​A question we get asked a lot is, “Should I have wedding favors?” If you’ve ever asked yourself this question and want to know our honest thoughts on whether or not you should purchase wedding favors, keep on reading!

What Are Wedding Favors?
Wedding favors are little gifts a couple gives to their guests to thank them for coming to their wedding. The tradition has been around for centuries, with couples across Europe gifting their wedding gifts with little boxes of candy, sugar-coated almonds, or chocolates – all of which were rare luxuries at the time. Today, while some still offer more traditional favors (such as Jordan almonds), favors have overall evolved into personalized gifts or trinkets to give guests something to remember the wedding day by.

Are They Worth It?
Now that we know what favors are, we come to the more important question today: Should you have them? “Should” ultimately comes down to you – do you want to, is there an expectation to do it, etc. So maybe the better question is, “Do I need to have wedding favors?” Our answer – no!

Wedding favors can be a unique way to thank your guests, or to show off your personalities or wedding vision. However, over the years of doing hundreds of weddings, we have noticed far too many favors left behind – untaken, unused, or dumped. Half of your favors might not even get touched. Some guests love them, some are neutral, and some couldn’t be bothered by them.

Over the years, fewer and fewer couples have opted for having wedding favors. Of the more consistent ones we’ve seen, koozies, fans, and bags of candy are probably the most common, alongside wedding programs (if you count programs as a favor). As far as favors go, none of these are actually horrible options. However, we do have a few guidelines or suggestions on how you can do it better. That way, you’re not left with a whole bunch of favors at the end of the night and one more thing to worry about after the wedding is over.

​We hope that gives you guidance as you think through favors! And while we aren’t necessarily going to recommend favors, we also aren’t really going to stop you from doing it. If you’re excited about a favor idea, go for it! We have seen some ideas we really like that guests also enjoyed. At the end of the day, it’s your wedding, and if you want to show appreciation to your guests with a favor, then do it!

​Want more wedding planning tips and ideas? Check out some of our other blog posts!

Bold Color Palettes
Color, color, color! While bright pastels are also popular (can we say bright pastel?), bold and unique wedding colors are stealing the show. We’ve actually had two brides this year incorporate sunset colors into their themes, and we’re big fans! Strong, bold colors will stick out against neutrals and offer a surprising pop that many guests won’t expect.

Dainty Flowers
While we still see a decent amount of baby’s breath, it is no longer in its prime. Instead, couples are opting for other small and dainty flowers to add to the mix. Daisies are among the most popular options, but we have also seen a lot of chamomile, waxflower, solidago, and more.

Pearls
Old-fashioned or classic? Either way, pearls are making a comeback. So many brides are not only opting for pearl jewelry, but also pearl dresses or veils.

Cat-Eye Neckline
Wedding dress trends are changing faster and faster these days, but one trend that may last for a while is the cat-eye neckline. A modern twist on the strapless dress, this sculpted neckline is flattering for many body types and catches the eye of many!

​What trends are you loving? Which ones do you see on the horizon? Leave us a comment below!

Want to see how couples styled our venue for their weddings? Check out our seasonal gallery!

Have you ever scrolled Pinterest or Instagram for wedding ideas only to see floral arrangements on top of floral arrangements? Don’t get us wrong, we LOVE flowers (we are a garden venue, after all). But sometimes, you want something different. And sometimes, you don’t want to spend tons of money on flowers either. If you are looking for table decor ideas that don’t require you to use a florist, then keep on reading!

1. Lanterns
Lanterns are a versatile option for centerpieces. And don’t fret! If you hear lanterns and automatically think rustic, think again! While some lanterns do give a rustic feel, there are ENDLESS styles of lanterns that don’t. Our venue has antique gold and modern black lanterns, among a variety of other styles. You can even mix and match small and medium lanterns, or different styles and textures to add more dimension to your tables.

Pro Tip: Even if you don’t have a florist, you can still add some life and color to your centerpieces! Our venue has several faux greenery options available for use. Plus, some couples purchase baby’s breath or greenery at their local Publix to add to their centerpieces.

