Home Print vs Online: What’s Best for Printing Stationery?

This guide will help you decide whether to print your stationery at home or use an online printing company. Wedding stationery is used as the primary stationery type for this article, after all L&L was a wedding blog first!

That doesn’t mean you can’t substitute birthdays, retirement parties, or other types of events. Go ahead and use this guide for whatever type of event you need to print stationery.

Our PDF printable stationery has been used for all kinds of creative events – even a book launch!

What’s the Best Way to Print Wedding Stationery?

When it comes to printing your wedding stationery, you have three options:

  • Print at home
  • Utilize a local printer
  • Online printing services

Practically speaking, DIY wedding stationery is a big undertaking involving time and money. Using a printing service may seem like the better and more cost-efficient option.

Creative types will love the unique stationery that DIY printing affords. With home printing, you can control and manage every single detail of the process, from resources to cost, whenever you print. For the rest of the time strapped brides out there planning their wedding, using an online print company could be the right solution.

I am quite familiar with both the print at home and online printing options, so that is where I will provide a cost comparison and analysis in order to get you thinking about your stationery printing decision.

What’s your Wedding Stationery Budget?

In its annual Real Weddings Study that surveyed nearly 14,000 US brides and grooms married in 2018, TheKnot.com notes that the national average spent on wedding invitations alone was $386. With median wedding costs running about $18,000 USD in that same time period, that amounts to approximately 2.5% of the overall wedding budget.

The first thing you should do is set a stationery budget.

Some people really go all out and buy a lavish wedding stationery suite, while others are content with less costly invites and RSVP cards. Do you want a super elegant art deco design with gold foil? Or, are you content with a fun and whimsical design that you can get for free and then print at home or online.

If you are reading this article, chances are you stumbled across our wedding printables section and are opting for a lower budget wedding stationery set. Great!

You don’t have to know an exact amount, but definitely decide on a suitable budget range for your stationery and try to stick within it.

Statistics aside, it really depends on how much you want to spend on wedding stationery as a couple. You can spend as little as the cost of a postage stamp – perhaps you both love cereal and you turn cereal box cutouts into postcard wedding invites. Or you could spend thousands of dollars on embossed and stamped wedding stationery. The amount you spend is entirely up to you/your partner and the tone that you want to set for your wedding.

Cost of Printing at Home

print at home

Creating wedding stationery involves an outlay of cash for must-have items like paper, ink cartridges, or glam accessories.

The overall cost of these items will depend on the look you hope to achieve for your wedding stationery and how many you will print.

1. Card Stock Paper

One variable expense to consider when starting a DIY wedding stationery project is what type of paper to purchase. I say paper, but in reality you will likely choose card stock to print your wedding invitations and other stationery for your big day. Regular paper is too flimsy, whereas card stock paper serves as a nice solid base to show off your design and impress your guests.

There are a variety of card stock types for you to choose from: canvas, cotton, linen, or even glitter. Each has a different weight and texture to make your stationery look and feel different.

My suggestion is to buy a few sample pieces of each type of card stock (at a low price) in order to print test pages on your home printer first. That way you will know exactly what type of card stock you want for your wedding stationery. In fact, Paper Papers sells different sample packs of paper types and weights at a very reasonable cost.

The color of card stock is another decision you will need to make. Ultimately the final choice will depend on the color scheme for your wedding along with the colors of any stationery graphics. An easy choice is a cream white or slightly colored paper so that it will not contrast too heavily with any graphics or text.

The following table outlines typical costs and what you can expect to pay based on prices I researched at Paper Papers (as of Jan, 2020).

(all example sheet sizes below 8.5 x 11)

ProductQuantityPrice
White Canvas Card Stock100$24.99
Natural White Cotton Card Stock100 $51.99
Solid Bright White Card Stock (Heavy)100 $18.99
Classic White Solid Card Stock (Premium Heavy)100 $23.99
Solid Tiffany Blue Card Stock (Premium Heavy)100 $22.99

As you can see from above, prices are reasonable and range from $18.99 per 100 sheets for solid bright white heavy card stock, up to $51.99 per 100 sheets for natural white cotton card stock. Of course, there are other sizes, colors, and types for you to choose. Again, a sample pack might be just what you need to help you make your final decision!

You can also add options like ‘corner cutting/rounding’ for $5 for the first pack and $2 for each additional pack.

Plan ahead and take the cheap/slow shipping option. That way your total cost including tax and shipping should be from $25 – $40.

2. Ink Cartridges

For the purposes of this article, let’s assume that most brides own a modern inkjet printer and not a laser printer. The shear number of inkjet printer brands and SKUs on the market would make it impossible to compare every single one. In addition, there seems to be a vast number of both online and brick & mortar stores that sell branded ink replacement cartridges as well as comparable ink cartridges.

I did a quick search on my particular brand of printer using some well known online ink cartridge companies. I have bought many ink cartridges over the years, and in general I find that it costs about $35 – $50 for a full package of color and black ink cartridges. Again, there are too many printers and brands to comment on every single one. My experience is that a reasonable amount to spend on ink is approximately that amount.

You will need to buy ink for your printer, especially if you are printing 100+ full color DIY invitations, thank you cards, RSVP cards, and possibly menu cards. You will waist time if you have to stop your stationery assembly line because you ran out of ink for your printer halfway through the print job.

Try Amazon for a reliable source of print cartridges for many different brands!

Total cost including tax and shipping from $35 – $60.

3. Paper Cutter

An indispensable tool in your DIY wedding stationery project arsenal is a paper cutter. If you already own one, great. If not then ask friends and relatives, chances are someone has one that you can borrow. If all else fails, you can always buy a quality paper cutter at a descent price, like this one called the SureCut.  I have used a smaller version of the SureCut for my own wedding DIY projects. Watching the video at the bottom of the page on how to use the portable paper trimmer makes the craft-aholic in me salivate!

Total Cost: Free to $17.99

4. Glamorize & Accessorize Wedding Stationery

I assume that if you have read this far, you are highly considering a DIY stationery project. Of course, the most fun part is to get out your glitter, gold sparkles, and glue gun to glam up your stationery!!

You don’t have to spend much money to make your invites, RSVP or thank you cards special. The possibilities are endless.

Be careful how much you spend on sparkles, hot glue sticks, sequins, stickers, and all the other wonderful accessories that can make your wedding stationery truly unique. Set a budget for your accessories and (try to) stick with it! I know it can be tempting to go overboard and dazzle your wedding guest audience with your creative flair. Just make sure you realize that most people will likely NOT save these wonderful creations, and sadly 90% will end up in the recycling bin.

Total Cost: Free to $50+

As you can see from above, you can get away with making 100 DIY print at home wedding invitations alone for a cost of about $60 – $100 excluding postage ($50) & envelopes ($30+). When you include the cost of those two additional items in your final calculations you are looking at a total cost of about $130 – $170.

Cost of Online Printing Services

We have worked hard to optimize Love & Lavender’s PDF printables to play nicely with two leading online printing services: Vistaprint.com and Overnight Prints. Each printable on L&L has been tested to ensure the print quality is high when uploading to either Vistaprint or Overnight Prints.

Both online print companies are well established and have many happy past customers – myself included!

I have used Vistaprint in the past for business cards and printing stationery, and I highly recommend them if you want to print your stationery online. I am still doing some testing with Overnight Prints, and I will do a follow up article and provide a link here in the near future.

There are other printing companies out there, but these are the two that I recommend you take a further look.

1. Vistaprint Overview for L&L Printables

Website and Customer Service

I have to say that I find Vistaprint’s website very effective and easy to navigate. It is intuitive and not cluttered, with lots of white space.

Also, it’s nice to know that help is close by if I ever have a problem. A ‘help is here’ button with toll-free telephone number is displayed prominently at the top banner of their website. Clicking it gives you options for contacting Vistaprint by phone, email, or live chat during certain hours of operation.

You can even solve problems quickly yourself through their extensive online help center, which has answers to many common questions.

PDF File Upload

Uploading your PDF printable and navigating the checkout process in Vistaprint is straight forward. As an example, I used a design from our printable section to show you Vistaprint’s easy checkout process along with their pricing options. I uploaded my 5×7 wedding invitation design and then selected full color, one-sided, matte finish card stock paper.

Checkout Process

The three step checkout process is a breeze. Step one is where you complete your order by selecting the quantity, paper quality, and envelope options.

Pricing for 100 Full-color Wedding Invitations (5×7)

vistaprint pricing April 2015

Paper Stock Options

There are several upgrade options along the way including premium paper type or double sided stationery where you can easily add your own text/images. Its up to you if you want the upgrades at an additional cost.

choose paper stock Vistaprint

Your order includes a matching quantity of standard white envelopes for free! Otherwise you can choose personalized matching envelopes for an additional fee. Finally, you can choose matching envelope seals – a nice touch to add real panache to your stationery.

Step two is the “recommended for you” section where they try to upsell other items. Personally, I would click right on through to step three. After all, who needs a large car door magnet with a picture of their wedding invitation – that would look pretty silly! Who knows, maybe you want a wraparound mug so that every morning when you have your cup of coffee you can remember your big day.

Step three is the checkout screen where you can add a promo code (Vistaprint almost always has one for you to get a discount), and proceed to shipping and payment options.

Shipping

As you can see from the delivery options below, total cost for delivery depends on your order total.

Delivery Options Vistaprint

2. Overnight Prints Overview for L&L Printables

Website and Customer Service

Overnight Prints website is equally as effective and easy to navigate. The approval and order process is contained to one screen with less options than Vistaprint, but sometimes less is more!

Overnight Prints also has a toll-free telephone number displayed at the top of their website along with a ‘help‘ page. Clicking the help page brings up a well thought out FAQ section. You can find answers to common questions around pricing, shipping, and ordering.

PDF File Upload

Uploading your PDF printable in Overnight Prints is fast and simple. I uploaded a sample 5×7 wedding invitation from our printable section and selected full color, one-sided, satin matte finish, 15pt card stock paper.

Checkout Process

After uploading the PDF printable file you are taken to an approval screen. The approval screen includes options to add envelopes, add rounded corners, choose your paper stock and coating options. I selected the quantity of 100 5 x 7 with white envelopes for $43.95. Simple and clean website design all on one page – excellent!

Pricing for 100 Full-color Wedding Invitations (5×7)

Overnight Prints Pricing Guide w envelopes

Finally, click to the shopping cart checkout process and proceed through a normal online payment transaction.

Shipping

I like the calender widget displayed on their shipping options that shows when I can expect my order and what price I will pay. Don’t wait until the last minute, plan ahead in order to save a bit of money on shipping.

Overnight Prints Shipping

Final Analysis

The overall cost for 100 wedding invitations (including white envelopes) delivered to my door are nearly identical:

Overnight Prints $50.70 and Vistaprint $52

Both Vistaprint and Overnight Prints offer good value for money. Each online printer has their nuances in terms of functionality, shipping, and additional options. Simply upload your PDF file and follow along through each step of the process.

The final product won’t be as customized and unique when compared to a DIY stationery project, but in the end you will save time and probably some money depending on the options you choose.

