Making the decision as to what wedding favors you want to hand out at your wedding can be somewhat difficult for many brides as of course there are literally hundreds and hundreds of options from which to choose. Some brides get overwhelmed very quickly and just purchase the first thing that catches their eye, and then wind up regretting that decision rather quickly as they realize they have something that doesn't fit their wedding décor and that really doesn't fit their own personal style.

This is also a good way to spend far too much on wedding favors; it's so easy to forget about how the cost adds up once you purchase enough favors for all your guests, especially considering tax, shipping charges, and anything else you may need for a beautiful presentation.

So how does a smart bride shop for wedding favors? There are a few simple steps you'll want to keep in mind before you browse.

For one thing, what is your budget? If you're having 100 guests and have a budget of $200 for wedding favors then remember that you can't really spend two dollars per favors as you'll need to figure in tax, shipping, and any other accessories for your favors such as wrapping paper or ribbon for each one. A $200 budget for 100 guests means about $1.50 per favor. When purchasing anything for your wedding you always want to leave yourself a little "wriggle room."

Taking your time to browse is also a good idea when shopping for wedding favors. Remember that there are endless options for you; don't just pick up the first nice candle or coffee packet you see. Give it some thought - what would really express something about you and your fiancée, your hobbies and interests, and your wedding overall? You don't want to make your wedding favors too personal as they should be something your guests will appreciate, but you can balance these two if you think about it.

For example, if the two of you love to travel and are real "city" people, a small paperweight in the shape of the Eiffel Tower may be appreciated and can be very affordable. Most major museums have little key chains and other tokens that could work well as wedding favors so if you have a favorite museum you both love, go online and see what they may offer.

Or suppose you and your fiancée are very romantic; candle wedding favors are always a romantic choice and just about everyone can use a nice candle for their home or apartment. If you appreciate greenery and gardening, a small potted flowering plant can cost around one dollar and can be appreciate by just about anyone for their home or office. By giving some thought to your own personality and that of your fiancée, you can make a good choice by way of wedding favors that really express those personalities.

And when you're shopping for wedding favors, don't rule out something unique and original, and something you find at any retail store. If a beautiful set of note cards catch your eye, who says they can't work as wedding favors? You can even mix and match designs if they coordinate - different flowers, different autumn designs, and so on.

Make sure your wedding favors work well with your reception's theme and feel as well. If you're having a very elegant and traditional wedding you might want to steer clear of the fun little trinkets. If you're having a beach wedding then an autumn-themed favor might not make sense. Remember that many choices for wedding favors are available in a wide variety of options - candles in what look like little sand pails are great for beach weddings, picture frames that are wood rather than silver work better for an autumn wedding, and so on.

By giving some thought and making sure that you set aside some time to really shop and browse, you'll be sure to choose the right wedding favors for you, the way any smart bride would!