Wedding reception favours

If you’re planning a wedding reception in a Sunshine Coast function centre, you’ll be wondering how to decorate your reception tables. The bigger your wedding guest list, the more money you will spend on table decorations. Most function centres can usually help you out here with table and chair coverings. A florist will usually have some good ideas and suggestions for table centre pieces. But one opportunity for you to add that personal touch to your wedding decor is through the provision of wedding favours on tables.

Wedding favours are traditionally a small gift from the bride and groom to their guests in appreciation of them sharing their special day. Historically known as a bonbonniere, it’s a tradition that goes back centuries to the European aristocracy. A bonbonniere was usually a little box containing sweet treats, often sugared almonds, which forms the basis of today’s wedding favours.

Though many couples like to stick with tradition and give out sweets or candy at their wedding reception venue, these can vary according to the customs of different countries: At an Italian wedding, favours will traditionally consist of sugared almonds; at Spanish weddings, guests might receive a small vase of orange blossoms; at a Dutch wedding the happy couple may give out ‘bridal sugar’ – five pieces of sweetmeat candy symbolising love, happiness, loyalty, prosperity, and virility.

So whilst you may feel like you should incorporate the latest trend in wedding favours into your wedding reception or something you have seen in a celebrity magazine, it seems that with wedding favours, anything goes.

Edible favours
You could buy chocolates that you can gift wrap yourself in a little box with tissue paper and ribbon to match your wedding decorations, flowers or even your bridesmaids’ dresses. Using metallic ribbon or flowers will look suitably elegant for such a festive occasion. Alternatively, you can invest in personalised chocolate bars featuring a custom made wrapper celebrating your special day.

Although not exactly edible but equally popular, some couples choose to provide miniature bottles of alcohol as wedding favours. These can often be purchased from a supplier who will personalise the label as a memento of your special day.

Charity favours
One new custom which has grown in popularity in recent times is the practice of donating the money to charity that you would have spent on buying favours. For example, donations could be made to a cancer research charity in memory of a special person. This means they can be remembered in a positive way at the wedding. Often, the charity concerned may sell little badges or keepsakes in return for a donation and, if this is the case, your guests can still take something home as a souvenir of the day. You can add a little decorated note or card to each place setting to explain the donation.

DIY favours
To beat the recession woes, why not try making your own wedding favours? You could make decorated cupcakes or cookies, or even make compilation CDs of some of the music that’s included in the wedding.

No favours!
And finally, one important thing to remember is not to feel pressured into providing favours at your wedding reception venue. Guests do not usually expect them and the money you don’t spend on buying them can be put towards your other wedding expenses.

Let the professionals from your Sunshine Coast function centre advise you on table decorations for your dream wedding reception.