Plus, you can always add a few ribbons, bows, or sashes to your printed stationery when they arrive. Maybe that is the best of both worlds in balancing your time/money and getting wedding stationery you will enjoy.

Conclusion

We started out this article asking, “What’s the best way to print your wedding stationery?” As you can see from above, the costs of either printing at home or using an online printer depend on what you hope to achieve.

DIY enthusiasts and those who want a homespun craft feel for their wedding day should try and print their stationery at home. Printing at home does offer the ability to customize and DIY at your own pace. You will spend more time and possibly money than if you go the online printing route, but the end product will look, feel, and impress exactly how you envision.

Online Printing allows you to forget the fuss of printing hundreds of stationery on your printer — and getting your hands full of printer ink! Leave the printing, cutting, and uniform quality to the experts.

Your Say: Let us know how you will print your stationery in the comments below

Do you REALLY need that expensive designer wedding dress?

How much is too much to spend on a wedding dress?

Groom’s answer: “Anything over $250 is expensive. I might as well go light a cigarette with this $100 bill.”

Bride’s answer: “You can’t put a price on weddings, or love for that matter, silly!”

A Gorgeous Dress for Under $250 – Yeah, right!

I know what you’re thinking. Two hundred and fifty lousy bucks isn’t a lot of money to spend on a wedding dress, right?

Wrong! In fact, you can get exactly the dress you desire for that affordable price. My wife did just that for our wedding day. I won’t get into the specific details in this post, suffice to say that it involved making a purchase on eBay and praying the dress arrived in one piece as advertised. It did arrive safe and sound, and with a few alterations to the dress she looked amazing.

Bonus: I can’t remember once discussing the issue nor having an awkward conversation along the lines of, “Honey, I think you shouldn’t spend that much on a dress.”

Her practical nature must have told her there are better ways to spend the money. For a lot of folks around the world today, turns out $1500 is a lot of money with real consequences.

The aim of today’s post is to get you thinking about one specific question: Do you really need to spend a wad of cash on a dress?

Maybe you’ve thought about this question in the past, or maybe you haven’t. I’m not here to judge your spending habits. If you’ve got the money and can afford it, do what you want. As they say over here in the UK, push the boat out!

Know Your Audience

I once learned the hard way the concept of know your audience. It was a high level meeting packed with stuffy old white guys that carry guns. Needless to say, my young aspirational governmnet self didn’t go down so well with their mindset and throught processes.

I suspect this article will appeal more to grooms than it will brides, and that’s fine. In my mind’s eye I picture a lot of guys reading this post (with virtual heads nodding in agreement), salivating over the fact that further down I spill the beans and proclaim:

“Any bride who spends more than $500 $250 deserves the following punishment for her wedding crime:

  • If an outdoor wedding — to have her gown pooped on by a passing pigeon as she makes her glorious outdoor wedding aisle debut
  • If an indoor wedding — to have her gown pooped on by a mouse scurrying across the aisle floor

Either way, the morale of the story is that you should take a cat to a wedding to scare off both pigeons and mice.

Sadly, gentlemen, life is never black and white.

Still, I hear a faint whisper from grooms everywhere pleading, “Please, just write in your article that spending that much money on one dress is plain crazy. I need a trusted online wedding blog expert ally such as yourself. My fiancée doesn’t need to spend that much on a dress!”

Or does she?

Lets look at some numbers first, and then you can make up your own mind.

Averages Wedding Dress Spend

I must disclaim that I am not a statistician. Although I dated one once, does that count? I also pretended to work in a quasi-stats role for a good 5 years at a federal government job, and no one complained. (Side note: I left that gig voluntarily. My sanity thanked me later)

That being said, I’m nowhere near the level of stats mastery that many of those academic folk reach. I’ve got me an ‘average joe’ understanding and analytical ability. Now then, let’s dive in to a bit of wedding dress stats fun!!

Averages, as you may remember, are not always the best at explaining a concept.

The average cost of a wedding dress in the United States was typically reported to be between $1,000 and $2,000, but this could vary widely based on location, designer, and individual preferences. Locations with a higher cost of living, like New York or California, often saw higher average costs.

Glamor should be a four-letter word

It could be if you shorten it to GLAM. Everyone loves a bit of glam, so why the hate?

Let me tell you: Not too long ago I spoke with the author of this article for a good hour long chat. It was a job interview of sorts, but really I wanted to meet each other over video chat and see how we got on. I initially approached her to gauge her interest in writing for my ol’ wedding blog.

During our brief chat, Sarah and I connected on a whole host of wedding related issues. At one point she talked about a book called “The Power of Glamour”, which sits on her bookshelf at home, and gave me the cliff notes.

I checked out the book myself, along with a couple key reviews — like the NY Times review here. It seems that (for better or for worse) glamour intensifies longing, fosters hope and stokes ambition, which helps to explain a hellofa lot of things in this world! Perhaps that is the ultimate end goal of this article – to encourage brides to look differently at the role glamour has played in their own wedding journey.

Back to Wedding Dress Spending

I doubt I’ve convinced anyone, let alone a budding bride, that she should ditch her designer gown aspirations. Heck, if I was reading this far into this post I would probably say, “What is this guy on? Does he even own a wedding blog?”

I do, in fact. And this entire article runs 100% counter to how I make a good portion of my income. You see, this blog (like many others) operates on an affiliate commission basis. That means if you click on a link from this site, such as a dress from BHLDN, and end up making a purchase, then a small percentage fee is earned. It keeps the lights on and allows me to pontificate about wedding topics like this one!

I hear you scolding me, “That makes no sense, Andrew. Why would you work against yourself and your livelihood to try to change my mindset and convince me that I should spend less on a dress? Don’t you make more if I spend more money?”

Yes, we technically would.

If I can voice opinions, create healthy debates, and ultimately change things for the better, what better way to leave a lasting impact on the industry that I find myself inhabiting. Sometimes there are negative aspects to an industry. I’d rather try to change the wedding industrial complex, and the bride/groom couples that inhabit it, for the better. My personal story is varied, and I never set out to become a wedding blogger. Yet after 6 hard years of graft, I believe my time has come to use this platform that my wife and I built to open up conversations, no matter how controversial.

Dress Mindset

Here’s a short thought exercise, adapted from a best selling book (insert link to ??) that I read last week. Although the book is primarily about building an online business through automating the heck out of everything (something I’m attempting to do for this website), there is also a philosophical and even spiritual vein throughout the book.

If I ask you what’s important to you on your wedding day, what do you really want?

I bet I would get a wide variety of answers.

As it pertains to a dress you might say, “Andrew, my dream is to look amazing in a fabulous designer wedding gown.” Great. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. I couldn’t agree more, and I wish you the best of luck in looking amazing on your wedding day — as every bride should. But before you go, why do you want a designer wedding gown?

  • Why is a particular gown important to you?
  • Do you sincerely desire the particular collection of fabric, beading, and other embelishments?
  • Do you want the status that comes with owning and wearing a designer gown?
  • Or is it something else that my feable married man-brain cannot understand?

I’m not judging you here. It’s totally fine for the answer to be that you want to glamour of a designer gown on your wedding day. But if that’s why you want the dress, be honest with yourself, be conscious about your reasons. And then go down another level — why is that status/glamor important to you? And will the status that comes with owning an expensive dress actually fulfill that need within you, or will it require something more?

That’s a deeper process of questioning, which you’ll have to face at some point. Maybe you end up deciding that a designer gown is still important to you, and you buy that dress. You’re very happy with it, and you realize you were right. Wonderful, I’m happy for you!

I cannot emphasize enough that you want that process to be one that YOU have consciously thought about, so that you don’t end up buying a designer gown simply because your ego has told you that buying an expensive dress is what people do to show everyone else how cool they are. Or put another way, to live the delusion of grandeur that afflicts so many of the young entitled (instagram) crowd these days.

That’s it – my thoughts about the wedding dress spending question. Let me know your opinion in the comments section below. You may agree (or not) with what I write, and either way I would say thank you. Take this post for what’s its worth. After all, I’m only a married heterosexual male wedding blogger, so what do I know!

https://www.weddingwire.com/cost/wedding-dress

https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/2037295/british-brides-are-buying-made-to-order-wedding-dresses-from-china-for-as-little-as-32/

https://medium.com/@joannachao/how-to-order-a-custom-wedding-dress-from-china-f0616e0262e6

More Thoughts

Going against the prevailing “wedding industry complex” in all things: dress, venue, even (gasp!) paper stationery.

Okay, lets not get totally crazy here. I still love me some 100% cotton paper goodness. We want to talk about the parts of the wedding process that other (wedding blogs) online media won’t touch… for whatever reason. Self interest, owned by giant corporations, or just playing along in the multi billion dollar game.

Not us. We are a voice for the real, raw, engaging, and authentic wedding stuff.

Its not about throwing out traditions and wedding fun … its about hosted a party that doesn’t bankrupt you. Having a wedding that makes sense for YOU and not what a self interested corporation/business tells you what you MUST do or what you must BUY in order to satisfy antiquated wedding standards.

I say, “Screw what some monarch living in the 1800s did, which every living surf since has copied. The Queen doesn’t have to pay for my tuxedo, canapes, nor the bar tab at my wedding. That’s all on me.”

Stop trying to attain an elevated social and economic status beyond your current station in life. We all know that is what every bride (and groom) secretly desire for their wedding day.

A “luxurious and elegant affair attended by close family and acquaintances alike” who can partake in the grand charade called the wedding game.

Designer dresses that a billionaire can afford to splash some cash on, are not attainable for 99%. Nor should they be. The shear and utter useless utility of a wedding dress should be enough to rock you off your emotional designer wedding chair.

When you do finally get that cheque in the mail (or more likely that bitcoin in your coin wallet), then you can go ahead and hire your own pimped out ride, let it rain dolla bills, and act like you are on the set of a 90s rap music video. Until then, just be YOU. It took me the better part of 30 years to understand that I didn’t need to try to be anyone else besides Andrew Shackleford. I don’t want to be a version of Tony Robbins, Pat Flynn, or countless other influencial people that have occupied my podcast playlist and inspired me to up my game and Design My Life – the life I want to live here and now.

16 Candle Wedding Favors to Make Your Big Day Shine!

Planinng a wedding involves a lot of decisions, and one of the trickier ones for many couples is choosing the favors. After all, you want to gift something that every single one of your guests will love and that’s no easy task. And, you probably have a budget to think about too! This is where candle wedding favors come to the rescue.

example candle wedding favors

Candle wedding favors are beautiful and practical. Plus, you can definitely find an option to suit any budget – under $2 all the way up to splurge-worthy candle holders.

Candle Wedding Favors

Types of Candles

As you dive into the world of candles, you’ll find there are different types of candles, candle waxes, and other variations. You don’t need to know the ins and outs to choose the perfect candle wedding favors. However, a little know-how may help make the decision easier, especially if keeping it natural is important. Here’s a quick guide to the types of candles used for wedding favors and the types of waxes.

