Ideas for Wedding Favors

Wedding favors are a great way to thank your guests for coming and sharing this special event with you. However, it can be hard to decide what the perfect favor should be. You will want to pick something that reflects your personalities and interests. Choosing something that goes with the theme of your wedding is also a good idea. As a wedding photographer I have attended countless weddings and have noticed some of the more outstanding wedding favors. I have listed some of them below. I hope you will find something that will inspire you to pick the perfect favor for your guests to take home.

Presentation
Before I started listing ideas for favors I wanted to make a note about presentation. How you present your favors can make a huge difference. Even simple little gifts can look amazing if you display or package them in a special way. If you are having a formal dinner you may want to place a favor at each place setting or group them together in the center of the table in an attractive display to double as a centerpiece. If your reception is less formal or an open house style you can have a table set where the guests will be exiting. Include a sign with a note of thanks and an invitation to take a gift home.

Food
Something edible is a perennial favorite. You can make gifts of food extra special by picking something that compliments your theme and the time of year. For a fall wedding try apple or autumn leaf themed gifts. Tie up caramel coated apples in cellophane and pretty ribbon. I attended one wedding where the bride and groom sent each couple home with a fresh baked apple pie in a pretty box. Your caterer should be able to help you arrange something like this. Large muffins individually wrapped are fun and will travel home well with your guests.

Chocolate dipped strawberries are perfect in the spring when they are in season and extra sweet. Plain chocolate dipped strawberries are fine, but take a look at some of the fancy designs that candy makers can come up with. Your initials would look pretty swirled in white chocolate on each berry.

Candy filled boxes tied with little ribbons and stacked on serving trays are fun. Choose to fill them with your favorite candy or something that matches your color theme. This is a good idea for a favor you can make yourself. Buy your candy in bulk to save money and fill the boxes yourself.

Sugar cookies can be decorated very elegantly. Talk to your baker about matching a pattern of a fabric you are using in your décor or from your wedding cake. You could also have your monogram and wedding date piped onto each cookie. Wrap each one individually and display them on big silver platters.

Little tiny jars of honey or preserves are darling and there is room on the top or back for a thank you note.

Gifts of food are easy, well received and you can be super creative. This is the biggest category because there are so many options.

Spa Treats
Instead of filling little boxes with candy why not fill them with pampering spa treats. Try decadent scented soaps and candles. Match the fragrance with the time of year. Fresh lemongrass or citrus soaps are great for warmer months while soothing vanilla and warm spicy scents are better for the cooler season. If you are getting married on the beach or just going for an ocean inspired theme try a miniature gift basket containing sea salts and pretty seashell candles. Try to keep your gifts appropriate for both genders. Steer clear of lotions and perfumes.

Practical Gifts
People like receiving things they can actually use. A great way to decorate your wedding venue is with many potted plants. They can double as a guest favor at the end of the day. Put a little sign on a floral pick with the name of the plant and a little message from the couple. You could also give each guest a packet of seeds so they can grow their own flowers or herbs. Tape a message on the back of each packet and display them in decorative flower boxes.

Winter is the perfect time to send each guest home with packets of gourmet hot chocolate or chocolate dipped spoons to swirl into their coffee. You may want to include coffee mugs printed with your names and wedding date.

Tie pretty potpourri sachets with a pretty ribbon and a note from the bride and groom. Your guests can hang these in their closet or put them in their linen drawers. The scent will remind them of your wedding for a long time to come.

Place cards can make perfect name cards. Have each guests name written in flowing calligraphy on the cover of a plain memo pad and decorate the edges with rubber stamps. Place these at each guests place.

Little Ones
If there will be children attending your wedding, don't forget about them. Make separate favors for them. Make a little pouch filled with things to keep them occupied like colored pencils and little notebooks or miniature coloring books.