WEDDING PLANNING ADVICE - Your Guide To Eco-Friendly Wedding Favours, By Catherine Of All Things Considered

23rd February 2021


WEDDING PLANNING ADVICE - Your Guide To Eco-Friendly Wedding Favours, Thanks To Catherine Of All Things ConsideredBenni Carol Photography

Wedding favours are one of those things that just pop-up on your wedding to-do list. But do you really need to provide them; will people think you’re rude if you don’t; and what should you give as a wedding favour? Originally known as ‘bonbonnières’, favours were given to guests as a symbol of care (very lovely sentiment) and to show how wealthy you were (maybe not such a lovely sentiment!).

As with all things when it comes to planning your wedding today, you can pick and choose what is meaningful to you. So if you’re renowned for making amazing sloe gin, then that’s a great idea for a favour. But if you feel like you need to give them for traditions-sake, or are worried about how environmentally-friendly they are, then read on for some eco-friendly wedding favour alternatives!  

Go Without!

WEDDING PLANNING ADVICE - Your Guide To Eco-Friendly Wedding Favours, Thanks To Catherine Of All Things ConsideredBenni Carol Photography​

WEDDING PLANNING ADVICE - Your Guide To Eco-Friendly Wedding Favours, Thanks To Catherine Of All Things ConsideredBecky Harley Photography

You don’t HAVE to give everyone a favour at your wedding. Be honest and think back to the number of weddings you’ve been to and how many of the favours you still have/use. If you’re having 80 or so guests, it’s pretty impossible to pick something that you know everyone will like, so take the pressure off! Most of your guests will just be happy to see you get married, soak up the atmosphere and see friends and family (and a top-notch menu never goes amiss)! 

Experiences Over Things

WEDDING PLANNING ADVICE - Your Guide To Eco-Friendly Wedding Favours, Thanks To Catherine Of All Things ConsideredBecky Harley Photography

WEDDING PLANNING ADVICE - Your Guide To Eco-Friendly Wedding Favours, Thanks To Catherine Of All Things ConsideredBenni Carol Photography

Your guests will be much more likely to remember how you made them feel, not what you gave them, so consider swapping in experiences instead of a favour at each place-setting. Put your budget towards a cool food or drink station (British Pie Week is coming up, just saying!), entertainment, or just an epic party!

WEDDING PLANNING ADVICE - Your Guide To Eco-Friendly Wedding Favours, Thanks To Catherine Of All Things ConsideredBecky Harley Photography

WEDDING PLANNING ADVICE - Your Guide To Eco-Friendly Wedding Favours, Thanks To Catherine Of All Things ConsideredBenni Carol Photography

Add something heartfelt and personal into your speech so your guests feel noticed and included. Obviously, you won’t be able to mention everyone by name, but you could talk about groups of friends or family, and share a funny story of how you all met.

Gifts With Stories

WEDDING PLANNING ADVICE - Your Guide To Eco-Friendly Wedding Favours, Thanks To Catherine Of All Things ConsideredWEDDING PLANNING ADVICE - Your Guide To Eco-Friendly Wedding Favours, Thanks To Catherine Of All Things Considered Benni Carol Photography

For some of us, giving a physical gift is the way we show we care, so if that’s you, then you should definitely follow your heart. How about giving a gift with a story that supports the planet or a community project? Like a donation to an environmental charity or buying from a small maker or collective that gives back to others. 

Make Something

WEDDING PLANNING ADVICE - Your Guide To Eco-Friendly Wedding Favours, Thanks To Catherine Of All Things ConsideredBecky Harley Photography

WEDDING PLANNING ADVICE - Your Guide To Eco-Friendly Wedding Favours, Thanks To Catherine Of All Things ConsideredBenni Carol Photography

If you’re a dab hand in the kitchen, you could make everyone a fancy cupcake or some jam, or if you’re green-fingered you could grow herbs for everyone to take-away and use in their favourite dish. If you’re artistic you could write a poem, draw each guest an illustration, record a song or make streamers for guests instead of confetti. Imagine how personal it will be to give everyone something you have created yourself!

WEDDING PLANNING ADVICE - Your Guide To Eco-Friendly Wedding Favours, Thanks To Catherine Of All Things ConsideredBecky Harley Photography

WEDDING PLANNING ADVICE - Your Guide To Eco-Friendly Wedding Favours, Thanks To Catherine Of All Things ConsideredBenni Carol Photography

You don’t need to plan something new to give your guests a gift, you could invite them to collect flowers from your centrepieces, or take home seed paper name cards to plant in their garden. Or double-up your table plan as gifts, with guests’ names written on something fun like an origami shape or a leaf. 


I hope that gives you some fun ideas for eco-friendly favours (or permission to have none at all)! Remember, it’s about finding something that works for you and fits with your vision of how you’d like your wedding to feel. And if you’re stuck getting to the heart of what’s really important for your wedding, then I have a free guide that might be just what you need!

 


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