Do I Need Wedding Favors?
Is it absolutely necessary to do wedding favors?
The last two weddings I went to there weren’t any favors and it didn’t really phase me. I’m on a budget and nothing I can afford seems that ‘worth’ it to me. Everything that is in my budget just seems like garbage that no one would keep anyway, so it seems pretty pointless. Are wedding favors necessary ? What are some suggestions that are inexpensive but not ‘cheap’ that people wouldn’t bother keeping?
Donna, Wedding Queen
Wedding favors are optional. They’re a little something extra to show your guests you’re grateful they attended.
However, if you want to give a favor and you’re looking for one that’s not too costly, but one that most people like, try the edible favors like cookies and chocolates. The cost of these can be inexpensive depending on what your definition of the word expensive is and the size and quality of the item.
Here are some articles from our sister site’s blog; Edible Couture Favors Ideas for Useful Wedding Favors which you might find interesting. Another favor idea I really like is the seed packets or tree seedlings since they are organic and eco-friendly. Most everyone would appreciate a plant (IMO).
Rebecca Black, Etiquette By Rebecca
I agree. These are absolutely optional. And, the suggestions are wonderful.
Brandi Hamerstone, Owner/Senior Wedding Planner All Events Planned
In the last few years I have had less and less clients choose to have wedding favors. The biggest “hit” for a favor now is, as mentioned above, something edible. A sugar cookie iced with your wedding colors or something that refers to family traditions or even your relationship with your fiancée. However, none are necessary and I find it refreshing that people are choosing to save that money, instead of buying things that people toss out when they leave.
I would avoid doing anything too cheap as to not just come across as having taken the “cheap route” for the favors. I think people would prefer no favor over a cheap and thoughtless favor. Another popular option is having donations made in lieu of a favor is another popular way to go. This is something where a card would be placed at each table or each setting notifying the guests that you have made a donation to a charity in their name. This amount can range, but is really any amount you choose and you can either fit the charity to a cause that is near and dear to your heart or something that you know your friends and family support.
At the end of the day though, it is true, wedding favors are optional so no pressure to have them.
Donna, Wedding Queen
My son and his bride gave favors and a donation to charity. Some people like the idea, others feel as though you’re giving a donation instead of giving the guest something. But I have an article about this here: Donations in Lieu of Wedding Favors
Rebecca Black, Etiquette By Rebecca
Donations make more sense. But, favors are gifts to our guests. And, it is viewed as impolite to give a gift meant for a particular person away to someone else because we think it is a valid reason. So, as the Wedding Queen mentioned, if we do this, we also should give the guests something as well. It is much better to skip the favor all together.
Donna, Wedding Queen
Right. It’s something like:
It’s your birthday and I visit you and say, “Hey, I got you a sweater, but there’s a woman I know who is out of work and needs it more than you, so I gave it to her in you name. It’s a nice thought, but a bit odd.
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