31 Unique Wedding Favor Ideas for Your Guests
Say goodbye to boring wedding favors that get left behind. Here are our favorite unique wedding favors options to wow your guests.
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Custom koozies, Jordan almonds, personalized matchboxes...when it comes to wedding favor ideas, we've been there, done that (and you probably have, too). Handing out wedding favors at your reception is a nice gesture, but finding meaningful items that, A). won't end up collecting dust after the reception and B). break your budget, can sometimes be tricky. Luckily, it's possible to do it with a little inspiration from from real couples. Here are 20 creative wedding favors for guests and where you can buy them right now.
Do you give wedding favors to each guest?
As a general rule of thumb, yes, you should plan to give a wedding favor to each of your guests, including couples and families. There are a few exceptions depending on the type of favor you're giving out—for example, you can probably skip favors for babies and young children, and stick to one per family if the favors are elaborate or larger items, such as full-size bottles of champagne. When ordering or making your favors, always have a few extras—we recommend about a dozen—so you have a few left for yourself or if a guest decides to take more than one (annoying but inevitable).
What is the average cost of wedding favors?
Based on a study of more than 27,000 newlyweds who were married in 2019, the average couple spends $400 on wedding favors. For a wedding with 150 guests, that breaks down to approximately $2.67 per favor, but what you decide to spend should ultimately be based on your overall budget and the specific type of favor you choose.
Unique Wedding Favor Ideas
After spending money and going to the effort of picking out wedding favors, the last thing you want is your guests to leave them behind—or worse, throw the favors away when they get home. The key to choosing good wedding favors that your guests will genuinely appreciate is to balance practicality with creativity. Think of items that your guests would be likely to use anyway, such as bottles of wine, cocktail kits, or everyone's favorite: food and snacks. Finally, keep the monogramming to a minimum if you want your wedding favors to have longevity. As much as you may love showing off your new married monogram or wedding date, the same doesn't always go for your guests! No clue where to start? We've got you—try these wedding favor ideas below.
Personalized face masks
Masks are a normal part of weddings these days, so why not make them cute? Give your guests reusable and washable face masks as wedding favors—not only will this be an item that guests can use after the wedding, but if you hand them out at the start of the celebration, it's an easy way to keep everyone safe, too.
Get the look: JoyAndChaos custom wedding face mask favors, from $5, Etsy
Individual hand sanitizer bottles
Speaking of keeping everyone safe, hand sanitizer is another popular wedding favor idea right now. This is something your guests will definitely use, and you can personalize the bottles with cute labels, designs, and even scents.
Get the look: ThatPartyChick personalized hand sanitizer bottles (set of 20), from $50, Etsy
Mason jars
If you're hosting a rustic or laid-back wedding, mason jars are a cute party favor that your guests can easily take home and re-use. Give everyone a jar at the start of the cocktail hour or reception and serve your favorite big-batch cocktails, like spiked lemonade or rum punch, in beverage dispensers.
Get the look: WeddingWire Shop personalized glass mason jar with lid (set of 12), from $24, WeddingWire Shop
Scented candle favors
Miniature candle jars are a fun wedding favor idea if you're into aromatherapy or love treating yourself to a new candle. Since scent is tied to memory, your guests will think of your special day every time they use the candle!
Get the look: BowAndArrowCandleCo. custom wedding favor candles (set of 50), $202, Etsy
Custom wedding cookies
When in doubt, you can't go wrong with edible wedding favors. Custom cookies are great to serve as a late-night wedding snack or send home with your guests in individual favor bags. The best part: You can order them in just about any shape or design imaginable to match your wedding theme.
Get the look: SweetByNatalie simple elegant wedding theme cookies, from $72, Etsy
Jars of honey
We think this is a pretty sweet wedding favor idea if you're having a rustic wedding or getting married in a garden—even better if your wedding venue has its own apiary that produces honey. Add custom labels to the jars for an extra special touch.
