Going Far Away For Wedding Favors

Destination weddings will grow to $16 billion this year, up from $13 billion in 2008, despite the recession, says a new survey conducted by Destination Weddings Magazine.

Despite the lull in business as reported by resort, hotel and tourism officials, many more people are planning intimate weddings in places like Florida, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Fiji, the Caribbean and Mexico.

The average budget dipped slightly to $20,398, which includes hotels, dresses, catering, reception venues and themed wedding favors. While wedding party gifts and personalized wedding favors may seem like the least of one’s worries during such an extravagant event, getting these little details right can make the difference between a comfortable, satisfying time for guests and an awkward weekend outside of one’s comfort zone.

There are certain “universal” party wedding favors that can be used for just about any destination, whether you’re jet-setting to a Caribbean beach, an Alaskan cruise ship or the Smoky Mountains.

Anyone who hauls luggage across America and beyond should have a solid set of luggage tags, complete with name, address, phone number and some identifying mark to alert travelers to their own luggage. Therefore, the luggage tag wedding reception party favor idea is always a good one.

Mini travel cases can be filled with goodies like mints, almonds, candy or bath beads. Sometimes kits with manicure or shaving items can be a comfort when your guests are away from their creature comforts.

Travel incense, room fragrance spray and candle favors are often needed when you’re on the road. Mini photo albums give your family and friends an appropriate place to display their memories.

Often times, the best wedding favors double as table decorations. For example, if you were getting married on a Caribbean Island, you might want theme party favors that double as picture/place card holders themed in sea shell, beach chairs, sail boats or turtles.

Candle favors are another popular idea, including a sterling turtle tea-light holder, a blue sailboat tea-light holder or a glass seashell tea-light holder. All of these special themed items could be given out for less than $1 each but if wrapped thoughtfully, the sentimentality can still make your guests feel appreciated.

Naturally, you want your destination wedding to be memorable; theme party favors included. Many people enjoy getting little “goodie bags” with a few carefully chosen items.

For instance, you may include miniature bottles of champagne with a set of plastic toasting glasses and a personalized candle favor, or a bottle of personalized water and a scented travel candle.

Small travel sewing kits are incredibly practical gifts as well, since everyone is trying to preserve their nice outfits. If you’re only having a few guests, it’s not uncommon to skip the beach themed wedding favors altogether and simply dole out “thank-you” cards with gift cards or just pay for a post-wedding breakfast meal.

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