Wedding Favors
Kara Hyden
The wedding favor tradition dates to the 16th century, when newlyweds would send their guests home with a small knot made of ribbon and lace to represent their love. While wedding favors have been a well-known tradition over the years, they are not required and likely not even expected by your guests. Some couples like the idea of giving their guests a piece of memorabilia to remember their special day, while others determine the idea of the wedding favor too time consuming and costly.
If you’re leaning toward having favors at your wedding, the best types are ones that guests will use again or can enjoy during the reception, such as donuts, cookies, candy, or even a mini bottle of wine. Other ideas for favors can range from extravagant items like leather bottle openers, mini mason jars, shot glasses or coasters; while inexpensive favors can be treat bags containing mints, tea bags, and sweet or salty snacks.
For some non-traditional ideas and depending on the size of your wedding, you could provide lottery scratch-off tickets and leave a penny to use for the cards; write a short note to each guest letting them know what their presence at your wedding means to you; or even provide some personalized recipe cards for your guests to take home. For guests that travel to your wedding and stay in a hotel, you could leave a special guest room bag with items that will be useful during their stay, with a note letting them know you appreciate them traveling and sharing this special day with you.
As with other aspects of your wedding, add the traditions you want and leave others out. It’s your day, make it your own!
