Destination weddings are a popular choice with brides and grooms who like the concept of getting married on a sun drenched beach in a totally idyllic location. If you’re planning a destination wedding then you maybe thinking about which is the most suitable wedding favors to take with you.

Your first task will be to decide on whether or not to take your wedding favors with you or to source them when you arrive at your destination. There are positives and negatives with both of these options. To start with if you take them with you there could be a limit on the type and amount you could take in your luggage. Edible wedding favors may not keep well, especially in warm weather. You should also consider the additional weight in your luggage and the job of getting them there in one piece!

If you prefer to source them at your wedding destination there is a risk of not being able to source anything or having the time to go out buying without any of your guests joining you! However, it might be possible to have your wedding favors made by your venue and it is often worth asking before you travel if they can do that for you.

Favor stores have a wide range of wedding favors created for destination weddings. Such favors include novelty palm tree boxes, destination themed favors, miniature suitcase mint tins and elegant chrome luggage tags.

If you are planning to take your own favors then you will need to consider how they will travel, the affect of the added weight on your luggage and how your wedding favors will last in your selected destination. Chocolates, and most candies may not tolerate hot weather conditions and stashing them in the mini bar fridge may not be possible. Mints or almonds may be a less risky choice for edible favors.

Personalized cocktail sachets or lemonade mixes make a perfect favour choice for destination weddings. They are ultra simple to pack in your luggage and they make a refreshing treat for your guests when mixed up. You will need to check with your air travel company about any restrictions on food and drinks as many airlines and countries have restrictions on such things being brought in.

For other destination wedding favor ideas consider small bottles of sun screen or bottles of mineral drinking water with customized labels and pretty but practical fans. Folding fans are a stellar choice as these are generally sold in elegant boxes which makes them straightforward to pack and they will also give your guests a cooling gift which they may well value in a temperate climate! 

In recent years there has been a surge in the number of couples booking destination weddings. Broadly speaking a destination wedding takes place away from the couple’s usual place of residence & often overseas. The typical view of a destination wedding is one taking place on a beach in an exotic climate, but more & more couples are choosing different locations such as safari in Africa, Europe & colder climates for a winter wonderland wedding. So when it comes to wedding favors what are your options?

Firstly you will need to think about transporting these little gifts to your chosen destination. They will need to be easily transportable & not likely to spoil on the way or in the change of temperature. You should also consider the possibility of breakages & how much extra weight of space they will take up in your luggage.

Wedding favors which include chocolates could melt or items such as votive or shot glasses could break. So what are your choices for easily transportable, non-persihable, non-breakable, destination themed wedding favors?

Luckily the favor industry has come up with some great choices for destination weddings:
•Luggage tags in plated metal or chrome into which you can insert the guests name & which they can later use as a photoframe. They are available in traditional luggage tag shapes or shaped like airplanes or cruise ships.
•For an easy & cheap idea, give your guests a lottery ticket in a sisal envelope.
•Choose favors which are associated with your destination. For instance, if you’re wedding is in Mexico give bottles of hot sauce, or miniature bottles of the local beverage.
•Paper or wooden fans are a great idea especially if your destination has a hot climate. Get them personalized with the wedding date & location along with your names.
•Favor boxes made from palm leaves filled with candy or a local confectionery are another great idea for wedding favors & can be made up once you reach your destination.
•Find miniature travel guides about the area so your guests can entertain themselves & leave the two of you to enjoy some time in each others company.

Whatever your budget you are sure to find suitable wedding favors which will delight your guests. But remember they are only meant as a token of appreciation so you don’t need to go overboard trying to buy the most unique favors or individual gifts for every guest. You don’t even have to give favors if your budget just won’t stretch that far. It is a sad fact that after the reception & everyone has gone home, a large percentage of your guests will probably have forgotten them anyway!

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These days couples are looking for ever more innovative designs for their wedding favors. The traditional gifts of almonds or chocolates in small boxes or nets are rapidly being replaced with alternatives such as mini photo frames or edible delicacies.

For many couples the option of choosing a destination wedding over a traditional affair at home is all too tempting. For some it provides a cheaper alternative whilst for others it offers the chance to combine the honeymoon as well. There is a growing trend towards destination weddings & wedding favor manufacturers have responded with a growing number of themed wedding favors with destination weddings in mind.

So what choices can you expect to find for destination wedding favors? Here are some ideas:
* Beach themed photo frames, bottle stoppers, small ornaments & candles.
* Chrome plated luggage tags shaped like ships or airplanes.
* Novel boxes for confectionary shaped like palm trees, flip-flops & wheeled suitcases.
* Other more elegant favors include soaps, wooden or paper fans & silver place card holders.

Sea-shells are key feature of beach themed wedding favors, which are the most common type for destination wedding favors as many weddings will take place on the beach. Other designs include nautical themes, palm trees, sandals, parasols & cocktails.

For something a little more novel & unique try putting together a ‘message in a bottle’. Write a poem or personal message to your guests, roll it up like a scroll & tie with some raffia, then place it in a glass bottle with a cork stopper.

Or create some sand art in miniature bottles. Visit your local craft store & get some different colored sand which you can layer up in the bottles. Finish them with a little personalized tag tied around the neck. If your budget will stretch to it you can purchase ready made versions with little pictures in the sand.

Whatever you’re inclination for wedding favors for a destination wedding, you will find plenty of choices in online stores whatever your budget. But do take into consideration how they will travel if you are taking them with you. Be careful of delicate & breakable items as you could find them smashed to pieces by the time you arrive. Edible items should also be approached with caution. Chocolates will melt in a hot climate & you may not be able to fit them all in the mini bar fridge! Iced cookies may also suffer in a humid climate.

