How to make a flower seed wedding favor

Tips for designing flower seed wedding favors, including choosing seeds, personalizing envelopes, homemade paper, and other creative and memorable options.

Wedding favors are the traditional way for the bride and groom to express thanks and appreciation to each guest for sharing in the celebration. Seed favors are increasingly popular because they are inexpensive, environmentally friendly, long-lasting, and meaningful. With basic supplies and a bit of creativity, it is easy to make flower seed favors that every guest will enjoy.

Choosing Seeds

Another consideration is where the seeds will be planted. Many flowers grow well only in certain climates, and if guests are traveling from different areas of the country, regional seeds are not a wise choice. Wildflowers such as baby’s breath, daisies, columbine, and poppies grow well in most climates.

When the seeds will be planted is also important. Annual seeds bloom quickly but sprout for only one year, and should be planted in late spring. Perennials grow more slowly but bloom year after year. They should be planted in the fall or early spring. Seeds should be planted within six months or they lose their ability to germinate, so choose seeds that can be planted soon after the wedding. Annuals are good choices for winter and spring weddings, while perennials are more promising for summer and fall celebrations.

Bulk seeds can be ordered from most growers. A typical wedding favor uses one teaspoon of seeds, and a pound of a seed mixture yields between one hundred fifty and two hundred teaspoons, depending on the size of the seeds. If the seeds will be packaged in a bundle instead of an envelope, each favor may need two or three teaspoons for an adequate presentation.

Favor Packaging: Envelopes

The most common packaging for a flower seed favor is an envelope or packet. Many vendors create customized packets, complete with the couple’s names, the wedding date, and a brief note, quotation, or poem. These seed packets come in variety of themes, with different graphics and color options to coordinate with any wedding.

It is easy to create a completely unique, customized seed envelope with a homemade template. Simply fold a square of heavy paper on three sides to form the pocket, and glue it in place. Do not place the seeds in the envelope until it is dry, or else the glue’s moisture could trigger germination. Next, spoon the seeds into the pocket and fold over the final flap, securing it with an instruction label or decorative sticker. The paper can be wrapping paper, cardstock, construction paper, translucent vellum, or any paper sturdy enough to hold the seeds and withstand the rigors of preparation and distribution.

The envelope can be personalized with the couple’s photograph, a heartfelt sentiment, stickers, poetry, monograms, or the wedding date. Information can be printed directly on the paper or on appropriately sized labels and tags. Remember to include planting and care instructions as well.

To present a seed packet as a wedding favor, it can be mounted on a larger piece of stiff paper such as cardstock, which can itself be personalized. Seed packets fit easily within larger note cards, allowing a longer sentiment or personal notes to be included. The packet could be placed in a small stand for an elegant display at each place setting, or many packets can be arranged in a basket in a central location.

Favor Packaging: Charming Alternatives

There are many ways to present flower seed favors other than packets or envelopes. Two or three spoonfuls of seeds can be wrapped in fabric to create a small bundle with a flower-like poof on the top, but take care not to use tulle or other open fabrics which small seeds could fall through. Small drawstring bags, tins, miniature terra cotta pots, and tiny watering cans are other clever packages for flower seeds.

Seeds can be embedded into homemade paper, creating the ultimate recyclable favor. The entire card is planted, and the paper provides mulch and fertilizer as the seeds germinate. Specialty companies offer different types of seed cards, but making homemade paper is easy and can be completely customized. Scraps of paper, including newspaper, construction paper, and wrapping paper are blended with water and spread on a screen to dry after seeds are carefully mixed in. Bits of yarn or dried flowers add color and creativity to the paper. Once dry, it can be cut into hearts, stars, bells, or other appropriate shapes.

Finishing touches to both packet and alternative seed favors include ribbons, charms, personalized tags, and small silk flowers. These accents are inexpensive and widely available, and the extra effort creates elegant, memorable favors.

All weddings incorporate flowers, and flower seed favors creatively continue a floral motif when expressing thanks to each guest. Inexpensive and easy to make, seed favors come in a wide variety of styles and coordinate with any theme. As they are sown by family and friends, the seeds spread the joy and love that bloomed on the wedding day.