About Rehearsal Dinner Favors
There are no set rules for the kind of favors a bride and groom hand out to guests at the rehearsal dinner. This is an aspect that a couple can be creative with even if they choose to have a traditional wedding. Items such as a decorative bell or a bag of potpourri are classics, but favors can also be unusual if the couple wishes. For informal rehearsal dinners, equally casual favors, like T-shirts, are actually appropriate for the bride and groom to give guests.
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Identification
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While not a necessity, rehearsal dinner favors are one of the ways a bride and groom can show appreciation to those who play a role in their wedding. These presents don't have to be expensive; a couple on a budget can select favors that merely commemorate the occasion. By attaching a gift card with the date of the rehearsal dinner to attractively packaged favors--even those as inexpensive as individual homemade cupcakes--the bride and groom have acceptable thank-you gifts for members of the wedding party.
Significance
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The rehearsal dinner is an ideal moment to give special gifts to those who play a major part in the wedding, such as the bridesmaids and groomsmen. As these participants may put their own lives on hold to help with wedding-related tasks, highly personalized presents from the bride and groom can be a great gesture of gratitude. One option available to the couple is to get all bridesmaids and all groomsmen the same gifts, and put together less elaborate favors for the rest of the wedding party. For example, the bridesmaids and groomsmen could each receive a toiletry kit filled with products, while the rest of the rehearsal dinner attendees take home a candle holder or picture frame.
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Considerations
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Even with a definite head count, the bride and groom might want to pack extra favors to take to the rehearsal dinner. The spouse of a guest may drop by, for instance, in which case an additional favor comes in handy. However, if the favors are personalized specifically for each member of the wedding party only, the bride and groom need not worry about having enough for everybody present.
The theme of the rehearsal dinner, if there is one, should be taken into account as well when choosing favors. Favors can be made to match the theme, such as castle-shaped candles for a fairy tale dinner.
Misconceptions
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A rehearsal dinner is not a must, especially for those getting married on a very tight budget. The bride and groom could even choose to skip the dinner altogether, but still purchase small tokens of appreciation for would-be attendees. These can be handed out after the rehearsal before the participants leave. On the other hand, if the bride and groom still want to hold some kind of gathering for the wedding party, they can simply serve light refreshments at the location of the rehearsal. The rehearsal dinner favors can also be distributed at the bride or groom's house after a home-cooked meal, which is another alternative to a catered event or dinner at a restaurant.
Benefits
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Rehearsal dinner favors are not only souvenirs of a memorable affair, they are also a way to get the word out about a business owned by the bride or groom, or even a means of sharing a talent with others. As an example, if the bride is skilled at baking she can prepare small cakes as favors, with the card attached to each one disclosing her recipe. She may even include her contact information for those who want to place orders for their own special occasions.
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