By Louise Baltruschat Hollis
Wedding favours can be a really fun wedding detail. Long gone are the days of traditional sugared almonds, the possibilities for wedding favour ideas are endless. All you need is a dose of creativity, a spark of an idea and a way to really show off your personality.
Photo: Bridgwood Wedding Photography
I have rounded up some of my favourite wedding favours featured on WWW from real weddings. From the edible favours to pretty treats. There are DIY favour options and children’s favour ideas too.
When selecting your wedding favours think about the things that you love and enjoy as a couple, and gift a little something you would love to receive.
Or if you don’t want to give wedding favours, then don’t worry about it, there really are no rules.
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Soap wedding favours are a really lovely way to treat your guests, you can even personalise the look and scent!
Image by Gradisca Portento
How about a really unusual drink favour for your guests to have a tipple either at the wedding or later on?
Image by Carrie Lavers Photography
Cordial is a simple DIY favour idea, buy your own glass bottles and find a recipe to brew up a storm!
Image by Jessica Hayman Photography
Jars of honey for favours have been really popular. Sweet and sure to be eaten – it’s a favourite for guests.
Image by Janine Kirkwood Photography
For the book worms out there, a simple bookmark favour will be sure to remind your guests of your day every time they reach for their newest read. Hoorah!
Image by Will Patrick
Who doesn’t love a good old fashioned mint favour? A sweet and refreshing treat that will leave your guests feeling refreshed.
Image by Emily + Katy Photography
If you love a soak in the tub, then why not thank your guests with bath salt favours? An indulgent and pampering token of thanks.
Image by Phosart Photography Cinematography
You could make your own ceramic creations or buy a pottery favour as the perfect keepsake.
Image by Emma and Rich
To inject some real personality pick up some test tubes and fill the contents with your DIY filling of choice.
Image by Bloom Weddings
Coaster favours are a fun, personal idea. Not only will they look great for years to come, but they can double up as place names.
Image by Charlotte Razzell Photography
Who doesn’t love a new mug? For a really special mug favour, get one printed with your wording of choice.
Image by Bridgwood Wedding Photography
Add some spice with some seasoning favours. Grab some spice bottles and decant your chosen seasoning inside.
Image by Mark Newton Weddings
Tea towel favours are pure genius. Does it take you back to your school days?
Image by Lily Bungay & Co
Tile favours are such a lovely idea, guests can use them as coasters or decor in their homes. Or even use them as a unique tile in their house!
Image by Everly Studios
If you’re planning a boozy blowout, your guests will certainly thank you for a hangover kit favour.
Image by Heather Jackson Photography
A wonderfully eco-friendly and inexpensive favour idea that doubles up as wedding decor.
Image by Thyme Lane Photography
If you’re hoping to raise some funds for a charity close to your heart, charity pins are a wonderful idea. Find them at:
Also, check your chosen charity to see if they have donation options.
Image by Florence Berry Photography
Get some of your fave beer, perhaps from a local brewer, for a fun favour idea.
Image by Kat Antos-Lewis Photography
This is a great DIY favour idea, get creative and design a notebook. Then print out to display and share some fun memories or messages.
Image by Shutter Go Click Photography
Fudge may just be the ideal favours for those with a sweet tooth. Yummy.
Image by Hayley Baxter Photography
Keep your guests cosy and gift them a blanket favour. What a wonderful idea for winter weddings!
Image by Pear & Bear Photography
Alternatively, if you’re planning a wedding in the heat a personalised fan will go down a storm.
Image by Katherine Dalton Photography
Surely it doesn’t get much better than a hot chocolate favour?!
Image by Wild Tide Weddings
Keep kids entertained with a cute activity mat or booklet favour. You can find free kids wedding colouring sheets here too!
Image by Wild Tide Weddings
Keep hands from getting the chill with cute drink insulator covers that’ll be reused time and time again.
Image by Anna Gomes Photo
How about a gorgeous pyramid box favour? Perfect for stashing a special treat in style.
Image by Melissa Beattie Photography
Who doesn’t love a macaron? Sweet, decadent and delicious, macarons make for lovely favours.
Image by Eleanor Jane Photography
Temporary tattoo wedding favours are not only unique but fun for guests on the day too.
Image by My Beautiful Bride
Symbolic and sweet, a Welsh love spoon favour may be perfect for your celebration.
Image by Eva Photography
For a little after-dinner treat, gift your guests a cupcake favour, yum!
Image by Laura Jane Photography
A good old cup of tea is a firm favourite, so how about a tea leaf wedding favour treat?
