Crafting Shortbread Wedding Favours: A Simple, Sweet Diy Guide

Homemade wedding favours are a great way to add a personal touch to your special day. If you're looking for a unique idea, why not try making your own shortbread? Shortbread is a traditional wedding favour, especially in Scotland, where it is considered a symbol of good luck and a fruitful marriage. You can package the shortbread in a variety of ways, from cellophane with ribbons to bespoke favour bags or boxes. There are also many shortbread recipes to choose from, such as rosemary shortbread or earl grey shortbread cookies. You could even get creative and make anchor-stamped shortbread cookies for a seaside wedding!

Choosing a shortbread recipe

Consider the flavour profile of your shortbread. Classic flavours like traditional butter shortbread or Scottish shortbread are always a good option. But you can also get creative and experiment with unique flavours that represent you and your spouse-to-be. For example, if you love Earl Grey tea, you could incorporate it into your shortbread for a unique twist.

Think about any dietary restrictions your guests may have. You may want to offer a vegan or gluten-free option to ensure everyone can enjoy your favours. This could involve substituting some ingredients or adapting the recipe to suit different dietary needs.

The presentation of your shortbread favours is also essential. Consider whether you want to make individual cookies or create bite-sized pieces. Individual cookies can be decorated with icing or stamped with a custom cookie cutter in the shape of your initials or a theme that fits your wedding aesthetic. Bite-sized pieces can be wrapped in cellophane with ribbons or placed in beautiful favour bags.

Lastly, don't forget to plan ahead and give yourself enough time to test and perfect your chosen recipe. It's a good idea to start early and give yourself a buffer in case of any unexpected delays or challenges. This will help ensure that preparing your wedding favours remains a fun and enjoyable part of your wedding planning process.

Packaging ideas

The Shortbread Gift Company offers shortbread wedding favours packaged in eco-friendly mini favour boxes with matching ribbon or in organza bags. The colour of the ribbon or bag can be chosen by the customer, who can also add a gift tag with a personalised message. Each favour can be personalised in terms of shape, size, and flavour. For example, favours can be in the shape of the bride and groom's initials, mini hearts, butterflies, or mini bride and groom figures.

The Shortbread Company also offers shortbread wedding favours, which are cellophane-wrapped with ribbon or in bespoke packaging.

For a seaside wedding, anchor-stamped shortbread cookies packaged with a nautical striped ribbon would be fitting.

For a more rustic touch, home-brewed beer wedding favours can be kept in customised paper bags.

For a summer wedding, popsicles with personalised labels and a flavour (and colour) that matches the wedding's theme can be packaged in a way that complements the wedding's aesthetic.

For a winter wedding, hot chocolate mix wedding favours can be placed in copper mugs for guests to take home.

For a wedding in the South, grits can be tied up with a pretty ribbon and offered with a recipe card.

For a vineyard wedding, the winery can print custom labels with the couple's monogram to offer as wedding favours.

Timing and workload

Planning:

Begin by deciding on the number of wedding favours you need, taking into account the number of guests and whether each guest will receive one or multiple favours. This will help you determine the quantity of ingredients and packaging materials required. It is advisable to prepare a list of ingredients and gather all the necessary equipment, such as mixing bowls, baking pans, and cookie cutters, to ensure a smooth baking process.

Preparation:

Making the shortbread dough is a straightforward process, but it can be time-consuming, especially if you are making a large batch. Ensure you have enough time set aside for mixing, chilling (if required), and shaping the dough. If you plan to decorate the shortbread, factor in additional time for preparing decorations or purchasing ready-made decorations.

Baking:

The baking process will likely be the most time-consuming part of the endeavour. It is essential to consider the number of batches you will need to bake and the baking time for each batch. Allow for adequate cooling time after baking to ensure the shortbread is firm and easy to package.

Packaging:

Shortbread wedding favours can be packaged in various ways, such as cellophane bags, favour bags, or boxes. Decide on the packaging style and source the necessary materials. This step may also involve adding ribbons, tags, or other decorative elements to enhance the presentation.

