Category

Party Favors

Category

I had NO idea what to give everyone as favors for a first birthday party. We were going to have little kids there as well as adults. I didn’t want to give the adults things that they were just going to throw away. But, I didn’t want to give the kids things with tons of sugar or that they wouldn’t care about. So, I opted to make two different favors and package them the same way.

Yesterday was my 6th anniversary with my hubby. 
I posted our wedding images a couple days ago.

Today I want to share with you my favorite part of the wedding details— The Program. 
I was a Journalism major in college and really wanted to incorporate that love with my wedding. I didn’t think I’d be able to afford it, but a friend gifted me the money for the programs as a wedding gift. It was an expensive wedding detail…. but, it was SO worth it.
Two weeks before the wedding my husband (to be) and I gathered photos, discussed story options, created content, and put together an entire 6-page newspaper about us and our wedding. It was so fun seeing guests pulling out the newspapers and reading them during the event. Some of my favorite photos were of guests looking through the newspapers. One guest who arrived late was confused by the whole thing and said, “I can’t believe someone was reading a newspaper during your ceremony!”

Made me smile.

After 6-years in storage these guys look a little faded and wrinkled… but, are still in pretty great shape.
How we did it: 
—We used QuarkXpress to create the page layout for the newspaper. But, you could also use Adobe InDesign to set this up for a newspaper printer. You can create something similar in a word processor and get it printed in large format at local printer rather than a newspaper printer.
—We used a local newspaper printer to print the papers. The thing about newspaper printers is that you have to print in reams… this particular printer could only print in reams of 1,000 papers. Our guest list was 150. We still have hundreds of papers leftover. This isn’t a project for someone who doesn’t love newspapers. 
—Standard dimensions of a newspaper broadsheet is about 15 inches wide by 22¾ inches long, though some have shrunk it to 12 inches instead of 15. Tabloids come in smaller sizes. I found an online printing source for tabloid newspaper prints. But, I have never used them so I’m not recommending…just sharing a source. Let me know if you’ve used them! 
—We gathered stories from our relationship, our plans for the honeymoon, the schedule for the wedding, tidbits of information about our wedding party, a cartoon, and created a game. 

What story would you write about if you made yourself a wedding newspaper?
This party was a cocktail party…one for adults. So, please excuse the silliness of the above print out. 
I wouldn’t suggest using it for a party with little ones. I’m including the way I made these favors…but, it isn’t exact because I made it up and did it to taste.
Orange Ginger Sea Salt
Ingredients:
Sea Salt (I used approximately 2 lbs)
Dried Orange Zest (I used approximately 1/4 cup)
Ground Ginger (I used approximately 2 Tablespoons)

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together and put in small jars and give away!