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New Favors from Wedding Belle Favors

Posted by admin on April 29th, 2010

Wedding Belle Favors launched their 2010 new releases today.

Among the new lineup was one standout:

Also launched was a cute flower pot candle available with pink or lilac colored flower. Another noteworthy addition is the Dress Shaped Manicure Set, which retails a bit too high for my liking, but is adorable nonetheless.

While I was disappointed to see that they only added a few new items this time around, I was impressed with them.

Complete list:
1. “Dressed for Tea” Infuser
2. Flower Pot Candle
3. “Dressy” Manicure Set
4. Candy Bar Grab Bags
5. Lucky Horseshoe Soap
6. Polka Dot Favor pails, and Watering Cans

New Product Launches, UncategorizedNo Comments »

FavorBonanza.com Wins Bride’s Choice Awards from WeddingWire.

Posted by admin on February 20th, 2010

FavorBonanza.com has been honored with a Bride’s Choice 2010 Award from WeddingWire.com! Ranking in the Top 5% out of over 100,000 online vendors, Favor Bonanza has received this prestigious award in the Favors category.

The WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards ™ recognizes the top local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness, and professionalism. Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the organization, the Bride’s Choice Awards are determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds. This year’s winners represent the top five percent of WeddingWire’s vendor community, which consists of over 100,000 local wedding professionals nationwide.

This award further communicates to bridal consumers that they can purchase with confidence at www.FavorBonanza.com.

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Let’s Eat Cake… (well, it’s not edible but it sure looks good!)

Posted by admin on December 24th, 2009

What better way to show your guests your appreciation than by giving them a guilt-free pleasure? Everyone loves cake – but they don’t always love the empty calories and guilt they feel after eating it. So look to “faux” cakes as favors for your wedding or shower guests.

From Cassiani Collection’s cake roll soap, to Fashioncraft’s chocolate layer cake candle, and various towel cake indulgences, there is definitely a way to have your cake – and share it too.

History has included cakes and pastries in weddings since back in Roman times, when the groom would eat some barley bread and then break the rest of the loaf over his bride’s head. Though that particular tradition was more about bridal subservience, medieval English tradition involved stacking sweet rolls in front of the newlywed couple in order to bless them with children (if they could reach over the pile and kiss.) There was also the “bride’s pie” which became popular in the 17th century, usually appearing at the weddings of the impoverished, and included a glass ring baked into the pie – which served like a bouquet – she who found it would be next to marry. Use of the bride’s pie phased out in the 19th century, and was replaced by simple one-tier plum cakes.

There was even once a tradition of giving cake to wedding guests to put under their pillows! It was assumed that the sleeping guests would dream of their future spouses when a piece of wedding cake was under their pillow. In the late 18th century this led to the tradition of brides hiding tiny crumbs of cake in their rings and then giving them out to guests who could place them under their pillows. There was also the short-lived (but sometimes still used,) groom cake.

Whatever the tradition, cake has been an important part of weddings for centuries. So it is, of course, a fitting gift for your wedding guests.

New traditions in wedding favors have brought about non-edible cakes to satisfy the movement of health-conscious guests.

Candles are always a good choice – they smell like the real thing and they serve a purpose. Whether you select a confectioner’s favorite like chocolate cake, or go with a mini replica of your wedding cake, guests will enjoy lighting these mementos after your day has passed and will fondly think of you as the aroma fills their home.

Towel cakes have become a big trend in the wedding industry. While they look like a delicious pastry, they are a practical gift that guests can use in their home. Usually made from cleverly-wrapped hand towels or washcloths, they look fantastic at table settings!

Cake-shaped soaps are a great favor as well. Guests can display them in their bathroom, or use them to indulge in the sweet scent of a baked good while getting clean!

With the ever-expanding new lines of favors coming out from the major favor vendors for 2010, there will likely be even more cake-themed keepsakes to choose from.

Uncategorized, Wedding Favor TrendsNo Comments »

What’s New

Posted by admin on September 2nd, 2009

Well, here’s what’s currently going on in the favor world…

Fashioncraft is still cranking out the new favor designs at an unbelievable pace. They’ve also put out a line of wedding accessories. I’ve had the privilege of a sneak peek at some upcoming stuff and it’s fantastic!
Fictional character Kate Aspen seems to be lost in the abyss of twitter, facebook, and blogging, and obviously unable to find her way back to the drawing board. So as usual, nothing new in their product line.
The Aspen Brands CEO, Jennifer (Nichols) Fallon won an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Cassiani Collection has lowered some prices in response to Fashioncraft’s new launches.
I’ve been designing some little prototypes for place card holders, etc. (photo shows one of my first-draft designs, which is FAR BETTER in its current revision, but I can’t show you that one – it’s a secret.)

