source:newyorktimes.com
My sweet tooth is legendary. I’m not one to skip dessert – ever. So you can imagine my (joyful) surprise when I recently stumbled upon the midwestern wedding tradition known as the “cookie table.” Who has been keeping this one a secret? Envision a long banquet table filled with hundreds, maybe thousands, of homemade cookies. Each one is more fanciful than the next. Years of family recipes handed down from one generation to the next, all on display for the happy couple and their guests to enjoy. Setting up a beautiful display table and providing take home containers for your guests turns this yummy wedding tradition into an easy to do DIY wedding favor.
image 1:martha stewart weddings; image 2:mlive.com
If this charming tradition is one you want to incorporate at your wedding, here are a few helpful hints. You’ll want to enlist the help of friends and family to make it fun, and manageable. Who wants to spend hours and hours in the kitchen in the days and weeks before you say I do? Unless you have the Keebler elves at your disposal, you’ll need some backup. In Ohio and Pennsylvania (where the cookie table tradition is said to have originated) it’s the mothers, grandmothers and aunts of the bride who do the baking. But, if this tradition is new to your family, you may have to organize a day long bake-off to get the job done. Having a kitchen shower? Ask each guest to bring a dozen (or two) cookies that can be frozen and saved for later. Can’t get all the baking done in time? Feel free to mix it up with a combination of homemade and bakery treats. What a sweet gift from all who contribute.
source: mlive.com
Make sure to alot space at the wedding reception for a banquet table dedicated to the cookies. Use (and borrow) cake plates, cookie stands and jars of varying heights to create interest. Vintage and antique stores sell some beautiful and inexpensive stands. Purchase take home boxes at bakers supply stores or order boxes online. How about Chinese take-out containers as cookie favor boxes? I also love the idea of adding in bowls of colorful candy to the display. Use pretty place cards to identify the types of cookies and who make them. Be creative and make it fun. How about offering “shots” of milk along side the cookies? This is one tasteful DIY tradition that will leave your guests smiling.
source: gourmet.com
Emily’s recent post on wedding favors got me thinking. She’s right, it is really is hard to find a favor that is affordable, fits your wedding personality, and is something that your guest will appreciate, and actually use.
Over the years, I’ve been to over 200 weddings. And I can’t remember the favor from a single one. Really, I can’t.
So, I took a look at the (millions of) favors available on Beau-coup. And, speaking strictly as a guest, here are the four favors I would definitely make sure were in my bag before the end of the night.
This wrapped mint tins are $1.85 (if you buy at least 30). And who doesn’t likes to have a mint in their desk or bag.
This could be my favorite. (Maybe it is because I’m always looking for my own coffee scoop). But I really would use this. And I really would remember where I got it. The scoops are $1.85 – $2.50 (depending on the quantity).
I would definitely put this little flower pot on my window sill or desk. And they would look so sweet lined up on a table with a mixture of different flowers. $2.50/pot, contents not included.
You can get these wine stops with hearts, shells, snowflakes, golf balls, or stars, but I like these starfish ones the best. And as a wine drinker, I can attest to the handiness of these little devices. The stoppers range in price, but start as low as $2.00. (The starfish are $2.50 – $2.95 depending on quantity).
Truth be told, I wouldn’t consider myself a super environmentalist. I’m more the make small changes, unplug your cell phone charger, don’t buy bottled water, take your own bags to the grocery store kind of environmentalist. But I do think incorporating green into your life where ever you can is the best thing to do.
That’s why I think a perfect idea for a wedding favor is an environmentally friendly one. Like these adorable personalized seed packets from Beau-coup.
I love the fun look of the bags – which are biodegradable and contain wildflower seeds of baby’s breath, cornflower, California poppy, catchfly, spurred snapdragon and garland daisies. And there are tons of choices for the labels (and even options to use them as seating cards).
And flowers are such a sweet way for your friends and family to remember your wedding (and you could plant a few packets at your house or apartment too!)