Personalized wedding favours are more than just keepsakes; they are a reflection of the couple’s personality and a token of gratitude towards their guests.

Weddings are magical occasions where every detail counts, including the parting gifts that say thank you to guests for sharing in the couple's special day. Discover how modern couples are embracing creativity to complement their wedding with unique wedding favours.

Wedding thank you gifts – a thoughtful wedding detail

Wedding favours are small gifts given to guests by the bride and groom as a token of appreciation and a memento of the celebration. This tradition, with a rich history that spans many cultures and centuries, has evolved into an essential element of wedding etiquette. The origin of wedding favours can be traced back to 16th century Europe, among the aristocracy, particularly in France and Italy.

The earliest wedding favours were known as bonbonnieres. These were small trinket boxes made of crystal, porcelain, or even precious stones, which contained delicacies like sugar cubes or delicate confections, which symbolized wealth and royalty. At the time, sugar was expensive and considered a luxury, and offering sweets to guests signified the wealth and generosity of the host.

As sugar became more affordable over time, the tradition of providing sweets to guests spread beyond the aristocracy and evolved across different cultures. For instance, in many cultures, it is common to give five sugared almonds to represent health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity. This practice particularly took root in Greek, Italian, and Middle Eastern wedding traditions. 

Additionally, in Middle Eastern Cultures more luxurious items, such as small pieces of jewellery, and personalized wedding favours, like perfumes or handmade soaps, are also popular. Diverse traditions throughout the world illustrate how wedding favours are not only a token of gratitude but also a reflection of cultural values and social norms, embodying a universal wish for health, prosperity, and happiness in the newlyweds' future lives together.

The importance of giving wedding favours has several facets, like a couple’s gratitude to guests for attending the wedding. They also serve as a tangible memory of the celebration, a small reminder of the joy and love shared during the event. Today, the range of items used as wedding favours is vast, from traditional sweets to customized items like engraved keychains, scented candles, or even plantable seeds. Each favour carries the spirit of generosity and celebration, embodying the couple's gratitude and the communal joy of their wedding.

Step-by-step guide to custom wedding favours

Planning for custom wedding favours involves careful consideration of your wedding theme, guest list, budget, and personal tastes.

Define your vision and budget. Consider the theme or style of your wedding, as this will guide the type of favours you choose. Consider how these favours can reflect your personality or tell a story about your relationship. Set a clear budget for your wedding favours, as costs can escalate quickly, especially for personalized items.

Consider your guests. Think about the questions, like are there many families with children, or mostly adults? Are there any cultural or dietary considerations to take into account? Choosing favours that cater to the interests and needs of your guests ensures that the gifts are appreciated and used.

Choose a wedding favour type. When researching personalized gift ideas for weddings, decide whether you want the favours to be edible, practical, decorative, or a mix of these.

Personalize. Adding personal touches helps to create unique wedding favours. This could involve customizing like engraving or printing your names and the wedding date on the favours. Creating the favours, yourself or with friends, can add a unique personal touch and often be more cost-effective. For DIY wedding favours, source materials from wholesale suppliers to save costs. Remember to order extra to accommodate any last-minute guest changes.

Plan. Start creating your wedding favours well in advance. If you’re ordering customized items, vendors will need lead time to create and ship your orders. DIY projects should also be started early to avoid last-minute stress.

Don’t forget about the packaging. Good packaging not only protects your favours but also adds to the aesthetic appeal. Consider how the packaging complements your wedding theme. Include a thank-you note or wedding favour tags with a personal message expressing your gratitude.

Assemble, store and present. If your favours are perishable, plan how and where they will be stored until the wedding day. Assemble non-perishable favours in advance to avoid a last-minute rush. Additionally, decide how the favours will be presented during the wedding. Will they be part of the table settings, displayed on a dedicated favour table, or handed out personally? Ensure the display aligns with your overall wedding décor. Finally, consider the logistics of transporting and setting up the favours at your venue. Make arrangements for who will be responsible for this on the day of the wedding.

Original and creative wedding favour ideas

When planning your wedding, every detail offers an opportunity to showcase your individuality. Opting for original and unique wedding personalities can transform these small gifts into unforgettable tokens of appreciation that resonate with your guests. Custom wedding favours can serve as a beautiful reflection of your shared interests, passions, or how you met.

For example, if you both love hiking, small compasses or personalized trail mix can connect your guests to your story. Imagine the delight and surprise when they receive something unexpected, like a small DIY kit related to your hobbies or a beautifully packaged plant that can grow as a reminder of your blossoming relationship. Your wedding day is a chance to set your celebration apart from others. Whether a small, handcrafted item or a personalized piece of artwork, these details make your wedding uniquely yours.

A unique favour says that you care enough to consider what might be meaningful or useful to them, rather than opting for a generic gift. This could be anything from a mixtape of your favourite songs to a custom blend of tea or coffee. Additionally, custom favours can also serve as conversation starters among guests, fostering a sense of community and interaction. For instance, personalized trivia cards about the couple at each table can engage guests and spark discussions, enhancing social interaction and enjoyment.

Edible wedding favours

Edible treats are a delightful way to leave the guests a tasty memento of your special day. They can range from simple and sweet treats to elaborate gourmet goodies. When choosing edible wedding favours, consider the season and location of your wedding, any potential allergies, and how well the favour will keep—especially if you expect guests to travel. Personalize the packaging with labels, custom stickers, or ribbons to tie it all together.

Edible wedding favours can range from homemade goodies like cookies decorated to match your wedding theme to artisanal treats like small jars of local honey or mini bottles of high-quality olive oil. A traditional edible wedding favour is candied nuts and other sweet confections. A particularly trendy choice is French macarons.

