A wedding favour is a small gift that says thank you for coming. In the US, it is spelled "favor". The idea is the same. The best favours are small, useful and easy to carry home. The worst ones are left on the table with the napkins.
Do you need wedding favours?
Ask yourself three questions before you spend money.
- Will most guests take it home, or leave it behind?
- Does it fit the rest of the budget, after the venue, food and drink?
- Would a donation or a nicer meal be a better thank-you?
If the answer is that guests will leave it, put the money into the catering or the drinks. Our wedding budget guide shows where the money usually goes.
How much to spend on favours
| Per guest | What you get |
|---|---|
| Under £1 ($1) | A sweet, a seed packet, a handwritten note |
| £1–£3 ($2–$4) | A chocolate, a mini jar, a candle |
| £3–£5 ($4–$6) | A boxed treat, a small plant, a custom item |
| £5+ ($6+) | A quality gift, such as a small bottle of something nice |
These are rough guides. Prices change with supplier and quantity, so get a quote before you plan. Count households, not heads: a couple can share one favour.
Edible wedding favours
- Mini jars of honey, jam or chutney
- A hand-wrapped chocolate or truffle
- Shortbread or biscuits in a bag
- A small bag of the couple's favourite sweets
- A mini bottle of olive oil, hot sauce or gin
- Popcorn or trail mix in a printed bag
Useful wedding favours
- Seed packets for wildflowers or herbs
- A small plant, such as a succulent
- A tea bag or a coffee sachet with a label
- A lip balm or a hand cream sample
- A bottle opener or a keyring
- A pack of tissues for happy tears, with a label
Charity favours
Give the money you would spend on favours to a cause you both care about. Put a card on each table that names the charity and the amount. It costs no more than favours and nothing is wasted.
Personal and DIY favours
- A handwritten note. A line for each guest costs only time, and guests keep it.
- A recipe card. Print a family recipe on a card with a short story.
- A playlist. Add a QR code that links to the songs from your day.
- A photo. Print one photo from your day. Guests can also add their own to a shared photo album.
Favour ideas by season
- Spring: flower seeds or a small bulb
- Summer: lemonade mix, sunscreen sample or a fan
- Autumn: apple cider mix, a candle or a jam jar
- Winter: hot chocolate mix, a mini candle or a pair of gloves
How to present and place favours
- Tie a tag with the guest's name, so the favour doubles as a name card.
- Put favours on the plate or the napkin.
- Keep a basket by the exit for guests who want to take one.
- Pack favours in boxes or bags that you can carry in one trip.
Favour mistakes to avoid
- Ordering the exact guest count, with no spare
- Choosing items that melt or spoil in a warm room
- Ignoring allergies, so label edible favours with the main allergens
- Buying items with your names and date that nobody will use
- Ordering too late for custom items
Frequently asked questions
Do you need wedding favors?
No. Favours are a thank-you, not a requirement. Many couples skip them and give a donation to charity, or spend the money on food and drink. If a favour will be left on the table, skip it.
How much should you spend on wedding favors?
Most couples spend a small amount per guest, often between £1 and £5 (or $2 to $6). Count each guest once. A couple, a family and a plus-one can share one favour. Set the per-guest amount first, then multiply by the guest count, so the total does not surprise you.
What are good cheap wedding favors?
Edible favours are the best value: a small bag of sweets, a mini jar of honey or jam, a single biscuit or chocolate, or a small pack of seeds. Wrap them yourself to save money.
When should you order wedding favors?
Order 2 to 3 months before the wedding for ready-made favours, and 3 to 4 months before for custom ones. Order a few extra. Edible favours should arrive no more than a few weeks before the day, so check the date on the label.
Where do you put wedding favors?
Place them on the table at each setting, hand them out at the door as guests leave, or put them in a basket by the exit. A favour on the place setting can double as a name card.
Is it rude not to give favors?
No. Guests come to share your day, not to take something home. A good meal, a warm welcome and a clear schedule matter more than a favour.
Plan the small things in one place
Track favours, decor and every other cost in the ForeverAfter budget calculator.
Related guides: How to Actually Save for a Wedding, Wedding Guest List Tips, Wedding Planning Checklist.