50 Creative Wedding Favors That Will Delight Your Guests

By Sarah Schreiber
July 27, 2011
Evan Rich Photography

From DIY bouquets to yummy desserts, these are some of the best wedding favor ideas we've seen yet.

Start Slideshow

1 of 51

Evan Rich Photography

Your ceremony went off without a hitch and your reception was a major hit. It might be hard to believe that your wedding day is over, and, after the epic party you just threw, your guests likely feel the same way. For the ultimate ending to the perfect day, send them off with something to remember the festivities by.

Enter the following inspired and creative wedding favors. From make-your-own flower bouquets and parasols to incense and sweet treats, there are so many ways to gift something unexpected. The best rule of thumb? Skip the monogrammed picture frames and opt for favors that your guests will actually use. Bottles of hot sauce or glass canisters of pink Himalayan sea salt are sure to end up in your friends' and families' kitchens and will serve as a happy reminder of the big day. You can also feel free to gift a favor that was inspired by your wedding's locale. This is especially perfect if you're throwing a destination wedding—think mini jars of olive oil for a Santorini wedding or fresh oranges for Florida "I dos."

If you're not going for the use factor, choose something delightful. We loved how one bride gifted the prettiest tambourines—guests also used them as noisemakers to celebrate the newly-married couple as they walked back up the aisle. Flower crowns were another standout. Trendy and cute for female (and male!) guests of all ages, the couple's floral favors involved attaching simple blooms to headbands. Talk about easy! As you click through, you'll discover that most of these gifts are just that—simple. You'll be happy to learn that majority of memorable wedding favors are often both easy to create and easy on the wallet. You can thank us later.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 51

Pressed Flowers

Corbin Gurkin

Calligraph your guests' names and seating assignment onto framed pressed flowers and voilà—a one-of-a-kind place card and wedding favor two-in-one.

3 of 51

Chocolate Bars

Jen Wojcik Photography

An illustrated label makes a chocolate bar infinitely more sophisticated. Dark or milk is up to you, but the bars are sure to be a hit for guests with a sweet tooth (so, everyone!).

Advertisement

4 of 51

Cocktail Kits

Abby Jiu Photography

The best hosts keep the party going long after the night comes to a close. Do just that by sending guests home with ingredients for the perfect Moscow Mules (or another of your favorite drinks).

5 of 51

Fruit Carton

Jen Huang
Love Fruit? Cover Your Wedding Cake with All Your Favorites

Now's the time to put that home garden to use. Gift guests fruits from your backyard or source your favorites from a local farmer.

6 of 51

Olive Oil

Michele Beckwith

Bottles of olive oil are the perfect favor for a Greek destination wedding—or a fun way to celebrate your Greek heritage.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 51

Himalayan Salt

Emily Wren

This pretty pink salt is better for you than the white, processed variety and looks lovely in little jars.

8 of 51

Homemade Limoncello

Jasmine Lee Photography

Mini bottles of homemade limoncello, a popular dessert drink, make the perfect post-wedding treat.

9 of 51

Seeds

Laura Goldenberger Photography

Bags of seeds are generally seen as a symbol of growth and harmony, which makes them a meaningful wedding favor. You can use any flowers you like, but it'll be especially touching to gift a type of bloom that was used throughout your day.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 51

Snacks to Go

Elyse Hall Photography
Check Out More Late-Night Snack Recipes Perfect for an After Party

A bottle of Coke, fries, and burgers make the ultimate late-night snack—and will help satisfy your guest's post-drinking cravings.

11 of 51

Rustic Candles

Marissa Maharaj

For a rustic affair, jarred candles in earthy scents like moss, vetiver, and rose are the perfect final touch.

12 of 51

Mugs

Darling Juliet

Throwing a camp-inspired fête? These tin mugs, emblazoned with you and your spouse's names, make cute and on-theme gifts

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 51

Bottle Openers

Rebecca Arthurs

There's a good chance your guests will use bottle openers every week, which means they'll think of your nuptials each time they crack open a cold one.

14 of 51

Maple Syrup

Ether and Smith

Take a hint from this couple and serve up maple syrup in (reusable!) decorative flasks.

15 of 51

Greek Pastries

Mike Cassimatis

Your wedding day really will be the best day ever if you serve up assorted Greek pastries in grab-and-go containers.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 51

Potpourri

Ashley Caroline

Set up a potpourri station, where your guests can scoop fragrant herbs into illustrated sacks.

17 of 51

Temporary Tattoos

Nyk and Cali
8 Creative Ways to Revamp Your Wedding Photo Booth

Do you know what makes a great photo booth snapshot? A group of your best friends, all sporting tattoos of you and your love's faces.

18 of 51

Sleep Masks

Abby Jiu Photography

There's nothing like the gift of sleep, which makes silky smooth sleep masks (how cool is this houndstooth print?) the ultimate favor.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 51

Worry Dolls

Eden Willow

"Worry dolls" are an important part of the Guatemalan culture, and are often gifted as emblems of peace and love.

20 of 51

Fans

Vitae Weddings

These colorful, handmade fans keep guests cool during summertime ceremonies and also serve as the perfect photo booth prop.

21 of 51

Vases

Anna Delores Photography

Looking for a quick way to repurpose your wedding flowers? Towards the end of the evening, ask a designated person to break down centerpieces and bouquets and place them into glass bottles. It's a great way to ensure that guests bring home an actual piece of the big day—and guarantees that those pricy blooms won't go to waste.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 51

Macarons

Bia Sampaio
More Edible Favors Your Guests Will Eat Up

If you're going to gift this trendy treat, there's no better bakery to turn to than the elegant and always-delicious Ladurée. And how beautiful are those boxes?

23 of 51

Incense

Vitae Weddings

Keep the good vibes going by handing out incense bundles to banish the bad.

24 of 51

For the Kids

Vitae Weddings

Keep it simple on the kids table. A pack of crayons, a clipboard of fresh paper, and pair of cute shades are all you need to keep little ones content throughout the event.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 51

Parasols

Sawyer Baird

Protect your guests from sunburn with a dainty parasol, a touch that brings a little bit of vintage to your ceremony.

26 of 51

Mini Hot Sauce Bottles

Greer Gattuso

If you and your spouse-to-be are known to carry hot sauce on you wherever you go, the spicy condiment might be the way to go when it's time to choose favors.

27 of 51

Jelly Beans

Adrienne Gunde Photography
See These Insanely Creative Place Cards and Seating Displays

Here's a bright idea: Fill a mini lightbulb with your favorite jelly beans. Tie them with name tags if you'd like them to double as place cards.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 51

Bouquets

Emily Millay

Send your guests home with something floral. Place crates of fresh-cut flowers near the door to dress up guest's coffee tables for a week after the wedding.

29 of 51

Artwork

Ayres Photo

Enlist the help of a creative friend or a local artist to create a myriad of colorful scenes.

30 of 51

Luxe Candles

Phosart Photography & Cinematography

Miniature Jo Malone candles are sure to impress all your guests. Of course, any candle you love will work, too.