Dessert Towels for Gifts and Favors

Please see the end of post for your chance to enter and win an elegant Chocolate French Toast viette
Kaitlyn from Le Viette wrote to me last week about her line of dessert towels that are exquisitely designed to resemble real desserts. (a little interesting tidbit - the word "Viette" from Le Viette is derived from the French word, Serviette, meaning "towel")

Each piece from "The Towel" collection is made with 100% cotton and individually prepared by hand. I personally think these towels make excellent favors for bridal showers or for hostess gifts as the gift can be taken home and used as a functional towel. Le Viette products cost between $7.99 and $8.99, except for the 5" Fruit Frais Cake which costs $19.95. Each Le Viette product comes in a complete package that is elegantly gift-wrapped with satin ribbon bows, custom-made gift boxes, mini insert-cards, flower lace papers, and much more. They arrive to you ready to give and present to your recipient(s). To see the entire Le Viette towel collection, please visit www.leviette.com (which is absolutely beautiful and a wonderful showcase of all the towels in her collection)

Something else that makes the Le Viette towel collection extra special is that the products are sold exclusively on the Le Viette website, and are not available anywhere else in the United States.

Now, for the giveaway... please let me know what you think of the "towel desserts" from Le Viette and you could win the elegant Chocolate French Toast viette (seen in top photo above). This "dessert" is a 100% cotton towel, topped with randomly-selected artificial fruit, mini design card, golden plate, and elegantly gift-paper wrapped. The toast measures 3.90" x 2.75" x 2.75" and the unfolded towel measures 11.80" x 11.80". Entries will be received thru Sunday October 12th at midnight. Winner announced on Tuesday October 14th (as Monday is a holiday). Please be sure to leave me your email address in the following format with your comment to be eligible to win.
brenda{at}bestweddingsites{dot}com

Black and White Favors

On Monday I featured a black and white damask wedding inspiration board. Today, I decided to keep with that color theme and showcase several unique wedding favors that you could either use with damask weddings or other events.

Shopping Resources: (top to bottom, left to right)
• "Timeless Traditions" Elegant Black & White Glass Photo Coasters
• Monogram Wedding Pillow Candy Favor
• Hugs & Kisses From Mr. and Mrs.! Scented Soaps
• Satin Bow + White Circular Label with Color Dotted Border Favor Kit
• Silver Plated Make Up Mirrors
• Personalized Mint Tin - Black Toile
• Elegant Black & White Crystals Flower Candle Holder
• Flourish Favor Boxes

Thank You Wedding Chicks!

Our cookie collection is featured on the Wedding Chicks blog today!

Here's what Amy and Jocey had to say:
"Check out this darling Wedding Cookie Collection available at Best Wedding Sites! These wedding cookies make super cute and tasty favors. Edible favors are always a hit at weddings, and now you can even personalize your cookies. So often we find that non-edible favors are left behind on the table. I can’t imagine anyone leaving these delicious cookies behind! This cookie collection renages in price from $5-$7 each. Each cookie favor is packaged in a high quality cellophane bag with twist tie and satin ribbon. (No work for you - yay cookies!) These cookies have a shelf life of eight to ten weeks and are shipped direct from the baker to ensure freshness. You just have to check out Best Wedding Sites for the very latest cookie designs in the exclusive collection that have just been released!"

Thank you Amy and Jocey for a lovely presentation and write up.
You made my day!

Note: The above is post 1 of 2 for today July 23rd. The 2nd post follows. I just wanted to let you know as I typically only post once a day and wanted to make sure you saw both entries.

A Brand New Cookie Favor Collection

I am so thrilled to announce that we have just added 6 new exclusive cookie favors to our current collection. These cookies are just under 4" in diameter and some of them can be personalized.

I was so excited when the sample box arrived from our baker, I couldn't wait to see what they looked like. And, as usual, I'm so happy with the perfectionism of my baker(s). They did a wonderful job.

What do you think of the cookies? Here's the direct link to each of the cookies for further information and more photos.

