DIY Bride Part IV: Favors

Wedding favors can be so simple or so complex that the possibilities are seemingly endless.  Initially, we had planned to continue the "brewed" theme from the Save the Dates and give out coffee beans.  I was going to sew bags shaped like vegetables that people could "harvest" from a box.  After some trial and error, though, this seemed a bit difficult and expensive.  Also, not everyone likes coffee and certainly not enough to have a coffee grinder at home.  After toying with the idea of giving tea instead of coffee, we ended up considering other options instead.

What we've decided on, subject to change, is the "S & S" theme, which is on the front of the invitation kit for our first names but could also stand for "Sweet & Somethin'", as in Sweet & Sour, Sweet & Salty, and Sweet & Spicy.  We searched for some unusual or novel treats and found Choward's guava candies and Spicy Nut M&M's.  I also saw a picture on pinterest of a chocolate covered pretzel that made some "tying the knot" reference.  I'm still trying to figure out the best deals for all of this, but it looks like it'll come out to about $3 per favor, including packaging.  That's pretty good considering how much stuff is in each box.  I'd be happy to receive these treats :)  I'll just have to figure out some pretty, economical way to put it all together...

My first thought was to make a mason jar favor.  I know, I know... the Internet is littered with mason jar decor for everything under the sun, including rustic weddings.  But I had some mason jars lying around and thought this 8 oz. size was perfect.  I even have scrap fabric that would match the M&M's.  In the end, though, I decided against it.  The color scheme isn't quite what I'm going for with everything else.  Plus, 70 glass jars could be pretty heavy to transport.  The jars wouldn't have been very expensive, though.  After scouring the Internet for deals, I could've bought mason jars for about 60 cents each -- not bad!

I quite like the idea of opening a present, just like at Christmas time.  So for my next attempt, I mocked up this favor box out of some cardboard (all my Vistaprint packaging).  It's a 3"x3"x2" box that opens from the top.  I'd put the Choward's and M&M's on the bottom and stack 3 chocolate-covered pretzels on top.  I loved opening the box in eager anticipation of the contents!

Now that I've decided on the box, there are several options for dressing it up:

Option #1:  I created a digital design using the free clipart I downloaded for our invitations, and I could have wrapping paper printed through Spoonflower and make 1" belly bands.  I'd use a wrapped 3x3x2 chipboard box, put the belly band over it, tie a piece of jute over it and attach a label (or just a label), and voila!  Rustic meets romantic.

Option #2:  Use a wrapped 3x3x2 white or chipboard box, tie ribbon or jute in one or both directions, and tie a coffee filter flower and tag to the top.

I've decided to go with Option #2 but with some modifications -- wrap in masking paper, tie with jute, and insert a coffee filter flower but put the tag on the inside.  It looks pretty but simple, and making the flowers will be pretty easy.  I can make them pretty much any color I want since I'll be dying with food coloring.  Plus, it'll save $14 in custom wrapping paper.

It was a bit of an ordeal using Chili Nut M&M's since they are a limited release flavor.  I bought 4 bags using Longs coupons then decided to wait until I got more coupons to buy the remaining 6 bags.  When I went back a few days later, though, all the Chili Nut M&M's in town were sold out!  Luckily, a friend found the rest at the Waipahu Longs so I'm all set with M&M's.  The last piece of the favors are Trader Joe's chocolate-covered mini pretzels.  Some co-workers helped cut the masking paper, so all that's left is to seal the M&M's and pretzels, pack the favors, and wrap and tie them.  Oh, and keep them from melting or going stale before my guests receive them.  

I hope these favors look really simple and pretty and blend well with the rest of the decor.  I almost wish the wedding was sooner because it's taking all of my will power not to open one up the M&M's and Choward's and eat them!