The Biggest Day

I was talking about bonbonniere with one of my bridesmaids the other day, and we realised something: between us we’ve been to nine weddings in the last two years, but we can’t remember a single party favor.

They’re usually non-descript sugared almonds, or chocolates wrapped in organza bags, or sometimes there’s nothing there at all. Whatever we’ve been served up in the past, we simply can’t remember them.

That was precisely the point my bridesmaid was making. No-one ever remembers the bonbonniere, so why bother doing it? She’s getting married a few months after me and she has 95 guests coming, so she figures, at around $3 per person, she can save $270 by skipping the favors.

But I don’t know if I can let it go quite so easily. I feel like we should provide goodies on the table for our guests – just something small that represents a thoughtful token of our appreciation for travelling to our wedding and celebrating with us!

Ideally, I want to give them something memorable – no non-descript sugared almonds for me! – and I want it to be something that they’ll actually use.

So far, I’ve come up with a few ideas: mini silver photo frames (which can also double as name cards); votive candles held in small glass holders; wine glasses inscribed with each person’s name; and playing cards wrapped in ribbon, so they can play cards if they get bored! Although, hopefully that won’t be an issue…

We have 120 people coming to our wedding, so I’m budgeting around $400 total for bonbonniere, or $3.30 per person. I’m open to suggestions and I’ve been known to get a little crafty – think painting, scrap-booking, sewing and bedazzling! – so if you have any brilliant ideas, please post them up here!