Most wedding favors are designed with good intentions but poor execution; they’re charming in concept but too often wind up abandoned on reception tables, buried in the bottom of tote bags, or quietly left behind in hotel rooms. The truth is, your guests don’t need another miniature bottle of bubbles or a coaster emblazoned with your wedding date. What they want is something they’ll actually use, something that feels intentional rather than obligatory. 

The best favors manage to be both functional and meaningful - they’re well-made, not mass-produced, and when possible, they feel personal without screaming “I just got married!” The goal of favors: usable, personal, and items that make it into suitcases, not the trash.

1. Post-Party Survival Favors That Actually Get Used

After a night of cocktails, dance floors, and the kind of group photos everyone pretends not to love, your guests will appreciate something that helps them recover gracefully. These items are equal parts considerate and necessary - think of them as small luxuries disguised as essentials.

• Electrolyte powder sticks, such as those from Liquid I.V., LMNT (my personal favorite) or Hydrant, provide hydration that feels like an actual gift rather than an afterthought
• Under-eye patches from brands like Patchology or Wander Beauty lend a spa-like touch to the morning-after routine. I love this bulk pack of 50 individually wrapped luxe patched for under $10
• A combination of hangover pain relievers, gum, and perhaps even a cooling face wipe discreetly acknowledges the realities of celebration
• Be direct and have your friends thank you with pre-made hangover kits filled with everything you need for the morning after.

When packaged in a reusable pouch or muslin bag, these favors not only feel elevated but also serve a real purpose - and that’s what guests remember.

2. Place Cards That Do More Than Assign Seats

One of the simplest ways to elevate your tablescape while giving your guests a favor they’ll actually want to take home is by incorporating custom name plates that double as both seating cards and keepsakes.

At our wedding, we used gold acrylic cutouts of each guest’s name to mark their seating spot - one of the few upgrades we added to our tables, and it was the one thing that so many people posted a photo of, and without instructions everyone took home with them. When I posted a quick video about this on Tiktok, it ended up getting millions of views, everyone loves them.

Recommended materials that photograph well and pack beautifully include:

• Gold or mirrored acrylic for a glamorous touch
• Oyster Shells are ultra-glamorous and can double as a ring dish
• Sustainable wood veneer for natural elegance
• Etched rose quartz for a crystal-lover 
• Terracotta chips for a rustic, Mediterranean, Italian villa or Greek island inspired wedding. 
• Oversized and arched styles that can be repurposed as a Christmas ornament, bookmark, magnet.... 

They serve a dual purpose without any added clutter, making them a thoughtful and aesthetically pleasing addition.

3. Custom Favors That Highlight Their Name, Not Yours

If you truly want your guests to feel considered - not just included - personalize your favors with their names rather than yours. While you love your names, wedding date, and Monograms for your details, people LOVE items with their own name or initials, and a personalized name-specific gift feels far more generous and less promotional.

Inexpensive Personalized Favor Ideas:

Monogrammed personalized leather luggage tags, available in every color of the rainbow.

Gilded and painted oyster shells that make luxurious ring dishes.

Poppy, colorful, monogrammed waterproof travel or pool/beach pouches.

Monogrammed unisex toiletry bag, available in many luxurious, neutral colors.

Personalized wine glass charms.

Personalized travel jewelry boxes - so cute and under $10!

Personalized burlap tote bags - perfect for a beach or destination wedding.

These favors don’t just reflect your taste - they reflect your guests' identities, which makes them feel seen and appreciated in a way few other details can.

4. Connect Everyone Through a Shared Photo Album

Because your guests will be snapping photos from the moment they arrive - capturing sunsets, outfits, table settings, and selfies - make it easy for everyone to share and collect those moments in one shared space. A simple printed card or sticker with a QR code that links to your wedding photo album as an event gallery allows every guest to contribute their own perspective.

5. Create a Polaroid Guest Book They’ll Actually Want to Use

Instead of a traditional guest book that sits untouched or gets filled with the same two generic messages, give your guests something playful and interactive - a Polaroid or Instax station stocked with film, fine-point pens, and a little creative encouragement.

Invite them to snap a photo, scribble a quick note, and paste both into a designated album that evolves throughout the night. It’s informal, tactile, and deeply personal - a real-time portrait of your wedding through the eyes of your favorite people. Buy film in bulk and leave out enough packs for everyone to take home a duplicate shot, turning a simple guest book into a memory-maker and a party favor all in one. And don't forget a pack of double-sided tape for easy attaching, and a couple fun, decorative pens!

There’s something charming about the immediacy of a Polaroid - the candidness, the imperfect lighting, the awkward but endearing poses - that no digital gallery can replicate. It becomes a living document of the day, made richer with every laugh caught on film and every unexpected moment pinned down in ink.

A great favor will give your guest a little something special that they will keep, and remember your big event for years to come.