Wedding Jerky

When my husband opened one of his favorite Christmas presents, a big box filled with 2-ounce bags of gourmet jerky in dozens of intriguing flavors, my very first thought was: wedding favors. Stick with me on this one! While jerky certainly isn't a typical choice for a wedding favor, wouldn't it be a cool option for a country or barbecue-themed outdoor wedding?

Whatta Jerky, the Naples, Florida-based company that produces this top round steak jerky in wedding-appropriate flavors like Hot and Spicy, Sweet and Bold BBQ, Hawaiian, Honey Terikyaki, and citrus-flavored Mojo, sells 2-ounce bags in mix-and-match flavors for $4.99 each. As it turns out, Whatta Jerky is a new venture launched by my brother's college roommate and his wife: They sell this specialty jerky both online and at the 3rd Street South Farmers Market in Naples.

One of the reasons I immediately thought these tasty jerky treats (which my husband hasn't stopped talking about since Christmas) would make a great favor is that the product label is a standard size shipping label, so it would be easy to sticker over them with your own custom labels. You might incorporate your wedding monogram or logo, include a special thank you message, or even customize the flavor name in honor of your big day: Bill and Kelly's Sweet and Tangy Perfect Blend Wedding Jerky, for example.

Alternatively, a jerky sampler might be the perfect gift for groomsmen, especially if you plan to present gifts at a rehearsal dinner barbecue. (Think Valentine's Day gifts, too, for those hard-to-buy-for guys.) This all-natural jerky is also available in larger sizes, and the company offers a complete satisfaction guarantee.