Now for the fun part – organising your wedding favours!

Wedding favours are a small gift given to guests as a personal thank you for sharing your special day.

As with all of the other wedding arrangements, there are so many options that it’s sometimes hard to know where to begin. There are countless possibilities but they don’t all have to cost the earth. You just want your favours to be memorable and to have a personal touch.

Theme and colours:

If your wedding has a theme (eg beach, butterflies, Kiwiana) or colour theme, that’s a great place to start. As well as the readymade options, explore the possibility of having items specially made to suit your colours or theme. Tailor made doesn’t necessarily mean over-priced, and minimum quantities are not always prohibitive.

Can’t find exactly what you’re looking for (or don’t really know what you’re looking for)? Explain your theme or concept to retailers and specialist suppliers. Many products come and go and may not always be listed on websites or on shelves, but some of those specialty stores may have just what you’re looking for, or may be able to suggest an even better alternative!

Budget:

Favours don’t need to be expensive, but when you have a lot of guests the costs can add up, so work out how much you are prepared to pay per guest or in total for your favours. It is advisable to include a few extra pieces in to your budget, just in case of breakage or unexpected guests…

Compare prices – they vary significantly! Ask for a sample so you can make sure you are happy with the quality of the product. Some items, such as chocolates for example, vary greatly in quality and taste (and shelf life). Price and quality do not always go hand in hand, so be sure to try a sample of what you intend to order.

Personal Touch:

To make your wedding favours memorable and significant, you need to add that personal touch. Perhaps a personal thank you message on a small card or swing tag, a photograph, or something you have made yourself. Or you can personalise the packaging to reflect your interests (eg your sport, dance, favourite movie or era). You could personalise your favour boxes with a photograph, favourite poem or phrase, or add a printed label, card or swing tag with individual guest names and/or your personal message.

Sweets and chocolates:

Sweets and chocolates make popular wedding favours – after all, who doesn’t love a few sweet treats! Some sweets can be ordered in separate colours to suit your colour theme, and some confectionery products can be made to order in specific shapes, flavours and colours. If possible, visit the supplier to see and try the sweets you are thinking of choosing. It’s a good idea to make up a sample favour bag/box to help you visualise how your favours will look, and how they will fit in with your theme and table setting.

If you plan to buy sweets in bulk and package them yourself in favour boxes or bags, check with the retailer or supplier how they are best stored, - if they need to be kept in an air-tight container or within a certain temperature range. If ordering well in advance, check best before dates. And lastly, don’t leave your edible favours somewhere at home where the dog (or hungry children) can reach them!