May the odds be ever with your (wedding) favour
February 29, 2024
Wedding favours are a time-honoured tradition; they have been a way to express gratitude to wedding guests for hundreds of years. They are also a slightly divisive topic; some couples want to honour old traditions, some want to put a spin on them, while others have no interest in giving out gifts at their wedding at all.
Here are some common classic wedding favours, as well as some new ones you may want to incorporate into your own wedding day:
Photo: MadeforShare
Jordan almonds
A traditional Greek and Italian wedding favour, often given out in small bags of only 5 almonds. Each almond signifies a different wish for the couple: health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity. Similar to another traditional favour we’ll cover below, it was believed that if a single woman slept with the Jordan almonds under her pillow, she would dream of her future husband!
Fruit cake
While usually associated with Christmas, this cake has been used for British royal weddings for thousands of years. Fruit cake also started becoming a popular cake option for many non-royal couples alike. A small piece of the fruit cake was given out as a wedding favour so their guests could place a piece of cake under their pillow. This was believed to bring good luck and bring the person closer to their true love. Since modern wedding cakes are much softer and messier, this is not as popular a wedding tradition anymore.
Small wedding bells
An old Irish belief is that bells ward off evil spirits and conflict from a marriage. This is one of the reasons why church bells ring after a couple is married. Another way this tradition is often incorporated is by giving all the guests a small bell to ring after the ceremony. The bells are typically rung when the couple is walking back down the isle together as official spouses (out of the church or wherever they choose to get married). Guests are given these bells to take home as wedding favors. The bells can even be customized.
Now for some more modern ideas!
Custom seed packets
This is a great favour to give guests, especially if you have a more natural theme for your wedding. Eco-friendly is the way of the future, so what better way to encourage environmental stewardship than by giving out seeds for people to plant? Try choosing native wildflowers and pollinator-friendly plants while you’re at it. These seed packs can be customized with a favourite saying, you and your partner’s names, or anything you want.
Photo: BlossomPaperieShop
Wedding coffee blend
Most people love a good coffee blend, and if they don’t, they know someone who does! This gift option is super fun and consumable. Customize the small bag with a name for your signature brew, a fun saying, or your own names. All you have to do is fill the bags with your favourite blend, and you’ve got a delicious wedding favour.
Bottled maple syrup, jam, soaps, and tea bags
People love food and useful gifts. When thinking about what to give as wedding favours, try thinking about what people would use, enjoy, and not want to toss as soon as they receive it. A small bottle of maple syrup or jar of jam with a customized label is cute, and most people will actually use it. Fun-shaped tea bags with custom tags and unique soap blends that showcase your favourite scents may also be a great choice.
Just remember, wedding favours are absolutely not necessary! Don’t feel like you must give your guests anything. Being there can be gift enough. If you do decide to go the wedding favour route, be creative and have fun with it. This is your day. Traditional, modern, or food—do whatever you feel is most authentic to you and your partner. Take a look at our Pinterest board for more favour ideas here!
Photos from Etsy shops MadeforShare and BlossomPaperieShop