  • Votive Candles – A votive candle (also known as a prayer candle) is a small, round candle. Typically two inches in height, it was traditioanlly intended to be burnt as a votive offering in Christian prayer. These types of candles typically burn for 10 hours.
  • Tea Light Candles – A tea light candle is smaller than a votive and sits in a wide, cylindrical holder. Because it is wider than it is tall, a tea light will fully liquefy when lit. Traditionally, tea lights were used to keep teapots warm and are also often used to keep food warm. They typically have a burn time of 3 – 5 hours.
  • Beeswax Candles – As the name suggests, these candles are made with beeswax. Beeswax is one hundred percent natural, thus it burns clean and emits no toxic byproducts. In fact, beeswax candles produce negative ions, which actually help combat pollutants, such as dust and mold, that are in the air. They have several other benefits, as noted here.
  • Soy Wax Candles – Soy wax is derived from soybean oil and is considered natural since it is vegetable-based. Some cited benefits of soy wax are that it’s biodegradable, produces no soot, and burns slower than its chemical counterpart, paraffin.
  • Paraffin Wax Candles – Paraffin wax is petroleum-based, thus many consider it a chemical product. Paraffin is often used for mass-produced candles because it is cheaper than other types of wax. Notably, paraffin wax can create a more intense, long-lasting fragrance than natural waxes.

Why Give Candle Wedding Favors?

  • They create a special ambience – Newsflash, candles are about as romantic a light source as you can get! Soft, flickering wicks and sweet fragrances means they make an appearance in pretty much every romantic movie. Maybe you’ve even used them to set the mood for a romantic dinner with your special someone. With candle favors, you can encourage guests to get in the mood post-wedding!
  • Candles are practical – While we all love our electricity, candles come to the rescue when there’s a power outage. Your guests will have you to thank next time the lights go out and their candle wedding favor is at the ready.
  • They’ll double as decor elements – As you’ll see from my list below, candle wedding favors can contribute greatly to your overall wedding theme and serve as both decor elements and gifts. Now, I’m not suggesting you light your favor candles, but simply placing them at your table settings or on a display table can add a real ‘wow’ factor. Check out this lavender-infused real wedding in Oregon for inspo.
  • People love getting candles as a gift – According to research by the National Candle Association “both men and women consider candles to be an always-acceptable and highly appreciated gift for a wide variety of occasions.”

Convinced candle wedding favors are the way to go?

Great, continue reading for fantastic options to suit every style and budget.

1. Rustic Wood Candle Holder

by MyWeddingFavorsCA

Rustic Wood Candle Holder

If your wedding vibe is nature-inspired or rustic, these handmade wood candle holders will do double duty. First, they’ll elevate your wedding theme and second, they’ll serve as memorable thank-you gifts for your guests to take home. Pop your favorite scented or unscented tealights into each holder and create an enchanted forest on your big day.

2. Lucky Elephant Tea Light Holder

By FavorOnline

Gold Good Luck Indian Elephant Candle Holder Favors

I absolutely love elephants and I’m pretty sure I’m in the majority here! In feng shui, the elephant symbolizes protection, good luck, wisdom, and fertility, with the trunk up to suggest the showering of luck. Not only will you be giving your guests an adorable and useful favor, you’ll also be sending them off with luck on their side!

3. Geometric Votive Holder

by Beaucoup

Geometric Votive Holder

Do you consider yourselves a ‘cutting-edge’ couple? Are you planning a modern-styled wedding, but still want to include the favor tradition in your big day? These gold geomtric votive holders may be just the right fit. With a white tealight included and each one indiviudally-packaged, this is a great option if you don’t have time to deal with assembly or separate purchasing of candles.

4. State-Themed Soy Candle

by Lulu Sugar

tea light tin with California state label

Planning a destination wedding in the US or simply have real love-on for your home state? These hand-poured all-American soy candles affixed with cutomised labels are a fitting nod to the place you’ve chosen to tie the knot. Complete the look with a box and ribbon, and Lulu Sugar will include a complimentary box of matches.

5. Metallic Foil Floral-Scented Candle

by Beau-Coup

Personalized Metallic Foil Round Candle Tin

These floral-scented candles are proof positive that you can still gift your guests a beautiful wedding favor on a modest budget. Whether you’re planning a rustic or vintage-themed wedding or a modern affair, these simple and elegant tins with personalised labels will add a sweet touch of romance to your place settings.

6. Seashell Gel Candle

by CustomizedByKathy

There’s something especially romantic about the ocean isn’t there? Whether you’re having a beachside wedding or simply want to inject some seaside ambience into your big day, these seashell gel candles are a brilliant favor option. Personalise them with a sweet thank-you message and chooose from one of three shapes and several color schemes.

7. Personalized Mason Jar Candle with Sprinkles

by The Flame Candle

mason jar candles with purple sprinkles

Want your wedding day to be as bright and cheerful as humanly possible? While there are plenty of ways to add pops of color (hello, candy buffet!), gifting your guests with sprinkle candle wedding favors will help ensure they remember just how colorful your wedding was long after the day has passed. These eco-friendly soy candles come in a 4oz mason jar and your choice of sprinkle color – be bold!

8. White Distressed Lantern Candle

by Beau-Coup

white distressed lantern candle

Looking for a favor that’s equal parts beautiful and pratical? These white distressed lantern candles would pair equally well with a casual outdoor wedding or a rustic-chic theme. If you’re on a budget, consider gifting one favor per coulpe to save a little money.

9. Votive Candle in a Dip-Dyed Pouch

by Minted

Votive Candle in a Dip-Dyed Pouch

These are a fantastic keepsake for guests to a beach wedding, perhaps! With pouches available in ten different dip-dyed hues, these lavender-scented candles are sure to please everyone.

10. Beeswax Votive

by Etsy: theCraftyVirgo

Organic Georgia Beeswax Votive Candle

Sweeten your guests up with these honey-scented candles – they’re the bee’s knees! Beautiful and natural, these beeswax votive favors are a great option for the eco-friendly couple or anyone that simply has a soft spot for bees. If you’re feeling an urge to DIY your favors, why not elevate thesee beauties with a pretty ribbon or burlap wrap and personalised thank-you tag.?

Tip: For more bee-inspired favor ideas, checkout our honey favor article.

11. Cactus Tea Lights

By Pyther

Phyther Cactus Tealight Candles

Planinng a desert wedding or simply love succulents? These very budget-friendly cactus tea lights will add a unique touch to your wedding decor and your guests will think fondly of your big day when they light their candle up!

Psst – if you’re now realizing that you’re as much a succulent person as you are a candle person, check out our succulent favor article for more inspiration.

12. Wine Lovers’ Candles – Splurge or Steal

by Co Candle Co

stemless wine glass merlot candle

I absoltely love wine – so much so, that my husband and I incorporated it into our wedding day in some very unique ways. If only I’d discoverd wine-themed wedding favors back then, I would probably have splurged on these amazing wine glass candles.

Featuring an array of scent options, including Merlot, Chardonnay, and Pina Colada (to name but a few), these hand-poured soy wax candles are a wine-lovers dream come true. After the candle has burned down, your guest will be left with a beautful stemless wine glass that they can ‘cheers’ you with for years to come.

At the same price point as a nice bottle of wine, these candles are definitely an indulgent wedding favor, but if you’re hosting an intimate gathering or have the cash to spare, I say go for it! Plus, you could always gift one to each couple, cutting the cost in half.

by The Candle Chemist

champagne scented candle in silver tin

If you’re partner-to-be talks you out of the splurge option above, you’ve got a perfect “Plan C” for Champagne!

These champagne-scented soy candles come in a 4-ounce tin and include the option of a custom label or a standard Let’s toast Champagne label. While they’re less costly than the stemless wine candles featured above, I would recommend gifting one per couple if you’re sticking to a modest favor budget.

13. Personalized Shot Glass Votive Holder

by Etsy: CustomizedByKathy

Personalized Shot Glass Votive Holder

In keeping with the alcohol theme, here’s a budget-friendly, versatile wedding favor that your guests will love. Equally suitable as a shot galss, votive holder or even a mini succulent pot, these little favors could be the life of the party or set the mood for some post-wedding candlelit romance.

Choose from a wide selection of custom designs and personalize them with a sweet message or your wedding details.

14. Henna Floating Candle Set

by CreativemindsA2Z

Henna Floating Candle Set

From what little I know about Indian weddings (or simply those who want to incorporate bright, bold colors and designs into a wedding theme), these henna candles would work well. Handpainted and accented with rhinestones, guests will feel lavished with love when they take home this luxurious candle favor.

15. Beehive Candles

by LittleHandicraftCvet

bee hive candles

Will you bee mine? We’re meant to bee! These classic soya wax beehive candles would suit any wedding theme and fit almost any budget.

16. Mini Rose Ball Candles

by Lindsay Lucas Candles

Mini white rose ball candles

These adorable and affordable mini rose ball candles are the perfect romantic accent to any wedding. Handmade from soy wax, you can order these in a variety of colors, or stick with pure white roses – the traditional bridal flower and a symbol of love and hope. Notably, these are fragrance-free, so if you have a number of scent-sensitive guests, this could be the best flower they ever receive!

Now that you have your candle wedding favors sorted, why not light a few sweet-smelling candles for yourself. Run a nice bath and have a quiet, romantic night in with your true love!?

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Save the Date Postcards – The Best Way to Announce Your Wedding in 2022?

In this article, I explore why postcard save-the-dates have become the preferred choice for many couples, along with some of my top picks for 2022.

The big day is set and it’s time to choose your save-the-dates! Choosing a striking design is one consideration, but give some thought to the format of save-the-date you want to send such as a classic 5″ x 7″ card, magnet, foil-pressed, letterpress, or a postcard.

Minted was our go-to online stationery store. And even though I’m married now, I get excited each new year to check out their latest collection of wedding stationery designs. When they asked us to write a sponsored post about their new collection of save-the-dates, I jumped at the chance. After all, I’d already been on their site, swooning over foil-pressed save-the-date designs and fresh postcards.

save-the-date postcard with scalloped edge

Let’s dive into why a postcard save-the-date is such a great option for your wedding announcement and some of the fantastic new designs recently released on Minted.com.

Guide to Save The Date Postcards

Choosing save-the-dates can be daunting for some couples. As a first teaser guests get about your wedding, you want them to be just right. From a purely practical standpoint, the save-the-date provides the essential information your guests need to calendar in your wedding and start making their travel plans. Beyond practicalities, however, the save-the-date is also your first chance to set the stage for what guests might expect from your wedding.

save-the-date design with photo

From this standpoint, it’s worth taking some time to consider whether you want to go with a standard save-the-date or change it up with a fun, stylish postcard. If you’re not sure whether a postcard the way forward, read on!

Should You Send a Postcard Save the Date?

Choosing a format for your save-the-date cards is one of many, many decisions you’ll make over the coming months. To help determine whether to send postcard save-the-dates, you’ll want to take the following into consideration:

They’re a Money Saver: Due to their smaller size (tyipcally 6″x 4.25′”), postcards tend to be the least expensive option available. They are cheaper than classic (7″ x 5″) and magnet options, which can translate into postage savings if you decide to send them without an envelope. In the US, the cost to send a postcard is almost 40% less than sending a standard letter. Depending on the number of guests you’re inviting, these savings could add up. Trust me, you’ll want to save lots of pennies when planning an entire wedding!

