[mymelody]

I'm planning on having an outdoor wedding. We're trying to keep it *very* low budget. I was thinking of buying six-packs of flowers and growing some from seeds, then putting them in little containers. I'd use them to decorate at the wedding and then give them to people as favors. Also in case of rain I was going to get an umbrella for everyone (thinking navy blue decorated with pink ribbons so it's festive but could be used again).

Do these sound like OK favor ideas? And what is the appropriate way to give the favors?

[flowersue]

[cool]No...I think those are darling favor ideas...With that kind of creativity on tap this should be a delightful day. Maybe you could even wrap the pots in a pretty little blue and pink stripe fabric to repeat your theme......Hang the umbrellas on the chairs and plants at the tables....'going to a garden party..." enjoy

[Wedding Queen and MOG]

Good ideas...I always love favors that are useable.

Set the pots out at each place setting and you have table decoratioins and favors all in one!

[mymelody]

Well I'm glad you liked the ideas! But I'm still not sure how to implement them hehe. The thing is, we're going to have the ceremony in the woods/clearing somewhere near the beach and then the reception back at a beach house. So the favors would really be given more during the ceremony than the reception.

Besides that, to save money and transportation hassle, and minimize the negative impact on the environment....I was considering doing something like mostly picnic blankets or pink vinyl shower curtians as seating, and then just bringing some foldable chairs for the older guests. We're going to keep it pretty small - around 40 people max I think. So this would mean no chairs and probably no tables there. You think it would be ok to do it this way, as long as we let people know it's casual?

The one thing I was considering is getting one of those outdoor pavilion/tent type things. I thought then maybe we could have a cake reception there under the tent in case not everyone wanted to go back to the beach house. And it would provide a place for people to congregate before the ceremony and a rain shelter if my friend plays cello for us.

Do you have any ideas if I do it this way how to distribute the favors? It's been so long since I've been to a wedding I really don't know how that's supposed to work...plus of course I never seem to do anything the easy way lol.

[Wedding Queen and MOG]

I'm glad you mentioned chairs for the older folks and the tent in case of inclement weather...good thinking!

The favors are not usually given at the ceremony. They are usually at the reception for your guests to take with them when they are leaving. Typically, there would be tables, but if you aren't using tables for the food you could still set the pots out on the blankets, maybe have bamboo placemats to stabilize them a bit?

I understand where you're going with your theme but do keep your guests comfort in mind while planning; every good host and successful party has the guests comfort at the top of the list.

Your way may not be the easy way but it is your way!