Graphic created by
Mrs Prindables.

Organizing and planning a wedding can be overwhelming. The huge numbers of decisions and details that go into planning the big day can be exhausting. Picking the date, venues for the wedding and the reception, choosing the menu, the DJ and special music, the attendants, the dresses and tuxes, flowers, colors … and the list goes on. One thing that could be overlooked is the wedding favors.

What you should definitely not do is purchase favors that you cannot afford. If you have a very small budget for favors, you can still find something nice within your budget. You don’t even need to spend money to provide a heartfelt wedding favor. Have you considered writing a note expressing your appreciation of your guests and thanking them for celebrating with you? Your guests will appreciate the thought. Keep in mind that your guests are attending your wedding to celebrate your special day with you, not to bring home a gift.

However, most couples today do give wedding favors to thank their guests for coming to the wedding and making all the sacrifices that got them there, such as buying a new dress and/or shoes, traveling and staying at a hotel for an out-of-town wedding, hiring a babysitter and selecting a gift or writing a check for the happy couple.

So, let’s say you decide to purchase wedding favors: what kinds are best? The attached infographic, Wedding Favors 101: Do’s and Don’ts, is a handy list of things to think about when choosing your favors. There are no rules for what to buy or how much to spend, but you do want your gift to reflect the love and appreciation you feel for your guests.

The best “rule” is to give a favor that you would be excited to receive, not something you would be happy to throw out the moment you got home, if not sooner. Small, useful items, perhaps personalized with your initials, are always good. And everyone loves good-quality candies and other desserts — but don’t try to make your own! As mentioned above, if your budget is really tight, how about writing a note from heart expressing your appreciation for having your guests in your life? Or, you could donate to your favorite charity in your guests’ names and leave a note at each place setting explaining what you did.

Before deciding on your wedding favors, be sure to read the infographic for the latest wedding favor tips and tricks.