Wedding Wednesday: Do Us A Favor

Mr. SE and I couldn't find a favor that made us jump with joy. Food is clearly a plus, but not something you can keep, and I can promise you nobody wants a paperweight/frame/spoon rest/anything with your name and wedding date on it. I promise. We liked the idea of a charitable donation, but had differing ideas about where it should go. American Cancer Society (maternal grandparents) and Alzheimer's (paternal grandfather) were the first things to pop into my mind, but Mr. SE had different causes he wanted to support in relation to his family. After the first weekend in May, there was no doubt where our donation should go: Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. This organization has been out there, boots on the ground, helping to get our city back on it's feet.

Each of our guests will receive a card with the following statement:

"In your honor we have made a donation to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, to help with flood relief"

We think our guests will be honored, and glad that they were part of helping our city get back where it was before. What did you choose to do for favors? Did anybody else do a charitable donation?

Favors: Good and Bad

Amsale is marketing their new bridesmaids collection to the tune of "do your friends a favor". Yes, the dresses are beautiful. No, they don't look like run of the mill bridesmaid frocks. But are you really doing your ladies a favor by having them pay $300+ for a BM dress?

Speaking of favors, I've been trying to think of something that's A) inexpensive B) has something to do with Mr. SE and myself. Edibles are always good, and the candy buffet is riding a huge wave of publicity right now. I don't really think anybody wants a picture frame saying Mr. and Mrs. SE May 2010. blah.

So then I had this fantastical idea.....

I'll do tiny bottles of Texas Pete and tie a cute little bow around each top. At $0.55 a piece, we can get them all for less than $70. Mr. SE and I were both pleased with this idea, but Mom SE was less than enthused. She thought it was tacky. Did any of you try and do "different" favors?

Out Of Town Bags

Kate Parker weddings makes fantastic OOT bags for many different areas of the country. We can't spring for the cost of these gifts, but they're great for inspiration to make our own. Since 95% of our guests will be traveling from out of state, it'll be a destination wedding for most of our friends and family. Nashville is our new home town too, so we'd love to give everyone a great experience. I love the idea of OOT bags for guests who will be traveling in. It'd be a great way to show them a little bit of Nashville flavor.

This basket has Goo Goo Clusters, water, a local map, and some homemade cookies. Based on our personalities and friends, I think a tiny bottle of Jack Daniels would go over really well! On the topic of getting Nashville flavor, we like to rent transportation to give our guests a tour of downtown in between the ceremony and reception.

What would you include in a Nashville OOT bag?