Ah, wedding favours – those little tokens of appreciation that, let’s be honest, all too often get being left behind, abandoned, and end up unceremoniously dumped in the bin by the cleaning crew then next day. But what if you gave wedding favours that were cherished rather than chucked? Let’s explore the wonderful world of useful wedding favours.
Choosing Useful Wedding Favours
You want to choose favors that truly resonate with your guests – something they’ll be excited to take home, even when the night winds down and many are the worst for wear. Better yet, something so irresistible that they’ll rush to tuck away in their bag immediately, to ensure it doesn’t get left behind.
- Consider Your Guests – The golden rule for wedding favours is to know your crowd. Are they adults who enjoy a bit of indulgence? Are some tea total? Any vegans? It can be a minefield!
- Fun for All Ages – Weddings are celebrations are for everyone, and the trick is to find wedding favour ideas that all ages can enjoy. Or consider getting different favours for different groups, to make sure everyone can feel appreciated.
- Make It Useful – Aim for favours that your guests will use long after your big day. Something they will want to keep, and something that will make them think of you every time they do use it.
- Stay on Budget – You don’t have to break the bank to find the perfect wedding favour. Small items can have a big impact. Thoughtful and affordable can still feel special.
- Align with Your Theme – Some couples like to align their favours with their theme. It may be the colour, the location, the season. Matching the favour to your wedding theme helps create a cohesive look and feel that ties everything together beautifully.
- Think Eco-Friendly – More and more couples are prioritising the environment when planning their weddings, making eco-friendly favors increasingly popular – those that emphasise sustainability, recycling, or natural elements can help make a positive impact and add meaningful value to the celebration.
Perfectly Practical Wedding Favours
Practicality doesn’t have to be boring! Give your guests something they’ll use all the time and think of your wedding fondly. These useful wedding favours are a great way to blend function with sentimentality, especially if they are personalised.
Cheers to You! Bottle Favours
Swap out the cliché keychains for something with a bit more… pop! A personalised bottle opener engraved with your wedding date is the perfect way to toast to your future every time your guests open a drink. Not only useful, but a lovely memento that’ll come in handy at future celebrations.
Deal a Good Time
Wooden board games or playing cards are a great idea. You can even get creative and have custom playing cards printed with a photo of the bride and groom on them, to make sure they remember you!
Hangover Kits
Weddings are for celebrating, and let’s be honest, this sometimes come with a price the next morning. A hangover kit—complete with pain relievers, mints, and perhaps a cheeky eye mask – will have your guests thanking you two times; for the party and for the cure!
Indulgent Edible Wedding Favours
How about treats that make everyone happy? Edible favours are a sure-fire way to please your guests because who doesn’t love a good snack. And they can be age agnostic and even personalised.
Jam Sessions
Think mini jars of sweet homemade jam. Thoughtful, delicious and perfect for spreading the love at breakfast the morning after your wedding. A food wedding favour is practical and tasty. Add a fun tag with something like “Spread the love!”.
Late-Night Munchies
After a night of celebration your guests will almost certainly appreciate a little midnight snack. Why not hand out little favour bags of delightful macaroons or bespoke biscuits for that extra touch of thoughtfulness?
Custom Bottles
Who wouldn’t want to take home a mini bottle of vino? Or a bottle of olive oil for the more elegant Aunt Mauds. Personalise the labels with your names or wedding date. Your guests will be toasting to your love with every sip or drizzle.
Pamper Your People
Weddings can be long, emotional, and a little exhausting. So, why not treat your guests to a bit of pampering that lets them recover and remember your big day with a smile?
Handmade Toiletries
Give your guests the gift of indulgence with artisan toiletries. Whether it’s a beautifully scented handmade soap or a set of luscious bath bombs. These are the kinds of favours that will be appreciated long after the wedding festivities are over.
Romantic Candles
Candles are a wedding favour classic, and for good reason. Who doesn’t love a candle? With romantic scents like lavender, vanilla, or sandalwood, candles will help your guests create a cosy atmosphere, and remember your big day too.
Foot Recovery Mask
After all the fun and dancing, your guests deserve a little TLC. Enter foot recovery care. Foot masks are a decadent way to give your guests a little pamper, a mini spa at home. Trust us, they’ll love you for this touch of indulgence.
A Perfect Match Wedding Favour
Not all wedding favours have to be one-size-fits-all. Sometimes, a little personalisation goes a long way.
