Wedding favors are a way to thank your guests for coming to celebrate your marriage, and they can be a sweet reminder for days or weeks to come! Favors don't have to be anything extravagant or expensive--they can be decorative, practical, or even edible. It's easy and fun to make DIY wedding favors, as it lends a personal touch. Here, Paper Source, The Summit's premier specialty paper and stationery store, shares three easy crafts you can make to hand out to guests on your special day. Most items can be found at PaperSource at the prices listed. Additional items can be purchased from local craft or hardware stores.
Photo by Kelsey Justice
Sweet Succulents
These little plants symbolize that your love will keep growing.
Supplies:
- Succulents (can be purchased in bulk at Leaf & Petal, West Elm, etc.)
- Paper roll in Paper Bag color ($7.95)
- Baker's twine in Natural color ($6.95)
- Small Zots (glue dots) ($4.95)
- Toothpicks (from Walmart)
- Luxe White 8.5 x 11 Paper ($8.50)
Photo by Kelsey Justice
Steps:
- Measure paper bag paper for the covering (the paper for the succulent used here measures 7 inches x 7 inches)
- Once paper is cut, place succulent in center of paper.
- Grab all corners of paper and pull them up to center of succulent.
- Fold where the creases are.
- Overlap folded creases and work with the paper until you get the desired look. (If all the creases are going the same way, it gives the overall covering a better look.)
- Use a small glue dot to adhere a piece of twine to the back of the pot.
- Tie a small bow with the twine in the front. (You may add a glue dot in the front for additional support.)
- Glue two toothpicks together, end to end (if you can find longer tooth picks then you will not need to do this.)
- Cut out a tiny banner from the white paper, and write any message you would like on the flag. A simple "Thanks" or sweet phrase like "Let love grow" are good options.
Tip: If you want to add an extra level of luxe, you can use an embossing machine and metallic glitter for the text.
Photo by Kelsey Justice
Regal Rosettes
Perfect for an outdoor wedding, these fans keep guests cool and are a beautiful keepsake.
Supplies:
- Fine paper in color or pattern of your choice (prices range from $3.95-$11)
- Paint sticks (preferably the smaller ones) *You can get these at any hardware store or craft store, typically for free.
- Super Tacky Tape ($4.95)
- String (preferably one that matches the paper) *We used Copper Metallic/Natu twine ($15.95)
- Ribbon (optional) *We used gold ribbon ($6.95-$9.95)
Steps:
- Using paint stick, measure paper for the fan. The width should be roughly the length of the stick (For the one pictured, the width was 7 inches.)
- After cutting paper, fold paper accordion style. For a more detailed fan, make smaller folds. For a thicker pleated fan, make larger folds. (Large folds will save on time, if you are in a time crunch.)
- Fold the paper in half to find the center.
- Tie string at the center to hold the rosette together.
- Use super tacky tape to close one end of the rosette together.
- Add tape to other side, as well, but insert paint stick in between halves before sticking together.
- Tie ribbon onto paint stick for aesthetics, or trim the edges of the fan for a rounded look.
Goodie Bag
Fill muslin treat bags to satisfy late-night sugar cravings.
Supplies:
- Muslin bags (pack of 6: $5.95)
- Any kind of stamp(s) ($5-$25 depending on size/package)
- Chalk ink pad ($5.95)
- Candy of choice
Steps:
- Press stamp into ink, making sure color is evenly distributed.
- Press stamp onto muslin bag.
- Put bag aside to dry.
- Stuff bag with candy.
This story appears in Birmingham magazine's Summer/Fall Weddings issue. Subscribe today!