Let’s talk wedding favors – you know, those little thank-you gifts that sometimes end up forgotten at the reception tables? I’ve seen it all over the years, from the winners (guests fighting over who gets to take extras home) to the well-meant misses (hello, dusty shelf items!).
The secret to party favors that don’t get left behind? Picking something your guests will actually use or enjoy after your big day. I’ve pulled together 26 of my favorite wedding favor ideas that I’ve seen work really well across all kinds of weddings – from small garden parties to big ballroom bashes. These work great for other wedding events too, like bachelorette parties, wedding showers, and engagement celebrations!
What I love about these options is how flexible they are – there’s truly something for every wedding style, season, and budget. Plus, I’ve noted which ones you can make yourself (hello, money-saving!) and which ones might be better left to the pros.
Ready to find the perfect little “thank you” that feels completely like you two? Let’s dive in!
Culinary Delights
1. Hot Sauce Bottles
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
There’s something about small hot sauce bottles that just brings the fun to your celebration! These little bottles pack a tasty kick and add that perfect spicy touch to your day.
What’s great is that they’re super easy to make if you’re feeling crafty. You can create your own recipe with different heat levels (mild for Grandma, fire for your college buddies), find some cute bottles, and add labels with your names and wedding date. I love when couples include a tiny recipe card sharing what sparked their special mix.
These work really well for modern weddings, outdoor barbecues, country celebrations, barn venues, and especially summer weddings. There’s something about summer heat and hot sauce that just makes sense together, don’t you think?
2. Coffee Blend (“The Perfect Blend”)
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
If you two bond over your morning coffee, why not share that joy with your guests? Custom coffee blends in small bags or tins make such thoughtful favors, especially with that cute “The Perfect Blend” tagline and your wedding date.
For this one, I’d suggest teaming up with a local coffee shop who can help create a mix that fits you both. Maybe a blend of bold and smooth beans if that matches your personalities? Add small tags with simple brewing tips, and you’ve got a favor that’ll bring a smile to your guests’ faces on the morning after your wedding.
These coffee favors are perfect for morning weddings, brunch receptions, fall or winter celebrations (when everyone wants that warm cup), and especially if you’re known among friends as the coffee lovers who own every brewing gadget out there.
3. Infused Olive Oil
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
Talk about a favor that feels both special and useful! Small bottles of herb or flavor-mixed olive oil make lovely gifts that your foodie friends will actually use.
If you like making things, you can mix olive oil with rosemary, garlic, chili, or other flavors about 2-3 weeks before the wedding. Just make sure to use nice bottles with small tags – how it looks makes a big difference here!
I’ve seen these be big hits at Mediterranean-themed weddings, for couples who love cooking together, garden celebrations with herb themes, Italian-inspired events, and summer weddings. Plus, they look really pretty displayed together at your favor table – all those golden oils catching the light is just magical.
4. Tea Blend in Tubes
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
For a favor that feels both fancy and cozy, custom tea blends in clear tubes are just perfect. I love how you can see all the pretty colors and textures of the tea leaves through the tubes.
This is another favor that you can make yourself if you’re tea fans. Create special mixes that mean something to you (maybe ingredients from places you’ve traveled together?), and don’t forget to include either tiny brewers or tea bags so guests can enjoy them easily.
These work really well for garden weddings, vintage-themed celebrations, afternoon tea-inspired events, bridal showers, and spring weddings. There’s something so thoughtful about giving your guests a moment of calm after all the excitement of your wedding.
5. Box of Donuts
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
Who doesn’t love ending the night (or starting the morning after) with a perfect little sweet treat? Small boxes with fancy donuts make for the sweetest favors that are sure to disappear.
This isn’t something you can easily make unless you’re secretly a master baker, but teaming up with a local bakery for branded boxes in your wedding colors makes this super special. I’ve seen couples add tiny tags with their names and wedding date, along with a sweet message like “Donut ever forget our special day!”
These are perfect for brunch weddings, morning-after gatherings, modern celebrations, and more casual receptions. Pro tip: have them boxed and ready to grab as guests leave rather than sitting out during the reception – nobody wants a stale donut!
6. Homemade Granola in Mason Jars
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
There’s something so warmly personal about homemade granola in little mason jars. It feels like sharing a piece of your home with your loved ones.
This one’s really easy to make too! Create your favorite granola recipe (maybe the one you make every Sunday together?), put it in small mason jars with fabric tops, and include sweet little recipe cards. Your guests will think of you with every tasty breakfast.
