It's no wonder that the world's most savvy wedding favor designers make the fall leaf their muse, but it's how the muse inspires them that leads to the most visually stunning, unique wedding favor designs. This year, Kate Aspen takes top honors for creativity, but it's this year's autumn brides that reap the rewards. Here's a peek at what's waiting for you at MyWeddingFavors.com!

Let's talk about "visually stunning" for a moment, because that's what sets Kate Aspen favors apart from the rest of the crowd. The gift presentation of these favors is as impressive as the favor itself. The "Fall in Love" Scented Leaf-Shaped Soaps (left) arrive in the cream and chocolate-colored, leaf-motif gift box tied with a chocolate-brown satin ribbon. Next, the scent of the two soaps inside captures your guests' attention. Wow! And the "Autumn Elegance" Fall-Leaf Favor Box (right) gives you an apple-red or chocolate-brown accent option.

If you have your heart set on a place card holder/photo frame combination, you won't be disappointed. The "Autumn Branches" Bronze-Finish Metal Photo Frame/Place Card Holder just may be the definitive fall wedding favor design of the season. Openwork leaves on branches surround the place card or your favorite "happy couple" photo. Trust me--while your guests are eating their salads, they'll be thinking about the perfect place to display this amazing wedding favor in their home. But they won't have to wonder where the "Lustrous Leaf" Copper-Finish Bottle Stopper might go. Funny though, and this does happen sometimes with Kate Aspen's signature packaging, some guests will love the laser-cut leaf gift box so much, they'll display the stopper without taking it out of the box. We call this phenomenon the "Kate Aspen Effect," and it's been captivating wedding guests across the country. Just thank your guests with one of these favors and watch what happens...

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Just imagine what this theme requires--a palatial, French-style setting, elaborately decorated reception tables, a string quartet playing Baroque music, wine flowing like the Seine, a menu that may or may not include pheasant-under-glass and an entire roast pig, and period costuming for the bride, groom and wedding party. By the way, those things that made Marie's hips as wide as the Seine are called panniers. That explains the very wide doors that filled their place in Versailles. Considering what a wedding like this might cost, you'll probably wind up "baroque."






Perhaps the least expensive and most appreciated part of a baroque wedding would be the fabulous wedding favors. What guest wouldn't want a memento of an extravaganza like this? Here are a couple that would fit perfectly in your grand banquet hall! The "Enchanted Carriage" Favor Box is sure to resemble the gorgeous carriage that brings you to the ceremony. If you really want to go all out with the Marie Antoinette theme, you'll want to bestow these magnificent "Coronation" Bottle Stoppers on your guests. I must say, the more I think about a Baroque wedding, the better I like it. Your wedding album and video would be spectacular and unbelievably entertaining. And you'd literally have a ball!

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Apparently, the hotel industry is embracing the trend and creating bridal packages that offer work-outs, calorie-conscious organic meals and the standard spa stuff, like massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, etc. For the brides and their bridesmaids, it's an opportunity to bond more then they would at a nightclub, because they can converse more comfortably. To encourge all the girls to keep up what they've started at least until W-Day, a number of hotels and spas provide the bridal party with a take-home plan. I don't have to tell you that the packages vary widely in features and price. Expect to pay anywhere from $500 per person at many spas or hotels to a whopping $12,670 for five of you at the Grand Velas Spa Resort in Nuevo Vallara in Mexico. And I'm sure there are a few spots that might cost more. You can always create your own close-to-home exercise and spa weekend for a fraction of the cost.

So let's talk about the very best bridesmaids gifts to hand out when you arrive at your "shapecation." You'll all look sharp and connected in these luxuriant, personalized terrycloth spa robes on the left. It's a bridesmaid gift that will continue to make memories long after your beautification vacation. Another practical gift is "The Weekender" Tote Bag on the right. On your weekend or at home, your party girls will have a stylish, personalized way to transport work-out clothes, toiletries, their favorite mag and more. Personally, I'm all for this new trend. Sounds lovely, whether you're getting married or not!

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But I digress. A bouquet wrap can be as simple as satin ribbon wrapped around the stems of your tussie mussie (Yeah, I love that name!) and tied with a bow. If you're having your wedding gown hemmed, you might want to save some of the material and have your wrap match your dress.

But the hot trend in bouquet wraps these days is ultra ornate. I found a few beauties on jem-ma.com, and Nisie's Enchanted Florist in California is creating some spectacular wrap designs. We're talking rhinestones and Swarovski crystals that give those stems some serious sparkle! I thought you might want to take a peek at some of the wraps wandering around out there so you can get an idea for your currently bare bouquet bottom.

