The Best Wedding Favors They'll Actually Want to Take Home

Wedding favors aren’t as popular as they used to be, and that’s because they often fall flat. It isn’t uncommon for brides and grooms to spend time buying and customizing what they thought were the best wedding favors, only to end up with a giant box of unused favors that guests never took home.

Although some brides and grooms forgo favors altogether, you aren’t alone if you still want to do something nice for your guests. Not only are favors a simple way to say thank you, but they can also be a nice gesture if you’re having a destination wedding. Favors are also a nice touch if many of your guests are traveling great distances to be with you on your wedding day.

The question is, what kinds of favors will your guests actually want to take home?

Here are some of the best wedding favors in 2024, along with some tips on how to present them so guests are enticed to take one home.

Little Bottles Filled With Pink Himalayan Sea Salt Arranged on a Table in Rows: Brides

Something to Eat

Edible favors will always be popular with guests. Some favors can be enjoyed right on the spot, which means guests don’t actually have to take anything home. Others may decide to take to take their treat home and enjoy it later, and because it’s edible, they aren’t stuck cluttering their cabinets with a memento of your wedding day.

But it’s important to remember that popular wedding favors aren’t always the best wedding favors.

For example, many brides and grooms like the idea of a donut wall, but all that icing is going to melt if the weather is warm on your wedding day. The wall will likely have to be refilled as guests grab a donut. Not to mention, guests have to eat the donut right away.

Instead, consider edible favors that are packaged. Put donuts in favor boxes or stack cookies in clear boxes. It’s more sanitary, and guests can take it home and enjoy it later if they want.

And don’t forget! Edible favors also include things like honey, jam, and custom spice mixes!

Wedding Guests in the Sun Holding Parasols: Martha Stewart

Something to Use

Some of the best wedding favors are those that can be used by your guests, especially if they can use them on the spot.

Some examples of useful, popular wedding favors include:

⦁ Sunscreen at beach and lakeside weddings
⦁ Bug spray at forest and garden weddings
⦁ Parasols or umbrellas in sunny or rainy locales
⦁ Flip flops or sandals at the reception
⦁ Hand fans at an outdoor summer wedding
⦁ Throw blankets for chilly fall and winter weddings

Other types of the best wedding favors that also happen to be useful include things like luggage tags and lip balm, but it is important to think about what your guests would actually like. For example, personalized hand sanitizer may not be as cute as heart-shaped measuring spoons, but your guests are more likely to grab it and use it.

Table Set Up to Make Flower Crowns with Premade Crowns Hanging From the Ceiling: The Crown Collective

Something Personalized Just for Them

Personalization makes for popular wedding favors, but not necessarily the way you think.

Most brides and grooms create favors with their names and wedding date on them. Some even go so far as to include a picture. Although grandma may love a Christmas ornament with your picture on it, the rest of your guests aren’t likely to be as enthused.

Instead, the best wedding favors are the ones that are personalized for your guests. For example, thank-you place-setting cards can be a wonderful way to show appreciation for your guests. Especially if you include a personalized note on the back.

Activity favors can fit into this category as well. Making flower crowns or having a live caricature artist provides guests with personalized favors they will want to take home.

Single Macaron With A Guest’s Name Written in Cursive Inside a Glass Cloche: Martha Stewart

Go For Miniature Luxury
Micro weddings rose in popularity in 2020 during COVID lockdowns. They have proven to have staying power in 2024, but wedding sizes aren’t the only thing that’s gone mini. Guests love a recognizable favor that has been miniaturized. That’s especially true if it gets the luxe treatment.

Mini cakes in an assortment of flavors are among the best wedding favors because they make guests feel like they’re getting their own special treat that has been decorated and packaged just for them. Mini cloches look stunning, whether they contain a single macaron or a succulent. Mini bottles of high-end champagne and tiny candle tins with custom fragrances are also luxe mini wedding favor choices.

Wedding Favor Book Bar: The New York Times

Go Beyond the Candy Bar

Candy bars are often found on lists of the best wedding favors. It’s true that guests love customizing their own candy mix, but they are getting a bit tired. Instead, go beyond scoopable candy and create a bar that’s all your own.

If you want to stick with popular wedding favors that include desserts, consider a themed bar, like a candy bar, where you set out full-sized bars of candy. Cookie bars, pie bars, and lollipop bars can all be a lot of fun.

Your bar doesn’t have to contain edible treats! Book bars are great for brides and grooms who love to read, while a cigar bar might be a welcome surprise for some of your guests.

Small Boxes Filled With Candy and Wrapped With a Blue Bow on Plates: The Knot

Integrate Favors into Place Settings

Placing your favors on a table near the exit at your reception is a tried-and-true option, but it’s easy for guests to walk by without grabbing one. A more personalized approach is to integrate favors into place settings.

For example, sweet treats can be placed in wrapped boxes on each plate so guests can get a quick snack while they wait for dinner to be served. Some favors can double as seating cards, like quartz crystals with guest names written in gold, while wine can be served in personalized glasses.

Don’t get stuck dragging home boxes full of wedding favors that your guests didn’t take home! Choose from among the best wedding favors with the ideas on this list, and your guests will be excited to grab one of your favors before the night is over!