Do You Need to Have Wedding Favors?

Once considered an etiquette necessity, most wedding planners will now say that favors are inessential. With the increased popularity of late-night snacks and other special surprises, even couples hosting the most luxurious of celebrations will sometimes choose to forgo favors. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t offer a token of your appreciation to your attendees. Whether it’s due to pressure from your parents and future in-laws or you’ve had the perfect idea for favors since you first started daydreaming about your future nuptials, you may choose to embrace the tradition. If you’re not sure whether or not you want to put in the effort for another detail, see below for the pros and cons of supplying wedding favors. 

Pros

- Older guests will appreciate the etiquette, since people who have not planned or attended a wedding recently may not realize that favors have “gone out of fashion” in a sense and will expect to receive something.
- They can represent your location or family. Everyone wants their nuptials to be personal and unique, and using a local food or passed-down recipe is a great way to tie in your history to the big day.
- It helps to show your appreciation. Technically, the reception is supposed to be the "thank you" to your guests, but giving them a souvenir or tasty treat brings the point home – you’re glad they came!

Cons

- They’re an extra expense to an event that has more than likely already gone over your original budget.
- Many guests will forget them anyway, leaving you with more to clean up, wasted money, and a box of stuff to give away.
- Most nonedible favors will be unappreciated. The vast majority of people don’t need another keychain, bottle opener, koozie, etc. – especially if it has the names and wedding date of someone else.

See ideas for useful wedding favors and discover how to use your events to give back.