Jam Wedding Favours

I have been researching some ideas for a rustic wedding and I just have to share a gorgeous favour with you. Jam jar favours really bring home the theme of a rustic wedding.  Here are some images and a quick how to.

How to make Jam

Serve in recycled jars or purchase glass jars (125ml).  Add some gingham or hessian to the lid and tie together with a ribbon of your choice.  Attach a label thanking people for coming to your wedding, or have some fun and add sentences like “spread the love.” Remember to add your names and the date of your wedding.  You can use any fruit to make the jam below.  The recipe below will only make 10 cups, so if you have 100 guests, you can either enlist some family members or do it in stages.  The jam will be preserved in the jars.

Ingredients

• 1.4 kg peaches or indigenous fruit
• 3 teaspoons lemon juice
• 5 cups sugar

Directions

1.  Wash, peel, pit and chop peaches-you want 10 cups.
2.  Place all ingredients in a large glass bowl and let stand for 1 hour.
3.  Transfer to a large stainless or enamel pot.
4.  Bring to a full boil.
5.  Boil for 25 minutes to reach the jelly point-stir often and then constantly as the mixture nears the jell point.
6.  Remove and skim off foam.
7. Place jars in the oven, until they are hot.
8.  Ladle the jam into clean hot jars leaving 1/4 inch head space.
9.  Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
10. Decorate the lid and add the labels when the jar has cooled.
11. Your jam is ready to be presented on the tables at your wedding.

Glass jars: R3.00

Jam ingredients: R400

Sticky paper for labels: R50

Fabric: R50

Your time: free

Total cost for each jam favour @ 100 guests: R8.00

Hope you enjoy making these favours.  Come back soon for more D.I.Y. wedding favour ideas.

Lots of Love

Faye

Flowers

Floral arrangements can cost a fortune, not only hurting your pocket but hurting the environment, too.  Get your florist to arrange local, seasonal and organic cut flowers for your arrangements this will benefit your pocket and the environment.  Here is a list of the seasonal and local flowers for South Africa.

January & February 

Gladiola,  Agapanthus, Roses, Gerbera, Daisy, Carnations, Hydrangeas, Chrysanthemums,

March, April & May 
Daisy, Gerbera, Roses, Agapanthus, , Carnations, Chrysanthemums, Gyps, , Gladiola, Hydrangeas

June & July 
Lilli,  Red Berries, , Chrysanthemum, Carnations, Orange Berries

August & September 
Anemones, Azaleas, Snowdrops, Iris, Flowering Yellow Mimosa, Sweet Peas, Blossom Trees, Freesias, Camellias, Magnolias, Japonica, Star Gazer Lilies,  Gladiola, Gerberas, Carnations, Chrysanthemums, Orchids, Poppies, Arum Lilies, Blushing Brides, Jasmine, Daffodils, Proteas.

October & November 
Larkspur, Roses, Delphiniums, Carnations, Anthrinums, Chrysanthemums, Cornflowers, Pride of Madera, Snapdragons, Peonies,

December, Agapanthus Larkspur, Delphiniums, , Carnations, Peonies, Anthiriums, Snapdragons, Cornflowers, Pride of Madera’s, Gerbera ,Chrysanthemums, Gladiola Broom, Star Gazers, Casablanca’s, , Anthiums, Hydrangeas, Miscellanies Daisy, Alsoemeria, Roses.

South Africa is rich in grasses and using these in borrowed or rented silver vases, still safe in their soil and ready to be replanted after your wedding.  Use some seasonal flowers of your choice and place them sporadically in and around the grasses. 

Another eco idea is to have goldfish bowls on the tables.  Use an all white base and add an orange gerbera in a white folded napkin with a green ribbon.

Honestly I cannot stand going to a wedding and not being able to see the other half of the table because of an unnecessarily huge flower arrangement.   You can also use bottles and place individual flowers in each.  This is a very contemporary and clean décor option.

You will need flowers for your ceremony, your and your bridesmaids bouquets, the groom, groomsmen and male family members as well as your drinks tables and reception.  

Here are some other ideas.

Hope you enjoyed these ideas and that your eco wedding plans are going well.  

Faye