Yoga Wedding Favors

When I first got engaged, I knew I wanted to have a yoga wedding. I would get married in a yoga studio, force my family members to sit on zafus (meditation pillows) or yoga blankets on the floor, and lead them in a group meditation and kirtan (Indian devotional chanting chanting). This idea did not go over so well with my FH—and six months later I see that it would've been inconsiderate of me to force my lifestyle onto our conservative families. But I still want to sneak my yoga beliefs into my wedding anywhere I can.

One of the most important aspects of yoga is relaxation, and I'd love to share that with my wedding guests. So instead of the usual Jordan Almond favor, I'm going to make lavender eye pillows for my guests. Lavender is a soothing scent that lulls you into a state of calm, while a little bit of weight over the eyes and forehead touches a pressure point that helps one relax even deeper (yoga students know it as the elusive Third Eye). What more could exhausted wedding guests ask for after they've partied all day long?


What Do You Need?

• Organic Flax Seeds (2 cups per pillow should be about right)


• A 9-by-9 inch square of a luxurious fabric in your darkest wedding color (Organic is best, but if you're on a budget fabric remnants are a great choice!)


• One Heaping Tablespoon of Dried Organic Lavender Per Pillow (I got lavender sachets from a bride that overestimated her favor needs and had a ton left over.)


• 1 Funnel


• A Spool of Ribbon in Your Wedding Accent Color


• A Needle, Thread, Sewing Machine (with zigzag stitch), Scissors, Measuring Tape

Step By Step Instructions

1. With the right sides together, fold the fabric in half.


2. Sew a straight edge around the three cut edges, leaving a 5/8-inch. IMPORTANT: Leave about an inch at the corner unsewn!






3. Zigzag around the edges, to keep your fabric from unraveling. Again, leaving about an inch at the corner unsewn.



4. Turn the fabric inside out. Use your finger to make the corners as crisp as possible.



5. Insert the funnel into the unsewn portion at the corner.



6. Fill your pillow with flax seeds and dried lavender about halfway.






7. With the needle and thread, sew together the one-inch corner opening by hand. Make your stitches as close together as possible.


8. Fold your creation in half, and wrap the ribbon around it. Tie it in a cutesy little bow.

I made five today. I'm thinking I'll reserve hand-made favors for special guests like bridesmaids, moms, grandmothers, and other female relatives.