You can consider themed or seasonal favours like mini bottles of maple syrup or a jar of homemade jam that is perfect for autumn weddings. For a destination wedding, opt for international flavours. To be extra thoughtful, present DIY kits like a custom blend of spices for a particular dish, along with a recipe card.

Seasonal wedding favours

Seasonal wedding favours are a way to tie the natural beauty and distinct flavours of the time of year into your wedding celebration.

If your wedding takes place in spring, small potted herbs or flowers like lavender, pansies, or succulents make beautiful wedding favours that guests can take home and nurture. Likewise, custom packets of seeds for flowers or herbs that are popular in spring, such as wildflowers or basil, offer a symbol of growth and new beginnings. Handmade soaps with spring scents like rose, lilac, or honeysuckle, wrapped in floral paper, can be practical and pretty.

For a summer wedding, beach-themed favours like mini beach balls, personalized flip-flops, or small bottles of sunscreen are fun choices. Practical and stylish wedding favours are handheld fans with personalized handles or custom designs that match your wedding theme or colours. These will keep your guests cool during outdoor ceremonies or receptions.

Fall is harvest time, so for a wedding during this bountiful season, small jars of local honey or jam that capture the flavours of the season are perfect favours. You can also provide candles in scents associated with fall, such as cinnamon, apple, pumpkin spice, or wood smoke.

Winter provides the perfect scenery for unique wedding favours like custom ornaments that serve as a keepsake of your wedding day. Choose a design that matches your wedding theme or something festive for the holiday season. For a delightful favour, offer small packets of mulling spices along with recipes for making mulled wine or cider at home.

Small wedding favours

Mini wedding favours can be as delightful and meaningful as larger ones, often with the added advantage of being budget-friendly and easy to transport. Different pieces of stationery make for an excellent wedding favour. Enhance the stationery items with personalized notes or poems for each guest, expressing your gratitude and well wishes. Tie them with ribbon or place them in small envelopes.

Cultural wedding favours

Culture-inspired wedding favours are always a meaningful choice. Choose favours that hold cultural significance for your and your partner’s heritage. Include a small note or card explaining the cultural significance of the favours to help guests appreciate their meaning. For example, Greek wedding favours can include small evil eye charms or keychains to ward off negative energy and bring good luck while exquisite Japanese wedding favours are delicate origami crane ornaments as symbols of happiness, longevity, and good fortune.

Eco-friendly wedding favours

A sustainable option is choosing favours made from locally sourced or sustainable materials to minimize environmental impact. Opt for minimal or eco-friendly packaging to reduce waste. Use recycled paper, cardboard, or biodegradable materials. Consider purchasing wedding favours from small businesses or artisans who prioritize sustainability and ethical practices. Include a small note or card explaining the eco-friendly nature of the favours and how guests can continue to live sustainably.

If you opt for sustainable wedding favours, such as seed packets, reusable items or donations to a charity, you also send a message about your values and encourage guests to think about sustainability. This can be especially impactful and inspiring.

Luxury wedding favours

Luxury wedding favours are an opportunity to indulge your guests with elegant and sophisticated gifts that reflect the opulence of your special day. For example, you can offer guests personalized crystal champagne flutes engraved with their initials or the wedding date. Or provide guests with personalized perfume or cologne sets created specifically for your wedding.

Work with a perfumer to develop a signature scent that captures the essence of your special day. For an extra thoughtful touch, commission a local artist to create custom artwork or prints inspired by your wedding theme or venue. Offer guests limited edition prints or mini canvases as luxurious keepsakes. Or give out vouchers or gift certificates for exclusive experiences such as private wine tastings, gourmet cooking classes, or spa retreats. Ensure the experiences are tailored to your guests' interests and preferences.

Handmade wedding favours

DIY wedding favours add a personal and heartfelt touch to your celebration, showing your guests how much you appreciate their presence on your special day. Some charming ideas for handmade wedding favours that you can create with love and creativity include hand-poured candles in various scents and colours. Use natural soy wax and essential oils for a clean and eco-friendly option. Package them in glass jars or tins with personalized labels. You can sew small fabric sachets and fill them with dried lavender, rose petals, or potpourri. Customize the fabric and add embroidered initials for a personalized touch. 

Budget wedding favours

Planning a wedding on a budget doesn't mean you have to skimp on the details, including wedding favours. To create budget-friendly favours, opt for do-it-yourself favours that you can create at home to save on costs. Purchase supplies in bulk to save money on materials and plan carefully to avoid unforeseen expenses. Choose favours that are easy to assemble and don't require elaborate packaging. Some wedding favour ideas that are both thoughtful and affordable are bookmarks created using pressed flowers and laminating them for durability. Tie them with ribbon or twine and add personalized tags for a lovely keepsake.

Wedding favour boxes

Wedding favour boxes add an extra touch of elegance to your wedding reception tables. For a luxurious look, opt for square or pillow-shaped favour boxes wrapped in satin ribbon. Customize the ribbon colour to match your wedding theme. For a rustic wedding, choose miniature wooden crates or boxes and fill them with goodies like homemade preserves or artisanal cheeses. Vintage-inspired wedding favour boxes are a timeless choice. Opt for mismatched boxes, each selected for a particular guest. For a final touch, personalize favour boxes with the initials of the bride and groom and add the wedding date or a special message.

Personalized wedding favours – heartfelt souvenirs from your special day

Memorable wedding favours have the power to leave a lasting impression on your guests, serving as cherished tokens of gratitude for their presence on your special day. Whether you opt for personalized trinkets, handmade treats, or eco-friendly mementoes, the essence lies in the thoughtfulness behind the gesture. As you carefully select each favour, consider the unique personalities and interests of your loved ones, aiming to offer them a keepsake that reflects the joy and warmth of your celebration.

Author: Renāte Berga