DIY BRIDES :: DON'T OVER DO-IT-YOURSELF IT :: FAVORS

DIY Projects by Krystal Montgomery Watkins;

Wedding Programs by Dawn Rodriquez of Beloved Designs

The final installment in our series on DIY projects is favors. I give DIY favors a thumbs-up. If you have missed the earlier part of the DIY series, you can read more about my thoughts on DIY invitations and my thoughts on DIY centerpieces.

Wedding favors are fun, final piece to the puzzle. Some times very little thought is put into the wedding favors. Other times, a bride-to-be may forgo a floral appointment to spend time on her favors. Everything with a wedding is individual, so the choice is definitely yours when it comes to favors.

There are a few lessons on favors that I'd like to share with you. First is the number of favors needed. You will never need as many favors as the number of guests you have attending your wedding. There is a simple formula for determining the number you will need. Be sure you count households and not individuals. Plan to have one favor per household. Then consider the number of children included in your guest list and remove that number from your count. Very few favors are geared towards children, i.e. a romantic CD of the couple's favorite tunes, votive candles, planting seeds. So, including them in your count guarantees that you will have leftover favors (read: you will waste money).

A former bride of mine, Krystal M., had a few DIY projects that she worked on for her day. I asked Krystal to give some advice on preparing DIY CD favors for your wedding and she graciously accepted.

Krystal Montgomery Watkins

Adding a DIY project to your wedding helps to personalize your day to reflect you and your future husband’s individuality. One example is through your wedding favors. A very easy wedding favor option is to make a CD compilation of your favorite love songs.

Here’s all you’ll need to get started:

- Blank CD-Rs (purchase at least 10 more CDs than you will actually need, for back-up purposes.

- Paperboard CD Cases can be purchased online at Bliss Weddings Marketing

- A computer with a CD burner

- Songs downloaded on your computer

- Paper, to include a thank you note to guests, and a song list (cut to fit inside the CD case)

- Square Labels; to include your monogram/names and wedding date

- Optional: Ribbon (for added décor)

The key to personalizing these favors is through the packaging. Many wedding supply websites carry white CD covers that you can decorate with a ribbon or a sticker with your names & wedding date. On the inside of the CD cover, you can include a “thank you” message to your guests. This keepsake is a way for your family and friends to remember your special day. And don’t be surprised if you get phone call after the wedding from guests telling you how much the love listening to your wedding CD.

Whatever DIY projects you choose for your wedding, have fun with them. Do not let them overwhelm you or become the biggest part of your life. Enjoy your planning time, enjoy your fiance, enjoy yourself.

{in the plans :: Wedding Bar Series}