Favours for Him
For the gents, you can’t go wrong with a sleek bottle opener, or a hip flask. Discreetly engraved with your names will make them that much more personalised. A practical gift for the guys to use for years to come – talk about long-lasting love!
Favours for Her
For the ladies, how about personalised jewellery, or a customised lip balm? A gift that is both functional and fab, helping them stay stylish and remember your special day.
Small Gift Ideas for Wedding Guests
Wedding favours don’t have to be extravagant. Small wedding favour ideas that are both lovely and practical prove that it’s the thought that counts!
Make Them Affordable
Costs add up faster than you can say “I do.” when you’re planning a wedding, Fortunately, wedding favours don’t have to break the bank. Simple ideas for affordable wedding favours include a lottery ticket, or a little box selection of tea bag treats. Affordable can still be useful or fun.
Make Them Yourself
For the DIY-savvy couple, handmade wedding favours are a fantastic way to add a personal touch. Whether it’s baking up a storm in your kitchen to create sweet treats, or crafting mini clay plant pots complete with with an easy to care for cactus, DIY gifts show your guests that you’ve taken the time and effort to make something special just for them. Who doesn’t love a one-of-a-kind memento made with love?
Luxury Wedding Favours
If your wedding motto is “go big or go home,” then luxury wedding favours for your guests might be the perfect fit. With a generous budget you can gift your guests something truly extravagant that will make them feel like royalty.
No Expense Spared
Consider high-end, elegant favours like custom-designed jewellery, monogrammed leather goods, or even bespoke bottles of champagne. These go far beyond the typical wedding favour — something your guests will treasure long after the day is over. A little opulence never hurt anyone, right?
Designer Delights
For those with a taste for the finer things, designer brands can bring that extra wow-factor to your wedding favours. Fortnum & Mason’s gourmet chocolates, finest French wines, or beauty products form renowned designers are a fabulous favour and a gift rolled into one that will give your guests a touch of luxury they’ll truly appreciate.
Unique Wedding Favours
Why settle for the ordinary when you can wow your guests with unusual wedding favours that reflect your personality as a couple? These ideas are sure to stand out and make your guests smile.
Seasonal Sensations
Tying your favours to the season of your wedding is a clever and thoughtful way to make them memorable. Planning a summer wedding? Go for practical gifts like sunscreen or hand fans—perfect for keeping your guests cool on the day. Having an enchanting autumn wedding? How about mini hot chocolate kits with marshmallows? Hosting a winter wonderland wedding? Cosy scarves will warm your guests’ hearts and hands.
Local Love
Celebrate your roots with local wedding favours that showcase the best your area has to offer. Whether it’s jars of local honey, or handmade local delicacies these favours add a personal touch that guests will adore. Not only do they support small businesses, but they also give your guests a little taste of your world.
FAQs About Wedding Favours
Planning wedding favours can stir up a lot of questions. Here are some common ones that couples often ask:
Do people still give out favours at weddings?
Yes, wedding favours are still a popular tradition, although couples are moving towards more practical and meaningful gifts. Modern favours are less about trinkets and more about items guests can use and enjoy, like edible treats or small keepsakes.
Are wedding favours necessary?
Wedding favours are a lovely gesture, but they’re by no means a requirement. If your budget is tight or you simply prefer to focus on other elements of your day, you can skip them entirely. However, a small token of appreciation, even if it’s just a heartfelt note, can go a long way in showing your gratitude to your guests.
What is the etiquette for wedding favours?
Traditionally, wedding favours are a way to say thank you to your guests for being part of your big day. There’s no strict rule about when or how they should be distributed, but typically they’re placed at each guest’s seat or handed out as guests leave the reception.
What is a good budget for wedding favours?
There is no strict budget to spend per favour. It is an individual decision depending on your overall wedding budget. If you have a smaller guest list or a bit more to spend, you can go higher, but there are plenty of affordable options that still pack a punch in terms of thoughtfulness.
Final Thoughts on Useful Wedding Favours
The aim of wedding favours is to give your guests a little something to remember your day by – something that will remind them of the love, fun, and celebration. Whether it’s a practical keepsake, an indulgent treat, or a luxurious gift, useful wedding favours are the perfect way to show your appreciation. So, as you plan your big day, pick favours that are thoughtful, personal, and above all, something your guests will love and use, that leave a lasting impression to remember your wedding day by. Now, go on and wow your guests with favours they’ll never forget!
