There’s nothing worse than a wedding favor that’s left on the reception tables at the end of the evening – it’s such a bummer to know you put thought into choosing a fun gift for your guests that they ended up not wanting or needing! Save yourself the time, money, and headache, and opt for favors that your guests will be fighting to take home at the end of the night! We worked with Be Inspired PR to grab input from industry pros on creative wedding favors that any guest would love:

Planner: Alston Mayger Events // Photographer: Brady Bates Photography

Choose something guests can use at home too.
“I always recommend wedding favors that double up as something practical on the day but also once taken home. A favorite of mine is beautiful solid marble coasters that have the guests’ names calligraphed onto them. These act as a place card and a coaster to take home. They are also easy to put in a clutch or a jacket pocket. Anything too bulky will get left behind. You can present the coasters directly on the table or as a marble wall too.” – Charlotte Ricard-Quesada, La Fête

Planner: Cape Cod Celebrations // Photographer: Organic Photography

People love items with their own names on it!
“Guests hardly ever leave something physical with their own names on it behind! Try a unique place card (hand-lettered oyster shells, anyone?), or something edible that will satisfy those pre-salad snackers. A sweet treat that greets guests at their place setting is rarely overlooked.” – Ashley Lachney, Owner of Alston Mayger Events

Planner: Kirkbrides Wedding Planning & Design // Photographer: Jenny Haas Photography

Try plants for something different.
“Plants are a great idea; at a recent wedding held at a large local greenhouse, each guest got to take home a pot of succulents. You can also combine decor with favors where each guest finds their name on a bud vase with a fresh bloom in it first to find their seat and then take home with them.” – Valarie Falvey, Kirkbrides Wedding Planning & Design

Planner: Feathered Arrow Events // Photographer: Safeena Noah

You can’t go wrong with something edible!
“For creative wedding favors guaranteed to be used, I always suggest something edible. For example, personalized cookies, donuts, olive oil, chocolate, or a family recipe of some kind that you want to make and share. Guests love a little something to eat post-dinner or to take home with them and use as they cook. It’s guaranteed to be utilized and not left behind.” – Kari Dirksen, CEO + Lead Planner, Feathered Arrow Events

Planner: Kirkbrides Wedding Planning & Design // Photographer: Jenny Haas Photography 

Choose something that can be used the same day.
“I am a huge supporter of favors that can be used the same day they are received (or in the near future following the wedding). I have found that the most remembered favors are typically edible and can be taken home after a few cocktails! Some great edible favors my couples have offered their guests include flavored popcorn in custom bags or with customized stickers, or even a paper bag of donut holes with coffee in to-go cups monogrammed with the couple’s initials at the end of the night. Another great favor idea – especially for those getting married in a destination location – is to find a food or snack item that is a nod to the area where the wedding took place. Many of my weddings take place in Rhode Island and some of the popular items I see are travel cups of coffee milk (a RI staple!) with cookies to-go or baked goods/chocolate in the shape of anchors, lobsters, or lighthouses – all common scenery for this area!” – Alexandra Denniston, Owner & Lead Planner, Eventlightenment Planning

Handkerchief: The Handkerchief Shop // Photographer: Love Me Do Photography

Embroidered handkerchiefs are special and memorable.
“Make your favor unique! I love it when customers ask me to embroider a little design on handkerchiefs that they made themselves or one that their stationery designer created for them.” – Colleen, The Handkerchief Shop

Planner: Alston Mayger Events // Photographer: RT Faith Photography

Cute and custom matchboxes are practical and fun!
“Matchboxes! Be sure to order extra, don’t be surprised if your guests are tempted to take them by the handful!” – Stephanie, Cape Cod Celebrations

When in doubt, choose something chocolate.
“Chocolates! We love a good edible favor and chocolates are always a win! Most likely there is a local chocolatier in your area who can make custom chocolates. We can assure you these will go home or enjoyed before the night is over!” – Stephanie, Cape Cod Celebrations