Weddingbee Blog

I was in the same pickle. But luckily my fiance’s Uncle offered to make us cookies as a gift to us for the favors. Originally I was going to not give out anything.

Now I think I’m going to set up the cookies at a table when you 1st walk with the table number and guest name on it, so they serve a double function.

Thing is, I think no matter what you choose, people are just forgetful, and tend to leave the favors behind.

Gasp! I would never ever leave such yummy goodies on the table. Poor, lonely cookies.. Don’t worry.. i’ll take care of you.. =oP

I would not leave any favor doesn’t matter what it is because I know the couple spent money (or even DIY energy) on it. But you’re right, sadly, a lot of times favors are wasted at the end of the night (or day). At my two best friends weddings, they had sooo many favors just left on the table. It was a shame.. such a waste. I feel bad for the couple whenever that happens.

That is so true! I am not exactly in the same situation because this was for a baby shower, as opposed to a wedding… but I had the same thing happen to me after I threw a baby shower for a friend of mine. I bought different colored Chinese take out boxes from Michael’s and put things I thought the girls would like in em’: chapstick and a pack of gum (all of my girls are obsessed with both), a little container of bubbles (they worked so well!!), a mini baby bottle with baby lotion inside, and a water gun (we had a beach themed party) and I wrapped everything (well, these are the only things I can remember, actually, LOL… I think there may have been a few more things) in cellophane, and stuck it inside the take out box. And after I had passed them out, everyone said thanks but half the people left them on the table!! I wish I knew why; was it because they wanted more stuff, or did they really manage to forget them?! I also had gifts for people who won the games (they were tissued in a Finding Nemo themed gift bag), and half the people left that on the tables, as well. I was so sad. After seeing that mess, it definitely made me not want to do party favors/gifts ever again. lol! =[

I guess people don’t put any thought into how much time and money is spent on party favors. But I definitely think I think for a wedding, cookies are a great idea! I don’t think anyone would leave them behind. I would probably inhale them as soon as I got them….

Thought of another one that I still use… a luggage tag. They were actually creative and put the name/table assignment on the luggage tag so it was more of a bonus favor.

Gasp! I’ve never left a favor behind — that’s the part I most look forward to. But if you’re concerned, the last wedding I was at they actually gave out the favors as ppl were leaving so I’m sure no one left it behind.

I would never leave a favor as well but thats me Im hoping my favors (CDs) are so pretty (I put a lot of work in both the CDs and covers) that no one will leave them as well Im resigned to the fact that I will have a lot of extra wedding CDs after the wedding

Apparently guests LOVED the photobooth during cocktail hour (we were off taking pics). But once the reception started only a handful of people used it, which was kind of a bummer. Part of the problem with Battery Gardens is that the reception is on the second floor, while cocktail hour and the photobooth were on the first floor, so I don’t think people wanted to schlep downstairs. So no, it didn’t keep people off of the dance floor.

All-in-all, I would say that 80% of the guests used the booth. They were supposed to put at least half of a strip (3 pictures — each set of strips was like a double row) into a really cute scrap book/guest book that was made for us and after the first strip, they could keep the entire strip for all the rest. I think most guests were good, but I know at least one co-worker who didn’t put a strip in my book (boo to her!!!). So my guess is that I have photos of 60-70% of the guests.

Some friends have told me that they loved loved loved the photobooth. It was totally their favorite part of the weddding. I think other people thought it was cute but would have been happier with a box of Godiva. Like I said, can’t please them all.

In terms of cost, it was def more expensive than favors. For 5 hours (plus I paid them a bit extra to set up early), it cost around $1600 — we only had around 110 guests, so regular favors would have cost a MAX of $1000, assuming $6-8 per and that I would wind up ordering a bunch of extras … we went through nycphotobooth.com

I’ll try to scan in some pages from the photobooth this week and do a post on it!

Here’s a little tip from a planner/designer: If you really want to give cookie favors, give it out at the end of the reception as people are leaving. Have a little sign that instructs people to take one upon leaving. That’ll help immensely.

Additionally, if you want to save money, I’d suggest cellophane cookie bags with personalized stickers and a colorful ribbon, as opposed to say, boxed, and tissued (as pictured above).

Not only will this way save you on costs (cellophane baggies vs. cardboard box), you’ll also be saving time (placing cookies in baggie, ribbon tie close, add sticker vs. fold box, cut tissue to size, place tissue in box, place cookies in box, fold tissue over, close box)… Multiply all those steps by how many quest favors… You get the idea.

Take it from someone who have seen the brides-to-be in action the week of the wedding. That’s not something you really want to DIY unless you have a few pair of extra hands…

I JUST found this website today - totally by mistake, but it is what I’ve been looking for: http://www.themagnetman.com Same idea as the photobooth, except you get the photos prinited on a magnet. My parents went to a wedding where they did this and they came out really well - there are 3-4 still on the fridge at home. I don’t have any idea how much it costs or where it’s located, but I intend to find out!