Image by Sasha Weddings
For a really special memento, you could opt for a luggage tag favour with personalisation.
Image by Kristen Joy Photography
For a party vibe and a simple idea, shot favours may go down really well.
Image by Brook Rose Photography
A really sweet present idea is a sweetie cone favour, sure to be loved no matter the age of the recipient.
Image by Marianne Chua
Instead of a doughnut wall, bring the doughnuts to your favours. Delicious.
Image by Carn Patrick
For a little bit of luck, give out horseshoe wedding favours.
Image by Kerry Ann Duffy
A great alternative favour idea for Lego fans are customised mini figures. So cute!
Image by Casey Avenue Photography
A classic, but a goodie. Let your guests relight the memory of your wedding with a candle favour.
Image by Laura Rhian Photography
Give your guests the chance to win a prize with lottery ticket favours.
Image by Jen Marino
Allow guests the chance to kick off their shoes and hit the dancefloor all night with flip flop favours.
Image by Georgi Mabee
Do you love to cook? Add in a nod to your cuisine with herb wedding favours.
Image by Twig and Vine Photography
A good tote bag will last for years, so they make for the ideal wedding favour.
Image by Sarah Beth Photo
I love this glass favour idea, a gift that’s useful on the wedding day and beyond.
Image by Emily & Steve Photography
If your day is set to be sunny, sunglasses favours will not only look cool but be a great keepsake for guests.
Image by Jen Marino
A little useful moment, a simple and sweet personalised matchbox favour.
Image by Jessica Hunt Photography
An old school classic, a personalised gingerbread favour. Delish! A great favour idea for kids too.
Image by Binky Nixon
Put together a classic mixtape or CD favour with your fave tunes. Perfect for music lovers.
Image by Sue Slique Photography
Crack open a beer and gift some personalised bottle openers to your guests.
Image by French Connection Photography
Add some sparkle for your after-party with glitter make-up favours. Great entertainment for the evening too.
Image by Photography by Clare
Really cute, eco-friendly and fun for all with pinwheel favours.
Image by On Love and Photography
Dry eyes with handkerchief favours. Perfect for emotional speeches (or sneezes post-wedding) a lovely and pretty keepsake.
Image by Alexandra Szigeti
Seeds have been a really popular favour choice, full of hope and a great sustainable choice.
Image by Kristy Field
For a quirky kitsch favour idea, how about sweet dispensers?
Photo: Helen Russell Photography
Pack up some treats in cute goodie bags for a gorgeous favour experience.
Image by My Beautiful Bride
Fridge magnets are a really lovely idea for a sweet favour don’t you think?
Image by Marshal Gray
How about a sweet message in a fortune cookie favour?
Image by Freya Raby
Image by Sam Bennett Photography and Film
For a traditional sweet treat, how about a tea cake favour?
Image by LJM Photography
Gift a free drink at the bar with drink token favours.
Image by White Stag Wedding Photography
Perhaps you are having a Spring wedding? How about mini egg nest favours?
Image by HBA Photography
Jam has been a classic favour idea and it’s a great way to spread a little love.
Image by Katherine Ashdown
Have some fun with love potion wedding favours.
Image by Sally T Photography
Paper flowers not only look pretty on tables but are a lovely keepsake.
Image by Rebecca Douglas
Image by Rebecca Wedding Photography
If you are a literary fan, gift your favourite books as favours.
Image by Lina and Tom
Gin has become super popular for wedding favours and it’s easy to see why.
Image by Charlotte Hu Photography
Keep guests feet warm with sock favours, they’ll thank you for their snuggly treat when it turns cold.
Image by Sophie Oldhamstead Photography
Create your own custom badge favours for guests to rock during the reception.
Image by Katherine Ashdown
Love hearts are the cutest wedding sweet favour idea, right?!
Image by Alexa Poppe Photography
Here’s a photo of my actual wedding favours, complete with s’mores favour tutorial. You’re welcome.
Photo: Alexa Loy
For a touch of retro, how about vinyl record favours?
Image by Lola Rose Photography
Keep guests safe if there are any safety regulations in place with their own personalised face mask.
Image by Kate Gray Photography
Give your guests photo booth props for fun selfies on their table.
Image by Camilla Arnhold Photography
How about hand sanitiser wedding favours? A great takeaway item that’s sure to be useful.
Image by Danielle Leslie Photography
Not just for Christmas a cracker favour will ensure plenty of fun at tables.
Image by Jennifer Jane Photography
How about a DIY wooden placemat or activity mat favour?
Image by Cassie Craner Photography
Grow plants, pot them up and there you have pretty and eco-conscious favours!
