102 Creative and Cheap Wedding Favour Ideas
Published date: 30th May 2021 | Author: Hollie Bond
Treat your guests to a present to say thank you for their presence on your big day with one of these amazing wedding favour ideas. Favours for weddings don’t have to be a nightmare, so we’ve put together a list to help make your life a little bit easier.
Wedding favours are a lovely touch to include at each place setting on your wedding reception tables. Not only can you use them to let your guests know how happy you are that they made the effort to celebrate with you, but they can also do double duty as ice-breakers, pretty décor or as a way of giving to a charity that means a lot to you.
It’s important to make sure you choose fabulous favours, otherwise, you might find them left on the tables at the end of the night. We’ve compiled a list of the very best ideas for favours that your guests will love, covering everything from macarons, spice mixes and shot glasses to luggage lags, coffee stencils and hangover kits.
Personalised Wedding Favours
1. Wine glass charms
How many times have you put your glass down at a wedding and not know which one it is when you come back from the dancefloor? There’ll be no glass confusion at your wedding if you give guests these personalised wine glass charms.
2. Recipe tea towel
Got a favourite family recipe that you want to share? Have it printed on a tea towel and leave one at each guests’ place setting. They’ll think of your special day every time they bake it.
3. Personalised pens
Personalise some pretty pens for your guests as a wedding favour. They can use them to sign your guest book too.
4. Personalised sunglasses
Getting married somewhere hot and sunny? Design some personalised sunglasses and leave them on the chairs at your ceremony so your guests don’t have to squint through the “I dos”.
5. Bottle stoppers
Bottle stoppers with the date of your wedding or logo will be a lovely reminder of the day each time your guests have a bottle of wine.
6. Fridge magnets
Create a lasting souvenir for guests with a fridge magnet with a picture of you or something around the theme of your wedding.
7. Notebooks with name on
Everyone loves a good notebook. Choose ones that match your colour scheme and get guests names etched on the front so they can double up as place names.
8. Candles
Having candles at your wedding to create a certain scent? Give guests a mini version of your favourite candle and when they light it, they’ll remember your special day.
9. Coasters
Personalise drinks coasters with your wedding details and guests can use them on the special day and at home.
10. Matches
These ‘Perfect Match’ personalised matches are really cute and useful, especially if you’re giving candles as favours too.
11. Keyring
You can personalise a keyring with a picture, the guests’ initials or your wedding details.
12. Shot glasses
Get the party started early by leaving personalised shot glasses at each setting, with a bottle of your favourite spirit in the middle of the table for guests to share out.
13. Luggage tags
Personalised luggage tag favours are perfect for destination weddings. Your guests will think about the amazing trip they had with you every time they go on holiday.
14. Tote bags
Tote bags are a useful and chic option for wedding favours. You can create any design, logo, illustration or picture you desire. They’re a particularly smart option at a beach destination where guests can use them as beach bags the day after your big do.
15. Chopsticks
Getting married in Asia or serving Asian food at your reception? How about personalised chopstick wedding favours that guests can use on the day and afterwards, a useful wedding favour to keep!
16. Tissues
Personalise tissues to mop up your guests’ happy tears as they watch you say “I do”.
17. Wooden initials
Pretty up your tables and let guests know where they are sitting with stylish wooden initials at each of the place settings.
18. Vinyl name wine glass stickers
For a modern take on wine glass charms, how about some vinyl name sticker decals for guests’ glasses.
19. Personalised Nutella bottles
Are you well-known for your love of Nutella? Give guests a giggle and a delicious treat to take home by personalising mini bottles of your favourite spread, the perfect wedding gift for those with a sweet tooth!
20. Socks
Socks are a classic gift for the groom, in case of cold feet, but they can also make lovely wedding favours. Personalise with a phrase like ‘The perfect pair’ or budget-allowing with your guests’ names.
