For those who do not remember a card box is a container used to receive and hold the cards that guests bring to the party, some or best wishes but many also contain money.

Not everyone uses a card box.  Some use a large plate or silver platter but more and more brides are turning to the box as a secure choice.

A simple card box could be constructed from a 12 inch square cardboard carton covered with white butcher paper.  This type of box could be stenciled or decoupaged with clipped pictures of flowers or other images that matched the wedding theme.

Glue on some silk maple leaves or the real thing for a fall theme wedding.  Other materials could include tulle, pieces of lace, fabric that matches the brides maids dresses and so on.

For a football theme wedding take a football shaped balloon and make a paper mache box.  Use strips of newspaper torn about 2 inches wide and soaked in wallpaper paste. Put on one layer at a time until the paper is about 1/4 inch thick.  Then paint the “box” to match the colors of the football including the stitches.

For a beach theme box use braided rope for a border and glue sand and shells to the outside.

If the bride and groom are traveling for a honeymoon clip travel brochures and paste the names of far off cities to the outside.  Better yet get an old suit case from the second hand store and cut a slot in the side.  Decorate the suite case with names of exotic travel destinations.

Place the box near a register book so that the guests can sign their names when they leave a card.

Put on your thinking cap and you will be able to come up with some good ideas in no time.  A hand crafted card box can add to the atmosphere of the party and provide a safe secure place for all the monetary gifts.

The answer depends on what kind of favors are being considered.  Traditional candy type favors are usually meant to be consumed at the party, although some of the personalized ones will be taken home.  So, in the case of the candy plan on one per guest including the kids and bring extras.

More and more couples are giving guests more substantial favors in the form of keepsakes.  The number and price range for these type favors is vast and confusing at best.  There are some handy rules used to determine the number of wedding favors for keepsakes.  For example when the item is of a personal nature that could only be used by one person at a time, such as a shot glass or goblet then think about one per guest. On the other hand if the item is something shared like a candy dish, maybe one would be enough.  Some items like our aromatherapy ornaments can be given to the couple or each guest.

Other problem can arise when ordering personalized wedding favors such as lead time.  Lead time is how long it takes from ordering custom favors till they can be delivered.  In some cases this may be only a few days but in others many weeks.  The big problem here is you may not have a good count until only weeks before the wedding. For our customers we offer the option of ordering conservatively at first and then adding to the at the last minute to cover unforeseen changes.  Make sure your vendor is flexible enough to cover your changing circumstances.

Lastly, if children will be present try to think of something special for them.  Small safe toys or healthy snacks are a good bet.

First of all the photos are much better,  and larger.  The descriptions are more complete and the navigation make more sense.

It all started with an new LG wide screen monitor.  The old Sony CRT was not rendering the colors or contrast properly and when we plugged the LG in we could really see the difference.

When I viewed our site with the new monitor all I could think of was “who in the world would want to buy any of these favors?”

So we re shot almost all the favors and upgraded all of the pages.

At this point the site is probably 80% finished but that is a huge improvement over the old site.

Hopefully the changes will make a difference and brides will spend more time at the site and hopefully buy some of our unique handcrafted wedding favors.

Keeping prices down and making weddings affordable is becoming the trend and spring can be a good time to find values.  Resorts that cater more to summer or winter visitors may be very happy to have business during what is considered off season.

Think about ski resorts and lakeside retreats. Reception and banquet halls tend to be less booked and therefore easier to negotiate with. You may have a better choice of limo services and photographers and tux rentals (just be sure to check when local proms are).

Fuchsia, mango and yellows are a few of the colors for 2010 and these can easily be incorporated into a spring wedding. Think bright yellow daffodils with pussy willows which match well with the yellows. Tulips come in a myriad of color choices from yellows, orange to rich red and golden yellows. Deep rose pink and white tulips in a pewter vase would be striking.

f lighter colors are more your style, you could incorporate crocuses, lilacs, cherry blossoms, crab apple blossoms, magnolias, lily of the valley or forget me not’s.

Because these are spring flowers and don’t have to be imported you will probably find them at very good prices from your florist. A bonus would be to get them from a friend or family member who already grows them and arrange them yourself.

When considering favors butterflies and dragonflies come to mind. Choose colors that will help your guests think of new beginnings, and remember the day with a thoughtful keepsake.

Sping is also a time for freshness and seasonal fruits and vegetables can be easily incorporated into your menu. Asparagus, spinach, greens (lettuce, endive, and escarole) radishes, peas and green onions are all in abundance at this time of year. Grilled asparagus with a balsamic dressing makes a wonderful side dish. Fruits in season include strawberries, rhubarb, kiwis, and lemons. Why not serve strawberry and kiwi salad with a lemon dressing.

Cupcakes are still popular but the new trend for wedding cakes seems to be a two tiered cake for each table. Why not do double duty and decorate the cakes with edible spring flowers such as Johnny jump ups or pansies. Then the cake could serve as a centerpiece.

Just as spring is the beginning to a new year, your spring wedding will serve as the beginning of a new life together.

The cost of weddings had spiraled out of control to the point where brides were burning through credit cards faster than the tapers at the head table.

But it might be wise to think about cutting back on wedding favors.

One of the primary reasons to give favors is showing your appreciation for their presents and to give the guests a keepsake of the day.  Why give something that will be left in the back of a drawer or worse yet, on the table at the party.

In such times it bodes us well to stop and take a good hard look at the wedding plans and obligations before things get too out of hand.  There are always places brides can cut back a little bit by trimming costs here and there rather than eliminating components altogether.

When it comes to the wedding favors there are plenty of good choices for less than $5.00.  Aromatherapy ornament wedding favors at about $3.00 each including favor, ribbon, fragrance, personalization, personalized card and box are a great value.  Your guest will appreciate hand crafted favors that are produced here in the United States.  Why not grace your guests with a tasteful and fun favor to celebrate the date and serves as a reminder for years to come.

Just remember to take the time and do a good thorough search using a variety of search engines, text and images.

If the cost of buying favors is out of the question then maybe you could make some of your own.  It’s easy to make plantable seed wedding favors and a small investment in paper and seed go a long way.  Your guests will appriciate the gift and the effort and love that went into creating them.