Wedding favors are such a wonderful way to thank your guests for celebrating your special day with you. But let’s be honest—sometimes wedding favors end up forgotten in a drawer or tossed aside after the event. From our personal experience, if you want to give your guest something they will cherish and actually keep, consider these unique and thoughtful wedding favor ideas that stand out from the ordinary wedding favors or the usual suspects of trinkets. Here are our favorite wedding favors we love to see!
#01: Personalized Mini Succulents or Mini Plants
We love the idea of mini succulents and small plants to share with your guests! These small plants make excellent wedding favors that your guests can take home and nurture with their love. Plants symbolize love and new beginnings which makes them the perfect gift for a wedding. Personalize your pots with your names, monogram, wedding dates, or a sweet quote to make it extra special! Let’s just hope your guests have green thumbs. If a bulk of your guests are traveling, skip the live favors, but these make perfect gifts if the majority of your wedding guests are in town.
#02: Custom Scented Candles
Who doesn’t love a good candle? Candles are timeless and I can promise you many of your guests have a special candle drawer for the seasons. A personalized candle, with a unique scent or essential oils, can make it even more memorable. Choose a scent that reflects your wedding theme or personal preferences. Have them labeled with your names and wedding date. Keep in mind these do not need to be full sized candles, you can create small candles, too! It’s a useful favor that your guests will be able to enjoy for many months to come.
#03: Miniature Bottles of Local Liquor or Wine
This one is for 21 and over! If you and your partner are opting for cocktails at your wedding day, or enjoy a particular local beverage, share them with your guests!We love the idea of sharing a local wine, craft beer, or artisanal local spirits. Create a custom label on canva with a thank-you message or quote from your wedding song. Your guests will enjoy this treat later and remember the celebration. Ensure that you clearly label these as alcoholic beverages and ensure safe consumption.
#04: Personalized Recipe Cards
If you and your partner love cooking or baking, or you have a few recipes that you love to share, create some of your favorite recipe cards for your guests! You can even include a family recipe that has been passed down for generations. This thoughtful and creative wedding favor gives your guests something they can use, plus it is a great conversation starter at future gatherings! Be sure to customize them with your wedding monogram, a quote, or your favorite line from your first dance.
#05: Personalized Trinkets
Not all trinkets are bad or get left behind. We love, as well as guests, small, engraved items such as keychains, bottle openers, or custom trinkets that are simple but practical. These can easily be personalized with your wedding details. Choose something that suits your wedding theme and your personality. Whether it’s a monogrammed keychain, or a custom coordinate bracelet, or a small token that aligns with your shared interest.
#06: Personalized Notebooks or Journals
These can be ordered in bulk and easily customized. Choose something stylish and personalized that can serve as a meaningful or practical gift for your guests. It’s something guests can use everyday, whether for jotting down thoughts, reflection, or memories. Customize the cover with your wedding monogram, your favorite quote as a couple, or even design that will remind others of your wedding theme.
#07: Homemade Treats
Who doesn’t love a delicious homemade treat? If you love baking or want to add a personal touch, consider giving out homemade cookies, chocolates, or canned goods. Package them in cute mason jars, decorative bags, or a tag with your names and your wedding date. These treats will delight guests and give them a taste of your love. But, be sure to follow safety guidelines for baking and/or cooking and store properly. The last thing you want is sick guests post wedding favors!
#08: Personalized Photo Frames for Polaroids
Give your guests the gift of capturing moments from your wedding day! We love the idea of giving your guests a chance to take home photos from the photo booth, or snap a picture with a Polaroid camera. You can even choose a frame that matches your wedding aesthetic, or pre-fill frames with your engagement photo. This will give guests a gift of memories from your wedding day.
Whatever you choose, when it comes to wedding favors, the most important thing is the thought and personal touch behind the gift. Skip any trinkets or random items to give as a wedding favor. Guests will always appreciate something that reflects your unique relationship and theme of your wedding. Guests are much more likely to keep it for years to come. When it comes to a homemade treat, a small plant, or a personalized gift, these are the best favors that your guests will appreciate and cherish. It will also allow them to feel connected to you and your partner and your love story.
Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 19 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.