As guests walk into the cocktail hour, we are doing a step-and-repeat (red carpet photos for guests like at celebrity events), and at the end of the event guests will receive a framed photo of their choosing, though I'd imagine the frames aren't anything substantial (I haven't seen them yet). After the reception, we are having an exit station that we are having stocked with cookies, hot chocolate, and apple cider (fall wedding). My mom keeps saying we still need favors, but we are trying to find ways to cut costs (the touch and repeat was part of our DJ package, and the exit station is from the hall, chosen as part of our package there).
Is this really not enough? I don't want to offend anyone, but the reason we chose the exit station and photos was so that we could avoid spending hundreds of dollars on little trinkets that nobody ever cares about anyway. Thoughts?
Re: No actual favors?
That's how I feel about the station, it was offered by the hall and the manager told us that most people use them as their favors. I thought it was a great idea.
I would think the photos are your favor. What a great gift for couples as how often do couples get a professional shot of themselves when they are dressed up? Not very often. If you do a solid color background for the shot then people can put them in a nice frame & display them at home.
I also love the suggestion of others to have small bags or boxes available so people can take a few treats home from the exit station.
If my fiance ends up wanting to do this, I'm going to suggest a groom's cake that can be boxed and handed out as a treat to people as they leave.
I agree-- a lot of those trinkets are just a waste of money.
Like a lot of the other brides here, we strayed away from chintzy things like cookies, bottle-openers, coozies.. and - salt/pepper shakers shaped like miniscule birds - YES we did receive those at one wedding!! LOL
We are making wine for our favours - little half-bottles, one white/one red for couples and singles can choose whatever they like. I much preferred the idea of giving people something that they can enjoy - even if they may not personally like wine they can try it and perhaps love it, or... at the least, they get to serve it to company that likes wine!
Kudos to you for the creative ideas - maybe try to ask your MIL why she needs to have little favours at the place-settings? Perhaps she is old-fashioned. I love your ideas!!