You Can Save on Paper. If you’re torn between going with a digital save-the-date and the traditional printed version because you’re eco-conscious, a postcard is a great middleground. Smaller in size and requiring no envelope, they’ll create less paper waste while still offering your guests a tangible reminder of your upcoming wedding.

Postcards Can Emphasize a Theme: Any final decision may well depend on the theme of your wedding. For example, a postcard save-the-date would be a great teaser for a destination wedding, or if you and your beau love to travel. It would be equally suitable for a vintage, whimsical, rustic, or semi-casual wedding.

Information To Include on a Postcard Save-the-Date

The purpose of the save-the-date is to make sure your guests have the key information necessary to make plans for your wedding. Remember, you’ll follow it up with a more detailed invitation, so keep it sweet and simple for now! Here’s the information you should include on your save the date postcard:

  • Names of your and your spouse. If you wish to mention the parents’ names, the wedding invitation is the appropriate place to include them.
  • The wedding date, including the year!
  • The town/city and state where you’re getting married

Optional items to include:

  • Wording to indicate a formal invitation will follow
  • Your wedding website url

Helpful Tips for Save the Date Postcards

If you’re still reading, I suspect you’re convinced that a postcard save-the-date is the way to go. Here’s a few more things to keep in mind:

Envelope or no envelope: Yes, one of the perks of going with a postcard is that you save money on postage and cut down on wasted paper. That being said, if you’re worried they may get damaged in the mail, it’s worth considering envelopes. Personally, I like to think that any wear or tear on the postcard simply adds to its character. An alternative option is Minted’s petite format, which is the same size as a postcard, but has a different backer (not postcard style) and comes with an envelope.

Choose a photo that fits: Some of Minted’s postcard designs come in landscape orientation, while other come in portrait. If you have your heart set on personalizing your save-the-date with a certain photo, make sure you’re only looking at designs in the same orientation.

This brings me to another neat feature. You can text Minted the photo you want to use for your save the date, answer a few style questions and their design experts will send you a few suggested designs with your photo. What a great way to narrow down your search and find the best design for your photo!

Add a customised stamp: Give your postcard save-the-date an extra shot of personality with a customised stamp. I don’t know about you, but I always find myself taking an extra close look at postcard stamps, probably becuase they are often sent from faraway places. Your guests will love discovering that you’ve created a stamp just for the your big day!

customised wedding stamp by Minted

Save The Date Postcard Picks

As I mentioned, Minted has a huge selection of save-the-date post card designs. Each design has been created by an independent artist or designer that belongs to the Minted community. That means that no matter what design you choose, you can feel good about supporting a creative and talented individual.

I’ve taken a dive into the newest collection of save-the-date postcards for 2022, as well as some that have stood the test of time. Check out some of my absolute favorite designs from their new collection:

1. Modern Save the Date Postcard

save-the-date postcard with photo

Keep it beautifully simple with this new save-the-date, where your photo is the focus. Fittingly called ‘The Announcement’, this design is well-suited to any wedding theme – just be sure to pick a photo that gives a hint of what to expect. For example, if it’s a destination wedding, use a photo of you and your beau at the chosen destination or, perhaps, with luggage in hand!

2. Playful Typographic Save-the-Date

casual typographic save-the-date

This fun, fresh design conveys an easy-going and playful sentiment. While the front is all about the details and typrography, you can still include a photo of you and your spouse on the backer!

3. Hip Minimalist Save-the-Date

minimalist style save-the-date postcard with photo

I love this minimalist postcard that juxtaposes the text vertically against the horizontal photo. This is definitely a great option for hip couples that want to keep it simple-yet-stylish with their save-the-dates!

4. Colorful Destination Save-the-Date

destitation save-the-date postcard with photo

While this design isn’t from Minted’s collection, I think it’s stood the test of time very well. A postcard save-the-date is very befitting for a destination wedding and this Pack Your Bags design brilliantly combines a personal photo with colorful illustrative elements!

5. Rustic or Boho Save-the-Date

rustic typography save the date

Calling all couples planning a boho or rustic-themed wedding! Minted has loads of designs to suit your chosen theme. I love the fun fonts and illustrative elements in this particular design.

Minted.com Save the Date Collection

An extensive collection of stunning wedding stationery that supports independent designers makes Minted a top choice for online stationery. In addition, I love Minted for their excellent user experience. Keep the below features in mind as you search and use them to your advantage:

  • Free Samples: You always have the option to get a free sample of your favorite save-the-date(s) before ordering. Very helpful, especially if you’re a bit on the indecisive side.
  • Style Filter: If you’ve decided on a style/theme, you can narrow your design search down by using Minted’s handy style filter. Select from modern, rustic, bohemian, illustrative, and many other styles. You can also filter by color, price, printing type, font, and more.
  • Free Digital Address Collector: I love this idea! Instead of sending a plain text email to your guests (or a Facebook message, for that matter) to request their mailing address, you can enlist Minted’s free address collector. All you have to do is select your favorite address collector design and input your guests’ email addresses. Minted will send out your collector card (see samples below) and, voila, you’ve got a database of addresses to send your save-the-dates, wedding invites, and thank-you cards!
three digital wedding address collector designs

Postcard format not your thing? No problem. If you’re planning a formal wedding, a classic card format may be more appropriate. Minted’s new collection includes many elegant, luxe foil-pressed designs in a classic 5″ x 7″ format.

Learn more about foil press printing and check out two of my favorite designs below from the new collection. True, they’re not postcard save-the-dates, but I’m not here to tell you there’s one save-the-date format that fits every wedding!

bands of eternity save-the-date design
Bands of Eternity foil-pressed save-the-date by Minted
fanfare Save the Dates
Brushed foiled-pressed save-the-date by Minted

In the end, it’s your choice as to whether a postcard save-the-date jives with your wedding theme. One of the things I absolutely love about Minted’s save-the-date collection is that many designs can be tailored to your preferred format. I’m talking formats like postcard, petite, classic, magnet or grand. That means you’ve got plenty of design choices, no matter what format you decide to go with!

Minted save-the-date sample format options
Example format options from Minted stationery

Choosing save-the-dates can be a fun adventure. Minted is a wonderful solution to find your perfect design — whether it’s a postcard, foil-pressed classic card, magnet, or other format. In the end, your guests are will be delighted with whatever save-the-date you send!

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The Complete Guide to Branding Your Wedding in 9 Easy Steps!

A wedding brand can bring an extra touch of harmony and personalization to your special day. And we’ve got just the guide to help you with your branding basics! Maybe you’ve been to a branded wedding and were blown away by the beautiful coordination. Maybe it’s an idea you’ve seen people chatting about online and you’re ready to find out more. Either way, we’ve got the lowdown on what you need to give your wedding its own unique brand.

What is a Wedding Brand?

Branding your wedding doesn’t mean getting corporate or saying goodbye to romance. In fact, it’s just the opposite. A wedding brand is a way to make sure the whole day comes together in total harmony, making it even more memorable.  

wedding planner suite

Think of your wedding brand as a thread that permeates each aspect of your big day and speaks to your ideals and personalities. Just like any strong consumer brand, your wedding brand will tie everything together cohesively. Your guests will be left feeling like they’ve attended a beautifully composed symphony filled with harmonic notes and crescendos unique to you and your beau. Everything from your wedding invitations to your theme colours, your hashtag, your favors, and beyond can help communicate your ‘brand’. 

Why Brand Your Wedding?

If you love the thought of making your wedding one that friends and family look back on as a day that worked on so many levels, a wedding brand will help you achieve that goal. Plus, your wedding photos will be even more striking when centered around a brand! 

Choosing a wedding brand starts with looking closely at everything that makes you and your partner, you. All your special moments and most closely-held beliefs create a story of you as a couple. The whole aim of branding is finding a way to share that story with your guests.

To make sure your guests feel they’re an important part of your special day, create a brand they can key into. Whether it’s dressing in your color scheme, helping you hunt down themed decorations, or simply being there to take part in the revelries, invite your guests to get involved. They’ll be on the same page and will also be helping you create your dream wedding.

9 Steps to Branding Your Wedding

1. Start with Your Love Story and Ideals

The first step is to dig into your love story and the ideals and interests you share. How did you meet and what made you ‘click’? Are you environmentally-conscious? Go-getters? Lovers of minimalism or big fans of collecting treasures around the world? Your personalities, interests and/or values should form the backbone of your brand.

Our Love Story Chalkboard

Write down a big list of key ideas and whittle it down to the most important ones or ones that get you both super excited. Once you’ve chosen a couple – travel-mad and ambitious, for example – start exploring how you could work those into a theme.

Tip: If you’re struggling to pinpoint your key ideas, think about some of the biggest moments you’ve experienced together – where they family-focussed? Related to a shared hobby or holiday? They’ll be the prefect signposts to guide you.

2. Build Your Foundation

Once you’ve chosen the qualities that suit you as a couple, it’s time to translate those into your wedding brand. Start by establishing the foundational elements, including your colors, aesthetic, and printable elements (see steps #3 – #5). Be mindful of sticking to your chosen colors, fonts, and other foundations throughout your wedding planning. Consistency is the key to a strong brand!

3. Choose Your Colors

Think about what colors say about you, as well as how much you like them. For example, blue is a calming color, yellow is vibrant and energetic, while purple can signify wisdom and creativity. Pick your colors with the help of a good chart.

image of wedding colors palette

4. Find Your Aesthetic

Settle on an aesthetic early and make life a whole lot easier on yourself. Would rustic decorations suit your eco-vibe? Are you tech-fans who could be inspired by straight lines and vibrant neon? Pinterest is a great resource to start gathering visual inspiration.

5. Choose Your Fonts, Logo, and Textures

There are lots of ways you’ll be communicating with your guests – from invites to social media posts and even seating arrangement cards – so settling on a font that matches your style is a great way to stay on brand. Be sure you stick to one or two fonts – as per the golden rule amongst brand managers! Not sure where to start? Our post on finding elegant fonts might help.

A logo can also  tie things together, as can the textures you use for your paper products– from rough grain to smooth paper.

foliage theme stationery suite

Tip: Get inspired by looking at the fonts and logos of your favorite brands and brands that have a similar vibe to the one you want to create for your wedding. For example, Coca-Cola’s brand communicates sincerity and excitement, while Apple’s brand personality is aspirational and innovative. What brands speak to your values? 

Now that you’ve got your foundations, it’s time to work them into your wedding plans.

6. Set Up Your Social Media For Success

Social media sites are a real boon when it comes to planning your wedding celebrations, so make the most of them. The number one way to stay on top of your social brand is to create a catchy hashtag. It could be as simple as your combined names, a nickname that all your friends know about or a play on words.

custom wedding hashtag sign

This can be a fun brainstorming session to play with your beau. Alternatively, you can outsource this part of your branding journey to wedding hashtag specialists for a selection of super creative and affordable hashtag options.

