Need to display favors at your wedding or shower? Here’s how it’s done! Join the newsletter so you don’t miss out on other fun tips + how-to’s.

Hi, loves! We’re talking about displaying wedding favors in this post. After last week’s blog post on hot cocoa favors, we received a few questions about how to set up or display wedding favors.

We showed this example of setting up the cocoa bags on a tiered tray, which makes it very organized and easy-to-see for guests. The example is a simple fruit basket, and as you can see, it makes an excellent makeshift wedding favor display stand. Plus, you’ll hold fruits in it afterward.

You might even have one similar at home, or you can borrow one from your mom. :)

When you have favors like succulents, coffee bags, cookies, stroopwafels, hot cocoa, portrait can coolers, or even stadium cups to give your guests, the last thing you want to do is throw them all together at the last minute.

The difference between favors vs. the ones you see featured in wedding blogs or magazines is one easy trick: knowing how to set up wedding favors in an organized way. And it’s really easy to do! We’ll show you how.

There are three easy ways to display wedding favors.

1. Place each wedding favor at guest seats.

If you want to display wedding favors the easiest way — and without any extra cost to your budget — simply place a wedding favor at each guest’s seat. This is possible if the favor is small, nicely decorated, and doesn’t have any scent (because scented candles at dinner are NOT a good idea, and here’s why.)

As a rule of thumb, you’ll want to display wedding favors that won’t melt and favors that won’t overpower your table settings (i.e. take away from the beautiful accents you’ve already added).

You can display favors like all of these by simply placing it on the salad plate or next to the water glass for guests to take home after the wedding. Make sure the favor does not get in the way of the place card — or better yet, choose wedding place cards that double as favors. Brilliant!

Like these candle holders — amazing! — that can be turned into place card tags. Love this. (By Mesnet/a>.)

When you display wedding favors on the tables themselves, there’s a benefit: most guests won’t forget to take theirs with them.

2. Use trays for wedding favors to show ’em off!

If your tables are already packed to the brim and you don’t want to over-clutter them, use a separate round table in the reception area. You can simply place favors in a neat and organized way in rows or in a small basket or tray, as shown in the examples below.

One example? Tree favors! They’re great on a separate table because they’re large and will get in the way of dinner. But off to the side on their own table? Genius. (These are by WreathsByGreenGifts.)

As a note, you’ll want to include a favors sign to encourage guests to take one.

I know it seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how many guests are hesitant to take one if it’s not clearly labeled. :)

This sign is by SweetNCCollective as one example.

Now, let’s talk about displaying favors on wedding trays. If you don’t want to spend money on something you’ll never use again, I have good news and bad news.

The bad news: these are currently on sale at 50% off, so time is limited to get them at a good price.

The good news: these make great trays for wedding favors — and afterward at home in your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, etc. Some people have reviewed these trays and mentioned how they work great for essential oils, bathroom toiletries, or makeup/nail polish; on the other hand, they work great for holding spices, coffee pods, and more in your kitchen.

There are many wedding favor trays available in different styles, so choose whichever one that coordinates best with your wedding theme and personal style.

Take a look: we spotted these at Hobby Lobby. You can shop online and ship to your door or head to your local store. I’m in need of a serious Hobby Lobby trip. It’s like a Target run, but mine includes a coffee, a solid hour of just browsing, and a few Farmhouse take-home surprises I find. :)

I don’t like to overbuy on things I won’t use again, so that’s why I really like these trays: you’ll definitely use them again at home in your kitchen.

Two-Tiered Tray, $16.50

Buy it here.

Galvanized Three-Tier Tray, $20

Available here.

Black Metal Tray, $12.50

This is a stylish option that goes with everything! Kind of need this for my dresser right now, tbh! Get it here.

Fruit Basket, $27.99-$31.99

By Regal Trunk and Co. Available as a two tier or three tier basket.

Rustic Three-Tier Tray, $32.50

Great for rustic weddings! here.

White Tray for Wedding Favors, $17.50

Need a wedding tray in white? This one is a perfect choice! See it here.

And last but not least, this simple and extremely affordable tray — on sale right now, half off — for only five bucks.

Distressed Galvanized Tray, $5

See it here.

3. Display favors in to-go containers.

For edible wedding favors that guests will enjoy at your reception or take home, you won’t want favors to get left behind! Since boxes are so easy to keep organized, stack ’em up and let them be available for guests to take any time.

There are specialized ways to set up wedding favors for donuts, cupcakes, and macarons. To display favors like these at your wedding, simply stack them on a separate table with a sign for guests to take.

If you’re offering donuts, use a donut wall (this one is by ZCreateDesign):

Or a simple donut stand from the same shop:

If you’re giving cupcake favors, use a cupcake stand like this (by YourDivineAffair):

… or you can package treats to-go in boxes like these and place at each guest’s table setting. Easy-peasy. These cake boxes are by For Your Party from here and they are customizable.

For cupcakes, use these specially-designed cupcake favor boxes from Beau-Coup here:

Or these with cute spoons! Love the way these look + there’s a handle, too! See them here.

Or these acrylic cupcake stands with lids — so elegant! — from here.

Giving macaron favors? Use this stand as a chic way to display favors for guests! By BostonBonBon. You can also source your macarons from here, too — and they look delicious!

Here’s how to make sure guests take the wedding favors offered: have your DJ make an announcement after dinner to invite guests to take a favor from the table, from a separate area, and also to sign your guest book. :) The MC really keeps things going and makes sure your guests enjoy everything you have offered.

Hope it helps!

If you have any additional questions about how to set up wedding favors or displaying them on your tables, just ask! We’re here to help.

So, how are you going to display wedding favors? Are you placing them at each guest’s seat, or are you opting for a separate table to set them up? Tell us in the comment box below!

Happy Planning!

xo
Emma