The Beginner's Guide to Wedding Planning

The favors are always the place-setting detail that steals the show, a very personal and thoughtful gift to each of your guests.

Going to Paris on your honeymoon? French macaroons are by far the most lovely, elegant, tasty and trendy favor du jour. What's more, you can literally choose any color to match your wedding palette and any flavor for the season.

With favors, the packaging is more than half the fun! Opt for colorful petite square boxes wrapped in jute cord or silk ribbons, or glossy acrylic boxes personalized with monogrammed labels.

Cost saver: Have an interactive dessert bar that doubles as the take-home favor for guests, making a dual-purpose "two-for-one" expense and stretching your budget further. Set up a cookie bar filled with homemade family recipes and allow guests to fill up a mini old-fashioned glass cookie jar to take home. To set the scene, copy handwritten recipe cards with generational family recipes and display them in vintage recipe boxes. Cake truffle bars, chocolate bars and candy bars are also favorites.

More ways to cut your wedding costs from brides like you