Image by Hé! Capture
If you and your guests are pet lovers, how about pet treat wedding favours?
Image by Tasmin May Photography
You just can’t go far wrong with a biscuit favour in my opinion.
Image by Eleanor Jane
A cute wedding quiz or info booklet as a sweet keepsake.
Image by Clair Estelle Photography
Such a cute idea for a Christmas wedding or any wedding season, a super cute bell bauble favour.
Image by Kerry Ann Duffy
Succulents have seen a surge in popularity for favours, it’s a really beautiful option.
Image by Chris Giles Photography
Get your craft on and decorate pebbles as favours, which double up as place names.
Image by Kate Gray Photography
Collect vintage teacups to gift as favours, tea bag optional!
Image by SLR Photography
Packaging is everything, so think about stylish box favours.
Image by Caterina Neri Fotografie
Do you and your guests like a laugh? Rubber duck favours may just be perfect.
Image by David J Perkins
A cute treat, loved by all are definitely lollypop favours.
Image by Pierra G Photography
A sweet nod to a travel theme, or a fun entertainment idea are paper aeroplane favours.
Image by Devlin Photos
If you’re hoping for extra photos gift your guests’ cameras. Try to choose reusable options to be kinder to the planet.
Image by Sophie Booth Photography
Create a tower of choccies as a favour, great to look at, scrummy to eat.
Image by Kerry Ann Duffy
The perfect summery drink to DIY or buy yourself. Don’t forget the labels!
Image by Georgi Mabee
For a hunt of the movies, popcorn favours are ideal.
Image by Martha & George
Take sand from a special spot as a really sentimental favour idea.
Image by Anna Hardy
Get in the festival vibe with wristband favours for your guests.
Image by Alexa Poppe Photography
You could choose a cuddly teddy favour, just adorable.
Image by Steve Gerrard Photography
Or how about pom-poms as favours, a perfect craft too.
Image by Steve Gerrard Photography
Get some personalised rubiks cubes as favours and have a contest with prize.
Image by Chris Barber Photography
Take inspiration from the seaside with stick of rock favours.
Image by Jamie Bott Wedding Photography
Origami is a lovely way to thank your guests, paper crane favours always look amazing too.
Image by Kate Gray Photography
One for the kids, sweet toys and games as favours.
Image by John Wellings
A useful favour idea are egg cups, sure to be used over and over again.
DIY Egg Cup Wedding Favours Tutorial
Wedding favours are a lovely way to thank your guests for being present at your wedding. For being by your side as you reach this epic milestone in your life and relationship together. It’s a small, simple token, a gesture to say thank you.
Five sugared almonds are traditionally given, to represent luck and happiness. However, wedding favours now compromise of an assortment of personal ideas and options for modern couples.
Photo: Stephanie Butt
What you spend on your wedding favours is totally up to you. In fact, you could even skip wedding favours altogether if your budget is tight. Aiming for around £1 per favour is a good benchmark for a budget-friendly, personal token. For more personalised, extravagant favours the costs can really skyrocket, so it’s important to really think about what’s important to you.
No, you do not need wedding favours. It’s traditional to have wedding favours and can be seen as good etiquette. But, today there is no requirement to gift favours. You could think of other ways to thank your guests. For example, a card with a personal message costs pennies and may mean more to your guest than a sugared almond.
It’s really down to personal choice and what feels right for you and your wedding. You may feel putting your budget into entertainment for your guests for example is more important than a favour. Or you may feel favours are really important to you both.
Photo: Camilla Andrea Photography
Usually, wedding favours are placed on each place setting at your wedding tables. Alternatively you could have a table set up, with a basket and sign inviting guests to take a favour.
There really is no set rule when it comes to which wedding favours to give. It’s really down to personal choice, budget and preference. But below is a list of 101, real wedding favour ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
Photo: Thyme Lane Photography
I hope these lovely wedding favours have helped to inspire your favour choices.
What are you planning for your wedding favours? Or if you are already married what did you have for favours? Please do share below to help inspire even more favour ideas.
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Leave a Reply
Alison
My plan is to have different love poems, printed on card with our stationary design, as favours, for people to take away and keep as a memento. My fiance is Iranian, so we are trying to combine as many Persian traditions as possible – Iranian ceremony, Persian sweets and music – alongside English traditions – church wedding ceremony, English country garden theme, etc. So we would have a selection of English and Persian love poems to extend this theme and represent the joining of our two cultures and families through our wedding, and the universal theme of love!
Lou
ahh that sounds wonderful Alison 🙂 thanks for sharing xx