Prairie HiveAre wedding favors necessary? This is probably one of the most mind-boggling questions that couples often face in the middle of planning their big day.
Well, to put an end to your confusion, the simple and short answer is no, wedding favors are not really necessary.
The history of this tradition remains unknown but if you think about it, it might not make a lot of sense in the first place. After all, you and your partner will shell out anywhere around $5,000 up to $50,000 or even higher for all your family and friends to join you on your special day.
Since you will feed them and give them drinks, giving them gifts may be a bit too much.
Are Wedding Favors Required?
No, wedding favors are not a requirement at all. The truth is that there are no requirements as far as your own wedding is concerned.
Wedding favors have long been a tradition for centuries that continue to this day. Some of your wedding guests might have traveled far distances and they have spent some cash on their trip expenses and your wedding gifts. The wedding favors serve as a way to extend your gratitude to them for attending your wedding and celebrating with you.
Traditionally, wedding favors are seen as the couple’s way to express their thanks to their guests who came to their big day. These favors can also be physical reminders for the guests about your wedding.
Unfortunately, favors have started to go out of control, not to mention that they are also getting bigger and pricier. If you want to save some money on your big day, the first and most important tip is to get rid of the wedding favors since most people don’t even bother to take them home.
Some of your guests may even forget about the favors and end up leaving them at the venue. Before you know it, you are left with 50 water bottles with your name imprinted on them. What will you do with all of them, anyway?
Tips in Choosing Your Wedding Favors
Wedding favors serve three purposes. First, they act as your “thank you” gift. Second, they dress up your venue setting perfect for capturing pretty photos. Third, and probably the least important, is that favors just act as fillers only because brides think they need to have them.
As mentioned earlier, it is best to forego wedding favors. Don’t forget that you are already giving your guests a sumptuous meal and a wonderful and memorable night when they may be otherwise lounging in front of their TV, feeling bored.
However, if you really feel like you need to have favors as part of your big day, there are two tips you need to remember:
Pick Something Cheap
The best thing you can do is to choose cheap favors so that if ever your guests end up leaving them behind at the end of your event, you won’t feel too bad for spending $500 on them only to see them in the trash.
Go for Something Edible
Probably the wisest thing you can do when deciding on what wedding favors to give is to opt for something edible. This way, even if you are left with 50 pieces of them when your big day is over.
A good idea here is to make some customized chocolates with the wedding date, the names of the bride and groom, and thank you imprinted on them.
Doing this helps you ensure that your guests can eat and enjoy them right on the venue with no need to take them home and throw them into a drawer where they will be left untouched for the years to come.
What to Do with the Money Saved from Wedding Favors?
If you choose to do away with the favors completely, the money you can save can be spent instead on something that will benefit your wedding day better or will help you and all your guests enjoy your event while it is happening.
What options do you have here?
One good idea is to hire a photo booth that you can just put up in one spot in your reception area. Your guests can get their photos taken and have texted to their phones or even printed right there and then. This is a great way for you to have unique souvenirs that won’t leave you with piles of leftover favors.
If you want to give your guests something tangible, why not find something that you can also use yourself? For example, you can prepare small packets of seeds imprinted with your wedding date and your names.
Your guests can take these packets home as wedding favors. If you end up with some extra, all you have to do is plant them so you can have fresh herbs available anytime you want. It’s a win-win situation, right?
Do Couples Need to Give Wedding Favors to Their Guests?
At the end of the day, wedding favors are a great thing to have for your big day. However, it doesn’t mean that they are absolutely necessary. Couples are always recommended to focus on the overall experience of their guests.
If you are still on the fence about whether or not you should give favors to your guests, it is always recommended to improve your welcome bags instead. When your guests check into their accommodation, welcome bags can be a fantastic treat.
These welcome bags contain the timeline of events and your wedding website details. You can also put water and some candies and treats that best represent you as a couple. You can also use a theme for your welcome bags depending on the place where your wedding is being held.
Wedding favors can bring more fun and joy to your wedding, and most importantly, they are a great way for you and your guests to remember your special new beginning. Do whatever feels right for you and don’t mind what others think. It is your wedding after all, and you can have it any way you want to!
