Wedding Favors are generally a last thought, and to be honest I totally understand why. The bride and groom just paid for a huge party – now they have to give you a gift? It’s a little nuts. That being said, I’ve seen some really cool ones over the past few years, and I want to share them.

Personalized M&Ms: my favorite alternative to Jordan Almonds, these candies can be personalized on their site now with anything you might want – your names, a quote, even your faces! Its a cute and relatively cheap favor – the bride can set up a bar with various glass jars filled with candies and cute little bags or containers for guests to take what they like.

Vases: My sister’s bridal shower was the first time I saw this, but giving small glass vases at  each place setting as a favor has been trending more and more on sites I view regularly and on Pinterest. Its a really cute idea, and it is kind of a genius idea to combine decorand favors into one task. You just have to make sure people realize they can take them.

Cups: My friends Kim and Nick gave every guest a cup at their setting with a wedding seal printed on them – not only did we use these glasses for cocktails during the reception, but I use them every day. Every time I use it I think of them and the amazing wedding weekend and it makes me happy. It is a really fun memento for all of us and money well spent on their part.

Sunglasses: I went to a destination wedding last year in Mexico (twist my arm), and they gave all of the guests promotional sunglasses in their welcome baskets. We all wore them all weekend (see photo for my stylin’ shades). They are super inexpensive and a really fun gift for the day.

Grocery Bags: My friend S gave away recycled grocery bags (very San Francisco of her) as her favors. She left them at the door so guests could take them on their way out. She even printed a cute phrase on them as well instead of just her wedding date, which I thought was really cute and provoking at the same time. I’ve never seen it online or at any other wedding, but its a great favor for any “green” wedding.

Coozies: These have been becoming increasingly popular over the past few years f- I’ve received them from anything to memorial day trips, bachelorette weekends and rehearsal dinners. It is a great favor for any pre-wedding event. and for the right wedding it can be a favor as well – keeping it appropriate for the event is all about the design (see various examples below). I have a drawer full of coozies that I break out for 4th of July festivities every year, and each one turns into a conversation with guests.