I’ve seen these work really well for rustic weddings, barn celebrations, country-themed events, morning receptions, and especially for health-minded couples. It’s that perfect mix of thoughtful, useful, and completely personal.
7. Hot Chocolate Mix in Mason Jars
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
For winter weddings, there’s hardly anything cozier than layered hot chocolate in cute jars. Those layers of cocoa powder, marshmallows, and chocolate chips look so pretty and feel so festive.
This is a super easy thing to make too! Layer your ingredients to create a visual treat, add a ribbon around the jar, and include a tag with mixing tips. I’ve seen couples get creative with different flavors – from classic milk chocolate to spiced Mexican hot chocolate with a kick.
These are just perfect for winter weddings, holiday-season celebrations, mountain venues, and ski-themed events. Your guests will think of your special day every time they curl up with a warm mug on a cold night.
8. Cold Brew in a Jar
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
For summer celebrations, ready-to-drink cold brew coffee in sealed mason jars is both refreshing and useful. It’s the perfect morning-after pick-me-up for your guests!
This is something you can make yourself if you’re up for it. You’ll need to prepare the cold brew about 24 hours before your event, bottle it in small mason jars with tight lids, and add small tags with “drink by” dates (usually good for 7-10 days when kept cold).
These work really well for summer weddings, morning celebrations, outdoor events, and are perfect for coffee-loving couples. I love when couples include a little note about why they picked that particular bean or roast.
9. Seasonal Fruits in Paper Bags
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
There’s something so sweet and simple about offering local, seasonal fruits as wedding favors. Packaged in pretty paper bags with custom tags, they feel both thoughtful and green.
This option is super easy to make yourself! Choose fruits that won’t bruise (apples, pears, and citrus work great), use stamped brown paper bags, and include a sweet note about where the fruits came from. I’ve seen couples add tags like “Apple-solutely perfect together” or “We make a great pear” for that personal touch.
These are perfect for farm-to-table themed weddings, summer celebrations, farmers’ market lovers, and couples focused on earth-friendly events. Plus, they give guests a healthy option after a night of cake and cocktails!
Home & Decor Items
10. Embroidered Linen Napkins
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
Now here’s a favor that’ll stick around! Sets of nice linen napkins with stitched details, your initials, or your wedding date create a lasting memory that guests will actually use for years.
This option needs some sewing skills or tools if you’re making them yourself. You can buy plain linen napkins and add pretty stitching, or work with someone who does embroidery for fancier designs. What makes these special is picking thread colors that match your wedding colors or adding a tiny design that means something to your story.
These work really well for traditional weddings, vintage-themed celebrations, smaller intimate weddings, and fancy dinners. I’ve noticed guests absolutely love getting something that feels both special and useful for their homes.
11. Aromatic Candles
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
There’s something so personal about scent memories, which is why scented candles in pretty jars make such great favors. Every time your guests light them, they’ll think back to your special day.
This option is fairly easy to make if you’re crafty. You can pour scented wax into small jars, add cotton wicks, and decorate with ribbons and labels featuring your names and wedding date. The trick is finding a smell that fits your wedding theme – maybe flowers that match your bouquet or a cozy scent that reminds you of your first date?
I’ve seen these be big hits at winter weddings, evening receptions, romantic settings, and indoor celebrations. Pro tip: place a sample candle burning at your favor table so guests can smell it before taking one home!
12. Tile Coasters
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
Practical, personal, and pretty – tile coasters hit all the right notes! These ceramic or stone tiles turned into coasters with designs matching your wedding theme make for favors that will actually end up on your guests’ coffee tables.
This is a very easy project if you’re feeling crafty. Use plain ceramic tiles with alcohol ink for a watercolor look, decoupage for patterns, or photo transfer methods for something more personal. Don’t forget to add felt backing to protect furniture and seal with a waterproof finish so they actually work!
These work perfectly for rustic weddings, home-centered couples, crafty celebrations, and weddings with photo elements. I love when couples make different designs for each table, turning them into talking points during the reception too.
13. Fleece Blankets
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
For the coziest favor, small soft fleece blankets (often with your names and wedding date) are just perfect. There’s something so thoughtful about giving your guests something that’ll keep them warm and remind them of your wedding day.
This option isn’t as easy to make yourself unless you’re planning to buy plain blankets and add iron-on transfers. They’re usually best ordered from specialty shops that can handle the customization. The key is finding the right balance between quality and cost – you want something soft and thick without spending too much.
