25+ Wedding Favour Ideas Your Guests Won't Secretly Hate

By Amelia BrownAug 14, 20250 comments

The Sweet Stuff (That Won't Melt in Your Car)

1. Tony's Chocolonely Advent Calendars

Perfect for: December weddings, 30-80 guests max (these aren't cheap!)

Right, so my cousin got married on December 15th, and instead of the usual wedding favour nightmare, she gave everyone these mini Tony's Chocolonely advent calendars. Genius move. We all went home with something we'd actually use for the next ten days, and every morning when I opened a little door, I thought about her wedding. Plus, Tony's chocolate is ethically sourced, so you're not just giving sugar – you're making a statement.

Word of warning though – these cost about £8 each, so don't even think about it if you've got 200 people coming.

2. Macarons

Perfect for: Garden parties, spring weddings, posh dos with 40-120 guests

Get fancy and treat your guests to some pretty pastel macarons. Pick flavours and colours that tell your story. And for the love of all that's holy, make sure they're from somewhere decent – soggy macarons are worse than no macarons.

3. Scratch Cards

Great for: Fun couples, casual weddings, literally any number of guests

This sounds mental, but it's brilliant. Pick up scratch cards pretty cheap at your local newsagent or supermarket.

The best part? Everyone can scratch away during the boring bits of the reception, comparing prizes, laughing. It would got people talking who might not have chatted otherwise.

Stuff People Will Actually Use

4. Playing Cards with Your Faces On

Perfect for: Couples who met playing poker, game night enthusiasts, any size wedding

I know what you're thinking – this sounds naff as hell. But done right, it's actually quite sweet. Instead of putting your engagement photos on every card (please don't), just customize the back with your wedding date and maybe a nice pattern that matches your theme.

My neighbours still use theirs for their weekly bridge night three years later. Every Thursday, there's a little reminder of that gorgeous wedding on their kitchen table.

5. Palm Reading Cards

For: Boho weddings, tarot enthusiasts, smaller dos under 60 people

This is definitely not for everyone, but if you're into that spiritual stuff, mini palm reading guides are actually fascinating. I spent ages at one wedding trying to figure out my "heart line" and ended up having a proper deep conversation with someone's gran about love and destiny.

Fair warning – some of your more traditional relatives might think you've joined a cult.

6. Recipe Cards

Brilliant for: Foodie couples, family-focused weddings, heritage celebrations

Stop giving people your gran's Victoria sponge recipe unless you know they bake. Instead, share something you actually make together. The cocktail you perfected during lockdown. Your hangover breakfast sandwich. That pasta sauce you always argue about the proportions for.

The Practical Winners

7. Fridge Magnets

For: Budget-conscious couples, massive guest lists

Look, I know fridge magnets sound boring, but mine are covered in the things and I love seeing them every morning. The good ones aren't just your wedding photo slapped on a magnet – they're something useful.

8. Bottle Stoppers

Perfect for: Wine lovers, fancy receptions, 50-120 guests

These work if – and only if – you know your crowd drinks wine. Don't give bottle stoppers to a bunch of beer drinkers.

But when they work, they really work. I use mine constantly, and every time I do, I remember that beautiful vineyard wedding.

9. Bottle Openers

For: Beer enthusiasts, pub receptions, casual outdoor dos

Much more universally useful than wine stoppers. Everyone needs to open something sometimes. Get them engraved with something funny rather than just your names and date. "Sarah and Mike's Bottle Opener" is boring. "Helping You Get Hammered Since 2025" is memorable.

10. Drinks Vouchers

Brilliant for: Supporting local businesses, city weddings, adult-only celebrations

This is such a lovely idea when done right. Instead of physical objects, give people experiences. A coffee voucher for the café where you had your first date. A pint voucher for your local pub. A cocktail voucher for that fancy bar you go to for anniversaries.

The Growing and Glowing Stuff

11. Olive Oil Bottles

For: Mediterranean themes, foodie couples, smaller weddings under 100

Tiny bottles of really good olive oil are such a treat. I got some from a wedding in Tuscany (obviously), and I rationed it out over months, using just a drizzle on special dinners.

Pro tip: don't get the massive bottles unless you want your guests struggling on the train home with bags full of oil.

12. Wildflower Seeds

Perfect for: Eco-conscious couples, spring weddings, tight budgets, any guest count

I mentioned Sarah's wildflower seeds earlier, and I'm not exaggerating – they're still growing in my garden. Every spring when they come up, I remember her wedding day. That's proper emotional value right there.

Get native wildflower mixes for your area, and include planting instructions. Half the joy is watching them grow and thinking about the couple who gave them to you.

13. Lip Balm

For: Outdoor weddings, winter celebrations, practical people

Custom lip balm sounds rubbish until you need lip balm, and then it's the best thing ever. I've got one from a winter wedding that I keep in my coat pocket, and it's saved me countless times during cold walks.

Make sure they're nice flavours though. Nobody wants weird "wedding cake" flavoured lip balm.

