Favors
Favors can be a nice "thank you" to your bridal party and guests. They can be as simple as candied almonds or chocolate kisses to very nice "trinkets".
Be careful of DJ companies advertising that they will provide "CD favors" of your favorite songs for all you guests. As the law is written, this is illegal.
The recording industry has determined a maximum penalty of up to 5 years imprisonment and $250,000 dollars fine for EACH song. We have seen and heard on the news of housewives, preteen children and such being sued by these agencies. The original Napster, Audiogalaxy, E-Donkey and Bearshare have been shut down, and now, even Limewire is under the microscope.
Will the RIAA actually burst into your wedding and haul off everyone for "bootlegged" music? Well....I've never heard of it done and I doubt these agencies want that type of press. Also...It would not gain them very much financially, so why spend the time and energy pursuing your event?
My point is this. I'm sure most of us have gone over the speed limit on the highways before, but, it does not really hurt anyone as long as an accident was not caused by this, and, unless we get pulled over, no real harm is done. But, when we download or copy an artist’s song without paying them for it, we are in effect "stealing" from them, and if they are not going to make any money....why perform. Sure, some may do it just because they love making music, but, if they don't get paid somewhere....they don't eat.
Look at it another way. You go to work and put in a 40 hour week only to be told "Thanks" at the end of the week and nothing more. The Artists that get download from a file sharing site don't even get a thank you.
So, back to my point, if your DJ is willing to steal a bunch of songs to hand out to all your guests....What other unethical practices do they participate in? Cash under the table? No insurance? No income tax?
Just something to think about.
As far as favors go, will your guest really remember your special day because they received some trinket? Maybe. But, too often I have seen many of these favors left behind because they carry no real "meaning" for those that receive them. So.....How much of your budget was spent on favors that won't be apprciated? Be carful when being talked into those little jars of bubbles, or the little tinkling bells. They may be cute but do they really add to the overall event success? That money might better be spent on other things that mean more to you. You need to decide if you want to spend $500 on favors and only $400 on your entertainment. The choice is yours.
Sorry if I scared you.