UNIQUE Wedding Favors Idea!!

[Writeman]

A friend of mine told me about this FANTASTIC, UNIQUE, idea for wedding favors when I was asking for ideas about wedding favors, wedding invitations, wedding planning, or wedding etiquette. The idea came from a friend of my good friend.

Check this out!

Evidently, this friend of hers really liked gumball machines. At that time, her fiancé had purchased a gumball machine for her, and set it up so when she put in her very first quarter, the machine dispensed the little, plastic container with an engagement ring inside! Clever! Right? I think it’s awesome his proposal was focused on something she loved! But then…to further capitalize on her passion for the gumball machine “theme”, they bought enough of those small, plastic containers used in the gumball machines, and then a bunch of small slips of colored paper.

At their reception, they had their guests write on the strips of paper something encouraging, inspirational, or what they, the guests, felt was important in making a marriage better…something they could benefit from during the tough times all married couples unavoidably come across. The motivational words written on those small strips of paper were put in the tiny, plastic containers and placed, by the wedding guests, into the awaiting gumball machine as they exited the reception. The couple could then, whenever they felt a particular need, put in a quarter and receive some instant, free, council! Not a bad way to save a little bit of money, too!

Isn’t that a terrific idea? To engage your wedding guests’ love and support by soliciting their advice and council…showing how important their input truly is to the newlyweds…rather than merely focusing on the singularity of the wedding day alone.

Sure, it’s probably not too likely to get your hands on a gumball machine to copy this original idea, but maybe you could come up with a variation on this idea with your own wedding favors…maybe by using wedding favor boxes or some other such containers. It’s worth a try, isn’t it?

[Ciarrai]

That's not actually a favour though is it? Favours are given to the guests, and as far as I can tell, the wishes are given to the couple.

Also, reported for advertising in the last sentence.

[Writeman]

Okay. If you're splitting hairs on the "technical definition" of what a wedding favor is, then I suppose you're right. But who is to say guests won't appreciate the GIFT of being able to give something of true meaning to the couple? I dare say most would welcome the opportunity. Are people expected to be so superficial as to be mad if they don't get a wedding favor to take home with them? The gumball wedding favor idea is UNIQUE and fantastic! Please excuse my horrible sin in "advertising" in this section. This site isn't so easy to navigate, as far as locating the Classifieds section.

[Ciarrai]

Originally Posted by Writeman

Are people expected to be so superficial as to be mad if they don't get a wedding favor to take home with them?

Not at all. I'm not doing favours at all, so obviously I am not saying that anyone else needs to do so. However, what you are talking about is not a favour, and therefore shouldn't be called one. It's a neat idea though.

[Writeman]

With the many changes that have taken place, over the eons, of what is accepted, what isn't according to etiquette or otherwise, I think whatever suits the couple [or bride] is fine, and so a creative variation on what is a "favor" or not, by virtue of the morphing nature of the wedding industry, makes the idea I've shared every bit "wedding favors". A reversal, to be sure...but favors nevertheless. But hey...I'm not going to run out and ask the wedding experts of the world if this interpretation meets with a nod of approval or not.

[Heather]

Originally Posted by Writeman

Okay. If you're splitting hairs on the "technical definition" of what a wedding favor is, then I suppose you're right. But who is to say guests won't appreciate the GIFT of being able to give something of true meaning to the couple? I dare say most would welcome the opportunity. Are people expected to be so superficial as to be mad if they don't get a wedding favor to take home with them? The gumball wedding favor idea is UNIQUE and fantastic! Please excuse my horrible sin in "advertising" in this section. This site isn't so easy to navigate, as far as locating the Classifieds section.

Okay - imho, you're kind of being rude... that's the "horrible sin" as far as I'm concerned. If you advertise outside of the classified action, the moderators will take action and the members will take notice.

If you're going to solicit on a wedding board, simply be sure you take the time to learn how to navigate so that you don't aggravate the members. You'll have the exact opposite effect of what you're hoping to do. All you have to do is scroll down from the main message board page - and the Classified Ad section is right there. You read and agreed to the terms of use when you joined, so we ask that all vendors, solicitors, and members adhere to it.

Lastly, I'm in agreement with Ciarrai. This concept is not a wedding "favor" at all so I'm not sure how she is splitting hairs about the "technical definition".

[NovemberGal]

I think it's a neat idea too, but more along the lines of a wishing well or guest book...which ARE getting more and more creative, what with photo mats, photos books, etc. Definitely not a favor, since party favors of any kind are items given by the hosts to the guests, not the other way around.

And yeah, I'd highly recommend for the future that you familiarize yourself with the basic set up of any boards you solicit on, including reading the FAQs and community rules.