The TM (and we all know what that stands for by now...) on the left is a contemporary take on the more traditional tussie mussie. It's made of silver and can be engraved with your initials, making it a wonderful keepsake. The wrap on the right is colorful and covered with crystals. I imagine you can get a custom-made TM using crystals that match your wedding decor.

Here are three more wraps, showing the wide variety available.











So there you have it. A small wedding detail that can add sparkle and speak volumes about the woman you are. The right wedding favors can have that same spectacular effect. And you can even find unique wedding favors to match your tussie mussie. The beautiful Victorian-style photo frame/place card holder on the left goes perfectly with the silver tussie mussie, and that satin wrap above has a match in "The Dress" Satin Gown Favor Bag on the right. And one more time--tussie mussie. (I just LOVE that name!)

Here's what I mean. You're checking out MyWeddingFavors.com, and you come across the sophisticated, elegant "Timeless Traditions" Black-and-White Place Card Holder/Photo Coaster, and it hits you that you want a stunning black-and-white themed wedding.

When you click the L-O-V-E Chrome Letter Opener in the Pillow Box Packaging that features stamps on the front and a love letter on the back, you run with the concept of having a "famous love letters" theme, incorporating love letters from famous people throughout history in your invitations, the rehearsal dinner, your reception decor and more. You might even use parts of actual love letters you wrote to each other in your vows!

And my personal favorite--the Getaway Car Favor Box. Its classic design reminds me of the great celebrity romances of the mid-20th century--Gable and Lombard, Bogey and Bacall, Tracy and Hepburn, not to mention those unforgettable fictional romances like Romeo and Juliet and Scarlett and Rhett. And then there's the greatest romance of all--yours! Your World's Greatest Romances theme would bring the past, the present and the future together at your wedding. Your "save the date" card might have Scarlett and Rhett on it, and your invitation could have a photo of the two of you in the exact same pose. These famous couples sould be part of your place cards and your table cards. And your reception hall walls might be filled with images of all these couples, surrounding you and your guests with unending love.

I hope I've made the case for doing a wedding favor search at the start of your planning, to spark your creativity with the favor of fantastic theme ideas!

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"May 12, 1869

Out of the depths of my happy heart wells a great tide of love and prayer for this priceless treasure that is confided to my life-long keeping.
You cannot see its intangible waves as they flow towards you, darling, but in these lines you will hear, as it were, the distant beating of the surf."

Moving and heartfelt, this is just one of dozens of love letters you can find online, written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Robert Browning, Winston Churchill, Ronald Reagan, Mozart, Lewis Carroll, Voltaire and Shakespeare.
With all these enchanting love letters as your resources, here what you can do:

--Because love letters require a stamp, choose one or two of these beautiful wedding stamps I just found at everafterstamps.com, a new, online custom stamp company. Use them for all your correspondence--save the date, invitations, thank-you notes.

--Pick out a short, favorite love letter from the letters you find online and incorporate it into your invitation design. Don't forget to include the name of the author and to whom the letter was sent.

--If you're writing your own vows, you can include a meaningful sentence or paragraph from one of the letters. Or you might even want to read parts of love letters you wrote to each other.

--At the reception, make the table cards a love letter by different famous people. Using card stock, put a photo of the person and the love letter in the the table card stand. For the placecards, use the face of the famous person to indicate at which table your guest will be sitting. You might also want to recreate some of the love letters in a script font on a computer, have them greatly enlarged, have them elaborately framed and place them on the walls throughout the reception hall.

--Choose a wedding favor that fits the theme. The L-O-V-E Chrome Letter Opener is both fitting and practical. The packaging is perfect--a "stamp" and a postmark with pink accents sit at opposite ends of the display window, while an entire love letter written on the box provides even more sentiment.

Your guests will not only find the love letters fascinating, they'll know they've been to one of the most unique and romantic weddings ever created.

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--Honestly assess your sewing skills or the skills of the person you've asked to sew your gown. You should at least have experience sewing seams, fitting garments to your size and shape and adding closures like zippers and buttons. Remember--you and that gown are going to be the center of attention for several hours.

--Start early. Don't procrastinate! Give yourself plenty of tiime to work on your gown slowly and only when you're in the mood. This should be a happy experience and a labor of love, not a stress-filled chore.

--Get help. There may be others you know may be willing to sew a sleeve or a section of the dress for you.

--Determine the style you want. Sleeves? Strapless? Sheath or A-line? Long train? Beaded and embroidered? You should have a good idea of the dress style that flatters you most.

--Pick a pattern. All prominent pattern companies--Simplicity, McCall's, Vogue, Butterick--have wedding dress patterns. Shop online or flip through the catalogs at a fabric store. If you're interested in vintage or period dresses, an online search should yield several possibilities. Choose a pattern that meets your skill level.

