Fun Cookies!

Now here's something a little fun and different ... personalized wedding cookies! I will tell you up front that they are on the pricey side. However, I know that there are some of you with larger budgets; I also know that there are ways for the rest of you to be creative with just a few of these fabulous cookies.

The owner/creator, Eleni Gianopulos, is able to match any detail of your wedding on the cookie ... your bouquet, the colors of the wedding, the design of your dress, etc. She has had many celebrities as her clients.

An obvious use for the cookies is as desserts or even favors. However, Eleni is willing and able to get very creative. She's made specialized themed cookies to use as centerpieces, she's made them as save-the-date "cards" for destination weddings (think tropical palm tree), she's created them as engagement announcements and has even made bridesmaid cookies ("dressed" in full detail) for brides to use to invite their friends/family to be in the bridal party.

Here's her link: Eleni.

Go check it out and see what you can dream up!

Favors: To Be or Not To Be

In today's world of weddings, favors have become something that brides feel is expected of them by their guests. But is that really true?

Favors, by definition, are a gift from the bride & groom to their guests, a small token of thanks. While they are a very sweet gesture, they are not mandatory and can easily be cut out of your budget if you are looking for ways to save money. The guests who attend your wedding are there because they love you and are honored to be able to celebrate with you on your special day. They come expecting nothing in return.

If, however, you do have room in your budget for favors, they can be a very fun part of your planning. As you search through the myriad of ideas in magazines and online, keep in mind that, while the favors should reflect your unique personality as a couple, they are ultimately for the benefit of your guests. In other words, while a magnet of the two of you might seem cute, the only people who may ever use it are your moms and grandmas. And while it might seem elegant to have a favor with your names & wedding date engraved, again, only mom & grandma are going to see them as sentimental tokens worthy of keeping.

If you want to have favors that display your picture, names or wedding date, think edible and perishable: candy, cookies, water bottles, plant seeds, etc.

If you're thinking more along the lines of a keepsake or something practical, keep it generic. Your guests will appreciate it more and your money will not have been spent in vain.

If your favors are truly a "thank you" to your guests, make sure your choice reflects that.

Thankfully there are thousands of choices when it comes to favors. If you're looking for a great place to start with ideas, The Knot is an excellent choice. Go check it out!