Favor Mama

New Favors from Wedding Belle Favors

admin — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:47:26 +0000

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

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

admin — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 04:01:19 +0000

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.

Kate Aspen New Releases

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 04:03:35 +0000

Kate Aspen launched 29 new favors today! A much-anticipated release of new products, they didn’t disappoint. With items ranging from drink mixes to place card holders, each item is uniquely designed and perfectly packaged.

In addition to new favors, their web site also got a small overhaul and looks much more streamlined and modern now.

Some of the new Kate Aspen wedding and shower favors for 2010:

and so many more!

Check out the huge selection of Kate Aspen favors at these retailers:

Sneak Peak: Cassiani Collection’s “Blessed Events” Favors

admin — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 04:04:45 +0000

Cassiani Collection will be unveiling some new favors this week, and I have the pleasure of giving you a sneak peek at a few of them.

Their exclusive “Blessed Events Collection” currently only offers candles with crosses on them, but the new additions to this line will include crosses themselves – in hanging ornament form, and key chain form. At a retail price point from $0.89 to $2.95 (and maybe even less,) they’re sure to please hosts as much as guests!
The cross favors are great for religious weddings, christenings and baptisms, communions, and baby showers.

Here’s a look at a small sample:

Cassiani also released several other new favors last week – which are sure to be a big hit. Always a favorite with me, they have added towel cakes to their line, as well as impressive Murano glass wine charms and bottle stoppers, and some cool new soap favors, and promises many more new favors in the coming weeks!

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

admin — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:10:57 +0000

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.

New Wedding Favors & Products for 2010

admin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:14:33 +0000

The new catalogs are rolling in and a few companies have added quite an offering of new wedding favors. And while the catalogs are also full of other wedding products, my second favorite section to check is wedding cake tops. Unique new items abound this (coming) year!

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.

Some of the new Hortense B. Hewitt line include round favor jars, monogrammed water bottle labels, personalized decorative votive wraps, and much more!

Though I was disappointed to see that they’ve discontinued their military cake toppers, and a few popular favor box choices, I do like the new direction they’re going and I’m sure customers will appreciate their expansion of personalized lines.

Another exciting new catalog for 2010 is that from Weddingstar. Several new favors are among the new lineup. They also have some awesome new cake toppers!

Weddingstar sells retail directly to consumers, but they also offer wholesale for other retailers to offer their products. You can see their new offering under “New Arrivals” at weddingstar.com, but you are encouraged to shop around, as many other retailers (like favorbonanza.com,) offer the products at a lower price.

Some of the new Weddingstar products include “An Elegant Ride” Mini Car Candle, “Love Birds” Place Card Holders, several other place card holders, a bridal gown candle, and more.

Lillian Rose isn’t offering much in the way of new favors for 2010, (just adding some favor boxes and name/place cards,) but they have added some cool new cake toppers which are more fun! My favorite is a red convertible “Just Married” car with waving bride and groom. Great for red weddings and more modern couples! They’ve also added some scroll bell cake tops which come in various colors to match your wedding color.

Fashioncraft has added some new wedding favors to their line this week, and will surely be expanding on that offering for 2010. They have consistently added new products monthly. Some of the new favorites are a Chocolate Cake Candle, Fleur de Lis Mint Tins, Damask Mint Tins, and more.

As more catalogs are delivered, I’ll update what’s new for each company!

Winter Wedding Favors That Work Any Time of Year!

admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:15:40 +0000

During the winter wedding season, a variety of holiday-themed favors arise at the forefront of most retail web sites. Many brides who aren’t holding a winter wedding just skip over these items and look for something more appropriate for their season. But what most don’t realize is that some of the winter offering CAN work for weddings that fall in any season!

Take the ornament place card holders in the photo to the left. Though they look like a Christmas tree ornament, they are elegant enough to be used at any time of the year. They fall within the “Something Blue” theme and are beautiful when set against white linens. The swirls and dots designs on them don’t scream out Happy Holidays, but they do say “Here’s a multi-functional favor. Use it to hold holiday photos or notes, or hang it on your holiday tree – but it’s pretty enough to be a year-round adornment on an office desk or hanging from a rear-view mirror too.”

