DIY Wedding Favor Ideas For Your Dream Fall Wedding!

Wedding planning is a complex and exciting process, from choosing the perfect wedding venue for your special day to selecting the ideal wedding decor. To this, add the beautiful outfits you plan to wear on your wedding day and the list of guests. Although your wedding day is your day, it is also about your guests. Your friends and family, the closest of all the people in your life will be a part of your day and your wedding photos. And for those who have always been there for you, through thick and thin, you will want to make your wedding day look as stunning as it can be and just perfect! From your wedding menu to the amazing wedding reception ideas, there’s so much to plan for their comfort! On the same thought process, wedding favors are just the right way to go about pampering your tribe. Wedding favors play an important role in expressing gratitude to guests and leaving them with a memorable keepsake. There are many wedding favor ideas and options to suit different wedding themes, which can be managed in different wedding budgets, and personal preferences. Whether you want something traditional, unique, or DIY, the key is to choose favors that reflect your style and resonate with your guests. Along with that pay attention to what they, your guests, would like. 

When selecting wedding favors, it's important to consider your budget. Plenty of affordable options are available that still carry a touch of elegance and charm. DIY wedding favors are a fantastic way to add a personal touch while keeping costs in check. Handmade candles, infused oils, or homemade bath salts can all be lovingly crafted and packaged to create unique and budget-friendly favors. No matter what flavors you choose, the key is to consider your guests' tastes and preferences while staying true to your own couple's style. Remember, wedding favors are a token of appreciation and a way to thank your loved ones for sharing in the joy of your special day.

Before We Start, Here’s Some History of Wedding Favors 

The tradition of wedding favors dates back centuries and has evolved. In ancient times, wedding favors were often small, symbolic items given to guests as a way to bestow blessings and good luck. These favors were often intricately crafted and could include items like small trinkets, sugared almonds, or even pieces of fabric or lace. In European history, the tradition of wedding favors became more prevalent during the Middle Ages. Noble families would offer guests "bonbonnieres," which were small boxes filled with sugared almonds or other sweets. The almonds were often presented in odd numbers, symbolizing fertility, longevity, wealth, health, and happiness. During the 16th and 17th centuries, wedding favors began to incorporate more elaborate designs and decorations. The boxes or containers holding the favors would be adorned with intricate patterns, engravings, or personalized monograms. These favors were seen as a way for couples to showcase their wealth and social status. In the 18th and 19th centuries, wedding favors started to take on a more practical and utilitarian approach. It became common to give guests small items that could be useful in their everyday lives, such as miniature silver spoons, pocket watches, or porcelain figurines.

As time went on, wedding favors became more personalized and reflective of the couple's personality and style. Modern wedding favors often include personalized items such as engraved keychains, custom-made magnets, custom-made accessories, or even customized edible treats like cookies or chocolates. In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards eco-friendly and sustainable wedding favors. Couples are opting for favors that are biodegradable, reusable, or made from recycled materials. This shift reflects a broader awareness of environmental concerns and a desire to make more conscious choices in wedding planning. 

DIY Wedding Favor Ideas 

Now, let’s talk about some wedding favor ideas that you can create yourself for your wedding guests! These ideas include creating baskets and some amazing ideas that you make on your own for different guests! So, let’s get into it. 

Personalized Succulent Pots

Personalized succulent pots make for charming and eco-friendly DIY wedding favors that your guests will love. Succulents are not only beautiful, but they also symbolize resilience and enduring love, making them the perfect choice for wedding favors. To create personalized succulent pots, start by selecting small clay pots or ceramic containers in various shapes and sizes. You can find these at local gardening stores or online. Next, choose a selection of succulent plants that are easy to care for and can thrive in different environments. Consider a variety of colors and textures to add visual interest. To personalize the pots, you can paint them in your wedding colors or use chalkboard paint for a more rustic look. Write each guest's name or initials on the pot using permanent markers or chalk pens. Alternatively, you can create custom labels or tags with the guest's name and a heartfelt message. Once the pots are personalized, fill them with a well-draining potting mix suitable for succulents. Gently place a succulent plant into each pot, making sure to position it securely. You can also add decorative elements such as small pebbles or moss to enhance the overall look.

You can also add a small card with care instructions for the succulents, including watering tips and sunlight requirements, to ensure that your guests can keep their plants thriving long after the wedding. To decorate the card, you can add monograms, especially if you’re using one for the wedding. Display the personalized succulent pots as wedding favors by arranging them on a dedicated table or incorporating them into the table settings. You can also add a small note expressing your gratitude and explaining the symbolism behind the succulents. You can also use this opportunity to write a thank you note for your wedding guests. To us, these wedding favors are perfect for just about any wedding idea but will work best for green and eco-friendly wedding themes. Also, we feel that these can work well for couples who are throwing a minimal wedding. 

Scented Candles

If you’re looking to create more personal wedding favors, then you’ll love this DIY wedding idea. Create a heartfelt and personal touch for your wedding by making DIY scented candles as favors for your guests. These charming candles not only add a warm and inviting atmosphere to any space but also serve as a lasting reminder of your special day. To make your scented candles, start by gathering the necessary materials including candle wax, wicks, fragrance oils or essential oils, candle containers, a double boiler or microwave-safe container, a thermometer, and a stirring utensil. Melt the wax, add your chosen fragrance, and carefully pour the scented wax into prepared containers. Let the candles cool and set, and then add personalized touches such as labels or ribbons to make them truly unique.