21. Mini olive oil
Getting married in Italy or Greece? Reflect the destination in your wedding favours with mini bottles of the local olive oil, presented perfectly with a chic personalised label.
22. Coffee stencil
Wake up and smell the coffee with this fab and unusual idea for a wedding favour. You can get coffee stencils personalised with your wedding details or your guests’ names to really pimp up their morning latte.
Charity Wedding Favours
23. Charity place cards
When it comes to planning your place cards, think about any charities that are close to your heart and support them by ordering place cards that give back instead of physical wedding favours. Most charities offer place cards that include a message to let your guests know why you have chosen that charity.
24. Wildflower seeds
A packet of wildflower seeds is a wonderful wedding favour idea as guests can plant them and ‘let love grow’ in their gardens as a lasting reminder of your wedding. Plenty of charities have seed mixes to choose from including The Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Action Against Hunger, and Tree Aid.
25. Bubbles
Give guests a giggle and the opportunity to create some magical pictures with a bottle of kids-party style bubbles from The British Heart Foundation.
26. Badges
Wear your heart on your sleeve with some pretty badges from Cancer Research UK.
27. Dog’s Trust pins
Support man’s best friend with these pins from The Dog’s Trust. These work really well if you’ve got any dog-themed touches in your day or if your furry friend is in attendance as flower dog.
28. Ring in a box
Give everyone a ring on the big day with these wedding favours from Plan International UK that support girls who are forced to marry against their will.
29. Charm bead
GOSH have the option to buy a beautiful charm bead to support seriously ill children. A good option if you have a smaller wedding.
Wedding Favours for Men
30. Hipflasks
At a small wedding, you could personalise a hip flask for each of the male guests and fill them with the groom’s favourite spirit.
31. Miniature spirit
Too many guests for a hip flask each? How about a miniature bottle of the groom’s favourite spirit instead?
32. Scrabble cufflinks
Give your male guests a wedding favour that they can use again with these fun personalised scrabble piece cufflinks.
33. Novelty bowties
After the ceremony and the formal pictures, let you guests have a bit of fun with their outfits with novelty bowtie wedding favours. Guaranteed to create some funny pictures.
34. Tie clip
Guys will love a personalised tie clip to give their wedding look a natty edge. Have their names engraved for a personalised touch.
35. Pocket square
Personalise pocket squares with your wedding details, the guests’ initials or even a favourite picture.
36. Cigar
Cigar stations are a popular option at weddings, especially in hot destinations where you can sit outside and enjoy them at the end of the night.
37. Beer soap
Giving soaps as wedding favours but don’t want to give the guys anything too flowery? How about these fun beer soaps instead?
38. Beard kit
The Modern Man do some brilliant retro gifts for guys including this Beard Grooming Kit that is the perfect size to be given as wedding favours.
39. Money clip
Personalised money clips are a lovely idea especially if you’re having a cash bar, so the boys can keep track of their money as the night goes on.
40. Bottle opener
If you’re having crates of bottles at a festival style wedding, bottle opener wedding favours will be a seriously useful gift. You can personalise them and even get flat ones that fit in a wallet like a credit card.
Wedding favours for women
41. Lip balm
You can get alcohol flavoured lip balms like gin, Prosecco or a cocktail, so choose your favourite tipple and give female guests a celebratory beauty treat.
42. Vintage tea cup
Having a vintage theme day or an afternoon tea? Scour your local charity shops and car boot sales for a mix of vintage teacups and saucers and gift them to guests, who can also use them for their cuppa on the day.
43. A compact mirror
Pretty compact mirrors as the wedding favours will go down a treat with girls who need to check their lippy is in place as the night goes on.
44. Nail varnish
Give nail varnishes in a rainbow of shades and watch as guests start trading amongst themselves!
45. Bracelet
Remember friendship bracelets? Remind your girly guests how much you value their support and love on your big day with an adult version of the much-loved kids’ gift.