Free Hashtag GeneratorPaid Hashtag Creation Services
Wedding WireHappily Ever Hashtagged

Whichever route you take, double check the hashtag isn’t already in use by searching for it on Instagram and Facebook as well as via Google. And, of course, make sure your guests know your hashtag and encourage them to use it on the big day!

Finally, if you have a logo or a key picture you’re using elsewhere, set it to your profile pic on all your social sites as well.

7. Create Brand-Friendly Print

The wedding invitation will give most of your guests their very first taste of your brand, so you’ll want to get it right. Don’t forget to include your hashtag and social media details! Stick to the same font, color scheme, and images for your invites as you’re using for all of your other print to stay on brand. 

Not every wedding needs a website but if you’re building a wedding brand, it’s the perfect place to really show off your aesthetic. You’ll already have the stylistic building blocks you chose for your print and online, now you’ve got a little more space to show them off.

personal Monogram for your wedding brand

Tip: If you are looking for a custom website check out Minted. They offer a service whereby you work one-on-one with a dedicated Minted Designer, who will create a custom wedding website based on your color palette, artwork inspiration, and more.

8. Get Décor on Point

You’ve given everyone a taste of your wedding through the pre-day prep, so how do you create the same magic on your big day?

Modern wedding reception table numbers from etsy

The simplest way to embrace your brand during the wedding day is through decor colors and your accessories. If your brand is family-focused and rustic, showcase oranges, yellows and pinks in your table runners, bunting and big bouquets. We think Katie and Gabe did a fantastic job on their Midwest barn wedding.

After using Pinterest to collect all your visual inspiration, it’s time to hunt for the actual decor. Etsy is a great place to start for all your wedding decor needs.

9. Develop your Dress Code

Whether you’re planning a traditional white dress and smart suit or something a little different, there are plenty of ways to incorporate your branding into your wedding attire. Accessories are the natural choice – from the bouquet and buttonhole flowers to earrings and watch straps – assess every extra to see how well it fits in with the overall feeling of the day.

Bride and bridal party in blush theme

Your bridal party can also help create a big impact by embodying your brand. That’s not to say everyone has to be wearing the exact same dress, just make sure that colors are firmly agreed on and give your gals a style guide to help direct their choice of dress, from sleek sheaths to flouncy, fifties skirts.

Dessy has beautiful bridesmaids dresses in all different color schemes.

You can ask the rest of your guests to respect your dress codes too, if you include the information in the invite.  Just remember that not everyone will be able (or willing!) to follow complicated rules.

Wedding Branding on a Budget

Staying brand-happy doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. There are several ways you can give your wedding that cohesive feeling without having to spend, spend, spend. Check out our favorite ideas for branding affordably. 

Craft Your Own Centerpieces

DIY flower jar wedding centrepieces

They’ll be one of the biggest attention grabbers when everyone sits down to eat, so your centerpieces are a prime opportunity for cementing your aesthetic.

Get handy with a glue gun or simply source your own vases and accessories to cut costs while keeping your vision front and center.

Check out the following stores for all your craft supply needs:

Pick a Brand-Centric Menu

Carrot appetizers in terra cotta planters at wedding

The food is typically where much of your wedding budget goes so make it work twice as hard for you by choosing a menu that speaks to your brand.

Travel a lot? Consider theming each course to a different country. Got a family-focussed aesthetic? Serve your courses in tureens on the center of the table and let everyone help themselves. The possibilities are endless.

Give Your Cake a Makeover

Citrus themed wedding cake

With the simple addition of a ribbon or a dash of food dye, you can transform a traditional wedding cake into one that’s brand-happy.

This is the perfect place to double down on your style without having to splash out much extra cash.

More Wedding Branding Tips

If you have the funds to go all out on your wedding day, there are lots of ways to take your branding to the next level. Lean in to your chosen themes and branding ideas with these top-tier suggestions. 

Build a Designer Wedding Site

Rather than put together a quick site on an easy-to-use platform, ask the experts to build an all-singing, all-dancing site that ties your brand into every aspect of the design.

Create Luxe Invites

Add something extra special to your invites and give your guests a real taste of what’s to come. It could be anything from expensive papers and scents to unusual options like wooden, cut glass, or laser cut invites.

Splurge on Fantastic Flowers

Pink and white bridal bouquet

If there’s one place it’s especially impactful to go all out, it’s with your flowers.

From the colors to the displays and the blooms themselves, a carefully-coordinated flower display can give your wedding a personality like nothing else.

Style Your Guests

To really get the harmonious vibe you’re gunning for, you could gift all of your guests with accessories in your brand colors for the big day. Think ties, pashminas, socks and even clutches.

Hire the professionals

Forest-inspired wedding place setting and centrepiece

Of course, building a cohesive brand is even easier if you have experts to help. Let someone else guide you through the process for maximum branding and minimum stress.

As you can see, branding your wedding can be a fun and easy process that will add an extra level of ‘ooh la la’ to the big day. ! Just like so many other elements of wedding planning, choosing a brand is really about finding a wonderful way to celebrate your special day. As always, the most important thing is to enjoy yourself! Get inspired (and borrow some ideas if you like) by checking out our Real Weddings for beautifully branded and unique weddings.

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7 Cheap Wedding Dresses You’d Swear Cost Thousands!

A bride-to-be with a love of all things economical may want to avert their eyes! According to an online wedding statistical website, the average amount women spend on the wedding dress has increased over the past couple of years. In fact, it has become one of the largest expenses of the entire day.

And that is only the price of the dress. Then add on the cost of alterations, undergarments, accessories, cleaning and preservation for even more wedding budget woes.

If these prices have you more than a little hot under the collar, take a nice deep breath. I’m here to talk you through your options for an affordable wedding dress, and how you can get your hands on that dream dress while still paying the mortgage!

Where to Buy a Cheap Wedding Dress

Now, before you start thinking your only option is a consignment or thrift store to find an affordable gown, think again. Those luxurious bridal stores you’ve been browsing for months on end may just be the place you’ll find the perfect dress of your dreams. Let’s take a closer look.

1. Affordable Wedding Dresses Under $300

Head over to Cocomelody for helpful and friendly online support, in house designers, and a range of expertly crafted dresses you can easily shop by price range.

You’ll be amazed at their selection under $300.

Cocomelody website screenshot with cheap wedding dresses

2. Cheap Wedding Dresses Under $200

From flowing gowns to knee-length dresses to jumpsuits, David’s Bridal has it all for under $200. There’s no need to compromise on luxury materials (or your honeymoon budget) when there are quality gowns like these at such reasonable prices.

David's Bridal website screenshot with wedding dresses

3. Cheap Wedding Dresses Under $100

When you’re on a budget, there’s nothing quite like Azazie. They stock beautiful wedding dresses from as little as $36 as well as a fantastic range of shoes, accessories and options for your bridal party too! They also have a breathtaking range of gowns under $200 with many available in two or more colours.

Azazie website screenshot with wedding dresses

4. Cheap Short Wedding Dress

In my humble opinion, BHLDN is definitely the place to shop for a short wedding dress. Their specially selected, Little White Dresses section has a simply gorgeous array of styles from lace appliqué overlays to statement feathered skirts.

BHLDN website screenshot with short dresses

5. Cheap Maternity Wedding Dress

It’s true, Nordstrom may not have the largest selection of maternity wedding gowns from the bridal stores I’ve so far suggested. Their maternity gowns are so incredibly beautiful for brides shopping on a budget, I just couldn’t resist!

Nordstrom website screenshot with maternity dresses

6. Bespoke Wedding Dress

For a bespoke experience without the bespoke budget, look no further than Etsy. You’ve probably found a selection of fabulous wedding pieces already, and now its time to think dresss shopping with Etsy too!

Etsy website screenshot for wedding dresses

Renowned sellers like RenzRags and StylishBridesAccs can be found offering lace wedding dress options and more. Etsy is one of my top recommendations.

7. Cheap Dress for a Beach Wedding

For that floaty, boho beach vibe, I cannot recommend Asos wedding dresses highly enough. Their entire wedding line comes at a very reasonable price point ranging from around $150 to $600.

Asos screenshot for "wedding dress" category

Tips to Snag a Cheap Wedding Dress

When the time comes to purchase your dream wedding dress, handing over way more money than you can afford can seem like an inevitability. We think that finding the perfect wedding dress is totally possible.

Don’t believe me? Let me explain.

1. White Gowns Not Bridal Gowns

Just because something isn’t labelled as a “wedding dress”, it definitely doesn’t mean you should rule it out. The main goal for your wedding gown is to find something that makes you feel like the best version of yourself and if that dress comes from somewhere other than a wedding store, don’t let it stop you from falling in love with it and saying I do wearing it!

There are so many fantastic alternative white dress options out there from department stores and online sellers that you may not even need to step foot in a bridal boutique to find the one. 

2. Think Outside Of The Color Box

If you’ve always dreamed of a crisp white or ivory gown, this tip may not be for you. If however, you’re open to something new and like the idea of standing out for your big day then read on! 

Just like with our day to day clothing choices, some colours are not for everybody. With white/ivory gowns it could be that you feel they aren’t complementary to your skin tone, maybe it’s not the best fit with your wedding’s colour scheme or perhaps, you just don’t like it and that’s no problem! In this modern age, there are no rules when it comes to your wedding attire so if you’re pining for a bold shade of red, a fabulous regal blue or an autumnal forest green, go for it! 

bride in blush wedding gown
Photo from this real wedding

Can’t decide? Ask yourself, what’s your favourite colour and take a look inside your wardrobe at your go-to pieces. It’s a great place to start when considering a wedding gown in a shade other than white or ivory. 

3. Is Off The Rack Always Cheaper?

The term off the rack may sound un-inviting, but the concept itself can be a great one and will likely prove to be a bonus for your bank balance!

Off-the-rack gowns are usually a great deal cheaper than couture options. Although you do need to consider the alteration costs you’ll encounter. If you’re lucky enough to find a brial gown that needs minimal work, this is a winning option.

4. Consider Renting a Gown

I know renting a wedding dress doesn’t sound all that romantic. Yet for many brides the knowledge that they will never wear the dress again is enough to convince them NOT to splurge on a brand new dress. Looking back at yourself in the most glorious gown you can imagine and feeling particularly incredible on that one day may be more important to you than taking your dress home afterwards. It’s all about weighing up your must-haves but if a rental is something you’re considering scroll on and find out how to go about it!

One of my favourite recommendations has to be RentTheRunway.com. As well as their monthly memberships, they also offer a one-time rental service. Additionally, their rental period is offered between 4-8 days so you won’t need to worry about getting your dress immediately returned the day after the wedding. They will also send a backup size, and handle the return by sending a prepaid shipping label! Simply pop it back in the garment bag when you’re done. This is not only a stress saver meaning you can try on the dress more than 24 hours before the wedding day, but it’s also an earth-conscious way to shop for your gown which I absolutely recommend! 

I might also mention that this dream site offers amazing luxury styling packages with access to thousands of designer dresses and accessories, a dedicated concierge, personal styling consultations, at-home fittings and other exclusive perks!

How Much Does It Cost To Rent A Wedding Dress?