The wedding season has begun its descent for the year.

Wedding Belle Favors implemented a “premiere vendor program”, so if you want to buy retail products you see on their site, you can click the “buy now” button and be taken to one of those premiere vendors directly.
The Detroit Examiner published an article today which caused a stir in the wedding retail community. It basically said that brides should beware because retailers are gouging them and using their emotions to sell unnecessary, over-priced products to them. Hmph!
Popular wedding favor retailer, Beau-coup, makes the 2009 Inc. 5000 List of Fastest Growing Companies

Uncategorized, Wedding Favor TrendsNo Comments »

Humorous Soap Wedding Favors Make Guests Laugh

Posted by admin on August 11th, 2009

When I first saw these soap boxes, I burst out laughing! I think these are probably the most unique and humorous product to ever hit the wedding favors market. These are the perfect favor for couples that have a sense of humor about marriage!

The “Wedding Shower” Before & After Soap Favors feature one side of the box with a happy and young bride or groom, and the other side with the “after marriage” version. And they’re still wearing their bridal attire – so does that imply they were both fooling eachother, and they transform into their real selves as soon as the vows end? Maybe. The addage “If only I’d known what I was getting myself into” comes to mind.

Remember – don’t judge a book by its cover. Though there’s an angry-looking, aged, bride or groom on the box, the contents are fantastic: Triple-milled soaps made in the USA that weigh 4.5 oz! But it’s likely your guests won’t be displaying the soap bar itself – more like the hysterical box.

They’re great for wedding reception favors, or just buy brides as silly bridal shower or bachelorette party favors. They’re sure to make your guests snicker, and they’ll certainly get conversations started at reception tables or break the ice at showers.

Buy these and other cool wedding favors at Favor Bonanza.

Buying Wedding Favors, New Product Launches, Uncategorized, Wedding Favor ReviewsNo Comments »

Soap Wedding Favors – Do They Work for Men Too?

Posted by admin on June 8th, 2009

I have noticed over the years that soap favors don’t seem to sell well. They do alright for bridal showers, but couples just don’t seem to be selecting them for their weddings. I decided it might be time to dispell the myth that “soap is just for girls.”

While women put a lot of thought into the soap they buy – from cream body washes to fruity-scented confections from Bath & Body Works or anti-bacterial character soaps for the kids’ bathroom – men tend to just grab the cheapest bar on the grocery store shelf and be done with it.

What you probably don’t realize is how often a man will take home soap from a hotel. When I first met my husband, he had several hotel soaps in his apartment bathroom. I chuckled at his frugality and also that he didn’t mind letting the world know where he got them (for free.)

Years later, on our honeymoon, we arrived home with a full suitcase. As I unpacked, I found ALL of the soap (even the half-used bar,) was packed. I placed it under the cabinet and forgot about it for a few weeks. Until I went to take a shower and my fruity bath scrub was empty. I reached for my husband’s soap and BEHOLD – it was the hotel bar. He had taken it from the cabinet and put it to use.

In jokingly telling a friend, she admitted that her husband did the exact same thing. And several other friends volunteered the embrassed admission that their boyfriends and husbands also re-used hotel soaps.

My point? Well – if you’re giving away soap – no matter how pretty or trendy it is – a man will likely use it. While women might take this beautiful little soap as a keepsake, men will take it as a functional gift. I’d be willing to bet it will end up in their shower shortly after your day. While you might hope people take it home for display on a shelf in their bathroom, be happy and thankful that some are putting it to good use. Especially men. There are some favors that they might not hesitate to toss – but when it comes to fere toiletries – I think they’ll be keeping it around.

Buying Wedding Favors, UncategorizedNo Comments »

Comparing Favor Products & Vendors

Posted by admin on June 4th, 2009

One of the key things couples and shower-throwers look for when selecting favors is the pricing. They typically compare prices across the web, compare features between products within sites, and opt for the best features for the best price. Speed of shipping also plays an important role, as MANY consumers wait until the very last minute to order their favors and then need expedited shipping to ensure it gets to them in time for their event. While transit times are generally the same, order processing time can make all the difference.

Fashioncraft has recently rolled out new favors with more creative packaging and lower pricing, and in so doing, has created much harder competition for Kate Aspen. It used to seem that Kate Aspen was the only company putting effort into the way their favors were presented – but Fashioncraft has stepped up above the others to create original packaging that wows the consumer.
For instance – this egg timer for baby showers (released just days ago by Fashioncraft,) is much less expensive than Kate Aspen’s version, and the packaging is suitable for any gender baby, and has adorable little chicks on it. While Kate Aspen does offer packaging for specific gender, it’s just not as cute – and it’s an awkward cylinder instead of a box.

