Fashion in wedding favors is an ever-changing event.

From formal to stylish, the traditional gifts awaiting wedding guests at the reception have become more attuned to the personal attitudes of the recently wed and the feeling they want to convey on their big day.  Tradition still rules the day in one aspect of the favor trade: Most of the favors given to wedding guests are edible.

There seems to be a growing trend in the dispensing of wedding favors.  If you live in the Northeast this tradition seems to go in the opposite direction.  More couples today are making a donation on behalf of the guests to a designated charity or nonprofit foundation.

Many couples today have chosen to make donations to organizations such as the Cancer Foundation, or to environmental groups, designating a certain amount of cash as coming from each of the names on the guest list.

Other wedding favors stick to the tried-and-true. At large weddings more brides are chosing to use breath mints as an option, as a gift of personalized mint cases - filled with trendy Cool Bean Mints - are a ready favor to provide.

Other gifts listed on its "most popular favors" list include a box of personalized Belgian chocolates, inscribed votive candles, small silver plated baskets and personalized crystal bud vases.

Sweet-toothed guests also will enjoy the samples of chocolate dipped wedding Oreo cookies, or the fresh strawberries symbolizing the wedding couple, decorated in the wedding-day white cream of the bride or the dark chocolate and white tuxedo shirt of the groom.

The tradition of waiting for the bride and groom to cut the wedding cake has given way to yet another favor. small wedding cakes, each one different, to go on each guest table.

But wedding favors don't always have to be practical to be perfect.

For the lighthearted touch, Sparkling Cider Mini Bottles, which can be drunk with a straw, can be given as favors to guests at each setting.

The minis are a quick and easy way to enjoy sparkling cider, just the right size for a person to sip or save for later, or to keep as a wedding remembrance.

And the practice of putting disposable cameras on guest tables is becoming more prevalent as couples wish for less informal photo shots of their special day.

Carefree wedding couples may even be so bold as to offer small silver- plate or gloss white wedding kazoos.

But the classic favor endures when all is said and done. The wedding favor as tradition - a sweet thing to remember a special day - will likely always be a variant of the one chosen by Anna Maria Rallis and David Edward Kouba for their recent a June 15 wedding in Wilmington: white Jordan almonds, wrapped in colorful netting with white satin ribbons.