I’ve seen these be huge hits at fall/winter weddings, outdoor evening celebrations, mountain venues, and destination weddings where they might even be useful during the event itself! There’s nothing like seeing all your guests wrapped in matching blankets under the stars during an evening party.
14. Thrifted Ceramic Vases
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
I absolutely love this earth-friendly approach to wedding favors! Unique, vintage ceramic vases – each one different – create the most personal and fun favor display. There’s something so special about each guest getting their own one-of-a-kind piece.
While not made by you, these are definitely found by you. The trick is starting your thrift store hunts months before the wedding to collect fun small vases. Then clean them well, and add a small flower or plant for the perfect look. I’ve seen couples attach tiny tags sharing why they collected these pieces, which adds such a personal touch.
These are perfect for vintage weddings, mix-and-match styles, earth-friendly celebrations, and smaller weddings where you can really take the time to match vases to specific guests’ tastes or home décor styles.
15. Small Potted Herbs
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
Living gifts are the gifts that keep on giving! Small herb plants in cute pots make the sweetest favors that will remind your guests of your special day every time they cook.
This option is fairly easy to make yourself. You can buy small herb seedlings, move them into cute pots, add little plant markers, and include simple care tips. Herbs like rosemary, thyme, mint, and basil are sturdy and travel well (plus they smell great!).
These work really well for garden weddings, spring and summer celebrations, green events, and especially for couples who love cooking together. I’ve seen couples create cute tags like “Mint to be!” or “Sage advice: love grows with thyme” for that extra personal touch.
Bath & Body
16. Salt Bath in Tubes
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
After all the dancing and celebrating, what could be nicer than giving your guests a chance to relax? Clear tubes filled with colorful bath salts, scented and matched with your wedding colors, make for pretty and useful favors.
This is a really easy project! You can mix Epsom salts with essential oils and natural food coloring, layer them in clear tubes to create a rainbow effect, and seal with pretty tops and custom labels. I love when couples create different scents like “relaxing lavender,” “energizing citrus,” or “romantic rose” and let guests pick their favorite.
These work perfectly for spa-themed bridal showers, relaxation-focused wedding favors, and couples who love self-care. They’re that perfect little reminder to take a moment for themselves after all the fun of your wedding.
Personalized Keepsakes
17. Bottle Opener
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
Sometimes the most useful favors are the biggest hits! Pretty or handy bottle openers, with your names and wedding date, make for favors that actually stay in your guests’ kitchens for years.
While not typically something you make yourself, you can buy plain bottle openers and add custom tags or have someone carve your wedding details into them. I’ve seen some really fun designs that tie into the couple’s story – from old-timey openers for history buffs to ones shaped like states for couples who met there.
These are perfect for casual celebrations, backyard weddings, beach parties, and especially for beer or wine loving couples. They’re that perfect mix of useful and memorable that makes for the best kind of favor.
18. Tote Bag
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
In our increasingly green-minded world, canvas or cotton tote bags printed with custom designs, quotes, or your wedding details make for favors that actually get used again and again. Plus, they can do double-duty as welcome bags during your wedding!
This option is fairly easy to make with iron-on transfers or stencils, though for better results, you might want to order from custom printers with your design. The key is creating a design your guests would actually want to carry – think beyond just your names and wedding date to include a nice graphic or meaningful quote.
These work really well for beach weddings, destination celebrations, weekend-long events, and green-minded couples. I love when the design is subtle enough that it doesn’t scream “wedding favor” while still being a sweet reminder of your day.
19. Personalized Playing Cards
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
For the couple that loves game nights, custom decks of playing cards with your photos, initials, or wedding theme make for fun and interactive favors.
This isn’t something you can easily make yourself – they’re best ordered from specialty printers who can create high-quality cards. Your design can include your wedding colors, photos, and important dates in really fun ways – maybe your engagement photo on the back of each card or custom pictures for the face cards?
These are perfect for casino-themed receptions, game-loving couples, destination wedding welcome bags, and fun-focused events. I’ve even seen couples set up card game stations during cocktail hour so guests can break the ice while using their favors right away!
20. Unique Shot Glasses
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
For adult-only celebrations, cute or themed shot glasses, often with your names and wedding date, make for favors that bring back fun memories of toasting your special day.
While not typically something you make yourself, you can buy plain glasses and add vinyl stickers or have someone etch your wedding details into them. The trick is finding a design that feels special rather than basic – maybe using elements from your invitation or wedding theme.
