Favors

Most people prefer edible favors - can someone explain why?

I'm having a destination wedding in Italy and want to give a little more for those that make the trip.  But it's not quite a standard destination wedding, about 1/3 of the invited guests are from Italy (my FI's father and extended family lives there).  So we will still have about 120 guests so I can't spend more for the favors than I would for a wedding at home.

All of that being said, I always leaned towards something that will last a while that people can use later and (hopefully) remember the fun time at our wedding.  Glasses, luggage tags, bottle stoppers, bottle openers, etc.  I like the idea of something useful, too.

But everyone says edible favors are the way to go.  It just seems like people eat it - even if it's not particularly good chocolate/candy/whatever and then it's immediately gone and forgotten. 

What am I missing?  I feel like there must me something I'm  not seeing which is why most people feel the opposite.

If it helps we plan on having a few different kinds of dessert besides cake.  Does that change the answer?

Thanks!
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Re: Most people prefer edible favors - can someone explain why?

  • kimp67kimp67 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    I think because ppl have different tastes, what may be cute or usable to you may not be for me.  Your bff may like a momento of your wedding (monogrammed wine glass, etc...)but personally, I wouldn't take one.  We didn't want to waste money on favors that not everyone would like, use, or take, so we went the edible way.  If some get left behind, we're positive someone else would take/eat them!

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  • edited December 2011
    I don't personally prefer the edible, but that's because most people seem to do the colored M&Ms or something else you can get at a convenience store.  If you're going to do edible, I personally say you should get something special that your guests can't get anywhere else. 

    Because of that, I'm one of the few who tend to favor non-edible favors.  I don't think most of them should be personalized, although some things I don't mind if they are (notepads, playing cards, etc.) 
  • fallbride1109fallbride1109 member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I can think of very few useful things anyone can possibly give me at a wedding.  I have all the glasses, luggage tags and bottle openers I need.  If you have 100-200 guests, cost is obviously an issue and there are very few things that are affordable to give as favors.  Edible favors are more cost effective, look cute on the tables, and generally speaking are going to please the most people.  So that is why most people do them.

    The people that come to your wedding are going to remember it and they don't need a favor to do so.
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_favors_people-prefer-edible-favors-can-someone-explain?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:27Discussion:aa64a5ae-b51e-4df7-a551-494ef9462b1fPost:40b5bb0a-d716-4c06-a956-30b58d748b4d">Re: Most people prefer edible favors - can someone explain why?</a>:
    [QUOTE]I can think of very few useful things anyone can possibly give me at a wedding.  I have all the glasses, luggage tags and bottle openers I need.  If you have 100-200 guests, cost is obviously an issue and there are very few things that are affordable to give as favors.  Edible favors are more cost effective, look cute on the tables, and generally speaking are going to please the most people.  So that is why most people do them. <strong>The people that come to your wedding are going to remember it and they don't need a favor to do so.</strong>
    Posted by stephiehall[/QUOTE]

    This seems to be an argument for not having any favors at all.  And after being fed a 3 course meal and dessert, random chocolates are just as useless as an extra bottle opener.   Technically random chocolates are actively detrimental to most people, unlike the extra bottle stopper, opener, luggage tag or wine glass.

    Hmmm, I guess this will just have to be a last minute decision.  We're having a travel themed wedding, so luggage tags make sense (and personally, I have never purchased those, I only use them when given to me).  I also thought of a wine glass with personalized M&Ms in it, but that adds up and is just not making a choice between the two.

    I see the arguments for both, but I also feel like if someone leaves their glass there will be another person who is totally glad to take it home and have a set.  Maybe it's just because I will have some pack rats in attendance.  <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-tongue-out.gif" border="0" alt="Tongue out" title="Tongue out" />
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  • mysticlmysticl member
    First Anniversary First Answer First Comment 5 Love Its
    edited December 2011
    I actually decided not to do favors for many of the reasons listed above.  We are having a cookie table that many people will probably think is a favor but it's not, it's part of the wedding food. 

    As for some of things you mentioned.  Bottle stopper:  Some people only want matched sets of things, not one random one.  Bottle opener:  most people don't need/want yet another one shoved in a drawer.  Wine glass: see bottle stopper.  Luggage tags:  Who wants their luggage labled with your name and wedding date on it?. 

    Look at it this way.  These are basically gifts for people.  Trying to find one gift that is going to please over 100 people is dang near impossible.  Food tends to be the biggest crowd pleaser, they can take it home and eat it there if they are full from the wedding, they can give it to someone else to eat, if there is a lot left over you can eat it instead of being stuck with 50 bottle openers. 
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  • edited December 2011
    I see the point about food.  I'll see if there is something that will be "unique to Italy" for the Americans that is not simultaneously a bore to the Italians there.  Otherwise, people will just have to get excited about their 4 or 5 dessert options and move on in life. 

