Are you planning your wedding and looking for gift ideas for your guests? Would you like to swap out the traditional wedding favors for something a little more unique?
I’m here to help you.
As a florist specializing in event planning, I often assist couples in the various stages of organizing their wedding.
Today, I’m going to share with you everything I know about guest gifts, so you can approach this topic with confidence.
Although trends have changed, guest favors remain an essential element to consider when preparing for your wedding. These can include edible treats (local specialties, candies), which should be given individually to each guest upon entering the reception area or placed directly at their table settings. Gifts of greater significance that symbolize your relationship (such as a forever rose) can also be offered to families. Lastly, be sure to choose them thoughtfully: they will serve as the lasting keepsake that your guests will remember from your special day!
Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out:
- Why give gifts to guests at your wedding
- Organizational tips for preparing them
- Gift ideas for your bridesmaids and immediate family
- A selection of ten gift ideas for all your guests
Should You Give Gifts to Guests at Your Wedding?
While wedding celebrations have evolved significantly in recent years, guest favors remain an essential aspect to consider.
However, the trend has shifted away from lace-draped candy bags… Now it’s about giving your guests something memorable, which will serve as a unique keepsake from an unforgettable day.
However, it isn’t always necessary to plan something complex: on the contrary, a simple and symbolic gift will likely have a significant impact.
For example, if you want to give them something edible, a local specialty from your area or town would be more meaningful than candy that you can find in any supermarket.
Your gift should also align with your wedding style: if you opt for a bohemian and rustic wedding that highlights nature, consider giving a gift that comes in recyclable or minimalist packaging, which shows your commitment to the environment.
Should You Give a Gift for Every Guest?
This organizational question often comes up when I’m discussing wedding ceremony preparations with my clients.
Indeed, for financial reasons, as well as to avoid waste, soon-to-be newlyweds often wonder how many gifts they should plan for.
The rule is simple. It varies depending on the type of gift involved:
- If it’s an edible gift or a small individual gift: plan for one gift per guest plus about 10% additional gifts in case of loss or to give later to friends who couldn’t attend your wedding.
👧👦You may want to plan a different gift for children: sweets, party favors, etc.
- If your gift is non-edible or perhaps grouped: in this case, consider giving a gift per family or household, especially if these gifts hold some value.
What gift to give to your witnesses and immediate family?
Whether you want to thank them for their help or show them how much they mean to you, it’s absolutely possible—and even recommended—to plan a special gift for your loved ones.
Whether it’s your witnesses or your close family, you can give them a personalized gift that suits them. This will not only show them that you care, but also that you want them by your side in your new life.
You can offer, for example:
- Wedding-related gifts that they can wear on this magical day. For your bridesmaids, you might consider giving them a flower crown that matches the wedding’s dress code. If it’s made of artificial flowers, they can keep it as a memento of the wedding and perhaps wear it again on other occasions to relive the memories of that day.
- Experiences to Share: a meal at a nice restaurant, a few days of travel together, a hands-on workshop with a craftsman, a gym membership…
When to Give Gifts?
Once you’ve found your gifts, the next important step is to give them. Depending on the type of gift, the process can vary.
When it comes to gifts for your loved ones, I recommend giving them:
- A little while before the ceremony, if you need to discuss outfits or accessories to wear on the big day.
- The day after your wedding, during a quiet moment when you are gathered together, after most of the guests have left. This will allow you to take the time to give your gifts and thank your family and friends for their presence and support with the planning of your wedding.
- A few days later, if you didn’t have the chance to find a moment on the day after your ceremony. The important thing is to find a quiet time, where you won’t feel rushed.
When it comes to guest favors, you can:
- Either place them in a large basket or on a table in the entrance of your venue, close to your seating plan.
- Or arrange them directly next to each guest’s plate, on the table where you will be dining.
😷 If you’re planning your wedding during a time when health guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic are still in place, I recommend this solution, as it will allow for better adherence to safety protocols since the gifts won’t be handled by all your guests.
10 Unique Gift Ideas for Your Guests
To wrap up this article, I’d like to share some gift ideas that go beyond the traditional sweets, allowing you to delight your guests and leave them with a memorable keepsake from your big day!
Everlasting Roses: A Symbol of Romance
These true preserved roses make a wonderful gift for every family invited to your wedding. Since they don’t wilt, they are a unique and stylish decoration for the home that your guests can cherish for years to come.
Small Plants for a Natural Wedding
To delight your guests, nothing beats placing a small succulent or cactus next to each plate in a lovely natural pot, personalized with your wedding date.
Delicious Specialties for Tasty Celebrations
Honey jar, homemade jam, unique syrups, artisanal cookies… don’t hesitate to introduce your guests to local specialties. If this type of gift appeals to you, consider preparing one for each guest.
Personalized Glasses to Toast Your Happiness
Easy to order online, personalized wine glasses make a wonderful keepsake for your loved ones. Plus, they can use them right on your wedding day!
dried flower candles, a bohemian and floral gift
Charming and delicate, these flower-adorned candles will beautifully decorate your tables at your wedding reception and can later be taken home as gifts by your guests.
Small Bouquets of Dried Flowers: Embracing the Rustic Trend
You can also have small bouquets of dried wildflowers made for you, or you can create them yourself, tied with a ribbon. Similar to candles, these will serve as both decor and a unique party favor for your guests.
Personalized Fans for a Hot Summer Day
Is your wedding taking place in the middle of August? Why not give your guests personalized (or non-personalized) fans that they can use to cool off on the big day and take home with them afterward?
A Cake Ready to Bake, in Memory of Your Wedding
Here’s a fun gift to make with kids! In reused jars, layer all the ingredients needed to bake a delicious cake (flour, sugar, chocolate chips). Once they’re home, your guests just need to add eggs and some fat to enjoy a tasty dessert in your honor!
A Little Decor for Their Home: Custom Photo Magnets
If you’d rather give them a photo keepsake from your wedding ceremony, you can easily order custom magnets online featuring memorable pictures of you and your partner. Your friends can keep these on their refrigerator to decorate their home.
Everlasting rose teddy bears for a sweet memory of this day
Finally, if you want to give a gift that is both romantic and sweet to your friends, you can present them with a bear made of everlasting roses, in the colors of your wedding decor. This adorable little bear will serve as a daily reminder of the wonderful moments you shared together during your wedding. Check them out in our shop by clicking on the banner below!
Now you know everything you need to know to delight your guests with perfect gifts! 🎁
To continue and enhance the organization of your ceremony, I invite you to check out another article I wrote about the selection of table names for your wedding reception. See you soon!