Asian Love Cookie Favors
Wedding Cake Cookie Favors
Snowflake Cookie Favors
Flip Flop Cookie Favors
High Heel Shoe Cookie Favors (Striped)
High Heel Shoe Cookie Favors (with Hearts)

Other cookies in our exclusive collection can be seen here

my m&m's - personalized candies

At the NJ Wedding Salon I was able to meet with Deanna from M&M'S and discuss the new feature now available for MyM&M'S Brand Candies. Along with the already popular customized M&M'S where you can add your own personalized message on the candies, you can now add faces from a digital photo. What a perfect personalized favor idea. You can choose from 22 different colors of M&M'S to match your party theme. Add in faces of the bride and groom along with your own messages and you have a treat your guests will love. Plus, it creates a great conversation piece at the guest table. It's also a great idea for your guests welcome baskets. The MYMMS.com web site is set up so you can see the custom messages on the candies as you create them as well as purchasing the complete favor with packaging if desired. And, there's also tips for making your photo M&M'S® look great.

Below are links to additional ideas for personalizing M&M'S with messages and photos:
Save the Date
Bridal Shower
Rehearsal Dinner
Reception
Bridal Party Gifts

And, from MyDove® Chocolates - you can now add your message inside of the Dove® foil wrapper on . Creative message ideas from their site include:
"Erica and John Married on October 12"
"Thank you for sharing in our special day!"
"A match made in heaven!"
"Jennifer's shower July 20, 2011"

Image Credits:
Top row: MYMMS.com
Bottom photo: my own digital pic I took of the show's display

Miniature Glass Jars for Favors

I love these mini glass jars for guest favors - they're just so cute! You can either personalize them with a label or ribbon and the possibilities for fillings is limitless. You can easily use colored candy to match your party colors, but how about...
Beach Theme: fill with shells and sand
Bridal Luncheon: fill with loose tea
Other fillings might include: coffee beans, nuts, spices, homemade treats

Not only are they practical as a favor, but they are eco-friendly favors as well since they are re-usable after the event. Do you have any other ideas for goodies to go inside the mini glass containers?

Above products can be found here:
Classic Round Jar Favors from Beau-coup
(they also carry modern hexagonal jars)
Candy Glass Jars from our specialty wedding shop
Additional mini glass jars can be found at The Container Store

Gourmet Chocolate Wedding Favors

Yesterday I received a press release from Lake Champlain Chocolates discussing their full line of table favors for weddings, parties, and showers as well as supplies for the Do-It-Yourself bride. The new Chocolate Heart Favors are one of my favorites with the hand-painted milk chocolate accents - these come wrapped in cellophane and tied with your choice of 6 satin ribbon colors. The detail on the chocolate heart is beautiful. My other favorite is the Chocolate Sea Shells Pail - which contains over 2 ounces of assorted foil wrapped chocolate sea shells in an assortment of milk and dark chocolate. Perfect for a beach wedding, but extra precautions would have to be made so they don't melt.

Other Chocolate Wedding Favors include:
Custom Engraved Ballotin Boxes - Distinctively designed gold gift boxes hand-printed on a letterpress, filled with chocolates, and tied with ribbon.
Sheer Wedding Favor Bags - shimmering, iridescent bags filled with four chocolate hearts or coins, each wrapped in foil. You choose the flavor of the chocolate hearts or coins.

For the couple who wishes to personalize their favors and make them totally special and custom for their event, Bulk Chocolates are available for the DIY bride and groom. Bulk chocolate choices include: chocolate hearts, coins, Chocolates of Vermont, chocolate squares in more than a dozen flavors, and a line of organic squares in varying levels of high cocoa content. To present the chocolates to your guests, Organza Bags are sold in ivory and white.

If your wedding is taking place in Burlington, Vermont - a nice treat for your guests would be the Free Chocolate Factory Tours that Lake Champlain Chocolates offers. Guests would receive a free tour and tasting.

All Lake Champlain Chocolates are handmade in Vermont and are preservative-free and Kosher-certified. They are crafted in small batches from the finest quality Belgian chocolate and select natural ingredients including local Vermont cream, sweet butter, maple syrup, and honey.

