Thoughtful Wedding Gifts For Guests, From Personalised Wedding Favours To DIY Ideas

Wedding favours are one of the oldest wedding traditions, though they are often one of the last things a couple tackles on their wedding planning checklist. They date back to the 16th Century when the French aristocracy would present wedding or party guests with bonbonnière, a small box of sweets to thank them for attending. Modern times see the convention go far beyond confectionary, with couples adding some flair to wedding favours, from personalised trinkets and mini bottles to enjoy during the reception, to flower seeds that will later bloom into a beautiful reminder of the day. Whether you're looking for some last-minute wedding favour ideas, or want to tick off wedding gifts for guests early, we've compiled the best ideas from wedding planners, gifting experts, and guests.

Though not essential, wedding favours can be a meaningful way to personalise a tablescape and connect with guests with a token that reflects your bond. 'Couples often go for something traditional or personal to them,' William Bartholomew of William Bartholomew Party Organising tells us. 'It's also a way to give an insight into the bride or groom's culture.' With dresses, décor, menus, flowers, wedding gift lists and wedding seating plans taking up a lot of headspace, many couples leave planning their wedding favours until last. When time is running out, some naturally question whether gifts for guests are needed at all.

Before we get into ideas for wedding favours, the caveat is that, while a thoughtful gesture, they're not regarded as a necessity. 'We've seen some wonderfully creative wedding favours, but in a world where we all have so much 'stuff', they're not essential,' Matthew Shaw, founder of events company Sauveur, tells us. 'I would always suggest leaving these until the end,' Shaw explains. 'While lovely, they do eat up budget, and you should ensure you have everything else checked off the list first.' Wedding planner Tallulah Adams of Davenport House echoes this sentiment, explaining, 'We've seen wedding favours left, lifeless, on the tables and swept up with the linen at the end of the night; even personalised perfumes at a huge expense. Something to start the party, such as a wedding favour linked to a speech, always goes down well.' Popular options are a small drink to enjoy during the speeches, personalised teabags or after-dinner chocolates.

The obvious upshot of buying wedding favours is that it's less labour-intensive, and all the work is done for you. However, wedding gifts for guests can be expensive, considering their volume. More complex wedding favours, such as an engraved keyring or custom-made box of chocolates, could set you back hundreds or thousands of pounds depending on the size of your wedding. However, a smaller token, such as a little pack of seeds, you can buy in bulk of 100 for around £100, with personalisation included. 

Alternatively, the wedding favour budget could go into a 'cocktail hour' or aperitivo moment (particularly if you're serving Italian cuisine) before the evening event. Give out drinks tokens or an invitation to collect a special tipple instead of a favour. Wedding planner Adams says, 'Something we love is drinks tokens that elegantly link to a small menu in the bar for guests to choose from, their first drink on you. A cocktail hour adds a level of class and excitement to the period right after speeches and gets people out of their seats and mingling again, ready for the evening entertainment.' Another lovely idea to replace wedding favours could be a DIY bouquet bar, as Chris Waugh, a Bloom & Wild Florist, suggests. ‘A DIY bouquet bar doubles as entertainment and the wedding favour, with guests able to create an arrangement from various stems to take home.’

For those who want to uphold the tradition without huge costs, there are plenty of wedding favour ideas on a budget. These small gift ideas for wedding guests still add a personal touch to the tablescape and are relatively easy to execute. 

• Napkin holders: Initials can be engraved onto wooden hearts or on ribbon for a personal touch. 

• Packets of plant or flower seeds: As mentioned earlier, this popular wedding favour can be adapted for those on a budget by opting for simple packaging and buying seeds in bulk.

• A single flower: ‘For something unique, why not gift a single stem flower with a personal note tied on with twine,’ Waugh suggests. Match these to your wedding flowers and it can pull a whole scheme together, especially if you've gone for striking seasonal blooms on your tablescapes, such as autumn wedding flowers.

• Mini packets of sweets or chocolates with personalised packaging: These can be ordered in bulk with a small personalisation fee. 

• A handwritten note: Sometimes simplicity is the best option, and a handwritten note costs very little other than your time. 'You could add a personalised note or short poem for every guest, or write down a special memory you've shared,' Rogers suggests. 

While wedding favours are an excellent opportunity to get creative, they should never cause stress. As wedding planner Adams explains, 'Wedding favours are something to think carefully about, but please don't spend hours and hours fretting over the perfect gift when you are already giving so much to your guests on your wedding day. The incredible experience, beautiful wedding breakfast, and fantastic party are always more than enough.'

Main Photo Credit: Jon Plimmer Videographer