46. Pillow spray
Give your guests the gift of a good night’s sleep after the big day, with a pillow spray. If you’re getting married in the South of France, lavender-scented spray wedding favours are a must.
47. Mini perfume
You can create your own perfume as a hen do activity and then decant it into small bottles for your guests. Or perhaps you’re wearing a special wedding day scent and want to share it with your female guests in miniature form.
48. Hand cream
Mini hand cream will slip nicely into your guests’ evening bags. Choose a tube that fits nicely with your colour scheme.
Unusual Wedding Favour Ideas
49. Temporary tattoos
Temporary tattoos are really fun wedding favours and guaranteed ice-breaker. Get yours personalised with your faces and wedding dates!
50. Succulents
Succulents are a trendy and décor-friendly wedding favour. They are cheap and easy to grow so your guests can take them home and continue to nurture them long after your nuptials.
51. A beanstalk
Create a magical fairy-tale feel to your day with these wedding favours inspired by Jack and the Beanstalk. Don’t ask us how they work, but you can have your initials or every guest’s name magically appear on the bean!
52. Hangover kit
A little personalised bag with a few hangover helpers like Berocca, plasters for those post-dancing blisters and an eye mask will be gratefully accepted by wedding guests the morning after.
53. Cool place card holders
Let your place card holders do double duty as wedding favours too. Think baubles at a winter wedding, cute gold animal place card holders or heart-shaped single photo holders.
54. Baubles
Getting married at Christmas? Nothing is more festive when it comes to wedding favours than a special bauble that guests can take home and add to their tree.
55. Egg cups
Remind guests of your amazing day when they’re having their breakfast each morning with a personalised or wedding themed egg cup.
56. Matchbox games
Worried your guests will get bored over dinner or want to break the ice between guests who don’t know each other. Matchbox games are the way forward. They look great in their vintage containers and can be used well beyond the big day.
Cheap wedding favours
If you’re looking for some low-price wedding favours, take a look at our selection of gifts below that won’t break the budget for your special day. Not every gift has to be personalised and these budget-conscious ideas are so cheap, they might as well be free!
57. Fortune teller fish
Not much left in the budget, but keen to provide some ice breakers on the table? Everyone loves a fortune teller fish that rolls a different way depending on your fortune/ mood. Guaranteed to get wedding guests talking and only 13p a pop!
58. Soap
Personalised or in pretty wrappers that work with your wedding theme, locally-sourced brands of soap will be a winner with wedding guests. Plus, just imagine how nice your reception area will smell!
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59. Sparklers
Place a single sparkler on each place setting with a note to keep them until the end of the night when your wedding guests can create a sparkler arch for you to walk through as a married couple. Make sure you ask your photographer to stay to capture the incredible moment.
60. Scratch cards
Scratch cards are the ultimate budget wedding favour, because not only do they give wedding guests a fun few minutes playing the game, they might actually win some money. Now that would be a conversation starter and a half. They’re only £1 a go and you can display them beautifully in a personalised postcard holder.
61. Photo frames
You can get pretty photo frames for next to nothing these days. Use them as place cards on the day and have a note telling wedding guests to take them home and fill them with a picture of your wedding.
62. Mini bottles of bubble bath or a bath bomb
You can get bath bubbles or heart-shaped bombs personalised for very little for your big day. Guests will love a good long soak the day after to get rid of any sore heads.
63. WedFest wrist band
If you’re hosting a WedFest style big day, with live music, tepees and street food stalls, a WedFest wrist band wedding favour will add to the fun theme. They’ll make a lovely keepsake for guests too.
64. Drink tokens
It would be wonderful to be able to have an open bar at every wedding, but often the budget doesn’t stretch. If you want your guests to feel spoiled, even on a tight budget, consider giving drinks tokens as favours so their first or second drink of the night is on you.
65. Song request card
A song request card is a really budget-friendly option but is great fun for your guests too, who’ll enjoy filling them out and hearing their tune playing later on in the evening.
