The big decisions of a wedding, like what gown to wear or what types of flowers to use, are really important. But, if you want the wedding to be perfect you have to follow through down to the very tiniest detail. Although the wedding favors you give out are probably not high on the list of priorities they are necessary. You don’t have to go to a great expense to give a favor to each guest as they depart. There are many different things you can hand out that tell your guests how much you appreciate them. Of course, if you go with the standard wedding favors purchased at party stores your guests might get the idea that you didn’t put too much thought into the gifts. To show your guests you absolutely did think of each one of them personally make unique soaps to give them as favors. You don’t have to break out lye, soap molds and scents; simply use purchased soaps to make a gift that smells great and is personalized to each guest.
The best soaps to use for this project are ones of most any shape, size, color or scent. Soaps shaped like balls, or really tiny soaps, aren’t recommended. The ideal soap is one that has no raised lettering or logos on the top. You can give each guest the same soap or you can use colors, scents and shapes chosen for each particular guest or couple.
You have many choices for the personal message or image you attach to each soap. A small list includes stickers, gift wrap, scrapbook paper, magazine cutouts, calendar pictures, images printed from your computer, or even a poem you’ve written yourself. Stickers can be used to actually spell out the guests’ names or even the bride and groom’s names on the soap. Gift wrap gives you choices of a wedding theme with glitz. It’s up to you if you make all the soaps the same – featuring a silver wedding bell image or other design – or if you make a different soap design according to the interests of each guest.
After choosing the paper you want to use, and cutting it to the approximate size of the soap (just a tad smaller), use decoupage adhesive to attach it. Position the soap in the glue then brush the decoupage over the top of the image. Allow this to dry according to package instructions. When it’s dry, add another coat and another, until you’ve applied at least three to four coats over the image. If you’re using stickers, choose really small ones, and spell out your message before brushing on several coats of the decopage.
When the soaps are finished you can place them in mesh or lace bags. If each soap is different, add a name tag tied on with a ribbon, but if all soaps are the same this step isn’t necessary. The finished soaps are actually useable but many guests will likely save the beautiful work of art to cherish for years to come!
Reference:
- Purchase decoupage here: www.acmoore.com