    But for the record, I was not going to brand the luggage tag with my name, date, hearts or anything wedding related.  It was going to have something in the window that people could remove, but otherwise go on about their lives with. 

    Thanks guys!
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  • Wrkn925Wrkn925 member
    5 Love Its First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I just want to say I think the glass is a bad idea for travelers.  I would be extremely worried it would break on the trip home. 

    Everything else sounds ok.
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  • fallbride1109fallbride1109 member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper First Comment
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_favors_people-prefer-edible-favors-can-someone-explain?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:27Discussion:aa64a5ae-b51e-4df7-a551-494ef9462b1fPost:edcf7c54-6904-44ab-be20-36bbb03ecd58">Re: Most people prefer edible favors - can someone explain why?</a>:
    [QUOTE]This seems to be an argument for not having any favors at all.  
    Posted by Jetur20[/QUOTE]

    Exactly.  They aren't needed or necessary.  I wish I would have skipped them entirely and put the money elsewhere.  But as a bride I didn't listen when people told me this and now I know better.

    And I agree that random chocolates are just as useless as any other favor, but they look cute on the table, are affordable, etc.  I'm just telling you WHY people do them, I'm not arguing for or against them.  That was your original question, after all.
  • melissamc2melissamc2 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Also, if you have 30 leftover pieces of chocolate, eventually someone will eat them.  It's a lot more difficult to find a use for nearly three dozen little ktichen trinkets, particularly if you are having to pack them up.

    I don't really notice if a wedding has NO favours, but I notice if there is some stupid item that I'm never going to use but know the couple spent money on (more than the 25 cents the thing is worth), and wind up taking with me and sticking in a drawer to run across three years later and think "what a waste of money this was," before I finally throw it away.
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  • edited December 2011
    Yeah, I kinda figured the glass thing would be a nightmare and was sorta getting over that idea (although I do think they are cute). 

    I know I should spend the money elsewhere.  You just see something cute and think -- ohh, fits with the theme, can double as a place card, etc. etc and get carried away.  I guess when we can upgrade our hotel for the honeymoon I can pat myself on the back for taking all this good advice. 


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  • edited December 2011
    I prefer edible because everything else is going to be thrown out by the guests.  Either cookies or chocolates.  I also recommend cupcakes or caramel apples as favors.  I would love a caramel apple!  I found some cool favors on www.weddingblisslane.com
  • pretzelgrrlpretzelgrrl member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I like the idea of luggage tags used as placecards if they are not roo expensive :)
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  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_favors_people-prefer-edible-favors-can-someone-explain?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:27Discussion:aa64a5ae-b51e-4df7-a551-494ef9462b1fPost:6a9e129b-af9e-4142-b9ea-a4b9168e8be7">Re: Most people prefer edible favors - can someone explain why?</a>:
    [QUOTE]I prefer edible because everything else is going to be thrown out by the guests.  Either cookies or chocolates.  I also recommend cupcakes or caramel apples as favors.  I would love a caramel apple!  I found some cool favors on <a href="http://www.weddingblisslane.com" rel="nofollow">www.weddingblisslane.com</a>
    Posted by jm6411[/QUOTE]

    I do agree that people are more likely to eat junk food in front of them than take something that is (arguably) practical.  But I have some friends who have kept random knicknacks for years.  But I guess the point is to appeal to the most amount of people and food is the lowest common denominator. 

    But for cookies or cupcakes... I'm going to have cake and 4 dessert options, so I really don't see how that is any different than the dessert options I'm giving already.  I'll have to see if caramel apples are common in Italy - I'm not making any of this stuff.  I'm showing up a few days before the wedding and assuming the wedding planner will have done most of the work.  I'm not a hands-on, crafty, DIY bride.

    But I understand why most people go with edible favors.  Not sure if I've been convinced to do it, or just not bother with a favor.  Or do the luggage tag thing since they are serving another purpose and if people leave some that is something I can take and use over time (my FI and I travel a lot and mine always get lost/damaged so I go through them.  Plus we move a lot so each of us have like 5 suitcases for international moves).  Plus, his family and my family may want a few extras and they won't take up a lot of space.  But I realize that these aren't really reasons they are good as favor ideas.  Just that if people leave them, it won't be as bad as having 30 bottle openers.

    Good things to think about.  Thanks for the wedding bliss link that is a new one for me!
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  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_favors_people-prefer-edible-favors-can-someone-explain?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:27Discussion:aa64a5ae-b51e-4df7-a551-494ef9462b1fPost:6a9e129b-af9e-4142-b9ea-a4b9168e8be7">Re: Most people prefer edible favors - can someone explain why?</a>:
    [QUOTE]I prefer edible because everything else is going to be thrown out by the guests.  Either cookies or chocolates.  I also recommend cupcakes or caramel apples as favors.  I would love a caramel apple!  I found some cool favors on <a href="http://www.weddingblisslane.com" rel="nofollow">www.weddingblisslane.com</a>
    Posted by jm6411[/QUOTE]

    Hmm... well if I do edibles it's most likely to be some sort of chocolate.  I'm going to do cake and 3 or 4 other desserts, so I don't see how a cupcake or cookie is a favor and not just something I was going to do as part of the meal anyway.  Caramel apples I can see getting messy... and I wonder if they even do those in Italy.  I'm not getting involved in any cooking/baking/supervising etc.