14. Handmade Soaps

Perfect for: Spa-themed weddings, eco-conscious couples, smaller intimate gatherings

These are properly luxurious when done well. Just make sure they smell nice and don't fall apart immediately.

The Fun and Atmospheric Stuff

15. Sparklers

For: Evening receptions, grand exits, literally every wedding should have these

Sparklers aren't really a "take home" favour, but they create the most incredible photos and memories. Just get the long ones, not the pathetic little birthday cake sparklers. And have someone appointed as sparkler distributor, or you'll have chaos.

16. Candles

Perfect for: Intimate weddings, romantic themes, autumn/winter celebrations

Small candles in your signature scent are lovely, assuming you have a signature scent and it's not "Lynx Africa" or something equally horrific.

I light mine from various weddings when I want to feel cosy and remember good times. Just don't go overboard on the personalization – "Sarah and Mike's Eternal Love Candle" is a bit much.

17. Disposable Cameras

For: Vintage themes, fun couples, interactive entertainment

This is such a brilliant idea when it works. Put disposable cameras on tables with little cards asking people to take candid shots. You'll get the most honest, joyful photos.

The Memory Keepers

18. Photo Frames

Perfect for: Formal weddings, place card holders, 50-150 guests

Use small photo frames to hold place cards, then let people take them home. Include a note suggesting they frame a photo from your wedding.

19. Luggage Tags

For: Travel-loving couples, destination weddings, adventurous types

Proper leather luggage tags with your wedding details are actually quite useful. Every business trip, there's a little reminder of a gorgeous wedding in Greece.

Weather Warriors

20. Hand Fans

Perfect for: Summer weddings, hot venues, outdoor ceremonies

Paper fans that double as ceremony programs are genius. Everyone's cool, entertained, and has something to take home. Just don't go too fancy or people won't want to use them when they're sweating.

21. Parasols

For: Garden parties, vintage themes, daytime outdoor weddings

Mini lace parasols are properly Instagram-worthy and actually useful for sun protection. I felt like I was in a Jane Austen novel using mine at a garden wedding in Surrey.

Limited appeal though – you need the right crowd and the right weather.

22. Sunglasses

Brilliant for: Beach weddings, destination celebrations, summer daytime events

Custom sunglasses with your wedding hashtag are both practical and fun for photos. Make sure you get decent ones though – those flimsy promotional sunglasses are worse than useless.

23. Tambourines

For: Music lovers, festival-style weddings, couples who met at gigs

This is definitely niche, but if you're music people, mini tambourines for the reception are incredibly fun. Everyone becomes part of the band for your first dance. Just warn your venue first.

24. Throw Blankets

Perfect for: Outdoor evening receptions, autumn/winter weddings, cosy celebrations

Soft blankets keep everyone warm and create gorgeous photo opportunities.

Choose colours that work with your theme, and make sure they're machine washable.

The Thoughtful Ones

25. Books

For: Literary couples, micro weddings, meaningful connections

Curated books that tell your story are incredibly personal. Poetry collections, travel guides from your honeymoon destination, vintage finds from charity shops with handwritten notes explaining why each book matters.

This only works for small weddings though – it's too expensive and personal for huge guest lists.

26. Bookmarks

Perfect for: Book lovers, all guest counts, budget-friendly

Beautiful bookmarks with your wedding date and a meaningful quote are simple but lovely.

Just pick a quote that actually means something to you, not generic "love is..." nonsense.

27. Charity Donations

For: Socially conscious couples, causes you care about, any size wedding

Making donations to charity in your guests' names is genuinely touching when the cause matters to you.

Don't pick a random charity just to seem good though. People can tell when it's genuine.

FAQs

What exactly is a wedding favour anyway?

It's a small thank-you gift for your guests. Traditionally, it was sugared almonds representing life's bitter and sweet moments. Now it's whatever you want it to be – just make it something people might actually want.

What makes a wedding favour good instead of annoying?

Honestly? Usefulness and thoughtfulness. The best favours I've received either tasted great, served a practical purpose, or told me something meaningful about the couple. The worst ones clearly came from Pinterest boards with no thought behind them.

What do people actually want from wedding favours?

From my entirely unscientific survey of everyone I know: edible treats that taste good, practical items they'll use, or something with a genuine story behind it. They don't want personalized items that only make sense to you, cheap tat that breaks immediately, or anything that requires special care or maintenance.

How do I choose something unique?

Think about your shared interests, how you met, what you do together for fun, or causes you care about. The most memorable favours come from couples' actual lives, not wedding magazines. My friend who met her husband at a brewery gave out bottle openers. Simple, personal, useful.

The couples who nail wedding favours understand that it's not about the favour itself – it's about the memory and the thought behind it. Whether you choose fancy macarons or simple seed packets, if there's genuine love and consideration behind it, your guests will feel it.

Planning your perfect wedding look to match your chosen favours? Ever-Pretty UK's collection of stunning occasion dresses will help you look absolutely radiant, whatever theme you choose for your special day.

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