When it comes to creating perfection on your wedding day, it’s hard to understate the importance of the wedding favor. The favor is the piece of your wonderful day that guests will take away with them. You want it to be something special, unique and memorable, a tangible reminder that they’ll turn to again and again.

“We’re seeing more brides today turning to wedding favors that marry fun and function, uniqueness and usefulness,” says Allison Bergstedt of MyWeddingReceptionIdeas.com, a leading online resource for brides seeking unique wedding favors and other wedding items. “Perhaps it’s a reflection of the times, as we are all tending to be more frugal and practical with our money. The favors of choice today are ones that guests will find useful long after the ceremony is over.” Here are some hints for useful favors:

Utensils – “Not everyone has a mantle on which to display a pretty silver picture frame,” says Bergstedt, “but everyone has a kitchen. And the variety of utensils used in the kitchen make it possible to find a favor that not only useful, but that matches your personality.”

Popular kitchen wedding favors include kitchen timers, olive oil bottles, cookie cutters, measuring spoons, ice cream scoops and bowls, cheese graters and tea infusers.

Shakers – What favor better embodies the essence of marriage – the perfect pairing of complementary opposites? Salt and pepper shakers range from fun and frolicking to classic and nostalgic to modern and bold.

Coasters – Who doesn’t own a table that needs protection from water marks? Coasters are practical favor, and they’re available in such a variety of designs and styles you’ll have no trouble finding a set that flatters the theme of your wedding and keeps alive the memory of your special day every time your guests sip a beverage.

Food – A wise man once said “food is the most personal gift,” and when given as wedding favors, food products can be practical and very welcome too. You can opt to go for fun, and give guests Key Lime margarita mix. Or go for heartwarming and homespun with tea bags and a tea caddy or muffin mix with mini muffin pans.

Charities – Another option gaining popularity is to give guests a token that lets them know a donation has been made in their honor to a much-loved charity. For example, you can give a small pink photo frame imprinted with the breast cancer awareness ribbon and a portion of the purchase price will go toward an organization that supports young women with breast cancer. Or use a tent card at each place setting to let guests know what charity you’ve benefited on their behalf.

“Giving a useful favor also taps another hot trend for ‘green’ favors,” says Bergstedt. “Any favor that your guests will keep – and not throw away – qualifies as green.” For more wedding favor ideas, visit www.MyWeddingReceptionIdeas.com.

– Courtesy of ARAcontent