Incredible and Edible
Candy is the perfect wedding favor choice, as you can go as fancy (and pricey) or as economical as you wish. You can choose from a virtually endless variety of candy shapes, colors, flavors and preparations.
New Twists on Old Favorites
Have you ever eaten a champagne-flavored gum drop? How about coffee-flavored caramels? Rather than chocolate, almonds or mints -- the wedding favor Ã?Â?staplesÃ?Â? -- try something a little different, while still hearkening back to old favorites.
Retro candy is all the rage today. Wrap lovely, transparent barley pops in exquisite tulle and tie off with a ribbon for romance. Or take a lighthearted approach with small handfuls of Mary Janes and Zagnuts in special bowls. You can find retro candies online, or call manufacturers directly to see what old favorites they still offer.
Holiday Treats
If your wedding takes place on or near a holiday, buy edible favors that match that theme. Try these suggestions:
- candy hearts or chocolate Ã?Â?kissesÃ?Â? for Valentine's Day
- candy-coated almonds for Hanukkah
- marshmallow chicks or rabbits for Easter
- marzipan for Christmas
- autumn-colored candy and gourmet candy corn for Halloween or Thanksgiving
- green candies for St. Patrick's Day
- candy-shaped Ã?Â?fruitsÃ?Â? for Kwanzaa
Drink Up!
If your guests enjoy the occasional social drink, you have loads of party favor options.
Personalized packets of cocktail drink mixes make fabulous favors. So do miniature drink bottles, about the size of the ones you might have collected on your last airline trip; have them personalized and tie ribbons around their necks.
For non-imbibing guests, sparkling cider is always popular. If you're planning a tropical wedding theme, try more exotic juices, such as papaya.
Here's a hot item: coffee! Gourmet coffee is becoming popular in weddings across the world (see Gourmet Wedding Favors for more ideas). Give this favor along with a mug personalized with your wedding day information.
Give gourmet cocoa packets in a lovely, personalized mug for a wintertime wedding.
Dietary Considerations
You might also want to take guests' dietary requirements into consideration when selecting edible wedding favors.
Sugar-free versions are available for many popular candies. Check online or call the manufacturer to see what edible offerings they have that don't contain sugar.
Many candies are naturally low in fat, including licorice, some mints and most "clear" candies (such as lollipops).
There are even lower-carbohydrate treats; this is usually accomplished by replacing regular (table) sugar with a sugar substitute. CAREFUL: guests who are diet restricted due to serious medical issues MUST have a list of all ingredients in anything you offer at your wedding, including the favors. If you're not sure your favors will be appropriate for food-restricted guests, have a special non-food or non-drink favor set aside just for them.
What a Pretty Color
Whatever your choice of food or drink wedding favors, wrap or accent them in your wedding theme colors. This dresses them up and makes for a pretty presentation on the table. You can even select candies decorated in your wedding colors with food dye.
Plain geometric shapes, such as cubes or chocolate balls, can be dressed up by placing them in small containers along with confetti or even fresh flowers. Imprint a cute comment, such as "Glad you can enjoy our sweet day with us!", on an attached ribbon or tag. Your guests will love opening their special treats.
