I was just wondering if it is tacky to not give out favors at the wedding reception. The last 5 weddings I have been to, people forgot to take the favors so the bride and groom were stuck with everything at the end of the night! They were great favors, people just forgot to take them. I'm not trying to be cheap, I just don't know if it is worth it to take the time to make favors only to end up throwing them in the trash. Suggestions?
Re: Is it tacky to not give out favors?
With All the Trimmings
generally i think older people like them. i plan on having a photo booth and it will print out two photos, one for the guest book and one as a favor.
[QUOTE]I;m doing a charity donation to the heart and stroke foundaton instead of favour in memory of FI's grandma
Posted by pinktulips2012[/QUOTE]
I was going to suggest a donation also.. We are giving to susan g. komen in memory of my aunt instead of an actual favor. Thinking about possibly doing a little bag of pink m&m's with a little note saying we gave money.
http://forums.theknot.com/default.aspx?path=http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_favors
That being said:
I'm *kind of* doing a charity thing. Our wedding is mostly outside, in Texas, in December. The Canadians will find it balmy, the Americans might be cold. So we're going to get inexpensive blankets from Ikea. If people take them, great! If they use them, even better! Any that don't get taken or used are going to be brought to a homeless shelter in Toronto near where a friend of mine lives. We don't feel we're wasting money, I don't have to worry about the venues' blankets getting used outdoors (a distinct possibility, we're renting the place for a few days), and I don't have to worry about people being cold. An all-round good solution.
We went back and forth on whether or not to do favors for our wedding. We ended up deciding that the open bar was the favor as no one else we know has ever done an open bar.
Try not to stress about the favors and details too much. Remember at the end of the day you'll be married, and that's all that matters.
Making a donation to charity is simply NOT a favor, and in my opinion has no place being announced to guests at your wedding. If you feel like you are spending a lot of money on your wedding and would like to give back go ahead and make a donation, but please do so in private. Do not masquerade a donation to a charity of your choosing as a gift to your guests, especially when you get the tax credit.
I'm spending a fortune on favors, but that's because what I want is very meaningful to me and to my guests and I decided it was important. But you definitely don't have to spend a fortune - a couple of bags of Hershey's kisses from the grocery store will easily accommodate one or two per guest, and I'm sure if grandma doesn't want hers then her neighbor will eat it - very little waste. But yes, I consider it rude to have nothing at all.
[QUOTE]To be honest, I think making a donation to charity in lieu of a favor is tacky. I think charitable donations should be private, NEVER announced. Everytime I see this at a wedding, I feel as though the couple is just trying to brag about their genenrosity, and frankly critisizing people who chose to give a small token of thanks to their guests. What are they are saying? That they didn't want to waste money on a small token of appreciation for the effort our guests made to attend but they had no qualms wasting it on flowers, a wedding dress, letterpress, photography, a honeymoon... Making a donation to charity is simply NOT a favor, and in my opinion has no place being announced to guests at your wedding. If you feel like you are spending a lot of money on your wedding and would like to give back go ahead and make a donation, but please do so in private. Do not masquerade a donation to a charity of your choosing as a gift to your guests, especially when you get the tax credit.
Posted by Princess Consuela BananaHammock[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Though I understand your point of view, I disagree completely. Many people expect favors, but if they hear that you gave to a donation instead they agree that it was a better use of money. I have a limited budget so if I'm going to spend money on thank you gifts, I prefer for it to be a good cause. People like to know that this is done, and many times, the charities you choose are close to their hearts as well - especially if it is memory of a family member.
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[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Is it tacky to not give out favors? : Though I understand your point of view, I disagree completely. Many people expect favors, but if they hear that you gave to a donation instead they agree that it was a better use of money. I have a limited budget so if I'm going to spend money on thank you gifts, I prefer for it to be a good cause. People like to know that this is done, and many times, the charities you choose are close to their hearts as well - especially if it is memory of a family member.
Posted by andrea.v[/QUOTE]
I agree... love the fact that she thinks donating to charity is tacky but cheap photo frames and a plastic cup of mints is not....(no offence to that idea personally I think its cute). We are donating the money we would have spent on favours to the hospice who were so great when close members of my family were dying. At each of the table we will be placing a little lace bag with some chocolates and a note saying we have donated the money we would have spent on favours to the hospice in honour of our guests. Our venue is including dessert in the meal package so guests will also be bring cake home too....I think that is enough favours. Our wedding planner was actually suggesting we didn't bother with anything as he has said that in his experience 70% of favours get forgotten or left behind.
My fiance and I went back and forth on this one as well. My MOH told me that I had to have bubbles, and if I couldn't afford them, then she would buy them. I decided that since I am having only a cake and punch reception, and the amount of kids that I am expecting, she was right. I bought bubble tubes on sale, and am going to tie black ribbon (black and white wedding) with thank you tags on them. Total cost for the favors will be like $20 or $25 for about 100. If people don't like them...then they don't have to take them.