Are Wedding Favours Worth It?
Wedding favors are small gifts given to guests at weddings as a gesture of appreciation for attending the celebration. Traditionally, wedding favors were more lavish items made of crystal, silver, or porcelain. However, over time, the trend has shifted towards more practical and cost-effective favors like candles, candy, seed packets, and picture frames. The average cost spent on wedding favors ranges from $2-$10 per guest.
The purpose of this article is to analyze whether spending money on wedding favors is worth it for couples planning a wedding. We’ll weigh the benefits and downsides, explore etiquette and alternatives, and provide case studies and expert opinions to help couples decide if favors should be part of their wedding budget.
History and Tradition
The tradition of giving wedding favors dates back to the 16th century in Europe, when aristocrats and nobles would gift perfumes, sugared almonds, or other confections to their wedding guests as a token of appreciation (Source). In England, the earliest recorded wedding favor was given in the 1500s, when each guest would receive candied fruits to represent the couple’s growing love (Source).
Wedding favors became especially popular during the Victorian era, when couples would gift elaborate favors like small trinkets, fans, or silver charms. The tradition spread from European nobility to all classes. In the United States, wedding favors became popular in the early 20th century.
Traditions vary across cultures. For example, some French couples give sugared almonds called dragées, while Korean couples gift fans or crane-shaped origami. Indian weddings may include small gifts of coconuts or sweets. No matter the culture, wedding favors represent gratitude, celebration, and good luck for the married couple.
Cost
The typical cost per wedding favor can range from $2-3 per guest for simple favors like candies or cookies, to $10-20 or more for higher end favors like personalized glassware or small bottles of olive oil. According to The Knot, the average cost spent on wedding favors and guest gifts is around $14 per person. This means for a 150 person wedding, couples spend about $2,100 total on favors [1]. Brides Magazine similarly reports most couples spend $10-20 per guest on favors for a total of 1-2% of the overall wedding budget [2]. The cost can add up quickly, especially when multiplied by a large guest count. Carefully selecting lower cost but still thoughtful favors can help couples stick to their budget.
When budgeting for favors, it’s important to consider not just the base cost per item, but any customization, packaging, or shipping fees that may be added on top. Ordering favors in bulk online can sometimes save money over buying locally. However, take into account time required for assembly and distribution. Simple DIY favors may be cheapest, but require the most effort. Finding the right balance between cost, quality, and convenience is key.
Benefits
Many couples choose to provide wedding favors as a special thank you and keepsake for their guests. For guests, favors serve as a memento from the wedding day and a thoughtful gesture representing the couple’s gratitude for sharing in their celebration. Favors can become cherished souvenirs, especially for close family and friends. When personalized or matched to the wedding theme, favors allow couples to showcase
their style and personalities.
Favors provide a unique opportunity to personalize each guest’s experience. Couples can select favors that reflect their hobbies, interests, wedding location, or cultural traditions. Personalized favors with the couple’s names or wedding date make distinctive keepsakes. This personal touch shows guests how much they are appreciated. Handing out customized favors also makes interactions with guests more meaningful during the reception.
Overall, tasteful and thoughtful wedding favors enable couples to show their appreciation in a lasting, tangible way that guests can treasure long after the wedding. Though optional, favors help create an extra special memory for those who attended.
Downsides of Wedding Favors
While the tradition of gifting wedding favors has sentimental value, there are some downsides to consider:
Added expense – Providing a small gift for each guest adds up quickly, increasing the overall wedding budget. Couples may spend anywhere from $1-$10+ per favor for 50-300+ guests. This takes funds away from other wedding elements.
Time to assemble and set up – It takes effort to choose, order, assemble, and display wedding favors for guests. Factor in extra work the week before the big day. Couples often rely on family to help out with this task.
Potentially wasteful – While some keepsake favors will be appreciated, others inevitably end up in the trash. Edible treats may go uneaten, trinkets tossed aside. Consider favors that will truly delight guests.
Alternatives
Instead of spending money on traditional wedding favors, many couples are opting for alternative options that are more meaningful or cost-effective. One popular idea is to make a donation to a charity in lieu of favors. This allows the couple to support a cause they care about while sparing the expense and waste of small trinkets. As recommended by Zola, couples can select a charity that has personal significance and announce the donation via the invitations or wedding website [1]. Guests appreciate knowing their attendance helped contribute to a good cause.