    In any event I understand that edible is the way to go in terms of pleasing the most people - I'm just not sure it makes much sense after a dessert bar. 

    I still may do the luggage tags because they are pretty cheap and would serve as a place card as well, and if people leave them I wouldn't mind having 30 leftovers (unlike bottle stoppers or openers, where I see how that could be annoying) because we travel a lot.  And this isn't usually the type of item where someone will want matched pairs as much as glasses or something.

    But I think if anything I've realized that the safest way to go seems to just not have favors at all.  If the lugage tags are too expensive I'll probably just leave it alone instead of getting some other random item.
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  • fallbride1109fallbride1109 member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Your wedding is 11 months away. You're trying to think of fun, cute ideas--I get it.  But trust me, when you're 3 weeks out and don't have to tie ribbons on 120 luggage tags, you'll be glad you listened.  :)
  • edited December 2011
    Yeah, I think I just finally figured out the theme thing (vintage travel) and got excited.  But honestly I'm not doing much for the wedding - the planner will do most of it.  And my mom is already trying to do all kinds of things.  I'm lucky in that I have retired parents and a sister-in-law who wants to help and lots of time and money to throw at the wedding. 

    The bows I don't care about so much as it's mindless - I was imagining the huge pain in the azz it would be to print out everybody's tag and stuff them into the little windows and make sure they were placed at the right place.

    I almost think part of me WANTS something to do since there will be almost no DIY aspect to this wedding and in the months leading up to it I will have quit my job and moved to a country with nothing to do (no really, internet is highly controlled there).  I envision plenty of free time the last month or two before the wedding.

    I'm just going to leave this until August and make a last minute decision.  It's not like luggage tags and/or chocolate are in short supply.  Lol.



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  • edited December 2011
    I actually prefer non-food favors is they are somewhat useful.  I may have luggage tags, but I'm sure I have at least one suitcase/bag that doesn't, So I would like that.

    As far as food favors, unless its something really unique I would not eat it.  I would put it in my fridge planning to eat it and it would sit there.   (My fiance found hershey bars in my fridge this week that were escort cards from my friend that I think got married in the fall 2007).  Especially now, I am trying to lose weight for my own wedding.

    I am going to do coffee mugs (with a beach design drawn by my brother) filled with salt water taffys, but the candy is more to tie in my wedding color (pink) and beach theme but keep the coffee mugs themselves gender neutral.  If no one takes them, I'm sure I can divy the mugs up between my family members who could always use more mugs.
  • edited December 2011
    I think we're going to do a photobooth instead of favors. People have a lot of fun with them and people always take their pictures home. Not everyone will take a home a little chotchky they have no use for. I just don't want to put a bunch of time and effort into favors so that most of them can be left on the table at the end of the night.
  • edited December 2011
    Yeah, but not sure how easy it is to get a photo booth in Italy.  Not to mention it may cost more and not sure my fiance is into that idea (he wants something very classic).  I'm not trying to blow anybody away with anything super interesting.
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  • NillaWafer10NillaWafer10 member
    5 Love Its First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Maybe you could skip favors and have OOT bags instead?  You expressed wanting to do something more for those who traveled so far, and the Italians would be bored by traditional items that Americans would love.
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  • edited December 2011
    I thought about the OOT bags.  It's still a possibility, but it will depend on the logistics and cost.  We will probably have people at 3 or 4 different hotels and maybe about 80 people from out of town, so that could get really pricey.

    That's part of the problem.  I'm doing a full size wedding out of the country so I have the destination wedding logistical problems without at least getting a smaller number of guests to worry about.

    I think maybe this is just something to worry about when we have exact numbers.  Then I can see if our budget allows for OOT bags.
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  • edited December 2011
    im greek and i wanted to give my guests a favor they can use, because everyone just tosses the little things they have no use for.
    so i ordered little liquor bottles. ouzo bottles to be exact.
    everyone loved them (a friend of mine who is getting married wanted to know where i got them b/c she was thinking about doing it for hers)

    They either took them home, or drank them at the reception.
    they are something that will get used and not be like "seriously this is a waste of money"

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  • 1littleblue1littleblue member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I think if you do go the edible route you should find something locally made there in Italy. Something special. Even a little mini loaf of local bread with your initials that the guests can take back to the hotel. Or maybe have the family make some home-made lemoncello and put in little bottles Something that says, "I flew all the way to Italy for a wedding"
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