2. Gold Decor
Our gold centerpieces are some of our most popular options here at Four Oaks. We have geometric options, modern glass vases, and more. As with the lanterns, we have faux greenery you can add around the centerpieces or down the middle if you have a rectangle table. We also have faux florals to add a pop of color. Some previous brides have even brought in their own faux stems to put in bud vases to incorporate their wedding colors. Again, no florist needed!

3. Candles
Candles are a great way to add ambient lighting to your reception area. Whether it’s with gold candlesticks or vases with floating candles, consider adding a touch of light to your tables. Our venue has LED tealights, pillar candles, and taper candles for your use, or you can bring in your own floating candles.

Pro Tip: Check with your venue to see their policy around candles and open flames. Four Oaks Manor, for instance, only allows floating candles and tealights. All other candles must be LEDs.

4. Books
Where are our book lovers? There are so many ways to tie books into your wedding theme. Quotes, stacked vintage books, or even some open books to add extra dimension. Add some gold decor, faux greenery, or fresh florals from your local store to dress it up and add more personality.

5. Reuse Bouquets
Okay, we know. We said centerpieces ideas that don’t require a florist. But *technically* you can still do this without a florist if you make your own bouquets. Or, if you get a florist just for your and your bridesmaids' bouquets, you can still reuse those for centerpieces and not have to pay for extra decor. Savings either way!

Other
If the above five ideas aren’t your style, there are still options for you! We love it when couples get extra creative with their table decor. We’ve seen holiday-inspired table settings with mini Christmas trees, bonsai trees on a wood slice, pumpkins, and so much more. Centerpieces are a great chance to show off your personality and interests, so why not take advantage of the opportunity!

​Like what you see? Considering touring our venue and seeing all our centerpiece and decor options in person!

If you have a lot of out-of-town guests coming to your wedding, they will often ask you about fun things to do in the area. Instead of trying to come up with a comprehensive list of things to do and places to see yourself, send them this list! Whether they’re looking for restaurants to try, trails to walk, or fun activities for the family, we’ve got some of the best places in Gwinnett for your out-of-town wedding guests to check out.

One of the coolest parts of the area around Four Oaks is all the historic downtowns. Some are more modern than others, but all of them have great restaurants to try, unique shops to visit, and often have several events throughout the week. Downtown Buford is just under 6 miles from our venue and has great restaurants to try, such as Aqua Terra Bistro or Tannery Row Ale House. Flowery Branch also has great food options, including Moonies BBQ and Branch House Tavern, both less than 10 miles from Four Oaks.

If your guests are more into their drinks, send them to one of the dozens of coffee shops or breweries in the area. There are tons of unique environments where your guests can enjoy a drink, whether it’s a good ole cup of joe or a locally brewed beer. Here are just a few:

• Whole Being Cafe @ Common Grounds is both a cafe and coffee shop located along Flowery Branch’s Main Street, only 8 miles from Four Oaks.
• TradeWind Coffee is 8 miles away in Dacula, has great seating, and often has events like trivia throughout the week, perfect for your guests during their stay.
• If your guests like craft beer, send them to Braselton Brewing Company, a unique brewery in nearby Braselton with several craft beer options. Grab a snack or meal while you're there too!
  Another great option for drink enthusiasts is Sugar Hill Distillery, located only 7 miles from our venue.

Need a family-friendly spot? The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center has plenty of exhibits to check out, trails to walk, and a gift shop to explore, perfect for families! What’s better is that it’s less than a 15-minute drive from the venue, so parents don’t have to drive far. Another great option for out-of-town families is the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth. If any of your guests have kids who are obsessed with trains, this would be an entertaining museum for them to visit.

There are also several nature spots for guests to visit when they want to get out. Tell them to visit Lake Lanier, Georgia’s largest lake! They can spend the day on the lake, walk some of the trails, or take the family to their water park. If any of your guests are just looking for a good place to go walking or running, the Suwanee Greenway and the Ivy Creek Greenway are great trail options for them.