Wondering what to do instead of wedding favors? Read on for some creative alternatives to wedding favors!
Is it tacky to skip wedding favors? As a rule of thumb, it is nice to give favors as a take-home gift and a memento of your wedding day. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give favors to guests, nor does it make sense to give them unless they’re truly useful.
And no — it’s certainly not tacky to skip favors altogether.
The bottom line is this: wedding favors are not required although are nice to have if done properly.
Are wedding favors outdated?
Wedding favors are not outdated, but it is outdated to give favors for the sake of giving them.
There is a greater emphasis today placed on favors that are practical or useful. It is more logical to buy favors you think guests will enjoy. Guests don’t want items they will simply toss out; edible favors are also a huge plus.
For instance, if there is a party favor that ties into your story of how you met, a souvenir of where you’re getting married, or something you think guests will enjoy or be able to use, go with it. Those are some of the most memorable party favors you can give.
On the other hand, if you’re struggling to come up with a way to use your budget, you may be best suited to give an alternative.
Alternatives to Wedding Favors
Here’s what to do instead of wedding favors to give you some twists on the tried-and-true tradition.
1. Charitable Donation
Instead of wedding favors, give back to charity. A donation in lieu of wedding favors is a nice way to give back to your favorite charity instead of buying trinkets. You can donate to a favorite local charity and offer cards like these instead.
When you give to a charity of your choice, you can utilize your wedding budget in a positive way. If you can’t decide on one that resonates with you as a couple, a donation in lieu of favors is a wonderful alternative.
If you want to give charitable donations, here are some tips on how to do them vs traditional favors.
2. Photo Booth
A photo is a priceless take-home gift your guests will appreciate. You can rent a photo booth to snap photos of guests in front of a fun backdrop; guests can take photo strips home as wedding favor alternatives.
I still have all of the photo strips I’ve ever taken at weddings. One of my favorite items from a wedding was a photo strip holder that has a magnet on the back. We put our photos from the wedding on the fridge and I always see them! It was a great use of the favor budget by the couple.
3. Late-Night Snack
If you want to skip traditional favors, consider a late-night snack instead.
One of the most popular options is a donut bar or cookie bar, where guests can pick out a favorite flavor and place it inside a treat bag to take to-go. Alternatively, guest can enjoy it there at the reception. If you’d like, add a coffee bar for take-home cups of java: what a nice late-night treats to give to your guests!
You can get these cute treat bags to package up the late-night treats (by Mavora):
For take-home cups of coffee, go with these.
Another snack people love: tacos! Or pizza. You really can’t go wrong with food. Your guests will be dancing all night and need a little pick-me-up. The cost of a late-night snack makes an excellent alternative to wedding favors.
I hope these ideas inspire you to do something other than wedding favors if they are simply not your thing. And stop worrying if it is tacky to not do favors. You should always choose what YOU want to do for your wedding.
For some couples, a particular party favor makes sense; for others, it is more impactful to give something instead of wedding favors. Make the choice that works best for you as a couple and commit to it. You’ll be happier of the outcome if the decisions you make are your own.
And don’t be afraid to mix it up a bit: get creative! You may even come up with something else not on this list that will work perfectly for your wedding. If you do, I will love to hear about it in the comments below! :)
Happy Planning!
xo
Emma