The beauty of DIY scented candles is that you can customize them to match your wedding theme or incorporate scents that hold special meaning for you and your partner. Whether you opt for romantic floral notes, refreshing citrus aromas, or soothing lavender, the fragrance will evoke a sense of joy and nostalgia each time your guests light the candle. Not only are DIY scented candles a thoughtful and practical favor, but they also allow you to infuse your wedding with a personal touch. Your guests will appreciate the effort and love that went into creating these beautiful keepsakes. As they enjoy the soft glow and delightful scents, they will be reminded of the love and warmth shared on your special day. So, get creative and start crafting your scented candles to add a touch of elegance and personalization to your wedding favors.

This idea will help you choose the perfect favor ideas. You can take it a step further by choosing a fragrance for different people. For example, you could feel that a particular scent or smell will appeal to a group of your wedding guests, while another scent can fit another group. And if you have some time on your hands, you can choose to have a different fragrance for each of your guests with some similar and common fragrances! 

Interesting Twist: Soaps instead of Candles

If you’re not a fan of candles to send to your wedding guests, then you can choose to have something similar: scented soaps. You can use the same ideas as we just mentioned! This can be a part of a gift basket for your wedding guests or could be a part of small, differently-designed handmade soaps! 

 Cheese Baskets as Favors 

Impress your guests with a delicious and personalized DIY cheese basket as a unique wedding favor. This delightful gift is not only a treat for the taste buds but also a thoughtful way to thank your loved ones for celebrating your special day. To create your cheese baskets, start by selecting a variety of artisanal cheeses that cater to different palates. Consider including a mix of soft, semi-soft, and hard cheeses, along with a range of flavors such as creamy brie, tangy blue cheese, and nutty Gouda. Pair the cheeses with complementary accompaniments like crackers, fresh fruits, honey, and nuts. Next, assemble the cheese baskets by arranging the cheeses and accompaniments in a beautiful and reusable basket or box. You can add a personal touch by including small handwritten tags with the names of each cheese or a note expressing your gratitude.

DIY cheese baskets not only make for a delectable favor but also serve as a conversation starter and a delightful surprise for your guests. They can enjoy the assortment of flavors and textures during the wedding reception or take the baskets home to savor later. It's a wonderful way to share your love for gourmet delights and create a lasting memory of your special day. Additionally, DIY cheese baskets can be customized to fit your wedding theme or reflect your personal preferences. You can incorporate local or regional cheeses, select cheeses with unique flavors, or even include homemade preserves or condiments for an extra touch of charm.

What we love the most about ideas like these is that you have to select the types of cheese to add to your basket, and curate the experience. To make this even better for your guests, you can even add some notes and ideas on how to consume the cheese you’ve picked out for them. The wedding favors will look the best in wicker baskets. You can also choose to have a beautiful bow on top! That apart, we feel that if you’re throwing an outdoor wedding, this will be an amazing wedding favor. You can also use these favors for a barn wedding! 

Jars with Pretty Additions

Another idea for your wedding favors is to bring together a few mason jars and fill them to the brim with goodies! Since today’s blog is all about DIY ideas, let’s talk about the pretty ideas that can be created at home. So, for fall weddings or weddings during seasons that are bright and pretty, you can choose to bake some amazing cookies! Depending on the size of the mason jar, you can choose the number of cookies to add there. Additionally, you can decorate these cookies with sprinkles and assortments. 

Another DIY idea including mason jars is simple, get a broad-mouthed jar for each of your wedding guests, and add pieces of cakes! You can bake delicious cakes, these can be differently flavored. Now, you can choose to have a single-flavor cake for your wedding guests or you can choose to have different flavors for each of your wedding guests. Another interesting idea is that you can choose to bake smaller cakes and put them in the jars! 

To add more colors and splashes to this idea for your wedding, you can simply add beautiful decor to the jar. You can decide to wrap them with ribbons, or add some cards! This will help you add more details to your wedding favors. Apart from this, you can also add candies and sweets. With cakes, you can throw in some handmade chocolates or regular chocolates, or even throw in some sour candies, depending on your preferences. 

Additional Idea: DIY Gift Basket

Now that we have thrown in some ideas for your wedding day, let’s talk about something better, something grander - a gift basket! Think of throwing in everything you want to pamper your wedding guests within a single basket! You can DIY one of each of the ideas above, and throw it all together in the basket! This way, you will have everything DIY for your guests. However, if you’re short on time and have some leeway in your wedding budget, how about buying some things and DIYing some? You can choose to purchase some things, like cakes or have them baked, and chocolates for your guests, while adding other DIY ideas! 

The Takeaway 

Apart from this, if you’re looking for something minimal and easy, then personalized favors, such as engraved keychains, custom-made coasters, or monogrammed candles, are a thoughtful way to show your guests that you care. These personalized touches add a meaningful and sentimental touch to the favor, making it a cherished memento. Experiential favors, such as mini DIY kits for crafting, bath bombs, or succulent terrariums, are a fun way to keep guests entertained. These kits allow guests to take home something unique and special. Edible favors, such as artisanal chocolates, gourmet cookies, or jars of homemade jams or honey, are always a hit. These delectable treats will surely leave a lasting impression on your guests' taste buds.

If you're passionate about sustainability and eco-friendly practices, consider earth-conscious wedding favors, such as seed packets, small potted plants, or reusable items like canvas tote bags or stainless steel straws. These eco-friendly favors not only serve as thoughtful gifts but also promote a greener lifestyle. When selecting wedding favors, it's important to consider your budget. There are plenty of affordable options available that still carry a touch of elegance and charm. DIY favors are a fantastic way to add a personal touch while keeping costs in check. Handmade candles, infused oils, or homemade bath salts can all be lovingly crafted and packaged to create unique and budget-friendly favors. No matter what flavors you choose, the key is to consider your guests' tastes and preferences while staying true to your own couple's style. Remember, wedding favors are a token of appreciation and a way to thank your loved ones for sharing in the joy of your special day.