When planning a destination wedding, a lot of ambiance is communicated through the selection of favors. Later, these same mementos serve to remind the guests of the fun and splendor of the reception. Favors can do more than just communicate gratitude – in many ways, they are the souvenir of the reception, the reminder given to guests to commemorate their time at your festivities. As such, the favor assumes a special importance, and should be selected with consideration and care by the bride and wedding planner alike.

But that’s not to say the favors can’t be fun, either. Recently, I attended a reception in which the happy couple gave away coffee and tea as favors, as part of their Victorian-themed wedding. The beverages were tastefully packaged in small boxes and tied with ribbon, equivalent to the kind found in the best luxury hotels. The message they wanted to convey with the favor was simple, the groom told me later: we thank you for your time tonight, he said. Tomorrow morning, please allow the moment of good taste and relaxation found with these English-influenced beverages to bring you a moment of sophistication before starting your journey home. The gift was simple, elegant, and not at all expensive per unit, he explained, but the enjoyment afforded was momentous.

Similarly, some couples headed for tropical honeymoons have given small pouches of cocktail mixes as favors. These single-serving mixers offered the basic ingredients for margaritas, cosmopolitans, and pina coladas to each guest, to evoke the couples’ destination. In a way, the bride said, the guests could join them for a drink at their getaway, at least “in spirit.” While the pouches did not include alcohol, they still brought to mind the excitement and romance of leisurely cocktails sipped in exotic destinations.

Finally, destination wedding favors can also reinforce the design motif. When holding an Asian-themed wedding, for example, having tiny mint tins or tea bags personalized for each guest gives a touch of Eastern hospitality while accenting the reception’s central theme. They, too, are inexpensive and can be purchased in bulk quantities to reduce cost.

My Wedding Favors.com has a complete selection of the items described above, with personalization available on some items. Their complete list of products can be found on their website.