Get the look: NaturalHoneyBee 2 oz. wedding honey jars (set of 25), from $85, Etsy
Bottle openers
A practical wedding favor like a bottle opener is bound to get plenty of use after your big day. Look for shapes that match your wedding theme, like these island-inspired pineapples, palm trees, and flamingos that would be perfect for a destination wedding at the beach.
Get the look: PBpaperie gold pineapple bottle opener (set of 5), $19, Etsy
Potted succulents
Mini succulents or other potted plants are a cute wedding favor idea if you don't want to hand out objects that will just collect dust when your guests go home. Pair them with a punny sign, like "Let love grow" or "Plant yourself" if you're planning to use the succulents as unique wedding escort cards as well.
Get the look: RandADesign Company wooden "let love grow" sign, $20, Etsy
Hot sauce
Spice things up a bit by treating your guests to mini bottles of your favorite hot sauce or tabasco. Don't forget the custom labels (and maybe a spice level warning!).
Get the look: TheCreativeSideshow personalized hot sauce bottle stickers, from $5, Etsy
Lavender sachets
If you don't want to buy them, fragrant lavender sachets are an easy DIY wedding favor idea that your guests can reuse in their cars, sock drawers, or closets. Another idea we love: Put fresh lavender buds into glass test tubes and have your guests toss them as confetti during your recessional or grand exit.
Get the look: TheCopperKettleShop cedar and lavender sachets (set of 12), $20, Etsy
Tea bags
Send guests home with bags of herbal tea for a soothing, healthy wedding favor they can enjoy in their downtime. This is also a great idea for bridal shower favors, especially if you're hosting a tea party-themed bash.
Get the look: PlainJane2424 "Let love brew" tea favor packets, from $8, Etsy
Personalized mints
Display these tiny wedding favors at your bar and in the restrooms for a thoughtful touch that your guests will definitely appreciate.
Get the look: NJHboutique personalized mint favors (set of 30), from $12, Etsy
Gourmet popcorn
No matter your wedding theme, season, or venue, bags of gourmet popcorn are always a hit as personalized favors. We suggest offering a few different flavors in an assortment of sweet and savory to provide options for everyone.
Get the look: PreppingParties custom wedding popcorn bags (set of 12), from $30, Etsy
Mini champagne bottles
To keep the celebration going after your wedding ends, send guests home with mini champagne bottles. Choose your favorite brand of bubbly or add extra personalization with custom labels. Alternatively, you could use mini bottles of wine, beer, juice, or even cold brew coffee!
Get the look: Shopwwd champagne labels, from $10, Etsy
Tea towels
This is one of the best unexpected wedding favor ideas we've seen. Personalize the towels by having a professional calligrapher decorate them with a romantic quote, a printed menu, or other design that guests will want to show off in their own homes. Finally, incorporate the towels into your tablescape decor by making them a part of each guest's place setting.
Get the look: PCBHome tea towels (bulk listing), from $96, Etsy
Cocktail shakers
Similar to mini champagne bottles, cocktail shaker favors will remind guests of your wedding whenever they're whipping up drinks at home. A classic stainless steel cocktail shaker is something they'll use for years and years after the big day.
Get the look: Williams Sonoma stainless steel cocktail shaker (set of four), $35, Williams Sonoma
Pumpkins
Miniature pumpkins are adorable take-home wedding favors for any couple having a fall wedding. Once September rolls around, mini pumpkins and gourds are relatively easy to find in a variety of colors. Plus, they double as decorative place cards!
Get the look: G2Plus gift tags (set of 100), $7, Amazon
Garden seeds
Packets of garden seeds are wedding favor ideas that keep on giving. This idea is perfectly appropriate if you're having an outdoor wedding at a garden or farm venue. For the most useful seeds, choose easy-to-grow plants that flourish both indoors and outdoors—some options include lemongrass, basil, chives, lavender, and mint.
Get the look: MadeByMikaLtd glassine wildflower seed bags, from $8, Etsy
Hot cocoa mix
Hot cocoa mix is a great winter wedding favor idea that guests of all ages will love. Package the powder and marshmallows in miniature glass bottles for an extra-cute and personalized touch.
