Sweet Somethings
By Angelica Pappas
Share
More Photos 
You'd like to present your guests with a token of appreciation for being there on your big day, but rule No. 1 in the act of giving is that it should be fun, not stressful.
Instead of giving your wedding guests some kind of theme-driven tchotchke - think porcelain figurines or animal-shaped candles - consider something more. But you don't need to blow the bank - or your sanity - on extremely compli¬cated favors.
Guests will be delighted to take home something simple and personal - and if it's edible, so much the better.
Here are some ideas for putting a twist on ho-hum favors:
Traditional gift:
Tulle bags of dragees, better-known as candied Jordan almonds. You can't go wrong with tasty treats as favors, but candied almonds are a tired choice, not to mention tough on the teeth.
Alternatives:
Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates in Sac¬ramento offers two- or three-piece custom boxes of designer chocolates, packaged to complement wedding colors beauti¬fully. Prices start at about $5. Go to www.couturechocolates.com.
Ginger Elizabeth ChocolatesCapital Cupcakes of Sacramento can bake up organic custom mini-cakes to match your wedding, and dozens of flavor choices are available. Owner Shellie Nast recommends providing little containers, which also can be personalized, so guests can easily take home their special treats. Prices range from $1.50 to $2 each. Go to www.capitalcupcakes.com.
Seattle's Jones Soda Co.'s Web site will let you upload any photo to create custom labels for a rotating selection of possible flavors of the company's yummy, bubbly sodas. The cost is $29.99 plus shipping for a case of twelve bottles; discounts are offered for orders of more than ten cases. Go to www.myjones.com.
Traditional gift:
Smelly sachets, bags of potpourri or scented votive candles
Alternatives:
Any miniature potted plant is perfect for someone's home, no matter how green their thumb. Tiny succulents or herbs have the best chance of surviving the wedding, and they're an eco-friendly choice. Favor Creative offers already-packaged herbs in personalized boxes for $2.99 plus shipping. Go to www.favorcreative.com.
Locally made beeswax candles with personalized box of matches are a gift with a difference. And if you're feeling really crafty, Sacramento Beekeeping Supplies in Sacramento sells everything you need to make your own candles. Foryourparty.com is just one of dozens of Web sites that will print custom matchboxes, and it has plenty of style choices. Go to www.sacramentobeekeeping.com and www.foryourparty.com.
Other fun ideas:
Lucky break: Fill goodie bags with candy and Scratcher lottery tickets. Attach a note wishing guests as much luck as you've had. Cost: $1 to $5. Go to www.calottery.com.
Breakfast of champions: Send guests home with a fresh scone or a doughnut to enjoy the morning after the big event. If it's an all-night blowout, serve the munchies at midnight.
Greatest hits: Make a CD mix of your favorite songs. Include your parents' songs and the tune you danced your first dance to. Sure, it's been done before, but it's still a personal and inexpensive touch. Verbatim makes eighty-minute CD-Rs that look like vinyl 45s, for a bit of retro flair. Go to www.verbatim.com.
No place like home: Locally grown produce can provide an ideal token for guests to take home, especially out-of-towners who can't enjoy Sacramento's bounty year-round. Bowls of beautiful, fresh fruit or nuts can even serve as center¬pieces at the reception.
Sweet charity: Use your favor budget to make a charitable donation to your favorite cause. Place notecards at each table letting guests know where you donated in their honor.
Give thanks
Your bridesmaids and groomsmen may have spent months helping you plan every detail for the big day, so it's appropriate you thank them with something splendid.
But your wedding party mem¬bers may have seen their fair share of weddings already, so they probably have enough monogrammed flasks and business-card holders. Ideally, you should find something different and special for each person.
If you don't have the time or resources, however, look for something with more universal appeal. Here are a few possibilities:
. a tote bag (monogrammed if you wish) containing Sacramen¬to-themed goodies, such as a downtown street map, a bottle of local wine or olive oil, gift cer¬tificates to local landmarks Vic's Ice Cream or the Crest movie theater, a "Governator" T-shirt, a bag of Blue Diamond almonds and goodies from a local bakery
. a wedding-day kit, with safety pins, bottled water, gum, snacks and, perhaps, mini-bottles of booze
. a voucher for a day of golf, golf balls and tees
. a voucher for a yoga lesson and a new yoga mat
. a collection of your and your fiancé's favorite things, including a hand cream or other toiletry, per¬fume, candy, family recipes and CDs
Something to consider: An informal poll of former bridesmaids revealed that the best gift of all was not having to pay for their bridesmaid's dresses.