These work perfectly for adult-only receptions, cocktail-themed events, destination weddings, and bachelorette parties. I’ve seen couples pair them with mini bottles of their favorite drinks for an extra special touch (just check your venue’s rules on alcohol gifts first!).
21. Chopsticks
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
For something a bit different, pretty chopsticks in nice gift packaging make for favors that are both good-looking and useful for certain wedding styles.
These aren’t typically made by you – you’ll want to buy quality chopsticks and add custom paper wrappers or carved details if possible. How they’re packaged is key here – pretty boxes with a meaningful message or picture can turn them from simple utensils to keepsakes.
I’ve seen these work really well for Asian-inspired weddings, fusion celebrations, international couples, and food-focused events. There’s something so stylish about them, especially when presented in beautiful boxes tied with ribbon that matches your wedding colors.
Interactive & Experience-Based
22. Crayons and Paper for Kids
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
Never underestimate how much it helps to keep kids busy! Fun activity packs with crayons, coloring pages, and small games make for favors that parents will truly thank you for during your wedding.
This is a very easy option to make yourself! You can create wedding-themed coloring pages (maybe a simple drawing of your venue or wedding elements), package them with small crayon sets, and add fun activity booklets in cute pouches or bags. I’ve seen couples include wedding-themed word searches, mazes, or even treasure hunts for different parts of the reception.
These are perfect for family-friendly weddings, celebrations with many kids attending, daytime events, and multi-generation gatherings. The kids stay happily busy, and the parents get to actually enjoy your wedding – win-win!
23. Live Portrait Artist
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
Now here’s a favor that creates an experience and a keepsake! Having an artist draw quick sketches of your guests during the reception makes for unique and personal favors.
This isn’t DIY at all – you’ll need to hire an artist who can draw quickly. The key is giving them a good spot with enough light and chairs for people to sit. Most artists can do a sketch in about 5-10 minutes, so think about how many guests you can reasonably fit in during your reception.
These work really well for fancy weddings, art-loving couples, longer receptions, and weddings that need extra fun activities. I love how it creates another thing to do during the reception while also giving guests a truly one-of-a-kind keepsake of your day.
24. Framed Caricature
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
Similar to live portraits but with a funny, over-the-top drawing style, caricatures capture your guests’ personalities in the most fun and memorable way.
Like the live portraits, this isn’t something you make – you’ll need to hire a caricature artist. Setting them up in a visible, easy-to-find area with good lighting helps guests know this fun option is available. The artist can usually finish each drawing in about 5 minutes, making this a surprisingly quick favor option.
These are perfect for fun weddings, playful couples, casual celebrations, and activity-focused receptions. I’ve seen guests absolutely line up for these, and they become instant talking points during your reception!
25. Blind Date with a Book
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
For book-loving couples, “blind date with a book” favors – where books are wrapped in plain paper with only a short description – make for really fun and personal gifts.
This is a really easy project! You can find used books (making this budget-friendly too), wrap them in brown paper, and write fun descriptions without giving away titles. Adding a ribbon and custom bookmarks with your wedding date makes them feel extra special.
These work really well for book-themed weddings, reading-loving couples, smart gatherings, and vintage-inspired celebrations. I love when couples choose books that have special meaning to them – maybe favorites they’ve shared with each other or stories that show their values and interests.
Luxury & Adult-Oriented
26. Fancy Cigars
From Pinterest. Click the image to check the source.
For the right crowd, nice cigars in small boxes with custom labels make for classy favors that create a moment to celebrate and relax.
These aren’t made by you – you’ll want to buy quality cigars and add custom bands or packaging with your wedding details. How they look is key – nice packaging with your initials or wedding date turns them from simple cigars into something more special.
These work perfectly for adult-only receptions, groom’s parties, fancy traditional weddings, and outdoor evening celebrations with set-aside smoking areas. I’ve seen couples pair them with custom matches or cigar cutters for an extra nice touch.
Which of These 26 Party Favors is Your Favorite?
I’d love to know which of these favor ideas speaks to you! Are you making something completely your own? The best party favors are the ones that feel genuinely like you two – whether that’s something useful, fun, or purely heartfelt.
Remember, your wedding favors don’t need to be fancy or expensive to be meaningful. The most important thing is that they feel like a real “thank you” from the two of you to the people who’ve come to celebrate your big day.
What favor ideas do you like best? I’d love to hear what’s catching your eye!