Get the look: Superlele 100ml glass jars (set of 24), $20, Amazon
Handmade soaps
Handmade artisanal soaps are one of our favorite wedding favor ideas if you're getting married outdoors or during the summer. Consider purchasing them from a local small business or making your own using scented wax and oils—stick with all-natural ingredients for the safest, allergy-friendly soaps.
Get the look: LeBoxBoutique mini wedding soap favors, from $27, Etsy
Doughnuts
Whether you box them up individually or hang them on a custom wall display, doughnuts are always a crowd pleaser. Your guests will be so excited to take these wedding favors home—if they don't eat them first, that is!
Get the look: California Containers white bakery boxes (set of 25), $17, Amazon
Flower arrangements
Repurpose your wedding centerpieces at the end of the night by letting your guests build their own arrangements using the flowers and greenery. Tin pails are perfect wedding favor ideas for a rustic setting, but you can also use simple glass vases for a more classic look. This is an eco-friendly way to give new life to the flowers instead of tossing them when the party ends!
Get the look: Kicko galvanized buckets (set of 12), $20, Amazon
Moscow mule mug
Forget personalized shot glasses and pint glasses—chances are, your guests already have more than enough of both. A copper Moscow mule mug is unique but still functional.
Get the look: Kitchen Science copper mugs (set of six), $45, Amazon
Candy apples
Caramel-covered apples are one of the best wedding favor ideas if you're getting married in the fall and want to surprise your guests with additional sweet treats.
Get the look: OrangeUmbrellaCo "Appley Ever After" wedding stickers, from $7, Etsy
Personalized blankets
If the weather is going to be chilly on your wedding day, keep your guests cozy by providing fleece blankets. Personalize them with your wedding monogram, date, or initials. After you're married, everyone will be reminded of your special day whenever they curl up with the blanket at home.
Get the look: PCBHome throw blankets (bulk listing), from $240, Etsy
Infused olive oil
Foodie couples will love what's next on our list of wedding favor ideas. Treat your guests to bottles of gourmet infused olive oil that they can use when cooking at home. You can even include a card with your favorite recipe or tips about how to use the dressing. We especially love this idea if you're getting married at a pastoral venue, like a farm or vineyard.
Get the look: OrangeUmbrellaCo "Infused With Love" favor tags (set of 24), $11, Amazon
Handkerchiefs
Anticipating a few happy tears during your ceremony? Vintage hankies are a sweet and sentimental keepsake that your guests will definitely appreciate as you're reading your handwritten vows.
Get the look: Olgaa embroidered cloth handkerchiefs (set of 30), $23, Amazon
Macarons
Macarons make an elegant and chic wedding favor, especially if you're having a Paris themed wedding. Package them in favor boxes so they're easy for your guests to carry at the end of the night.
Get the look: Comfecto plastic boxes (set of 50), $21, Amazon
Parasols
Parasols are fun favor ideas for a beach wedding or summer wedding. Choose ones that match your wedding color palette, or mix-and-match for a whimsical look. They'll keep your guests comfortable in the shade, not to mention that they're also adorable props for your wedding photos. If you think it might rain on your wedding day, swap the paper parasols for umbrellas. Your guests will thank you!
Get the look: WeddingWire Shop paper parasol with bamboo handle (set of 12), $9, WeddingWire Shop
Cocktail kits
For a crowd that loves to party, miniature cocktail kits serve as fun wedding favor ideas. You can personalize them to match your signature drink or even include your favorite locally made spirits. Kits like these also make great additions to your wedding welcome bags if you have out of town guests.
Get the look: Mesha paper gift boxes (set of 100), $19, Amazon
Cookie sandwiches
What's better than a chocolate chip cookie? A chocolate chip cookie sandwich, of course. Tempt your guests with delicious buttercream-filled cookie sandwiches (and a cute sign) to remind them of how sweet love can be.
Get the look: TheFoilStationeryCo "Love is Sweet" wedding stickers, from $8, Etsy
