When you give guests a little something to take home after the wedding, a token of thanks for sharing your day with you, be sure that your choice of favor is something your guests will keep, use and enjoy rather than something that’s going to get thrown out and wind up in a landfill somewhere, never to decompose. Too many wedding couples out there make this choice with only price in mind, thinking that a $1 plastic keepsake is great for their budget, but they don’t think of the bigger picture, which is that guests appreciate something that’s not going to just sit on a shelf and collect dust. They feel bad about tossing wedding favors, and they’re aware that better choices are out there. You don’t want them to think badly of you, and you don’t want the very last element of your gorgeous wedding celebration to be a letdown. So choose a better favor that makes everyone – and the planet – happier.

   The first category of new green favors is plantables. A tiny tree seedling, a potted flower, flower bulbs, and potted herbs are the top choices of plantable favors, and you’ll even find adorable favors made of recycled paper with flower seeds embedded in them. A poem graces the top of the favor, and guests are encouraged to plant the entire favor and watch the seeds grow over time. Like your marriage. These favors are often very inexpensive, so they work with your budget as well.

   The second category is edible favors, such as chocolates or candies. Guests will eat the goodies, so there’s no waste. And you’ll get extra points for being green-minded if you choose organic chocolates and candies! Just be aware that it’s the packaging that can be a threat to the environment, so choose eco-friendly favor boxes rather than plastic boxes or bags. Look for packaging made out of recycled material online or in your craft store.

   Another smart favor category is soy candles. They’re organic, and you can package them with a note to use the candles during their next romantic dinner together. That way, your wedding day encourages your guests to celebrate their own love stories. Organic candles are smarter for the environment, since they don’t give off the kinds of harmful fumes that regular or scented candles do. And many guests appreciate receiving unscented candles anyway – it’s a big request from guests who have sensitivities to perfumes.

   Many wedding couples give to charity in lieu of giving favors, especially if they have a charity that they’ve always supported together. This is a wonderful idea, when paired with giving a little something, such as chocolates or mints, to take home…again, in that eco-friendly container.

   One big trend that’s growing is choosing favors from organizations that support third world artisans, such as braided bracelets with a bead for luck, or recycled paper booklets for writing love notes. Look online to find great charities, and check them out for authenticity at such sites as www.idofoundation.org and www.justgive.org. You may find a new cause to get involved with, too!

   And think also about local, natural products. During a fall wedding, for instance, you might go to a nearby family farm and support them by buying tiny pumpkins to give out along with your charitable donation announcement. Guests love getting items like these, plus pretty seashells or sea glass that they can easily use in their home décor. So look at craft shops for inexpensive natural items, or search local vendors whose products do not have to be shipped to you. That saves wear and tear on the earth, and you’re doing a great thing by supporting a local artisan, farm family or charity.

BlissWeddingsMarket.com has more Eco-Friendly Wedding Favor Ideas.