Wedding favors are a great way to thank your guests for their attendance and add a personal touch to your big day. DIY wedding favors can be a more affordable option, allowing you to save costs and showcase your creativity and style. From edible treats to scented candles, there are numerous ideas to explore. For instance, you could opt for personalized compact mirrors, handmade soaps, mini bottles of homemade liquor, or even something simple like happy tears wedding tissues. The options are endless, and with a bit of planning and creativity, you can create unique and memorable wedding favors that your guests will cherish.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Type | Edible treats, DIY crafts, candles, plants, drinks, etc. |
Customisation | Personalised messages, couple's names and wedding date, custom labels, etc. |
Packaging | Boxes, tins, cellophane bags, glass jars, etc. |
Purpose | Thanking guests, commemorating the wedding, providing a memento, etc. |
What You'll Learn
Homemade baked goods
Choosing What to Bake
Select a recipe that holds up well and can be made in advance. It's also a good idea to choose something you've baked before and are confident making. For example, cookies like rosemary shortbread are a great choice as they're sturdy and can be baked and decorated ahead of time.
Presentation and Packaging
Presentation and packaging are key to making your homemade baked goods look attractive and wedding-worthy. Opt for cute boxes, tins, or cellophane bags to create a stylish display. You could also add a personalised tag with your family recipe, so your guests can recreate the treats at home.
Planning and Preparation
Careful planning is essential when making homemade baked goods for wedding favours. It's a good idea to start baking in advance and freeze items if possible to reduce stress as the big day approaches. Don't hesitate to enlist help from friends or family, as even seasoned bakers can benefit from extra support.
Quantity and Variety
Consider making a variety of baked goods to cater to different tastes and dietary preferences. For example, you could bake an assortment of cookies, cupcakes, or small pies. Ensure you make enough for each guest to have at least one, with a few extras in case of accidents or for guests who want seconds!
Adding a Personal Touch
Think about ways to incorporate your wedding theme or colours into your baked goods. For example, you could use themed cookie cutters, add decorations in your wedding colours, or personalise your treats with edible prints or icing that matches your theme.
Storage and Transportation
Plan how you will store and transport your baked goods to the wedding venue. Ensure you have suitable containers to keep them fresh and protected, especially if they need to be transported over a long distance.
Allergens and Dietary Requirements
Be mindful of common allergens and dietary requirements when selecting your recipes. Offer a variety of options, such as vegan, gluten-free, or nut-free treats, to ensure all your guests can enjoy your homemade favours.
Display Ideas
Create an attractive display for your homemade baked goods at the wedding. You could set up a dessert table with a vintage piece of furniture, add floral arrangements, or use tiered cake stands to showcase your creations.
Remember, your guests will surely appreciate the time and effort you put into creating these delicious, heartfelt wedding favours.
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Self-jarred preserves or honey
Choosing the Right Honey or Preserves
When selecting the type of honey or preserves, consider the theme of your wedding. For example, if you're having a rustic wedding, opt for honey sourced from local wildflowers, or if you're having a more elegant affair, go for a variety of honey or preserves with a unique flavor. You can even get creative and make your own honey or preserves if you're feeling adventurous!
Sourcing the Jars
To package your honey or preserves, you'll need some small jars. Glass mason or canning jars are a popular choice, as they showcase the contents beautifully. Make sure to sanitize the jars by placing them in an oven for 20 minutes at 225 degrees Fahrenheit before filling them. This will ensure that your honey or preserves stay fresh and safe to consume.
Designing Custom Labels
Add a special touch to your favors by creating custom labels. Use a design program like Canva to create labels that match your wedding theme and colors. Include your names, wedding date, and even a thoughtful message for your guests. Print the labels on sticker paper, and you're ready to decorate your jars!
Filling and Decorating the Jars
Now it's time to fill your jars with your chosen honey or preserves. You can either fill the jars up to the brim or leave some space at the top, depending on the desired look. After filling, wipe away any excess from the rims and let the jars sit for a while to remove any air bubbles. Once the jars are filled, decorate them with ribbons, twine, or fabric to match your wedding colors. You can also add small charms or trinkets that represent your theme.
Presenting the Favors
Finally, present your self-jarred preserves or honey to your guests in a way that ties into your wedding decor. You can display them on a beautifully decorated table or hang them from a display rack. Your guests will surely appreciate the time and effort you put into creating these unique wedding favors.
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Eco-friendly plant kits
Potted Succulents
Cute, affordable, and easy to care for, succulents make great gifts for beginner plant parents. You can find small succulents at your local garden center and pair them with tiny pots. For a creative touch, use a toothpick or popsicle stick glued to a paper tag as a label. These low-maintenance plants require minimal light and no soil, making them a perfect addition to any home decor. They can also be placed in unique pots such as urchin shells or wine corks.
Seed Paper Favors
Seed paper favors are a fun and interactive way to involve your guests in the planting process. You can choose from a variety of designs and styles, or even customize them with your own message. These favors are made from biodegradable paper embedded with wildflower, herb, or vegetable seeds. Your guests can plant the paper and watch their seeds grow, creating a lasting reminder of your special day.