With some imagination you can create some wonderful & unique wedding favors which will provide your guests with a lasting memory of your special day.

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Have you heard of destination wedding favors? I haven’t either,
so, I have taken it upon myself to pioneer this phrase.
Destination weddings, destination wedding dresses, and now,
“destination wedding favors”. I like it!

So what is a destination wedding favor? Something affordable,
something practical, something memorable, but something
“packable”.

Let’s face it…you will be travelling. The last thing you need
to worry about is the safe keeping of your wedding favors. You
need favors that are not perishable, breakable or bulky.
Something that you can easily slip into your luggage knowing
that it will “make the trip” safely.

Candles and candy may melt, glass can break and larger items
just take up too much space in the suitcase!

So what is a destination bride to do?

Here are a few ideas for the perfect “destination wedding
favor”…

* Silver plated luggage tags shaped like airplanes and cruise
ships. What could be more perfect for your destination wedding
guests?

* A “scratch and win” lottery ticket tucked inside a pretty
glassine envelope is a fun idea.

* Wedding CD’s are becoming very popular. Make your own. Include
your wedding song, a favorite photo or two and a personal “thank
you” on your disc.

* Make personalized bookmarkers. Design them to include a photo,
your wedding date and a thank you note signed by the two of you.
Once you are happy with the design, duplicate it, laminate it
and dress it up with a tassle or an organza bow. You could use
the same idea to create refridgerator magnets.

* Palm or paper folding fans make lovely favors that can be
easily decorated to match any theme.

* Personalized pens, pencils or playing cards are something your
guests can use.

* Flower seed favors are a happy reminder of your cherished day
when planted.

* Paperweights are an attractive, useful memento.

Here is the perfect destination wedding favor – “Mini Books”.
These exquisite little books come in a variety of topics from
wine tasting to humor. Bound in hardcover and customized by you,
these tiny collectables make a very elegant gift that your
guests will treasure. Compact, unbreakable and perfectly
“packable”! You can find them at FavorsandFlowers.com.

Whether you buy your wedding favors or make them, you don’t have
to spend a fortune. They are an expression of your thanks to
your guests for having shared your special day with you. Your
guests will value the sentiment of your gift, not the cost.

I will leave you with one last thought…

Although giving wedding favors is a nice gesture, it is not a
necessity!

If you find yourself needing to cut corners to stay within your
budget, this is definitely a practice that could be overlooked
without guilt. Few will even notice the absence of wedding
favors!

Consider this…

Have you ever helped someone to clean up after a wedding? If you
have, you will know that after and evening of wedding
festivities, many guests do not even remember to take their
wedding favor home with them!

Have you decided upon a Caribbean destination wedding? If so, you have lots of planning ahead of you. In fact, there are so many things to do; you may find yourself lost along the way. Continue reading on for a helpful destination Caribbean wedding to-do list.

Decide on a Budget

Most brides and grooms have a budget to work with. Know this budget ahead of time. However, also take into account that you are combining your wedding and honeymoon into one trip. This saves you money. For that reason, not only total up your wedding ceremony and reception budget, but your honeymoon budget too. This is how much you have to spend not only on your Caribbean wedding, but your travels.

Start Examining All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean

Right away, you may be thinking “but all-inclusive costs more.” Technically, it costs more upfront, but you are likely to walk away spending less. See, all-inclusive Caribbean resorts give you more than just a room; the cost of your food, drinks, tips, qualifying airport transfers, and some forms of onsite entertainment should be included well. If you are shopping on a budget, all-inclusive is the way to go. Aside from a few extra purchases here or there, it is easy to estimate the overall cost of your wedding travels. Even if you aren’t on a budget, all-inclusive plans a good percentage of your trip with ease.

Most importantly, all-inclusive resorts are known to offer guests free standard wedding ceremonies when they meet the minimum stay requirement. This requirement is often three or five nights. Since you are combining your honeymoon and wedding, it is easy to meet this requirement.

Compare and Contact Resorts

Once you have compared all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and believe you got the perfect fit, it is time to make contact. Although you can book your travel plans online, you still want to call the resort in question because you are planning a wedding. Ensure your wedding date is available for a ceremony. You will be paired with a wedding planner. Most resorts even give wedding planner access to guests who opt for nothing more than the free basic wedding. Your wedding planner can not only help you plan the ceremony, but get you started with the documents needed to legalize a marriage in a foreign country.

Start Notifying Guests

Unless you want your destination Caribbean wedding to be a private affair, you are likely to invite a few close friends or family members. By also opting for an all-inclusive resort, your guests can save time and money. Still, not everyone can afford a Caribbean vacation at the drop of a hat. For that reason, be sure to provide your guests with adequate notice. Moreover, understand that some may be unable to attend due to financial reasons. As for the notification, you can start with save the date magnets. Both these save the date magnets and your wedding invitations can be ordered with a beach theme.

Review the Resorts Wedding Upgrades

As previously stated, most all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean provide guests with a basic wedding ceremony. This may include a marriage license, minister fees, recorded music, witnesses or guest passes, a wedding cake, and candlelit dinner after the wedding. This is just the basics. If you want all the bells and whistles, review the resort’s list of updates online or speak to your wedding planner. Just a sample of the wedding upgrades typically available include: additional guest passes, floral designs, a limousine tour, a private live band, a private wedding reception, in-room hair, in-room make-up, and more.

Review Your Wedding Before Your Travel Dates

Provided you have your passport and made your travel plans, you might have been sitting around waiting for that special day to come. Before departing for the big event, contact your wedding planner again. It is time to once again review the plans for your wedding ceremony and reception (should you decide to have one). This last minute review is not only ideal for preventing errors due to miscommunication, but it is usually your last chance to make any changes.