New Wedding Favors in our Store

New products were added to our wedding store yesterday and include the cutest little embroidered felt favor bags - your guests will love these bags as they can easily be re-used. Styles include: a Wedding Couple, a Jewel of the Sea, Cherry Blossom, Love is in Bloom, and Asian Love. We also have 3 new cookie favors (2 of them shown in the above picture). The new cookies include Champagne Bottles, Cherry Blossom Fans, and Eiffel Towers. Each cookie favor is customized to your specifications with an inscription and/or colors to match your event.

A sweet gift idea for either your bridesmaids or those who helped you with your wedding planning is to package several Cherry Blossom Fan Cookie Favors inside of a Love Blossom Felt Favor Bag.

A Wedding Buffet with Glass Jars

I love this wedding idea - using apothecary jars or any kind of glass jar for either candy buffets, cookie buffets, popcorn bars or anything else you can think of. With the items being displayed in glass, you can make any table arrangement look stunning. And you can turn the 'buffet' of candy, cookies or popcorn into a self-serve favor station. You can provide your guests with favor boxes or bags and decorative scoops so your guests can put together their own sweet treat to take home and enjoy. You can pre-attach a label to the favor boxes (maybe with your names, wedding date and 'Enjoy!' on it) and with the favor bags, you could decorate them using rubber-stamps. Adding ribbons around the glass jars and with labels identifying the candy, cookies and/or flavor of popcorn makes the display even more special.

Probably, the hardest decision to make will be what colors and candy to use. All white? An array of colors? Only the wedding colors?

Glass jars also make wonderful additions to tables filled with fruit (limes, lemons, apples, etc), sea shells - the possibilities are endless.

Image Credits:
Top Right: courtesy of dnn_rchmnd's flickr photo gallery
Left: courtesy of presentpast's flickr photo gallery
Middle Right: courtesy of Brides.com
Bottom Left: Michaels Arts and Crafts
Bottom Right: Jo Gartin of Love Luck and Angels

Beau-coup's New Website

Yesterday I visited Beau-coup.com and saw they launched an amazing new website design. I've always liked their site and the great favors they offer for both brides and businesses, but they have now simplified the navigation to make it easier for you to find what you are looking for. Be sure to visit the new Beau-coup.com web site and I'm sure you will find something for any of your upcoming events including engagement parties, bridal showers, weddings and corporate parties - from favors to gifts to decorations.

Special Offer for our Readers:
Receive Free Shipping on all orders over $125 at Beau-coup.com.
Coupon Code: FREESHIP

A few of my favorites on the new Beau-coup.com website include:
• Deal of the Month (receive 10% off their showcased favor)
• Eco-friendly Favors category
• Exclusive Wedding Favors and Gifts
• Favors By Price

Cute Favor and Gift Idea

Aren't these towel cakes just the cutest? Available from Beau-coup, each delectable 'dessert' is really a fluffy hand towel or washcloth folded to look like a tasty treat. These are fabulous for bridal shower favors or as a small thank you gift. They are available in seven tempting designs (individual cakes or slices of cheesecake): cherry mousse, sweet vanilla, chocolate, cherry cheesecake, chocolate cheesecake, strawberry cheesecake and lemon cheesecake. The cake designs measure approximately 4-5". Towels are made of 100% cotton. When unfolded, the individual cakes become 13" x 13" hand towels and the sliced cheesecakes, 8" x 8" washcloths. Serving your guests a matching edible cheesecake for the event's dessert is the perfect accompaniment for these towel cake favors.