Planting Kits
Planting kits are an all-in-one solution for guests who are new to gardening. Provide them with the tools they need to grow their own plants, such as biodegradable boxes filled with seeds, planting instructions, and potting material. You can even print custom decorative stickers with your wedding details to commemorate the occasion. For a more eye-catching option, display young herbs in biodegradable planter pots that are ready to be planted directly into the ground.
Pressed Flower Frames
Pressed flower frames are a unique favor that doubles as an art project. You can pick or purchase wildflowers, press them at home, and then arrange them in frames that also serve as table numbers. This favor is a beautiful way to combine your wedding decor and gifts, leaving your guests with a lasting memento of your celebration.
Grow-Your-Own Herb Kits
For foodies and plant lovers, grow-your-own herb kits are a perfect choice. You can make these kits yourself or order them in bulk. Include seeds, planting instructions, and potting material in small, biodegradable boxes. Add a decorative touch with custom stickers that match your wedding theme. Your guests will love the experience of growing their own herbs and using them in their favorite recipes.
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Handmade craft gifts
Clay Crafts
If you and your partner share a love for pottery or clay crafts, you can create small ceramic trinket dishes, magnets, or even personalized mugs for each guest. These can also be used for after-dinner espresso at the reception, adding a unique touch to your wedding.
Painting and Art
For artistically inclined couples, painted canvases can be a unique and creative wedding favor. Order small canvases, around 4x4", and paint scenic views from your wedding venue or portraits of the guests themselves. Once dried, add a heartfelt message of gratitude on the back of each canvas.
Wood Burning
Wood burning is a unique craft idea that adds a rustic touch to your wedding favors. Engrave intricate designs or meaningful words onto small wooden coasters, creating a practical and memorable gift for your guests.
Jewelry Making
For a delicate and memorable touch, consider making simple jewelry pieces such as bracelets or earrings for your guests. These can be customized to match your wedding theme and will surely be cherished by your guests long after the wedding.
Knitting or Crocheting
Knitted or crocheted items such as hats, scarves, or can koozies can be perfect for a winter wedding. These handmade crafts will keep your guests warm and cozy, reminding them of your special day every time they wear them.
Other Ideas
- Homemade lemon body scrub
- Hot cocoa on a stick
- Custom CDs with your favorite songs or love songs
- DIY succulent plants or tin can plants
- Homemade baked goods like cookies or pies
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Something scented
If you're looking for a scented wedding favour, there are several options to choose from. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Scented Candles
Candles are a popular choice for wedding favours, and you can easily add a scent to make them even more special. Consider choosing a scent that matches your wedding theme or colours. For example, if you're having a rustic wedding, opt for candles in earthy scents like moss, vetiver, and rose. You can even make your own candles and customise the scent and colour to match your wedding. Mini candles in gold tins or mason jars are also available from various online stores.
Scented Soaps
Scented soaps are another option for a wedding favour, and they can be a unique and practical gift for your guests. You can make your own soaps with your chosen scent, or you can buy them in bulk from online stores. Some popular scents for wedding soap favours include lavender, jasmine, rose, and ocean scents. You can also personalise the soaps with your wedding colours or a special message.
Essential Oils
Essential oils can be a wonderful way to thank your guests and provide them with a relaxing treat. You can find small glass bottles at craft stores and add your favourite essential oil, such as lavender, peppermint, lemon, or tea tree oil. You can even create a custom scent blend! Just be sure to let the oils sit overnight before giving them to your guests.
Scented Sachets
Scented sachets are a versatile option for wedding favours, and you can make them yourself! All you need is some fabric, ribbon or lace, a small jar, fragrance oil or essential oil, and potpourri. You can customise the scent and decorate the sachets to match your wedding theme. They can be sewn closed or tied with a ribbon for easy opening and filling.
Incense Sticks
For something a little different, consider giving your guests incense sticks as a wedding favour. This idea is perfect if you want to offer a variety of scents, as your guests can mix and match to create their own unique blends. Incense sticks are also a great way to continue the celebration after the wedding, as your guests can burn them and enjoy the fragrant smoke.
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Frequently asked questions
Some inexpensive wedding favor ideas include personalized bottle openers, thematic matchboxes, heart-shaped coasters, plantable seed papers, and mini wedding bells.
DIY wedding favors can be a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding. Some ideas for DIY favors include homemade soap bars, scented sachets, mini honey jars, infused sugars, and cocktail kits.
If you're looking for unique wedding favor ideas, consider something handwritten, such as personalized notes or custom paper cranes. Alternatively, you could gift something one-of-a-kind, like handmade boats or custom cheese boards.
To incorporate your wedding theme, consider using colors, materials, and motifs that align with your chosen theme. For example, if you're having a beach wedding, you could use seashells or nautical-themed favors. If you're having a rustic wedding, you could use twine or burlap.
It's advisable to start making DIY wedding favors at least a few weeks before the wedding. This will give you ample time to gather supplies, experiment with designs, and complete the favors without feeling rushed.