For DIY-minded couples, there are many inexpensive favor ideas that can be made at home. Martha Stewart suggests homemade cookies, poems, botanical prints, candles, honey pots, and other crafty items as budget-friendly favors [2]. With some creativity and effort, these can become heartfelt gifts. The benefit of DIY is complete control over the design, theme, and cost. Rustic and Main also recommends providing wedding playlist copies, photo booth pictures, to-go treats, or personalized glassware as alternatives to traditional favors [3]. Ultimately, the goal is to find a meaningful option that delights guests without breaking the bank.
Etiquette
According to wedding experts, it is not considered rude to skip wedding favors, especially if your budget is tight. However, they are a nice gesture and traditional part of many weddings. The standard etiquette is to give one favor per guest or per couple/family.
Some believe favors are unnecessary for very small weddings of less than 50 guests. It’s also acceptable to skip favors at destination weddings, where the trip itself can be seen as the favor. At larger weddings, favors help create a cohesive theme and thank guests for their attendance.
Favors should be placed at each place setting or incorporated into a centerpiece. It’s best not to make guests dig through a basket to pick their own. According to Beau-Coup, “If you decide to give each couple a favor, then place these on their table instead of at each place setting.”
The ideal time to distribute wedding favors is near the end of the reception as guests are departing. You can have a small card with each that says “Thank you for celebrating with us today.” This allows guests to easily take them home.
Case Studies
The Newlywed Net surveyed couples after their weddings in 2016 to get their thoughts on wedding favors.
One couple opted for customized matchboxes as favors for their beach wedding. The bride said, “I loved being able to put our names and wedding date on the matchboxes. It was a practical favor that didn’t cost too much, especially buying in bulk. Our guests loved them!” (Source)
Another couple decided against favors for their large wedding. The groom explained, “We had nearly 200 guests and didn’t want to spend money on trinkets. We figured the open bar and fun memories were favor enough. Some older relatives were expecting something to take home, but we have no regrets.” (Source)
A couple who had a backyard wedding bought bulk wildflower seed packets and attached custom labels with their names and date. The bride said, “I loved the idea of giving our guests something meaningful to plant and watch grow. The packets were inexpensive but made for a very personal favor.” (Source)
Expert Opinions
Wedding planners share their advice and trend predictions on wedding favors:
“Favors are a lovely gesture but not necessary. Focus your budget on the guest experience – great food, drinks, music, and ambiance create the ultimate party.” – Sarah, Weddings by Sarah (Source)
“I’m seeing more couples opt for edible or usable favors. Cookies, candles, and seed packets planted as a symbol of their love growing are on trend.” – Emily, Emily Events Co. (Source)
“Don’t feel obligated to give favors. If you want to, make them meaningful. I love framed photos guests take in a photo booth with the couple.” – James, James At Your Service
“Less is more these days. You absolutely don’t need favors if you provide a great experience.” – Marie, Amore Weddings
The consensus is that while traditional, favors aren’t essential. Couples can opt for small, useful items that guest will enjoy as a memento. Or they may forego favors entirely to invest more in the celebration itself.
Conclusion
After reviewing the history, costs, benefits, downsides, alternatives, and etiquette around wedding favors, what’s the final verdict – are they really worth the budget and effort for couples today? Looking at the key points, wedding favors do carry important symbolic value in many cultures, representing generosity and appreciation. However, with couples spending an average of $200-$400 just on wedding favors, they’ve also become an expensive tradition that can blow budgets.
While favors can delight guests, there’s no obligation to provide them. Couples shouldn’t feel pressured by tradition if favors don’t suit their budget or aesthetic. Instead, they can show gratitude through heartfelt toasts, welcome bags, or donations. At the end of the day, guests care far more about celebrating with you than receiving a trinket. Focus your budget on what matters most to you, and don’t get bogged down in favors unless you absolutely love them. With so many wonderful ways to thank guests, couples have options to get creative and skip favors entirely if they prefer. Do what feels right for your relationship and wedding vision above all.