The pine cones to the right may be appealing for a winter wedding, but they’re also great for those who live in areas where this is the native tree. Northeastern couples who hold their event at a lodge or cabin might love adding a pine cone favor to their tables to remind guests of where the day was enjoyed. Hikers and mountain-biking couples may choose them for the symbolism. They come in scents that are reminders of winter, but are also just peaceful and relaxing – a welcome retreat for guests as they take them home. And the labels can be omitted for events that are not held in the winter. Also prefect for eco-friendly weddings, they offer a natural alternative to standard wedding favors and show guests that you’re recycling natural elements.

While some winter wedding favors are certainly for winter and holiday events only, a creative couple can find others that are great and unique for other times of the year. Going against the grain and using non-seasonal favors can add flair to your reception tables and get guests thinking.

No More Minimums with Fashioncraft!

admin — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 04:17:40 +0000

Fashioncraft’s web site was down early this morning for maintenance – something that doesn’t happen very often. So I knew they were up to something. When I was able to get back on, I was excited to find that they’ve made a BIG change to their product offering – NO MINIMUMS!

Where you used to need to purchase in quantities sometimes as high as 48 pieces, you are now able to order 1 piece as a sample, or a small quantity for smaller get-togethers. This means that retailers can offer greater flexibility to their customers, while consumers can now order only what they need, and not have to deal with the excess.

Fashioncraft Sales Manager, Alan Safir says,

“Fashioncraft is excited to be able to provide this new service to our customers. By accepting orders for any quantity of any item (personalized items are the exception for obvious reasons,) we feel that we are giving our retailers the ability to increase their business in these difficult times. We are aware that this will be particularly helpful in some of the shopping engines where being able to list a per piece price will be an advantage.

Finally, we are confident that with Fashioncraft’s infrastructure we will be able to handle the increased volume without increased processing times and without resorting to the exorbitant rush charges that some of our competitors charge.”

Fashioncraft’s new pricing structure allows for small orders but continues to offer their larger quantity discounts. While remaining very affordable, they’re also very fast – and with no monetary penalty to the consumer or the retailer. Items still ship out in 1-3 business days (except for personalized items.) Some vendors take their time with the smaller orders, but Fashioncraft is up to the challenge of meeting all orders in their usual manner.

This is a win-win scenario for consumers and retailers! Keep an eye out for your favorite bridal retailer’s price structure change, or remind them that you’re waiting for it!

Dual Purpose: Ornaments as Favors

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:18:26 +0000

With more and more couples looking for favors that their guests will actually use, it’s great to see new products coming on the market that serve a purpose other than being presented and then tossed.

D’Lusso Home Collections released three porcelain ornament favors today which will serve nicely as wedding favors, while also accenting guests’ holiday trees and homes.

While many people just associate ornaments with Christmas, they’re also great for hanging in cubicles at work, from an ornament tree any time of year, in a doorway, over a bed… the possibilities are endless. They’re not just a holiday item – they’re a decorative home item (and year-round, depending on the theme.)

Consisting of an angel, a cross, and a dangling heart, these porcelain ornaments measure around 4″ each and are accented with rhinestones. A beautiful gift for any affair, they’re fabulous as wedding favors, bridal shower favors, or christening favors.

D’Lusso Home Collections carries many well-crafted Italian-style favors for events. From coffee cup sets to ice cream bowls and espresso spoons, their products are well-known in the bridal industry and among bridal consumers.

Other companies, such as Event Blossom, and Kate Aspen also offer ornament wedding favors.

Many other favors can be used as ornaments too – especially bookmarks with tassles. Tassles can be used as a way to hang them, or can be removed and replaced with ribbon or hooks. Get creative and you can make an ornament out of just about anything! Cookie cutters, keyrings, even some bottle openers!

What’s New

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:19:26 +0000

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