--Fabric. Big skirts, heavily gathered ballroom gowns and long trains require more fabric than a sheath, and bridal gown fabric can be expensive. Choose a pattern and fabric that work within your budget. You'll need to consider color (white, ivory, champagne,) thickness (does it need a lining?), price and additional notions (lace, trims, buttons, beading, crystals, zippers, etc.) The pattern should provide suggestions and information on what fabrics and notions will work best.

--Test the pattern. Get some cheap cotton or muslin and make the gown before you cut into the expensive fabric. The extra time and money this takes will be well worth it to make sure the pattern and the style work for you.

And by the way, there are bridal shower favors and wedding favors that can call attention to your dress, start the conversation and have all your family and friends impressed and amazed at the beautiful wedding gown your created yourself! "The Dress" Satin Gown Favor Bag is a lovely way to start the buzz at your bridal shower--just let your bridal shower host know about them! And at your reception, the Wedding Gown Candle in the Designer "Window Shop" Gift Box will have everyone's head "bobbin" in agreement that you are a talented, creative and financially prudent woman, and he's lucky to have found you!

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IS SHE KIDDING? How long does she or he really think guests remember what flowers graced the altar, or what was said at the ceremony, or what color your limos were, or whether your gown was strapless or a sheath, or what your centerpieces looked like or whether your ice sculpture was a heart or a swan? Give me a break! But if you pick the right wedding favors, your guests will remember your day every time they use them.

Want some examples? I got the airplane luggage tag you see in the upper-left corner at my cousin's wedding in Maine. I put it on my weekender suitcase, and everytime I take a trip and see that tag, I remember what a great time I had at her wedding, but I couldn't tell you what her flowers looked like. My brother and sister-in-law attended a wedding where the wedding favors were the gorgeous, silver "The Perfect Pair" Salt & Pepper Shakers. She keeps them on her kitchen table, so every breakfast and lunch brings back memories of their friend's daughter's wedding. And there are some fantastic, chrome bottle stopper wedding favors everyone uses when they get them home. When they pop them into a wine bottle, they'll remember where they got them. And when their guests ask them where they got the cool bottle stopper, they'll tell them about your wedding--and I guarantee you they're not going to remember the flowers or the limos or any of the other details, but they'll always have your "thank you" gift to remind them of your wedding.

If I ever had a wedding planner tell me to get rid of the wedding favors, I'd be getting rid of that wedding planner, who clearly isn't familiar with the amazing wedding favors available--and at affordable prices. A bride on a budget doesn't have to give up anything if she knows where to look!

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Logos can be designed for somewhere in the $300 range, but cost will depend on the graphic designer. Couples incorporate their initials, their hobbies or their interests. Sometimes they request symbols of their wedding destination, like a palm tree or a snow-covered mountain, as part of the design.

Logos lend themselves perfectly to personalized wedding favors. These photo mint tins are wonderful keepsakes that feature the happy couple and their lovely logo. And how cool would it be to have your logo on water bottles for your welcome bags when your guests arrive at their hotel? Logos are really a great way to give your wedding a unique, artistic touch!

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According to Jackie Leiby of lighting giant Magnum Companies' Special Projects, brides are spending $2000 to $20,000 for an unforgettable lighting look. Leiby says money can buy whatever they can imagine to illuminate their event. And by choosing the right wedding favors, brides can add even more elegance and warmth. All it takes is a spectacular wedding favor candle or tea light holders that can be lit by each guest's table setting and then taken home to hold romantic tea lights for a long time to come.

Here are two I particularly like. They make a stunning presentation and a lovely take-away for your guests. The Luminous Love Votive on the left sparkles inside and out. The silver-metal container has "Love" in openwork on the sides, so the gentle light spills through and lights up your love. On the right is the Clear Glass Heart Cube votive with red hearts on the side, bringing an intimate and meaningful lighting design to your tables. Even if you don't go for theatrical lighting, these small wedding favors will still make a bright and lasting impression!

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And if you really want to jazz things up, there are some great bridal shower favors that would be perfect "Girls' Night Out" gifts for all your buds. You'll probably head for a bar or restaurant before or after the movie, and the "Purse Valet" is practically an essential! Instead of putting your purse on the nasty floor or the back of your chair where you can't keep an eye on it, this handy little gadget fits right on the edge of the table and keeps your valuables safe and close.

If you want to give them something that says "Manolo Blahnik," "Jimmy Choo," or just spectacular shoes in general, favor them with this very cool "It's a Shoe Thing!" Chrome Shoe-Shaped Bottle Opener. The clever packaging is just as appealing as the gift itself!

So now you're ready to step out and see what's been going on in the lives of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda! Cheers!

