socks, I don't think it's a "tradition" at all. I don't see favors at most weddings I attend. Personally, I am not fond of favors at weddings. They seem more appropriate for children's birthday parties -- certainly a "goodie bag" full of trinkets would seem that way to me. Sometimes I see a table near the exit with candies or cookies for the ride home, sometimes with a tag that says something like "We're so glad you could celebrate with us." I think if I felt I must give something as a favor, I would do that. jmca, I'm glad you are excited! That is the way it should be. But I think your instinct is correct: more is NOT always better. I'd skip party favors entirely or else keep it very small and simple, not cutesy.

When our friends were married a few years ago they had a country themed wedding. It was a casual affair. They got married in a field at a bird sanctuary. The reception was held in a large barn. For favors they had on the tables 3" high terra cotta flower pots. They had decorated the outside of the pots with their names, the date of the wedding, a simple design of a vine and flower.I believe they used a paint pen. Inside the pot they put a small envelope filled with flower seeds. The poem on the outside of the envelope read; Silly ideas make happy the bride & groom so plant these seeds and think of them when the wild flowers bloom. I doubt that people will wonder what the significance of the flowers mean. I know my husband and the guests at our table didn't. It was just a cute favor that went along with the country theme. NancyLouise

One of my daughter's friends had done exactly something similar to what you are planning. Her wedding ceremony was on a dinner boat cruise on a river and included only the wedding party and immediate family (and spouses/significant others of the bridal party) during late morning through mid afternoon. Maybe 40 people max total. She wore a formal wedding gown and veil, but she and her sister (bridesmaid) wore jeweled flip flops for shoes! The groom and father of the bride were also attired in formal tuxedoes. But after that, everyone cut loose! Her reception was an outdoor, beach themed reception which included inviting a lot of other friends and extened family. I think there were about 100 people at that reception. Everyone changed into casual clothes - shorts, Hawaiian shirts, etc. and they had leis as favors. They had a casual BBQ dinner. I personally was invited to both events, and I recall that her inviation was in two parts. The main invitation stated something to the effect that "You are cordially invited to a reception following a private ceremony of the marriage between....blah, blah. Then, for the people who were invited to the private ceremony, there was a separate small card enclosed with the details of the ceremony on the boat. It was a a unique and fun wedding and reception!

You could put netting around the pot & tie it at the top with satin ribbon & make a little tag on the computer with their names & the date & maybe even a little poem. Put a hole in the tag & run the ribbon thru it. I have seen this done with seed packets inside the pot. Do the ribbons & netting in a coordinating color to the bridesmaids dresses. Did you do a search on the web for wedding favors for some ideas? Good Luck (you may want to post this on the bulb forum, they could recommend something to be planted at the time of the wedding)