Congratulations!
He popped the question on New Year’s Eve at the stroke of midnight! Or maybe he gave a heartwarming proposal in front of friends and family at Thanksgiving dinner. Or he got down on one knee amongst the lights and tinsel by the Christmas tree. Getting back to work after the first of the year is so hard with all the thoughts of dress designers, color palettes, and guest lists filling your mind. That resolution about losing 10 pounds isn’t so much for a regular summer bikini, anymore, but for a bikini on your HONEYMOON!
Now what?
Luckily, I’ve compiled a list of new year’s resolutions specifically for you, the bride-to-be. Maybe you’ve made these resolutions before, but they’ll take on special meaning now as you plan for your big day!
Resolution 4: Give Back!
One of the most popular new years resolutions that I hear is about being more generous. Maybe it’s giving to a great charity like 3 Square (I’ve partnered with them in the past, and they’re amazing!), or maybe it’s volunteering one weekend a month at a soup kitchen. Maybe you’re just trying to be more generous to friends and neighbors (yes, even the friend that asks you to help them move – isn’t that the worst!)
I try to give to my local church, volunteer when I can, and pay for a friend’s lunch every once-in-a-while. And while I can’t give advice on being the most generous person in the world (Mother Theresa, I am not…), I can offer some advice to brides-to-be about giving back to the people that mean the most to you. That’s right, I’m talking about wedding favors!
Whether you’ve got a guest list of 20 or 500, there are some things you can do to make sure that your guests feel honored to be at your special day. After all, it is an honor. You don’t invite just anybody! Here’s a few tips and tricks, including examples of some of the most beautiful and thoughtful wedding favors I’ve ever seen.
- Looking to save money? Consider couple favors and cut your costs in half! Just make sure you pick something that isn’t too gender-specific. Bubble bath may not be a good option, but a candle would work!
- Really consider DIY. Wrapping up Jordan Almonds in tulle and affixing a cute little tag may not seem like a big deal until you get a few done and still have hundreds to go. If you’re going the DIY route, consider picking a couple options for favors, making a few of each and making a decision after you’ve discovered how much work they will be…
- Personalize it! If you’re a wiz at Photoshop or are doing your own DIY favor, adding your monogrammed initials or the date makes the gift even that much more special. But be careful – while personalization may be great for photos or treat bags, not everyone wants coasters with your name on them sitting around their house….
- Put ’em to work! The most special wedding favor I’ve seen was an individual-size mason jar of jam. The groom’s mother was famous around town for her preserves and they made it even more special by thanking wedding guests for making their day “sweet.” This kills two birds with one stone, give memorable gifts to your guests and give your mother-in-law something to keep her busy. 😉
Something to remember, though. Don’t kill yourself on wedding favors. You’ve just put together a great party for all your friends, paid for their meals, drinks, and entertainment. If your guests don’t leave with little bottles of bubbles, they’ll probably still be your friends…
Next resolution: Learn Something New!