Wedding guests often like to retain a keepsake of a wedding of family members or friends to go with photographs of the big day. They may keep the wedding program (or, as my family traditionally calls it, the 'race-card') to put in a scrapbook album. Wedding favors are another popular idea that allows the wedding couple to offer their guests a memento of their special occasion.

Wedding favors aren't just a little souvenir of the wedding: they're also a token of appreciation to the guests for their efforts in attending the ceremony or reception and for their love and support. As such, favors come in all shapes and sizes, can be lavish or inexpensive according to what the couple can afford and can be themed in almost any way to complement the overall design of the wedding itself.

Even if the wedding is being organized to a strict budget, the bride and groom can find imaginative ways to offer their guests charming wedding favors that they will treasure. They don't need to be expensive -- they can even be homemade -- and it's more important that the favors be a personal expression of the couple's gratitude.

The habit of giving favors to wedding guests goes back many generations and varies according to different national customs. Tradition has it that at special celebrations an upper class French family would distribute a decorative box or container of bonbons (sweets, candy or other sugar-coated treats) to their guests as a small parting gift. Gradually this tradition spread as a way of wishing good fortune on friends and family.

Some modern couples still retain the tradition of giving sugar-coated wedding favors: candied almonds remain a popular gift, not just at weddings but also for christenings, birthdays and other special occasions.

Nowadays there is a vast range of possibilities for wedding favors to suit every taste and pocket. Contemporary wedding themes range from Hollywood glamor to Hawaiian beach weddings, from Las Vegas casino themes to traditional English country ceremonies. Couples can choose favors to complement their wedding design, shopping with specialist online merchants or using their imagination and creative skills to make their own.

Practical gifts such as soaps and candles are perennial favorites, as are small practical items such as cookie cutters, chopsticks, coasters and other utensils and accessories. It's popular to match favors to the season of the wedding, particularly if it takes place in the winter or around the time of a seasonal holiday such as Halloween or Thanksgiving.

Personalized favors represent a unique memento of any celebration. Marrying couples can have their initials placed on boxes, cards and many other items. Depending on the size of the wedding, the bride or groom may wish to write a short greeting on a note or scroll to accompany the gift. Even if they buy the favors from a supplier, the couple and their family can customize the container, decoration or presentation to create an individual effect.