Wedding favors are a special tradition, used to thank your guests for attending your wedding and leave them with a lasting impression of your wedding day. Unfortunately, however, wedding favors, aren't always environmentally friendly. When you consider the energy used in manufacturing, the packaging, and the fact that most wedding favors are, ultimately, just one more tchotchke that could end up in a landfill, wedding favors may seem like an irresponsible choice.
Thankfully, eco-conscious couples now have cause to celebrate with "green" wedding favors. Anyone planning an earth-friendly wedding will appreciate these favor ideas, often made with organic elements and environmentally responsible processes.
"Green" the planet with plantable wedding favors.
Many retailers, including TreeBeginnings, offer wedding favors that can be planted after the big day. Flower seeds, flower bulbs, and even tree seedlings can be beautifully packaged and presented to your guests to enjoy for years to come. Herbs in a box from FavorCreative, available in such varieties as cilantro, basil, thyme, lavender and mint, are a wonderful and refreshing choice as well. Plantable place cards are also available from a variety of sources -- by using these, you're combining a natural-based wedding favor with the place card (something that would typically be thrown away after the wedding).
Spread the word about sustainable materials.
Thoughtful and useful wedding favors that combine elegance with eco-friendliness are always a hit. Some ideas include beeswax candles (such as those from PlantAMemory) or soy candles. Green wedding favors made from a natural material such as bamboo, available from many websites, are also a good option.
When in doubt, choose consumable.
In other words, select a wedding favor that someone can eat or use in its entirety, thus sparing the planet from waste. Edible wedding favors are always popular. Some of the most clever (and organic) edible favors include Dream Green Weddings' unique Tea Leaf Stir Sticks, which brew a perfect cup of tea without the need for tea leaves or a bag, and their maple lollipops, perfect for an autumn wedding. Particularly useful wedding favors include the wildly popular Bath Bombs from Lush, which can be personalized with a custom tag at no additional cost, or FinchBerry's entirely customizable handmade soaps. Nature lovers will also adore these birdseed favors from Nature's Gifts and More, or these hummingbird seed balls from CherishedGiftFavors.
Consider the ultimate green wedding favor. A charitable donation to a worthy cause is always more environmentally conscious than any tangible item could be. Perhaps you'll choose a eco-friendly organization, such as Greenpeace or the World Wildlife Fund, or maybe there is a cause that has special meaning to you, such as the American Cancer Society or the March of Dimes. You can have your own table cards printed to inform guests of your thoughtful gift, or include the information on the place cards. The I Do Foundation can also assist you with your charitable donation wedding favors and provides affordable, attractive cards for your guests.