Like all things wedding related, it’s near on impossible to give an exact figure for wedding dress rentals. For example, a designer gown will cost more than a dress by a lesser known designer or boutique brand. That being said, brides looking to rent can expect to pay anything from $100 – $2000 on average (plus a possible damages fee in the case of a particularly spirited cheers or cake cutting!)

There really are options to suit all budgets. Decide on a comfortable cost for you before you start looking. It’s likely that by renting you’ll be surprised at just how fabulous of a gown you can afford to walk down the aisle in!

Pre-Owned Wedding Dresses

Another fantastic option is to opt for a pre-owned gown for your big day. In my honest opinion, this option as opposed to renting has many long term and on the day benefits.

1. You get to keep the dress

A rental means you’ll often have to ensure your gown is returned after one day. If you’re not ready to say goodbye to your gown after 24 hours (or you just want the option of pulling it out of the closet to re-live the memories over the years) renting may not be the best option for you. If however, you’re a minimalist and you just want that one special day in a gown you couldn’t otherwise stretch your budget to afford, renting is the answer!

2. Variety

Rental dresses are usually very limited in stock meaning it’s not always possible to find your exact size, this also leads into my next point…

3. Alterations

Your second-hand dress is a little loose? No problem! You rental dress is a little loose? Problem. If your rental isn’t a perfect fit, unfortunately, it has to stay that way as absolutely no alterations can be made to these beautiful borrowed gowns. 

4. It Benefits Two Brides

Many of these so-called ‘pre-owned’ gowns have in fact never graced an aisle but you shouldn’t be scared off at the prospect of an engagement gone awry or a dress that now carries a bad omen. It’s much more common that a bride has simply changed her mind or indeed her venue, meaning her dress is no longer fitting for the setting.

Try tradesy.com for example, the buying process couldn’t be simpler plus they have many pre-owned and brand new dresses still with the tags on! Not to mention, it’s a win-win for you both when the seller gains a little money back and you get your dream dress for a fraction of the retail cost!

Buy an Affordable Wedding Dress from China

If you’ve already been researching budget friendly options for your wedding gown, you’ve likely read or thought about buying a dress from China . After all, purchasing a gown that looks like a breathtaking designer wedding dress (without the pricetag), and having it conveniently shipped to your door seems like a dream, right?

Then the uncertainty begins.

Will it fit me? Will it be of terrible quality? Will it even look like the picture?! 

The answers to these questions are never guaranteed with any online purchase, however, I can certainly offer some insights into my personal experience ordering a dress through eBay that may just help you decide.

Measurements

When a seller advises not to take your own measurements and to have a friend or professional do it for you, it’s definitely advice worth listening to. Yes, you may get ‘sort of right’ ,but it’s surprising how much half an inch here or there can truly make or break the final fit and silhouette.

Whether long sleeve, short sleeve, or cap sleeve, leave it to the experts and ask for assistance!

Reviews

Reviews are always important, especially when ordering a wedding gown that you cannot try on or feel in person before purchasing. Skim reviews to read what other brides have said about a particular online store or buying experience. You’re guaranteed to find helpful hints and tips on specific sellers and most importantly, ones to avoid altogether!

What’s the Material?

Yes, it may look like 100% silk. If it’s priced at $99.99, it’s probably not.

Not every bride is looking for premium fabrics. Make sure the bridal dress you order is made from a fabric that you actually enjoy. One that is easy to wear throughout the entire day, and won’t crinkle just by looking at it. You’re much likely to have a successful order!

Finding the best wedding dress is totally possible on a budget. The real question is which option will you choose: a rental store, buy from a bridal boutique, or are you considering an overseas purchase?

Let us know in the comment section below. As always, we wish you a truly fabulous wedding!

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Pinterest pin - 7 Cheap Wedding Dresses

39 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas That Go Beyond the Ordinary (2025 Edition)

It creeps up almost unexpectedly every year. January feels like it’s all about post-holiday recovery and resolutions and then suddenly – bam!

It’s February and Valentine’s Day already?

Have no fear.

You’re thinking ahead and searching for that perfect Valentines day gift for him — one step ahead of most!

Having had brothers, uncles, and boyfriends in my life, I know the challenge of choosing a thoughtful gift for a guy. Practical is a fabulous route, but on Valentine’s Day, you want to put some extra thought into your gift to show how much you care. I love the combination of practical AND thoughtful.

  • Personalized gifts – A wonderful way to create a special moment and a one-of-a-kind item he will cherish. Just keep in mind that it can take some extra time for the shop to customize your item so leave plenty of time ahead!
  • Experiences – Whether it be tickets to a concert, movie, sports game, spa or a vacation, you will both fondly remember a special experience gift.
  • Romantic gifts – Gift him a coupon book of things you might like to do with him (wink wink). Or, blindfold him and take him on a little excursion to a surprise hotel for a night away from home.
  • Budget gifts – If you’re watching your wallet then try a night in with a homemade dinner, Netflix, and a modest-yet-tasteful gift.

Hopefully, by now I’ve got your wheels turning for a few ideas. This year, I happened to be prepared during the holiday gift rush and kept some romantic gift ideas fresh in mind. I want you to have your gift all wrapped up by February 14th. Without further delay, here are my favorite Valentine’s Day gift ideas for him in 2024.

Personalized Gifts

Box of Chocolates

You would be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t love a box of chocolates, especially when they deliver a funny message! If you’re looking for a gift that is guaranteed to make them smile, this box of chocs from Diamond Chocolates will do the trick.

If this funny message is not really appropriate, you can always get a simple box of their favorite chocolates. Indulging in some chocolate therapy is sure to give them a lot of joy. Go for high quality and something unique and unusual – there are plenty of organic and artesian options to choose from.

Get A Simple Box from Amazon

Get a funny one from WhatCandySays

Leather Bracelet

Take your guy’s style up a notch with this sweet-yet-masculine personalized leather bracelet. Choose his initials, the coordinates of a special place, or a special message of up to 20 characters. It would also be a nice accent to his Fitbit or Smartwatch!

Get it from Sienna Olivia Gifts

Personalized Wall Art

Heart Snapshot Mix Photo Art

Turn their favorite quote or statement that means something to both of you into wall art with an elegant foil-pressed print.

This beautiful piece of photo art is a wonderful way to display all your treasured photos. Send in 30 of your favorite pics to create the heart; they’ll mat and frame it for you, ready for her to unwrap.

Get your custom quote foil-pressed on rich navy paper, framed and ready for them to hang in a special place. Every time they looks at it, it’ll make them smile.

I’m a big fan of Minted; their products are always high-quality and their designs classy.  In fact, if you use the code LOVEANDLAVENDER on their site, you’ll receive 20% off your first purchase!

Get it from Minted

Personalized Leather Wallet

Personalized Leather Wallet

Every man loves getting a new wallet – it forms part of his identity. This one is made in Spain and can be customized with his name, initials, or a meaningful quote. Years later, when the wallet has become worn with time and meets its inevitable end, he will be sad to let it go.

Chin up though, a new leather wallet makes for a good anniversary gift (third anniversary, perhaps?)!

If you want to take it up a notch, get him a slim and stylish wallet that can also help protect his identity. This cleverly designed, super-slim, leather bifold wallet with RFID protection is the perfect gift. As a bonus, it can even be customized with laser engraving, initials, a sentence or a logo! The premium full grain leather construction ensures that this wallet will last for years to come.

Get if from Harber London

Custom Sky Map Print

Custom Sky Map Print

Was it fate, you and them happening to meet when you did?

Were the planets aligned to bring you two together? Show them how much this day meant to you with a personalized solar system map. Relying on NASA gathered data, a gorgeous illustration of the planets and their alignment on a date of your choosing can be printed on high-quality paper and framed to make a stellar gift.

This custom-made print can be a sweet tribute to the time and place you met each other, got married – or any other time and place that is significant!

Every time they look at this personalized sky map, they will be transported back to the first night you met. Or whichever significant moment you choose to capture in the stars. 

We love that this company uses professional astronomy software to ensure accuracy when it comes to your personalized star map. They also offer numerous size and framing options, so you can be sure to find one that fits your budget and her decor sense. 

Get it from Dots And Prints Designs

Romantic Gifts

Reasons I Love You with Hershey Kisses

Reasons I Love You with Hershey Kisses

Want to impress the heck out of him, without blowing the bank? Here’s an idea taken straight from my own book of love:

Take Hershey’s kiss chocolates, get little plain white stickers/paper and write reasons you love him on the stickers then attach them to the bottom of each candy. Put them in a jar with a note instructing him to open one a day for the next 50 days. 

I did this for Andrew when we first started dating. He then kept those stickers and turned them into a card which he gave me on our wedding day. Super romantic!

Get your Kisses from Amazon

Custom Playing Cards

52 Things i love about you

Another way to convey all things you love about them is with this deck of custom-made playing cards. Choose to write on the cards in your own handwriting or have them printed off. Either way, they are sure to be touched by the thought and time you put into this special gift.

Get it from ivision

Scratch Off To Find Out Card

Scratch Off Print Valentines Day Gift

You know that satisfying feeling of scratching off a lotto ticket? This gift brings a romantic twist to the classic scratch-off game. 

Customize this print by writing your own 14 “things” and then apply the scratch stickers. They will sure to appreciate the thought you put in and will have it to keep as a reminder of how much they are loved.

Get it fromPaprika Paperie

Pokemon Love Ball For the Pokemon Lover

For the Pokemon Lover

A fun and affordable gift idea designed specifically for Pokemon lovers.

Choose from an array of super cute messages to add to the bottle and let your love one know they caught your heart. D’awwww.

Get it from LevelUpBottles

Experience Gifts

Experience Gift Certificate – Flying

Experience Gift Certificate - Flying

If they keep telling you they do not want anything, they just wants to spend time with you, take the cue.

Gift a unique experience that the two of you can enjoy together. 

Sometimes the best gifts are the intangible ones – the gift of time or the gift of doing something together that you wouldn’t normally try.

If that sounds like the kind of gift they would appreciate, consider booking a Virgin Experience or AirBnB Experience in your own city or nearby. You don’t have to go far to have an adventure. From a yoga sessions with goats, to surf lessons, a farm-to-table dining experience, designing a custom fragrance – the options abound!

If you’d like something more exotic, then Virgin Experience has plenty of choices!

Some guys have their head in the clouds and their heart set on reaching for the stars! Flying lessons won’t be cheap, but may be the right idea for any aviator enthusiasts out there. Get a Flying Experience Gift Box and they will choose a flying experience of their choice – balloon and helicopter rides, skydivers. 

Get it from Virgin Experiences

Masterclass Online Classes

Masterclass Online Classes

If they love learning, they are going to be over the moon when you gift them a subscription to Masterclass.  

Do they have a hobby they have been meaning to take up? If you’ve never checked out MasterClass, you should! 

In a nutshell, Masterclass offers a huge number of courses on topics ranging from cooking to writing, business, arts, science, gaming, sports, and so much more. The courses are incredibly well designed, with video instruction, accompanying lesson plans (with supporting PDF documents), and a community of fellow students to connect with.

