Wedding favors are an optional, but a thoughtful gesture – a small token from your wedding to express gratitude to family and friends for being part of your special day. From yummy edible options to Pinterest blooming with on-trend floral and succulent ideas, there is no shortage of wedding favors ideas. Before allowing yourself to get caught up in the whirlwind of which favor fits your style, check your budget and your timeline. DIY wedding favors take time to assemble and can begin to creep over your per person budget. Take your time and the cost of materials into account when comparing DIY options to pre-assembled or personalized wedding favors.
Popular Pick for Wedding Favors:
- Edible gifts -- fruit, nuts, candy (chocolate bars, takeout candy bar, regional favorites), baked goods (or to-go cake bags or boxes of your wedding cake), alcohol, coffee beans
- Garden gifts -- small plants or flowers (can also double as reception decor), seeds – to plant, not to throw at the bride and groom. Today’s most popular recessional wedding favor is bubbles. Personalized bubble bottles are a fun way to kick start the post ceremony events.
- Small gifts - Luggage tags, playing cards, picture frames, cookie cutters, photo albums, matches, etc.
- Create a kid’s table for young guests with wedding favors just for them. Fill these fun Color Your Own Wedding Treat Bags for Kids with crayons and paper or set Wedding Activity Books on a short table with chairs to keep children entertained while their parents enjoy the wedding reception.
- Donations to a charitable cause – In lieu of wedding favors, opt for creating a chalkboard sign letting guests know that “We appreciate your presence here today and have extended our gratitude by making a donation on behalf of everyone joining us here today to {the charity nearest and dearest to your hearts}.” That is something every guest will love!
How to Wrap Your Wedding Favors:
- Continue with your wedding décor theme (colors, fonts, monograms) in attention-grabbing bags and boxes. These are also perfect to use on your candy bar or candy buffet.
- Accessorize with ribbon, stickers, string, yarn, etc.
How to Hand Out Wedding Favors Successfully:
- Use as part of your wedding decorations and place at each place setting.
- On table near exit with “Thank You” signage.
- Distributed by wait staff at formal dinners.
Tips & Tricks:
- Buy in bulk to save. If you are having a candy bar/buffet, use bulk candy in both your wedding favors and on your candy bar.
- Order 10% extra to cover broken or missing parts.
- Assemble one week prior (unless perishable).
With just four months until your wedding, it’s time to get rolling into the home stretch. Let’s talk transportation (including your getaway car!) and ceremony details, shall we? Then it's on to the sweet stuff as we help you create a candy buffet!
See more tips for every phase of your planning process in our Month-by-Month Wedding Planning Guide.
Article written by: Melissa Collier
