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.
Hortense B. Hewitt recently announced that they were moving operations to one centralized location. What I also found out is that they’ve made a logical move with two sister companies (one of which is Carlson Craft,) and thus added an expanded line of personalized favors and gifts! Now vendors won’t have to buy from the companies separately, which offers added convenience and renewed brand recognition.
Another exciting new catalog for 2010 is that from 
Well, here’s what’s currently going on in the favor world…
There’s something about the spring that makes all favors look extra special – maybe it’s the addition of sunlight – maybe it’s the anticipation of a beautiful breezy day with wildflowers in bloom and a bride’s hair glowing in the sunshine – maybe it’s the warmth and smiles on most faces as they realize the snow may be a thing of the past for another 9 months – but whatever the reason, new or old, these favors looked extra special for Spring 2009.
a gift tag. Wrapped with a band that reads, “Happiness held is a seed. Happiness shared is the flower.” They’re eco-friendly, classy, and the tins can be recycled to hold mints, pills, jewelry, or whatever guests desire.
can imagine! They’re easy to assemble and they make guest tables look bright and cheerful.
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