With classes taught by THE masters of comedy, writing, music, economics, filmmaking, cooking, and so much more, your loved one is bound to find a class (or many!) that’ll help them level up their hobby or skills.

But here’s the real kicker – the class instructors are some of the world’s leading authorities (and celebrities) on their subjects. We’re talking about Gordon Ramsay, Aaron Sorkin, Steve Martin, Malcolm Gladwell, Serena Williams, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Tony Hawk (yes, the skateboard god), David Sedaris, Shonda Rhymes, Jane Goodall, Usher, and many, many more giants of the world.  

Why I like it:

  • Learn almost anything
  • Great option for minimalists
  • An experiential gift

Get it from Master Class

Homemade Beer, Gin, or Sparkling Wine DIY Kit

Homemade Beer, Gin, or Sparkling Wine DIY Kit

Does your guy love his craft brews? Gift him the opportunity to become a master of his own (beer) domain. This beer kit is perfect for beginners – it comes with everything your man needs to get started and you can even choose from a variety of beer flavors. 

If he’s more of a gin and tonic guy, this Alcohol Infusion Kit for Infusing Whiskey, Gin, Vodka, Tequila, Rum will bring a smile to his face.

By the way, it turns out that making gin isn’t all that hard. All you do is start with a vodka base and add aromatics, including juniper berries, of course.

The kit includes everything he’ll need to make a batch of gin, except for the vodka base. You might want to stop at the booze store and pick up his favorite bottle of vodka.

Finally, if your man is into champagne (that’s a song reference, BTW, hope you got it), he’ll be ‘popping’ with excitement when you gift him a wine making kit. This kit comes with practically everything needed to make a few bottles of bubbly. In order words, this kit has the makings of a few romantic date nights in the months to come! 

Fun and Sexy Gifts

Funny Boxer Briefs

Personalized Boxers

This gift is so silly that it is sure to make him laugh when he opens it. What man doesn’t want your beautiful face plastered all over his underwear?

Comfy boxers are always a great idea but you know what’s even better? Personalized ones. Let him know he’s yours with these fun boxer shorts.

These personalized boxers will feature your face along with hearts all over them, so he’s sure to remember who he loves the most. The boxers themselves are super soft and breathable, which is sure to keep him comfy all day long. Your face on them is just a bonus!

Get it From Yes Custom Store

Sex Coupons

Sex Coupons for Him

This gift takes the cake for the most “fun”, as well as the most “affordable” gift idea on this list. Sex coupons are a great way to put a little excitement and naughtiness into your love life. These wild little coupons are certain to have your minds racing and your faces smirking at all the suggestions.

Get it from The Jam Packed Co

Date Night Box

Date Night Box

Been together for a while and out of creative date night ideas? Can’t hit the town for date night due to a pandemic?

After a little while together, coming up with creative date night ideas can get challenging. And isn’t it oh-so-tempting to just proclaim ‘Netflix and Chill’ to be your go-to date night?

Well, the folks at Crated with Love have an even better solution to the ‘date night conundrum’ – their Date Night Box! 

Crated With Love company is owned and operated by a married couple that wanted to get couples talking and interacting in an easy and fun way.  Their Date Night Box does just that, offering up themed date night adventures that you can do at home with no pre-planning required. 

Their boxes offer up themed date night adventures that you can do at home with no pre-planning required. Zombie Apocalypse, Escape from the Howling Hotel, Retro Game Show, Disrupting Unicorns….. these are just a few of the amazing themes the folks at Crated with Love have conjured up for your date night fun!

I highly recommend signing up for the monthly box subscription (ummm, hello, neither of you will ever have to worry about planning date night again!), but you can also test the waters by gifting him a one-off box. Importantly, you can cancel at any time if you sign up for the monthly subscription.

By Crated with Love

Sex Token

Sex Token

The possibilities are endless with this magic metal sex token. Pop this little token inside a card and let them know they are in for an exciting time on the day or night of their choice. It will be equally exciting for you when he spontaneously decides to cash in!

Get it from Amazon

Funny Beer Stickers

Naughty Beer Stickers

He’ll get a chuckle the next time he goes to grab a cold one from the fridge, and sees these funny stickers!

Get it from Amazon

A Year of Dates

A Year of Dates

Here’s another great gift idea if you and your beau love date nights, but have hit a rut when it comes to fresh new ideas.

With this box of dates, he’ll never have to worry about coming up with your Friday night date plans again! Or, well, at least for the next year. The box contains 52 sealed envelopes, each containing a new date idea (there’s one card left blank intentionally, as a surprise week off!).  

You can choose between the Surprise Box or Categorized edition, which has color-coded envelopes for ‘going-out’ and ‘staying-in’ ideas.

Get it from A Year of Dates

Practical Gifts

Leather Dopp Kit

Leather Dopp Kit

Here’s a gift for the man who takes his facial grooming AND the environment seriously.

Either of these premium-grade leather travel kits are super stylish and can be personalized with his initials.  Plus, now you have an excuse to go on some fabulous vacations together (see #43 for inspo).

Get it from Leatherology

Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Bluetooth Speaker

It may be small, but this little piece of tech from Bose has loads of great features. 

Do they like to listen to music wherever they go or likes going handsfree when they are on phone calls? This bluetooth speaker will become their new favorite toy. It also connects with Siri/Google, has voice prompts, and is water-proof. 

Bluetooth speakers are a pretty safe bet and always a useful gift to receive. Let him know that you can’t wait to bring it along and jam to tunes together on picnic dates and beach days. This portable one has a solid reputation for good acoustics and it’s super light! Comes in five fabulous colors so you can find one that matches their style.

Get it from Amazon

Stainless Coffee Mug

Stainless Coffee Mug

Since we’re on the topic of drinking vessels, here’s one he’ll love if coffee is the only thing (other than you) that makes him smile in the morning.

The YETI brand seems to have quickly become the gold standard for on-the-go drinking vessels, thanks to its sleek and smart design. It’ll keep his coffee hot for hours, or if he fancies taking this mug on a camping trip and filling it with beer, it’ll keep the good stuff cold for hours. And it comes in a wide array of colors – pick one that matches your man’s personal style.

Get it from Amazon

Custom Watch Box

This custom watch box is suited to the timelessly stylish man who keeps an array of watches on his dresser.  

He’ll love receiving a gift that’s equal parts luxurious and practical. Made of leather, it’s not just a box for storing his favorite timekeeping accessories, it’s a statement piece. Make it even more personal by getting this engraved.

Get it from Michaels Stores

Get it from Pottery Barn

Chocolate Covered Donuts

Chocolate Covered Mini Donuts

I donut know what I would do without you! 

Sorry, couldn’t help it, I love a pun almost as much as I love donuts.  If your loved one is a fiend for sweet treats, deliver them a dozen mini donuts for The Day and watch their eyes light up!

Just be warned – these lil’ rings of deliciousness are definitely in a whole different league than your coffee shop donuts. Can they go back to the dunkin’ kind of donuts after The Day? You may be on the hook for delivering up gourmet donuts from here on out.

Get them from Chocolate Covered Company

Manly Candle

Manly Candle

Candles have a certain reputation for being on the, erm, feminine side, but it’s the twenty-first century. It’s time we let men in the magic of lighting a scented candle!

Transport your man back to his roots, no matter where he is, with Homesick Candles. Each hand-poured, soy wax candle encapsulates the distinct essence of his home state.

Get it from Uncommon Goods

Luxury Slippers

Slippers

Can you ever go wrong with an UGG gift? The answer is, unequivocally, ‘no’.   UGGs are the epitome of comfort when it comes to footwear, and these stylin’ slippers are bound to keep his feet warm and cozy. 

Worried he might never want to leave the house again lest he have to take off his slippers? Scratch that, because these slippers are designed for indoor AND outdoor wear. Just make sure he doesn’t start wearing them to business meetings! 

Choose from five gorgeous color options and give him the most comfortable gift ever!

Get them at UGG

AeroPress Coffee Maker

AeroPress Coffee Maker

And while I’ve got coffee on the brain, I might as well include one of my favorite items that I gift regularly. The Aeropress is one of those products that, once you discover it, you wonder how you ever lived without it. 

While it’s the perfect travel accessory, I use mine on a daily basis. Not only does it brew the perfect Americano, but you can also clean it with a 10-second rinse. And as a tip, buy the reusable metal filter and skip paper ones completely. This little device has been through many years and countries with me and it’s great for camping or road trips.

Trust me, he’ll love this one almost as much as he loves you.

Get it from Amazon

Duffel Bag

Luxe Leather Duffle Bag

Whether he travels a lot for work, heads to the gym most days, or likes to take weekend road trips (with you, of course), he’ll adore this leather bag.

Personalize it with his initials and if you have the budget to go all out, include an itinerary for a weekend away in the bag (planned and paid for by you, of course!).

Get it from Leatherology

Weekender Duffel 30L

Another one I really like is from Kodiak Leather.

Handmade with top-grain buffalo leather, the timeless appeal of a duffel bag will bring a smile to his face. Every guy should have a nice leather duffel bag, and this one has the bravado to match many looks. This bag is durable and stylish.

Get it from Kodiak Leather Co

Cozy Cabin Personalized Blanket

Cozy Cabin Personalized Blanket

Admittedly this is a slightly self-serving gift as you’ll also get lots of snuggles under this cabin blanket. Made from the coziest fabric and personalized with their name, this is a great gift for someone who has everything.

Get it from Kaya Gifts Boutique

Moscow Mule Copper Mugs

Moscow Mule Copper Mugs

It’s going to be a classy Day with these Moscow Mule mugs. Are they from Moscow? Why are they made from copper? Most importantly, why are they magnificent? The description answers all of these questions and more. Essentially you’re gifting a beautiful, solid, practical set of mugs plus some special extras.

The copper cup helps to keep your drink just the right temperature, which is a key aspect of a Moscow Mule. Not sold yet? You’ve got a year to make sure they love them or you can have your money back.

Throw in a nice quality vodka, ginger beer, and lime for a great drink.

Get it from Amazon

Smart Mug

Smart Mug

Now here’s gift idea for the man likes to be on top of the latest tech and enjoys a hot cup of joe (or tea!). The Ember smart mug lets you control the exact temperature of your beverage. It’s app-controlled, battery-powered (comes with charging coaster) and, well, super cool!

Get it from Amazon

Grooming Gifts

Handmade Irish Bog Oak Razor

Handmade Irish Bog Oak Razor

Staying on the grooming train with our gift suggestions, this handmade razor is a wonderful way to show your love AND help to save the planet. 

You can order extra double-edged blades and he will never have to buy a plastic shaver or replacement heads again. Made from Irish Bog oak, this aesthetically-pleasing razor is sure to give a smooth shave.

Get it from Bog and Brass

Perfume / Cologne

Cologne bottles

Cologne is a classic gift for men and for good reason. After all, what’s more scintillating and sexy than a man that smells as good as he looks?!

The trick when it comes to gifting cologne is simple, but not always easy: find a scent you both love. Sure, it’s a gift for him, so he has to love how it smells, but let’s be honest, you want it to turn you on too. 