Special Offer from Beau-coup:
Free Shipping for orders over $125 (Code: FREESHIP)

Lavender Weddings

Ideas and Inspirations | Photos and Galleries
Colors: Shade of purple
Motif: Lavender Flowers
A lavender theme is ideal for both bridal showers and weddings - especially if you are having an outdoor garden wedding. Traditionally, lavender has been linked with nuptial good luck and placing lavender in the bride's flowers will help to insure a happy and long-lasting union. If you decide to carry an entire bouquet made of lavender, Lavender Fanatic has 3 sizes to select from. Smaller lavender bouquets would pair perfectly with this bridesmaid dress that includes a matching shawl from Bari Jay (style 759). The best part about lavender wedding bouquets is they will last for years and years without preservation, lavender is a wonderful dried flower. Guests will love to be invited to your event with lavender wedding invitations from fubabee's etsy shop. Favors ideas include either eco-friendly lavender sachets or white chocolate truffles in purple flower pots. Depending on your preference - this wedding cake is absolutely gorgeous and ties into the lavender/purple theme perfectly without overdoing the lavender flowers. Or, if cupcakes are more your style, you can find the recipe for these Lavender Cupcakes here. And serving your guests Lavender Champagne (recipe available at MarthaStewart.com) would make your event complete. If you have any other ideas for a lavender event, please leave me a comment.

Image Credits:
Lavender Wedding Invitation: fubabee's etsy shop
Lavender Cupcake: creampuffsinvenice's flickr gallery
Purple Wedding Cake: m_ke2's flickr gallery
Lavender Bouquet: Lavender Fanatic
Bridesmaid Dress in Silver, Lavender & Wisteria: Bari Jay
White Chocolate Truffles: cc_ryder65's flickr gallery
Lavender Champagne: Martha Stewart

Red Cherry Themed Bridal Shower

Ideas and Inspirations | Photos and Galleries
Motif: Cherries
This cherry theme is perfect for a garden shower or bridal luncheon. The sundress invitation with its cherry red ribbon accent pairs perfectly with the cherry theme. The party invitation (available at FineStationery.com - item # is: 60508) is a book fold card that is inserted into the dress design. A matching response card is also available. A cute idea for each guest are the scalloped glassine sacks filled with fresh red cherries. Here the bags are displayed in wooden crates with a sign that reads "Please Enjoy". The tops of glassine bags are trimmed with scalloped scissors. The Bowl of Cherries Round Stickers from InvitationBox.com are perfect for attaching to favor boxes or the scalloped bags and are custom printed with the wording of your choice.

The cherry cupcake place card holders are perfect for both place settings and favors as each guest can later use them as picture holders. Another idea is to display a few card holders at the food table to identify the foods available or use them as a centerpiece on a pedestal plate holding pictures of the engaged couple. These adorable place card holders look good enough to eat and are available in our wedding store. (We also have small mini cupcake place card holders available)

The perfect finishing touch to this bridal shower of cherries is a dessert with Cherry-Vanilla cupcakes and you can find the recipe here.

Image Credits:
Cupcakes: chockylit's cupcake flickr gallery
Cherry Favor Bags: Martha Stewart Weddings

Related Articles from the Best Wedding Sites archives:
All About Bridal Shower Favors
Bridal Shower Themes

Web Site Find: True Love Logos

With personalization being so popular for weddings we wanted to let you know about a great site that will create your wedding monogram or logo for you. The company is called true•love•logos and was created by the mother-daughter team at Firefly Creatives, LLC. They currently have 5 distinct collections (with almost 200 designs total) to select from. The styles and themes include:
• Casual (fun, laid-back, relaxed
• Classic (elegant, traditional)
• Contemporary (clean, modern, unique)
• Imagery (symbolic, cultural, location)
• Monograms (timeless, historic)

A wedding monogram is an affordable way to add elegance and individuality to your wedding - and at true•love•logos the cost is $50 for a b&w/grayscale digital file that can then be used for DIY projects and/or professional printing. If you would like a color version of your wedding logo, it's only $25 extra. The typical completion time for a wedding monogram is 1-5 days and online ordering is easy with their short order form.

Some ideas for wedding monogram uses include: thank you cards, personal wedding websites, place cards, favor gift tags, and coasters. If you plan on using a wedding monogram, please leave a comment and let us know where you will be implementing it to create a memorable wedding experience.