Even better than the packaging is the price! While Kate Aspen’s egg timer retails between $2.59 and $4.59 (ouch!,) Fashioncraft’s egg timer retails between $1.75 and $2.65. Who would opt for Kate Aspen’s in today’s economy?? AND… Fashioncraft ships within 1-3 business days. Wow – that’s fast!

Besides just baby shower favors, Fashioncraft has released fancier packaging for many of their wedding favors, including but not limited to: the Angel Curio Box in deluxe gift packaging which proves it’s not just the favor that can be beautiful, Love Themed Bottle Stoppers in black boxes with white love words imprinted and a fancy heart hang tag, and more.

The only downfall when comparing the two vendors and their products, is that Fashioncraft does require minimum orders on all of their products. While they DO ship out single samples, they won’t sell 5 of something. So if you’re looking for a favor to use as a shower game prize, Kate Aspen’s more expensive No-Minimum is the way to go. However – depending on the minimum, it still may be less expensive to buy the minimum of Fashioncraft’s product as opposed to the 5 at ridiculously inflated retail from Kate Aspen.

You choose. But I’m “in favor” of Fashioncraft these days.

Buying Wedding Favors, UncategorizedNo Comments »

Recommended Wedding Retailer

Posted by admin on May 29th, 2009

I was browsing various wedding vendors today and came across some unique wedding gifts. If you’re looking for original favors or accessories, Personal Creations won’t disappoint. There are no run-of-the-mill-seen-that-on-every-other-site products there!

Their original offering of wedding favors features item such as personalized golf balls, biscotti cookies, Bride & Groom caricature playing cards, personalized mini champagne bottle favors, and much more! Everything from custom-printed buttermint packages, dinner and cocktail napkins, and can coozies – to photo wine bottle labels, engraved Christmas ornaments, and etched wine bottle stoppers. Don’t think they’re limited to favors, either. You can get your personalized cake topper, reception table centerpieces, engraved serving set, toasting flutes, unity candles and vases, Bride & Groom bibles, photo keepsake boxes, and even throw blankets!

My absolute favorite wedding favor item is the set of 25 “Wedding Characters Candy Wrappers” featuring cartoon versions of the bride, groom, and the whole wedding party. You get to pick out a character to match yourselves, your bridesmaids, and your groomsmen, AND you can put their names to each of them! Totally unique and adorable. And most of all – affordable.

Located in Illinois, they have a toll-free customer service number with great hours (open much longer than most other vendors!) You can buy directly on the web site with confidence – they are verified secure by Verisign and TrustWave, and they have customer testimonials and product ratings to help you make the best choice. They’ve also got a great rating on BizRate, with over 100,000 customers rating them since 1999. Wow!

PersonalCreations.com

Buying Wedding Favors, Innovative Favor Ideas, Uncategorized, Wedding Favor ReviewsNo Comments »

Wedding Cameras – An Often Overlooked Accessory

Posted by admin on May 5th, 2009

Wedding cameras are an important wedding day accessory. Many brides don’t realize that even these more functional items can be beautiful and add sparkle and personality to reception tables.

Guests expect to see your run-of-the-mill disposable camera from Walmart on the table. They know that most couples will want candid shots of guests and moments. But what they don’t usually expect is something more than just a throw-away camera. Dazzle them and they’ll be more apt to take the “right” photos.

When my husband and I placed our cameras on the tables, we didn’t really know what to expect. They were wedding themed, but they looked cheap and they only took 15 pictures. When we got them back from development, I was appauled at some of the photos my guests took. One guest took a picture of their dinner plate. One took a picture of herself with food strategically placed in her teeth. Another went as far as to take a picture of the toilet in the restroom! And so on. I was so angry that we had spent the money to develop photos such as this, and angry that my guests didn’t “think” before shooting.
In recent years, the cameras have changed – for the better! And I truly believe that if we had put out classier cameras, people would have taken classier photos. It sounds silly – but it seems in our society, if it looks like you spent money on it, people will respect it more.

The great news is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to present a better wedding camera! In fact, the current wedding cameras available are even less expensive than the ones I bought 4 years ago at Walmart, and they look like they cost at least 3 times as much!

No matter what your theme, there’s likely a camera to match. There are Asian themed wedding cameras with cherry blossoms, double happiness symbols, and even lucky bamboo cameras. There are rhinestone-embellished cameras to give that extra “bling” and remind guests of diamonds. There are pure white cameras to match the wedding dress. Irish cameras with shamrocks and clovers. Butterfly cameras. And the list goes on. You’re sure to find one that suits your style or matches your wedding theme.