favours

The tradition behind favours is that you offer guests a token of appreciation, it’s a rare chance to give something back on your wedding day. The great thing about favours is that the possibilities are endless and they really are an opportunity to get your creative juices flowing. Favours can offer a great opportunity to bond too, with friends and family helping out on a pre-wedding production line!

click here for 15 fabulous favours ideas

What's Available?

Favours have comea long way since the days of sugar almonds wrapped in tulle and although having something to munch on before the wedding breakfast is always a hit, retro sweets are popular now too. Try personalised Love Hearts, jelly beans or Sherbet Dips; or classics such as chocolate limes or strawberry bon bons for a bit of nostalgia. Alcoholic drinks such as miniature bottles of spirits or wine are also good options. For a more lasting and symbolic wedding favour, scented candles make an attractive gift. Customising or personalising labels with your wedding date, venue or colour scheme will make favours extra special.

Giving Them Out

You may decide to wrap favours in netting, bags, ribbon or add tags but there is no reason you shouldn’t keep them simple; remember that they can double as table decorations too. Don’t feel under pressure to give a favour to each person, per couple will suffice. Some brides enjoy distributing favours personally during the reception, which is a good opportunity to check in with guests. Alternatively you can leave jars, baskets or large bowls of your chosen favours for guests to help themselves to.

Where To Shop

Check on the web for the limitless possibilities for wedding favours, a quick surf should give you some inspiration for your own. If you are looking for handmade delicious chocolates in romantic heart shapes or truffles, try Tobermory Chocolates www.tobchoc.co.uk. Quirky types might go for the achingly cool retro personalised Rolos www.whitespace-design.co.uk. At Paperlace be inspired to make your own favours with thistles, baskets, personalised ribbon... or buy them ready-made www.weddingfavours.uk.com

Top Favours Tips

• Only attempt to make them yourself if you have a healthy supply of patience, steely determination and willing helpers, not to mention a fair few man hours.
• There’s a growing trend for highlighting a cause that’s close to your heart – sometimes by giving charity wristbands/pins or making donations on guests’ behalf
• Try crackers for a Christmas wedding, or eco-friendly plant seeds at a green themed celebration.
• At one wedding we heard about, dinner wasn’t served until after the speeches so the couple left their guests a survival pack to sustain them until the food arrived; each one contained a packet of peanuts, a can of gin and tonic and a bottle of water.
• Favours can add up to be quite expensive if each one has lots of packaging on top of the actual gift – if you’re on a budget keep it simple
• They can be great ice-breakers for guests that haven’t met before