Also, be sure to come back next month to enter our wedding contests when true•love•logos will be giving away one wedding monogram to a lucky bride

Absolutely Adorable

{Note: the above cupcake place card holders can be purchased in our wedding store}

I came across these place card holders today from Jenni B Originials and I just had to share them with you. They are absolutely adorable and look just like the real thing. Tiny rhinestones added to the faux icing add a little bit of bling. These are perfect for bridal showers and weddings - the place card holders in the above picture are the size of a mini cupcake. Guests will love to take these favors home to use as picture holders after the event. With many wedding events now featuring cupcake towers, these cupcake place card holders make wonderful favors for your guests as they can be custom made to match the color of the real cupcakes your guests will eat. Jenni B Originals also offers other inedible ornaments and place card holders.

Our Wedding Store - New Products

We have just added new products to our wedding store and had to share with you these adorable lavender scented sachets that are also place card holders. These would be so cute on your tables for engagement parties, bridal showers and weddings. Styles include Bridesmaid Dresses, Bridal Gown and Tuxedo. They are available on March 5th, but you can pre-order them now.

Bridesmaid Dress Sachet Place Card Holders
Bridal Gown Sachet Place Card Holders
Tuxedo Sachet Place Card Holders

View more specialty favors (more to be continually added)

We also have embroidered wedding towels - these are the perfect touch for gifts and gift baskets. Styles include: Bride, Bridesmaid, Palm Tree, Flip Flop and Wedding Cake. The Palm Tree, Flip Flop and Wedding Cake can be personalized. They are $20 each and will be available on February 28th - these are also available for pre-order.

Fortune Cookie Favors

If you are looking for a special and delectable wedding favor - Emily's Chocolates is now offering Chocolate-Covered Fortune Cookie Favors. Each cookie is coated with a special blend of smooth milk chocolate and comes individually wrapped inside a white, personal-sized takeout-style tote embossed with the Chinese character for love.

We have tasted other fortune cookie favors - but, Emily's are exceptionally delicious and the cookie itself isn't hard to bite into or break open (to reveal a fortune of love).

These Chocolate-Covered Fortune Cookie Favors are sold in a box of 70 and retail for $105. Each cookie contains 1 of 12 messages of love (one example is - "If you want to be loved, be lovable!"). Although these boxes can be left as they are, you can add a ribbon and bow with maybe a floral embellishment for the perfect presentation. At $1.50 per favor plus the cost of your additional decoration, these favors from Emily's Chocolates are an inexpensive and beautiful edible party favor.

Unique Place Card Idea

I've recently received samples of a beautiful and unique place card idea - the company is PlaceTile® Designs and they offer Erasable Ceramic bottle Stoppers™. They can be used as place cards for the wedding when placed on their side - and then the guests can take them home to cork olive oils, wines, vinegars, and more (making it easy to identify wine, dates when wines were opened, or describe flavors of wines or olive oils). Along with the bottle stopper/place cards, PlaceTiles also offers erasable ceramic menu and message boards, place cards, serving pieces and napkin rings. On their web site, you can view the large assortment of designs including the Nature Collection, Timeless Collection, A La Mode Collection, Vineyard Collection, Cosmopolitan Collection and Holiday Collection.

The one downside to the erasable ceramics - they do rub off if your finger should happen to touch them. This isn't so good if you have paid a calligrapher to write out your guest names and it should happen to be rubbed while being placed on the table at the reception, or if a guest happens to touch the PlaceTile not knowing it's erasable. My suggestion would be to write the names in permanent marker and then use nail polish remover to "erase" the names for future use. Plus, you can always experiment with other options.

These unique ceramics are absolutely beautiful and would make a great addition to any special event, just please be careful when using the felt-tip markers that are included with most PlaceTile orders.

Custom Cookie Favors

Are you looking for a unique favor for your guests at either a bridal shower or wedding reception? We are now offering an exclusive collection of cookie favors that can be personalized with names and colors of your choice. Our baker has been featured in the Dean & Deluca catalog and on the Food Network. Our current cookie collection can be seen here. If you are looking for a cookie favor design that is not shown - we do take custom orders. We just recently created Save the Dates with our wedding cake cookies for a bride-to-be looking for a unique way to announce her upcoming wedding to guests. All our cookies arrive wrapped individually in a high quality cellophane bag tied with a twist tie and satin ribbon.