Wedding favours are a lovely way to show gratitude to your wedding guests. They allow you to express your individuality, tastes, wedding theme or designs in a low-cost, thoughtful way.

For most couples, there are more pressing matters to think about than wedding favours. The wedding flowers, venue or catering, usually occupy a more substantial part of the planning, so don’t worry if this part of the wedding preparation is an afterthought.

To help ease your wedding favour qualms, we thought we’d share with you some handy tips, in the hope that this will give you some ideas of what to gift your guests, on your special day.

A bit of history…

Did you know that wedding favours were given as wedding keepsakes in place of cards? They were also meant to represent the good luck and potency of the bride.

The first known wedding favours originated amongst the French aristocrats and were called bonbonnieres and were given to the guests as a symbol of good luck.

Today, the reason for having wedding favours has evolved, however they still serve several purposes.

First, they help everyone to remember your special day. Second, they might include a thank you card or small note they can take away with them. And finally, wedding favours can also double up as décor particularly table decorations.

Do I have to have wedding favours?

Having wedding favours is a personal choice. If you have a great idea for wedding favours that ties in with your theme and fits your budget, then definitely include them. But don't feel the pressure to have them for the sake of it.

Most of your wedding guests won't even think about wedding favours and if you do provide them, some people will leave them behind anyway.

Advice on spend

You don't have to spend a fortune on wedding favours, particularly if you're on a tight budget. Instead, you can offer guests anything from a small home baked treat to a handmade gift.

For small, intimate weddings, you might spend a little more on wedding favours as you are celebrating with a close group of friends and family. However, for a larger wedding, the wedding favours are often smaller tokens of appreciation.

If you want to opt for an edible treat, contact Wilma’s Bakery. As well as offering show stopping wedding cakes, they can also provide tasty wedding favour treats, to.

Give to charity

Choosing charity wedding favours is also a great way to raise money for a good cause and not spend a fortune.

Charities like Cancer Research UK offer inexpensive wedding favours that also help a good cause. They offer everything from small enamel badges to seeds and even confetti. These will often include a small note to let the guest know a donation has been made in their name.

Wedding favour ideas

Some of the best wedding favours are things you can drink, eat or use so this could mean a small biscuit, homemade candle, bath salts or miniature sloe gin.

Another tip for wedding favours is to make them versatile and multipurpose. This could mean using them as name place cards on your table or a coaster.

Wedding favours are also very easy to DIY, so most people can pull off a simple wedding favour craft – even if you don’t feel particularly creative.

Some couples include things like a piece of cake or their dessert table as the wedding favours. TIP: If you're going to do this, don't forget to provide small boxes for guests to take their sweet treats away with them.

Essence of Cake absolutely adore all things cake related, and we believe are a great company to use, if you choose to go down the sweet favour route. The team will bake you personalised cupcakes and biscuits and have a choice of flavours.

Including a small note of thanks with your wedding favour is also a special and unique idea. Some wedding guests like a keepsake from the wedding, and a line from the couple is a lovely choice for this.

What wedding favours should I use for a small budget wedding?

If you want to send guests home with a small souvenir from your big day, you don't have to spend a fortune. Instead, home-baked goods like shortbread or brownie bites are often a welcome treat at the end of a long day of celebrating.

Something as simple as a chocolate attached to a thank you card is another cost-effective and DIY choice.

Packets of flower seeds are another excellent gift for your guests. Choosing an option like this, is also a sustainable and eco-friendly choice. Why not speak to one of our lovely florist such as Designer Flowers in Essex, or Simply Stunning Flowers, to discuss flower seed options, here : Entertainment and Décor.

Another way to save money on your wedding favours is only to offer them to day guests only. Also, children probably won't be interested in a candle or homemade soap, so why not make inexpensive goodie bags for children to take home!

For more advice and inspiration to help make your wedding day a unique and memorable occasion, make sure you’re following the Infinite Wedding Co blog.

We share helpful insight and inspiration to help make planning your wedding a breeze.

Ping us an email here: hello@infinitemangementco.com, if you have any other questions, we’d love to help,

Debbie and Becca x