66. Christmas crackers
Having a festive wedding? Crackers can double up as décor details and wedding favours on your tables. You can get DIY crackers that you can fill with personalised presents and jokes too.
67. CDs with wedding music
Go retro and make up a mixtape/ CD of the songs that will be playing at your wedding. Present the CD in a cute sleeve that you can personalise to fit your theme. Pop these on each table with guests names printed on the cases for that personalised feel.
Edible wedding favours
68. Meringue kisses
Meringue kisses in a cute colourful bag will look great on your tables and meringues last for ages so are an excellent choice if you want to make or order ahead.
69. Truffles
Try your hand at truffle making in the run-up to the wedding, or if you’re pushed for time, you can buy a batch and then box them up in pretty favour boxes to match your colour scheme.
70. Jam
Homemade jam is a sweet idea for a wedding favour. Bonus points if you use fruit from your own garden. Personalise with a sticker on the jar with your wedding logo.
71. Fudge
Fudge is surprisingly easy to whip up and lasts a long time so you can make It ahead of your day. Guests will have snaffled it up well before the first dance!
72. Cupcakes
Got a handy baker in your bridal party? Ask them to whip up a batch of their finest cupcakes and place one on each place setting.
73. Honey
Honey that is local to your venue or where you fell in love is a lovely idea for a wedding favour. Plus, you can have fun with the labels… ‘Meant to bee’, ‘We bee-long together’, ‘Bee mine’.
74. Sweets
If you love pick ‘n’ mix or are having a fun fairground theme, sweets in stripy bags will look fabulous and guests will love tucking in at the evening party.
75. Fortune cookie
Fortune cookies are great conversation starters and a fun way to start the meal. You can get all sorts of messages inside including wedding quotes, wedding trivia or you can ask guests to fill the piece of paper inside with a wedding wish for you.
76. Sloe Gin
Get foraging for sloes with your other half and then spend the year before the wedding making your own sloe gin. Include instructions for guests to add the gin to their champagne for the toasts.
77. Individual wine or champagne bottles
Get the celebrations off to a flying start with an individual bottle of your favourite wine or champagne for each guest. We love these cool colourful bottles from Pommery.
78. Coffee or tea
If you’re known for your love of tea or coffee then treat your guests to your favourite brew. Tea leaves with a strainer or a packet of coffee beans will be a sweet personalised touch.
79. Chutney
Make your own chutney and then serve a cheese course or a cheese tower cake that your guests can enjoy it with.
80. Love hearts
The classic sweet Love Hearts are perfect for wedding favours. You can personalise the wrapper with your wedding details too.
81. Sugared almonds
Keep things traditional with the classic wedding favour – sugared almonds.
82. Lollipops
We’re not talking the tacky kids’ versions of this sticky treat. Lollipops can be made to look wedding perfect with edible flowers inside or edible glitter to match your theme.
83. Macarons
Want your favours to be simply chic? The French sweet treat macarons always look and taste good and you can display them in all sorts of fun ways.
84. Chocolate bar
Personalise a bar of chocolate with a wedding-worthy label.
85. Cake pops
If you don’t want your guests to fill up on an entire cupcake before the main meal, how about a pretty cake pop? Cake pops can be decorated beautifully to match your décor.
86. Biscuits
Make your own and ice them as creatively as you can or leave it to the professionals at Biscuiteers, who have a fabulous wedding favour range that you can personalise with your guests’ names or an on-theme picture.
87. Spice mix
Jetting off somewhere exotic on your honeymoon? How about giving your guests a spice mix from your chosen destination? You can buy the spices easily and cheaply at local markets and present them in pretty bags.
88. Doughnut wall
Doughnut walls are a huge wedding trend and look really eye-catching. Use them as décor and wedding favours by leaving an empty, personalised bag at each place setting for guests to fill with their doughnut of choice.
