag that can be steeped in the liquid. Attach directions on how to make it and you are set! This can also double as an escort card by adding a name tag!


If you cannot tell Martha has some great ideas and is, as always, inspirational. DIY favors are so easy to do and you can turn almost anything into a favor. Think about your wedding season and theme and figure out a gift that compliments your wedding! Good luck on making your favors and for anymore inspiration send me an email or comment! www.marthastewartweddings.com

Candy is Dandy

As promised I am letting you all know about another favorite reception food idea at weddings and any event. This one I have loved for a long time and even seen it done at some weddings, but TheKnot.com article reiterated my love...for CANDY! Can't think of a great guest favor? A Candy Bar is a great, easy, cheap and cute way to keep every guest satisfied. Just provide your guests with cute bag or boxes that have your wedding date or something about the wedding on them and have the guests fill them up with their favorite candy. You can have as many or as little variety due to your budget and want. Most caterers will supply you with jars and/or scoops for the candy. You can also find great jars and use ribbon in your wedding colors to tie around the jars. Make cute signs with each candy name and a sign telling your guests what to do. I also love this idea for a child's birthday party or even a corporate event... everyone goes giddy over candy!

Make the experience as if your guests are walking into a candy store where they can pick whatever they want! Find some great penny candy like pop rocks, candy rocks, button candy, Swedish fish, candy necklaces, etc. You can add in some of your favorite candy as well... like I love raisinets, sour patch kids and hot tamales. Plus, always have some of the classic candy choices: M&M's, skittles, starbursts. It is also a great way to incorporate some cultural candy if you or your fiance are from another country.

A lot of this candy can be bought in bulk and at wholesale prices. Plus, having some candy left over is NEVER a bad thing. You can always give the candy to other families in the neighborhood or donate it to a local troop or teacher. Or eat it all yourself : )

** Look at craft stores and online for bags. This is a great opportunity to save some money and just purchase personalized stickers and cheap candy bags and do yourself. Candy bags can be paper or plastic, but choose what you like and is easiest to fit your budget!

Pictures from: GetMarried.com (Ashley’s Bride Guide, Brideandgroom.com, Amy Atlas Old Fashion Candy Bar, Hannah Elaine Photography)