Wow it is hot! Well, for Seattle at least. And since I am looking at an outdoor wedding this weekend, this seems like the perfect time to share a very popular and practical idea with you!

Bamboo fans are great to use as placecard holders or to attach programs. Not only do they make the table or chairs look great, but they provide your guests with a way to cool themselves off on these warm, sunny, summer days. Bliss Weddings Market carries them and they are relatively inexpensive. And the guests can then take them home as favors. One expense, two uses! Stay cool!

Green Favor Ideas, Part Three

There are so many ways to make your wedding "green" without making your wedding feel eco-friendly. Favors are a great place to do this. And yes, I am going to talk about a favor other than food!

Soy candles! Soy candles are great because they use sustainable resources and are biodegradable. They emit less toxins into your home and smell great! Almost everyone will enjoy taking home a candle from your wedding, to enjoy in the months to come.

Candles and Favors carries them in individual jars, which you can personalize with a label and choose from a variety of scents. Just another way to help sustain our environment!

I'll Take That To Go!

If you have not already figured it out, I love food as favors. Well, I should say that I love food! If you are having a rockin' reception, with dancing late into the night, think about having a tray of doughnuts and cups of coffee for people to take with them. Nothing is better for late night munchies than a nice snack for the road.

By having them prepackaged in wax-lined bags, you can ensure that your guests will feel free to grab one on the way out. Customize a stamp, and personalize your bags before you stuff them. Guests will really remember that you thought about them at the end of the night and sent something home.

Popcorn Bar!

In keeping with my theme of finding unique twists for your reception, I came across a very cute idea on Sparkliatti's blog. Popcorn Bars! With 16 flavors to choose from, Dale and Thomas' Popcorn will help you provide popcorn for a favor buffet with enough variety that even persnickety Uncle Bob will find something to enjoy! The 2-gallon tins come in 3-flavor cominations, with 3 varieties to choose from. They serve about 25 people and are a great way to add something different to your favor bar! Think about doing a custom bag or box to go along with it, and you are ready to go! As always, I love Beau-Coup for favor boxes. They are relatively inexpensive and have a lot of options. Or you could do the popcorn theme all the way and get popcorn boxes from Snappy. At only $10 for 100, it is a great deal and a fantastic way to carry the theme.

Blogs are Abuzz - About Walmart?!?

Yes, it is true. Wedding bloggers everywhere are all abuzz about Walmart. Martha Stewart recently released a wedding collection for Walmart. There are some super cute items there, for a VERY good price. (Obviously, it is Walmart after all!) My personal favorite is the Martha Steward Party Favor Boxes. What a great price for somethign that is cute. The favor boxes are a great place to save a little money and still get an adorable box!

Candy, Bar?

Favors.....so much to say! A new trend in wedding favors, is a candy "bar", read buffet. By choosing to have different sized and shaped containers for you buffet, you create a fun, whimsical look. Stick with candy in your color theme, which is easy from Candy Warehouse. They sell candy by color and you can soon have your own candy buffet up and running!

Adorbable scoops allow guests to pick their own candy. They can be found many places online for as little as $2. Need something to put the candy in? Think about Beau Coup's chinese take-out boxes. You can personalize them with custom labels. Beau Coup also has a lot of other container options if the take-out container does not fit your theme.

By allowing guests to create their own favors, you are giving them a unique memory and a fun activity at your reception!

Green Favor Ideas, Part Two

I am a huge believer in giving back, as well as going green. So, on that note...Another great favor idea is really a favor to someone else. Just Give is a great website that allows couples to donate money in your guests' name as a favor. You can get certificates to inform your guests what charity their favor is for.

Still want a fun favor for your guests, but like the charity idea? Have your house pretty well stocked and don't need to register for much? Just Give also has a wedding registry. In lieu of gifts, your guests can donate to your wedding registry of charities.