My husband has a rather vast collection of colognes – some are spicy, some are woodsy, some have a fresher, subtler scent. Clearly, he likes variety. Some men, however, gravitate towards one type of scent – you can get a clue from checking out his deodorant, aftershave, and cologne preferences. Even if he’s only into one scent profile, I reckon you can find a cologne that you both love.  

If it were up to me, I’d choose Acqua Di Gio by Georgio Armani every single time. I just can’t get enough of that scent! 

Luxury Beard Oil

And now something for the man who loves his facial locks almost as much as he loves you. Let him know how much you appreciate his glorious beard by gifting him this luxurious beard oil.

With five 30ml bottles, each crafted from natural ingredients, this cult favorite beard oil will help him keep his beard nourished and conditioned every day. The variety of scents makes it easy to match his style or mood: Sandalwood for a warm, soothing vibe, Vanilla for a touch of luxury, Cedarwood for earthy freshness, Pine for crisp invigoration, and Unscented for those with sensitive skin or a minimalist preference.

You can look forward to less whisker burn and he may just garner the title of ‘best-kept beard’ amongst his pals.

Get it from Lovery

Thoughtful Gifts

Handmade Leather Boxing Gloves

Handmade Leather Boxing Gloves

If you’ve got a sports fan on your hands, here’s something a bit different. These gloves are not only handcrafted with love, but they also give off a classic vintage look reminiscent of the days of Rocky Balboa.

Not a boxer? No problem.

This top-rated shop also offers handcrafted footballs, basketballs, baseballs, and netballs. As a bonus, offer to watch a sports game or movie with him. With this combo, it’s a total score (pun intended).

Get it from Vintage Sports uk

Custom Marvel-Themed Shadow Box

Custom Marvel-Themed Shadow Box

Is your man a Marvel fan? Choose this geeky-yet-chic custom-made shadow box to show him that he’s your superhero. Add your name, the date you met, and a personalized quote for a gift that will have him feeling like a true Avenger.

Get it from Shadow Prism

Monogrammed Hydroflask Water Bottle

Monogrammed Hydroflask Water Bottle

Sometimes practical gifts end up as favorites. With the current state of the planet, everyone is trying to do their part. That includes reducing the number of single-use plastics and paper cups. A reusable stainless water bottle is essential. Not only can they reduce their carbon footprint, but you may also save them some money if they takes their stylish bottle to go.

Hydroflask bottles are all the rage these days. Crafted with the rugged durability Hydro Flask is known for, this bottle keeps his drinks icy cold or steaming hot, no matter where their adventures take them.

Get it from Thin Red Line Goods

Deluxe Gift Basket

This gourmet gift basket from Harry & David puts an elevated twist on the classic gift box ‘o chocolates gift.

Packed in a charming fir wood crate, this gourmet collection turns “thinking of you” into something they can taste and share.

The mix hits all the right notes – from the sweet crunch of handcrafted Moose Munch® popcorn to savory Italian dry salami and sharp white cheddar. The chocolate decadence cake and baklava add an extra touch of indulgence. Perfect for brightening someone’s day or simply staying connected, every bite says “you’re special to me.” The rustic crate becomes a lasting keepsake, long after the last morsel is enjoyed.

Get it from Harry & David

Love is in the Air, Celebrate it With Your Beau! 

Now that the new year has arrived, Valentine’s Day is coming up fast. Let us know how you’ll be spending the day with the love of your life. Practical, experience, romantic, splurge – whatever gift you choose, have a warm and wonderful V-Day!!

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45 Thoughtful Unique Valentines Gift Ideas for Boyfriend

11 Honey Wedding Favors to Sweeten the Day

Deciding on a wedding favor that guests will appreciate can be a challenge. After all, everyone has different tastes. That’s where a sweet treat can come the rescue, and there’s nothing sweeter than honey!

Honey in jars with wooden honey comb

Throughout history, honey has played an important role in many cultures. For example, the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans all offered it as a gift to their gods. Honey has also been used as a medicinal ingredient, an ingredient in embalming fluid (hello, Egyptians!), and various other applications.

Of course, honey’s biggest claim to fame has always been as a sweetener – perfect alone or as an ingredient in both savoury and sweet dishes.

If you have a sweet tooth or a fondness for honeybees, a honey wedding favor may just ‘Bee’ the perfect fit for your big day!

Honey Wedding Favors

Still trying to make up your mind on whether to go with honey wedding favors? Below I’ve outlined a few great reasons to make the sweet treat your choice for wedding favors.

Why Give Honey Wedding Favors?

  • It’s a symbol of sweetness and prosperity – two things that we’d all wish for our wedding guests to have in their lives
  • Honey never expires – Did you know that honey is the only food that never goes bad?! Well, if you’re like me, a jar probably never lasts very long in your cupboard. Still, I think it’s a pretty neat feature and it means you can purchase your favors far in advance, without any worries the honey will go bad.
  • Most people love honey – According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, on average, each American consumes 1.5 pounds of honey per year, either directly or as part of another food. That’s a lot!
  • A versatile ingredient – Honey is very verstaile and can be used in entrees such as honey spareribs, savory snacks (e.g., honey roasted peanuts), as well as a huge array of sweets and desserts. If you love cooking with honey, why not include your favorite recipe alongside your honey wedding favor for an added touch?

1. Honey Jars with ‘Meant to Bee’ Stickers

by Crickets are Chirpin

honey in mason jar with custom label

Pretty and practical, your guests will fondly remember your wedding every time they reach for their ‘bee-loved’ honey jar!

What do I especially love about this particular jar? It’s a whopping 4.5 ounces, whereas most honey jar favors are one to two ounces in size. Plus, it contains 100% organic US honey, making it an excellent option for those embracing an eco-conscious lifestyle.

Note: We think these small jars would also make for an easy DIY project. Simply gather up your set of mason jars, add a personalized tag, and fill with your favorite honey. Wrap some twine around (similar to shown) for a little extra rustic touch. We love the taste of wildflower honey, but we bet you can find some local honey in bulk to fill your honey jar favor set.

2. Custom Honey Stick Favors

by Plain Jane 2424

honey sticks with wedding favor tags

Send guests home with a novel and convenient way to enjoy their next honey fix. Lightweight and small, these honey sticks are a tasty treat to take on a hike or for a cup of tea on the road. Best of all, you can customize each pair of honey sticks with a thoughtful (or punny!) message and your wedding details.

3. Personalized Honey Soaps

by B Buttons Co

cubes of honey soap with personalized labels

Soap never goes out of style, especially when it comes in sweet, unique scents. Choose from four honey-inspired options with quirky names, including Goldilocks (contains gold glitter) and Bee’s Knees!

There’s even a Honey Lager soap, perfect for the beer-loving couple. Customize the cute label with your initials and say thanks to your guests with these sweet-yet-affordable soap favors.

4. Wildflower Seed Packets for the Bees

by Etsy: BentleySeedCo

Hummingbird Flower Mix

Did you know that bee populations are dwindling across the US and throughout the world? Bees are super important to our ecosystem and without them working their magic (i.e. pollinating), our whole food system will be in trouble.

Why not use your wedding favors as an opportunity to help save the bees and get your guests involved in a good cause? Encourage them to plant these pollinator-friendly wildflower seeds (18 species are included in each packet) in their backyards. They’ll be rewarded with good feels AND a bunch of gorgeous, colorful wildflowers.

5. Rose & Honey Lollipops

by Leccare Lollipops

Rose and honey lollipops

Marry two of nature’s most beautiful flavors – honey and rose – and you’ve got perfection. And in this case, perfection comes on a stick. These glammed-up rose and honey lollipops are as gorgeous as they are tasty. They’d work equally well with an elegant, rustic, or whimsical theme and will be a hit with your guests, no matter their age.

Looking for a different color or not keen on the rose flavor? No worries, this shop offers plenty of flavors and coordinating colors to choose from, although not all incorporate honey.

6. Honeypot Favors

by Beau Coup

white porcelain honey pot and dipper

Get your guests buzzing by gifting them with a whimsical-yet-practical honey pot wedding favor. This white ceramic pot celebrates the ‘bee-auty’ of honeybees, with its beehive-inspired shape and delicately-painted pollinators. To top it off (literally!), each pot comes with a cute heart-shaped honey comb dipper.

7. Mini Honey Jar Favors from England

By Tiptree

Pure Honey Minis, 1 Ounce (Pack Of 72)

Impress your guests with a tasty treat from Essex, England courtesy of Tiptree, a family-owned farm established in 1885! These small-but-mighty jars of honey will pack an extra punch of sweetness into your wedding day celebrations and make your guests feel like British royalty. Ok, maybe that’s a stretch, but they’ll love the thoughtful gift!

8. Rustic Honey Jar Favors

by CountryJamandJelly

rustic honey wedding favors

These burlap and lace wrapped honey jars will add an extra special touch to your rustic wedding theme. Adorned with a cute wooden honeycomb and personalized label, this wedding favor is sure to find pride of place in your guests’ kitchen.

9. Custom Beeswax Lip Balms

by Friendly Body Products

personalized honey lip balm sticks

Pucker up! I love any wedding favor that encourages guests to prep their lips for a kiss and these lipbalms definitely fit the bill. Made with beeswax, these little tubes of lip lustre come in 10+ flavors, including Lavender Vanilla, Coffee, Coconut Grapefruit and, fittingly, Tupelo Honey. You’ll also get to customize your label colors and add a personal message of thanks.

All that’s left to do is create opportunities for your guests to share a kiss with their loved one on your big day. Might I suggest a few slow songs weaved into your dance mix and a kissing game that encourages audience participation!

10. Lavender and Honey Marshmallows

by Sweet Niks

lavender and honey artisan marshmallows

Not your average white, store-bought variety, this artisan version of the classic marshmallow is in a league of its own. Infused with lavendar and honey flavors, these pretty wedding favors would pair perfectly with an elegant wedding theme in shades of lavender. Packaged in cellophane and tied with a ribbon, these elevated marshmallows make a sweet favor on their own or paired with a pouch of hot chocolate.

11. Donate to Save the Bees

As I mentioned earlier in this post, the planet’s bees are in trouble. Bee populations are plummeting and some species of bees have become extinct or endangered in the US, United Kingdom, Canada and other countries. Not all is lost, however, and there have been some signs that honeybees are making a comeback. There’s also plenty we can do to help save the bees.

honeybee pollinating a flower

In addition to the many individual actions we can take, we can also support organizations committed to protecting bees. In lieu of gifting your guests a wedding favor, consider making a donation to a local environmental organization in your area that’s ‘bee-focused’ or to a larger organization that is working on this cause, such as

Let your guests know about your donation with a small thank you card at their table setting or with a big, bee-inspired sign placed in a prominent location at your wedding. Perhaps beside some honey-inspired treats at the dessert table!

With your honey wedding favors taken care of, why not take a break and treat yourself to a cup of tea with honey, or a slice of buttered toast drizzled with honey. While you’re at it, have a little snuggle with the honey you’ll soon be marrying!

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pinterest pin - honey wedding favors