The Sweetest Green Wedding Favors
In a world of shrinking resources, and increasing awareness of the environmental impact of our choices as consumers, it makes sense to look at green options for favors. We all know that the traditional tchotchkes usually end up in the trash. There are better ways to show your appreciation to your guests, though, like edible favors! Some of my favorites are customized cupcakes, chocolates, French macarons, and iced decorated cookies.
Cupcakes are a fun favor. They can echo the flavor choices in your wedding or shower cake, or be completely different. And who doesn't love a cupcake? They are the perfect size for a one-serving take home treat, and can be creatively customized to suit your wedding theme, colors, or style.
French macarons are also a huge favor trend, and honestly, have less packaging than a cupcake, so are even greener still. "Macaron" is not a typo... these aren't the deliciously chewy and sweet coconut macaroons dipped in chocolate that you've had in the springtime, or perhaps at a Passover Seder. They are feather-light (and naturally gluten-free) cookies made from almond flour and egg white that are pure heaven when crafted to perfection. They are joined together in a sandwich cookie by a butter cream, fruit gelée, or chocolate ganache filling. Actually, perfecting the French mac is such a technical feat that it is considered one of the pinnacles of accomplishment in the pastry arts.
Macaron flavors can lean toward the exotic, such as passion fruit, pear, pumpkin pie, lavender, rose, and violet, as well as to the familiar: chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, and peanut butter.
As sumptuous as they are beautiful, custom chocolate favors can be found across all price ranges. My favorite custom chocolatier has amazing, custom made chocolates starting at just $2 per person. What a good chocolatier can craft for you is limited only by your imagination, and of course, your budget. They can make custom candy bars, and also custom-print the wrapper to coordinate with your colors or personalization.
One of my favorite candy bar interpretations is the Mounds or Reese's, made fresh, with spectacular Belgian Callebaut chocolate. There are few delights like top-quality dark Belgian chocolate enveloping fresh coconut! And imagine pure, natural peanut butter filling in a Callebaut milk chocolate cup! Pure heaven! (Trust me; it puts Reese's to shame! Once you've had it with natural, fresh gourmet ingredients, and nothing else compares.)
Bride and groom truffle pops, which are somehow concurrently cute and elegant, are an adorable favor trend. Alternatively, you can have a few chocolates packaged by your chocolatier in small glass Mason jars which can be reused to hold paper clips on your desk, hair accessories or cotton balls, and more. Probably most original favor choice is the chocolate menu, suggesting to your guests before anything is ever served that they're in for a first-class gastronomic treat at your celebration! Best of all, it involves minimal packaging!
Of course, there are also yummy shortbread cookies, which can be iced in a royal or glacee icing, the variety of which is limited only by what you can dream up. Corsets, "be-my-bridesmaid", hearts, engagement rings, wedding bells, wedding gowns, teapots, teacups, animals, any imaginable sports theme item, and more are yours for the asking. Presentation possibilities include organza bags, and even biodegradable glassine (coated paper stock) bags.
This article wouldn't be complete without mention of one more very important trend: a charitable contribution in honor of your guests, echoing your shared commitment to making a difference in their world. There are plenty of charitable organizations that would be thrilled to accept a donation made in your guests' names in the amount of what you would have spent on tangible favors.
If you love the ASPCA and your intended is an enthusiastic supporter of Habitat for Humanity, not to worry! There's no reason the donations can't be split between charities. It's a really lovely way to state your commitment to public service, while you're on the road to the celebration of your commitment to each other. Some couples take this a step further by requesting charitable donations in lieu of wedding gifts from their guests.
Regardless of your wedding's style or theme, one of these green or socially conscious trends is bound to be the perfect solution for your wedding favors!
Written By Marney White Owner of Marney Cakes
This article was originally published July 24, 2012.