89. Candy cane
Christmas wedding tables will look cheerful and festive with the addition of a candy cane at each seat.
90. Hot chocolate kit
If you’re having a winter wedding, warm guests up with a hot chocolate kit favour. These cute little tubes come complete with hot chocolate powder and all the toppings.
91. Cake in a jar
A cake in a jar is a clever way to keep a cake favour nice and fresh, plus it looks amazing and is really unusual. You can buy a job lot of jars and decorate to suit your taste.
92. Mulled wine mix
At Christmas weddings give your guests a mulled wine spice mix that they can add to red wine on Christmas Day. The spices will add a gorgeous festive scent to your venue too.
Wedding Favours under £1
93. Cocktail stirrer
If you’re planning on treating your guests to a special wedding day cocktail, or are having a cocktail making station set up on your big day, then these cocktail stirrers will go down a treat. You can even personalise them with the guest’s name so that they can act as place names too. An inspired budget idea for under £1.
94. Marshmallow lollipops
Marshmallows lollipops are a great idea for a cheap and edible wedding favour. Not only are they budget-friendly at 75p a pop, but they’re also not too filling so guests can treat themselves to the favour before dinner and still have plenty of room for the carefully chosen wedding breakfast you’ve planned.
95. Piece of fruit
This might sound like a completely mad idea but stick with us. A piece of fruit on each place setting can look gorgeous if you choose right – we’re thinking of an apple at an autumn wedding rather than something more comical like a banana, or peach at a summer wedding with a soft pastel colour scheme. If you choose a piece of fruit with a strong stalk you can tie a name label to it and make it part of the place card decor too. You can bulk buy fruit from markets, and farm shops and you’ll need to plan to go the day before the wedding so the fruit is as fresh as possible.
96. Sweets in a test tube
If one of you is a scientist or works in the medical industry, this can be a really fun nod to your profession – a test tube filled with your favourite sweets or perhaps cocoa powder and marshmallows for a DIY hot chocolate kit.
97. Teabags in pretty pouches
Are you known as a tea-loving couple who can’t get enough of their favourite brew? A teabag favour in a cute pouch with the words ‘the perfect blend’ will definitely make your guests smile and they can choose to use their bag at the end of the meal or to take it home. You can have these bags pre-filled or fill with your own choice of favourite tea.
98. Key bottle openers
Fill some buckets around the venue with your favourite beer then give your guests the key to serve themselves with an assortment of key bottle openers on their place settings. These keys are really cheap but stylish and it’s a wedding favour your guests can keep and use again and again.
99. Bath bomb
Bulk buy these heart-shaped bath fizzers and put them in cellophane or pretty organza bags that fit your colour scheme and they’ll make a lovely and very budget-friendly wedding favour. Your guests will definitely appreciate them the day after the wedding when they’re soaking their dance floor-tired muscles in the bath.
100. Cutlery pouch
If you’re a dab hand with a sewing machine you can make pretty cutlery pouches really easily and cheaply from a single piece of fabric that works with your wedding theme. Alternatively, if you don’t have the time or sewing skills, you can buy pretty pouches cheaply online too and guests will love taking them home to use after the wedding.
101. ‘Mint to be’ mints
Everyone likes to refresh their palate after a good flavorsome meal and some ‘mint to be’ mints will go down a treat as a wedding favour. You can download this pretty label template and then bulk buy a brand like Tic Tacs and leave one at each place setting for a cheap wedding favour idea.
102. Name badges
How about this for an ice breaker? A name badge for each of your guests, so no-one has to feel awkward when they forget the name of someone they met at the hen do or should know from past parties. These pastel coloured badges come in at £1 a badge and will look beautiful on your wedding tables.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you give for Wedding Favours?
Wedding favours are typically small gifts, like candles, chocolates or cufflinks. It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive unless you want it to be!
Why do you give Wedding Favours?
Wedding Favours are a small way of saying thank you to your guests for joining you on your special day.