One open bar? Out! Several drink stations? In! Steer yourself toward the station depending on the drink you desire.

And be prepared to sip on liquor-laden libations invented just for the big day. You may be enjoying a "Mark & Mary Martini"--gin, vermouth and just a touch of creme d' menthe to make it just the shade of green required to match the decor--another new trend in bride-and-groom booze. The beauty of an upscale alcohol presence makes finding wedding favors a breeze!

Perhaps you'll head to the beer and wine station for a glass of Lily & Lyle's Merlot. You won't want to miss Mike and Gracie's Margarita, a spectacular peach-colored concoction. Signature frozen drinks are hot, hot, hot! And there are extremely cool wedding favors to match!

Cheers!

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Say buh-bye to plain, white linen table cloths. Brides with bucks are decorating their tables with fabrics that look like wedding gowns--beaded or embroidered cloth, satins, organzas and chiffons. As you can see, this ups the elegance factor a bunch! These spectacular spreads up the budget, too. Angie Stephens of Chair Covers & Linens says your basic linen tablecloths rent from about $6.50 to $18. Exotic fabrics and prints rent for up to $75.

Here's some good news! If you decide to splurge on your wedding tablecloths, you can save money on elegant wedding favors that will complement the setting beautifully. Put your favorite photograph in this lovely, gold, beaded frame or use it as a place card holder. Another exquisite option is the Calla Lily Bottle Stopper, with a touch of gold in the center.

Trend #1--Grazing stations. Yes. The up-and-coming thing in wedding food is "tiny and scattered." Like a Sunday brunch at an upscale hotel restaurant, you set up a number of food stations, each serving a different gourmet dish. Instead of having a seated dinner, brides are opting for six to eight smaller courses. The expectation is that guests will mingle as they sashay from station to station, munching on exotic recipes like Lemon Chicken Kabobs with Gremolata (an Italian seasoning blend) or Key Lime Roasted Shrimp on Snowpea Shoots with Pickled Red-Onion Confit.

I attended a wedding recently that did both. They had spectacular hors d'oeurves on trays and at serving stations, and then they had a seated dinner. The wedding favors should have been trendy doggie bags. We all ate ourselves into oblivion with the fabulous "pre-dinner," so we could hardly finish the dinner. Was it delicious? Yes. Was it a waste of food? A little bit. But as long as food is the hot ticket, why not let your favors follow suit?

Elegant weddings call for elegant wedding favors, and they're easy to find on MyWeddingFavors.com! With these lovely mini-wedding cakes, you can take your choice of nine ounces of delicious and moist, double chocolate pudding or vanilla pound cake completely covered in milk, white or dark chocolate icing. And if you love the Jordan almond tradition, the calla lily favor boxes on the right are handcrafted and contain white Jordan almonds. One thing's certain. This new trend in food will guarantee your guests are fabulously fed! Trend #2 coming soon!

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Trend #1: Fertilizable centerpieces! Instead of small, monochromatic centerpieces (so yesterday!) or lots of little centerpieces on one table, lets build a landscape in the middle of those tables. Think "bead-strewn crystal candelabras, potted herbs and even natural motifs like mushrooms." We're talking Hollywood here, so we can only imagine what kind of "potted herbs" they're putting out there.

Trend #2: Over-the-top veils. Everything old is new again. Veils, once thought too old-fashioned, are making a comeback with celebrities in a big way. The mag suggests you can choose to wear the veil "even during the reception!" If you do, they recommend you pick a shorter style. Either way, I suspect you'll be ripping it off by the time your plate of food arrives.

Trend #3: Groom's Cake on steroids. The movie "Steel Magnolias" made this southern tradition a huge trend, and now it's grooms-gone-wild! The groom's cake should have some connection to the groom, so we're looking at cakes shaped like golf bags, college mascots, beer mugs and TV sets. Very nice...

Trend #4: Global-Inspired Wedding Favors. The stars are celebrating their hometowns or their heritage with wedding favors like candy apples (New York City,) hot sauce (Mexico) or olive oil (Italy.) Not only do the favors have special meaning--they're more likely to be used when the guests take them home.

Trend #5: Formal First Dance: The TV show "Dancing with the Stars" is having an effect on weddings from New York to California. Stars are turning to choreographers to stage their first dance to make it spectacular entertainment. InStyle recommends that you start planning your dance six months prior to your wedding date so you can "choose your special song, the type of dance you want and take lessons!" The mag also reminds you to practice your dance in your wedding gown instead of jeans. Makes sense.

Okay. That's a wrap. Head for MyWeddingFavors.com to find lots of meaningful, global-inspired wedding favors, and then you can take off for your dance class...

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