Timeline:

It is recommended to start the process at least a few days to a week before the wedding. The dough can be prepared and shaped in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a day or two. Baking can be done in batches over a couple of days to avoid last-minute rush. Allow sufficient time for the shortbread to cool before packaging, and ensure you have a dedicated workspace to assemble the favours efficiently.

Workload Management:

Enlist the help of family members or friends to make the process more enjoyable and manageable. Dividing tasks such as mixing, baking, and packaging among a group can lighten the workload. Additionally, consider the availability of kitchen equipment and the number of ovens you will have access to, as this may impact the overall timeline.

Making shortbread wedding favours can be a delightful experience, but proper planning and workload management are essential to ensure a stress-free process. By following these steps and allowing ample time, you can create beautiful and delicious favours that your guests will surely appreciate.

Customisation

One way to customise your shortbread wedding favours is to choose a flavour that reflects your personality or the theme of your wedding. For example, if you're having a summer wedding, you could opt for a light and fruity flavour such as lemon or orange. Or, if you're having a more rustic or winter wedding, you could go for a spiced shortbread with notes of cinnamon or ginger. You could even add extras like chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit to make them even more special.

The shape of your shortbread can also be customised to fit your wedding theme or your interests as a couple. For example, you could have heart-shaped shortbread for a romantic touch, or use a custom cookie cutter to create shapes that reflect your hobbies or how you met. If you're having a beach wedding, perhaps you could have anchor-shaped shortbread, or if you're both golf enthusiasts, you could have golf-themed cookies.

Packaging is another area where you can get creative and add a personal touch. You could wrap the shortbread in cellophane with a personalised ribbon or create bespoke packaging with your wedding colours or a custom illustration. You could even add a tag with a thoughtful message or your wedding date. If you want to go the extra mile, you could include a small favour bag or box with a mix of treats, including your shortbread, for your guests to enjoy.

Finally, don't forget that presentation is key. You can display your shortbread wedding favours on a favour table, or get creative with how you present them. For example, you could stack them on tiered cake stands or create a unique display that fits your wedding theme. You could even incorporate them into your place settings or escort cards, adding a personalised touch to each guest's place setting.

Alternative edible wedding favours

Homemade treats are a wonderful way to add a personal touch to your wedding day. If you're looking for alternative edible wedding favours to the traditional shortbread, here are some ideas to inspire you:

Honey Jars

Honey is a popular choice for wedding favours, especially if you're going for a rustic theme. Present your guests with mini jars of honey, perhaps paired with a wooden dipper and a custom label in your wedding colours. You could even include a pun, like "Love is sweet, just like honey!"

Hot Chocolate Mix

Perfect for a winter wedding, provide your guests with the dry ingredients for a comforting cup of hot chocolate. Include a recipe card with instructions, and perhaps present the mix in a reusable mug or copper cup.

Personalised Heart-Shaped Cookies

These cookies are a lovely treat for your guests, and you can order them from a baker or make them yourself with the help of your wedding party. You can even get creative and design your own cookie crest, featuring your initials or a fun message.

Mini Cupcakes

Why not indulge your guests with rich, decadent mini cupcakes? Offer a variety of flavours to cater to different tastes and dietary needs, such as Triple Chocolate Fudge, Cookie Dough, or Red Velvet.

Local Treats

If you're getting married in a place known for its delicious local treats, why not share them with your guests? Whether it's freshly popped popcorn, famous bakery cookies, or a local barbecue sauce, your guests will enjoy discovering a new flavour.

Custom Marshmallows

For a rustic or camp-themed wedding, s'mores are a perfect favour idea. You can even get jumbo marshmallows printed with your names and a sweet message inside mason jars. Include some graham crackers and chocolate, and you're all set for a fireside treat.

So, there you have it! Some alternative edible wedding favour ideas to get you started. Whether you bake them yourself or order from a professional, your guests are sure to appreciate these tasty treats.

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