How much do wedding favors cost?
How much do wedding favors cost?
$2 – $4 average cost per guest
Average cost of wedding favors
The average cost of wedding favors is $2 to $4 per guest, or around $300 to $600 for a 150-guest wedding. The total price depends on the favor type, quantity, customization, and how much you choose to DIY. While some couples opt for luxury items, many choose meaningful and memorable low-cost wedding favors that guests genuinely appreciate.
| Number of guests | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Per guest | $2 – $4 |
| 50 guests | $100 – $200 |
| 75 guests | $150 – $300 |
| 100 guests | $200 – $400 |
| 150 guests | $300 – $600 |
| 200 guests | $400 – $800 |
What determines your total wedding favors cost?
Several elements influence the final price tag on your wedding favors. From the item itself to the box it comes in, every choice impacts your bottom line.
The type of favor
The type of favor has the biggest impact on the cost. Edible favors, like custom cookies or small bags of gourmet coffee, are often on the more affordable end of the spectrum. Durable or functional keepsakes, such as engraved glassware, custom candles, or small potted plants, tend to cost more per piece due to the materials and labor involved.
The table below shows the average cost per item for several common wedding favor categories.
| Favor type | Average cost per item |
|---|---|
| Bottle openers | $1.50 — $6.00 |
| Candy or chocolate bars | $1.00 — $2.50 |
| Coasters (cork or paper) | $1.50 — $4.00 |
| Custom cookies | $2.00 — $4.00 |
| Donation to charity (per guest) | $1.00 — $3.00 |
| Jar of jam or honey | $2.50 — $5.00 |
| Koozies | $2.00 — $3.00 |
| Personalized glassware | $3.00 — $7.00 |
| Playing cards | $1.00 — $2.00 |
| Seed packets | $0.50 — $1.50 |
| Small candles | $2.00 — $5.00 |
| Small potted succulents | $2.00 — $5.00 |
| Soaps | $1.00 — $3.00 |
| Wine stoppers | $2.00 — $5.00 |
Customization and personalization
Adding your monogram, wedding date, or a custom "thank you" tag instantly makes a favor feel special, but it also adds to the cost. Simple printed tags are a budget-friendly option, while services like laser engraving, custom embroidery, or personalized packaging will increase the price per item.
Packaging
Don't forget the presentation! The cost of small boxes, velvet bags, custom-printed ribbons, and filler paper can sometimes rival the cost of the favor itself. Beautiful packaging makes a big impact, but it's an easy area to scale back if you're watching your budget.
Number of guests
This one is simple math: the more guests you have, the higher your total cost will be. However, many vendors offer bulk discounts, so your price per item might decrease slightly if you are ordering 200 favors versus 50. Always ask a vendor if they have a price-break quantity.
Location
Where you get married can significantly affect your favor costs. Sourcing favors from vendors in high-cost urban areas will generally be more expensive than in suburban or rural regions. This is especially true for items like local baked goods or artisanal products.
Cost also varies by region, with couples in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S. spending more on favors than those in the Midwest. Destination weddings often have the highest favor costs, with averages running from $500 to over $700, as they may involve local specialty items and complex logistics.
Low cost wedding favor ideas
If you're looking for low cost wedding favors that still feel thoughtful and personal, you have plenty of wonderful options. These ideas are popular because they are charming, memorable, and won't break the bank.
Edible delights
Guests always appreciate a sweet or savory treat. This is one of the most popular low cost wedding favor ideas because it's rarely left behind. Consider a small bag of your favorite local coffee, a "midnight snack" bag with a cookie, or a small jar of homemade spice rub.
Plantable and "green" favors
Give a gift that grows. Seed packets with a cute saying like "Let Love Grow" are a classic and very affordable option. Small succulents or herb seedlings are also very popular and can double as lovely, eco-friendly table decor that guests take home.
Practical and useful items
The best favors are often the ones guests will actually use. Think about items like custom-printed matchboxes, personalized bottle openers, cork coasters, or even a small bottle of hand sanitizer with a custom label that matches your wedding theme.
DIY wedding favors & homemade gifts
If you're crafty, a do-it-yourself wedding favor can be very personal and budget friendly. This could be anything from homemade vanilla extract in small bottles to hand-poured candles, homemade soap, or personalized playlists shared with a simple QR code. Just be sure to realistically factor in the cost of materials and your own time.
Wedding favor FAQs
Are wedding favors necessary?
While wedding favors are a sweet tradition, they are 100% optional! Many couples today are skipping favors entirely. Instead, they reallocate that money to another part of the guest experience, like a late-night snack or dessert bar, an upgraded open bar, or a photo booth. A heartfelt, public "thank you" during the reception speeches is often more than enough.
Is it cheaper to make your own wedding favors?
It can be, but not always. If you plan to DIY 150 small jars of jam, you must buy the jars, lids, fruit, sugar, pectin, and custom labels. The material cost can add up quickly, not to mention the hours of labor. DIY is often cheaper for simple projects (like bagging candy) but can be more expensive and stressful for complex ones.
How many wedding favors should I order?
Order one favor per guest plus 10% to 15% extra to account for last-minute additions, breakage, and keepsakes for yourself. For 100 confirmed guests, order 110 to 115 favors. Couples often give one favor per person rather than per couple, though some favor types work better as one per couple (like bottle openers or coasters that come in sets).
When should wedding favors be given out?
Wedding favors are typically placed at each guest's seat at the reception or displayed on a table near the exit. Placing them at seats ensures every guest receives one and integrates the favor into your table setting. Exit table displays work well for favors guests might prefer to grab on their way out, and this approach means forgotten favors can be redistributed to guests who want extras.
Can I give different favors to different guests?
You can provide different favors for children versus adults or offer guests a choice between two options. However, giving substantially different favors based on factors like relationship closeness or table assignment can create awkward situations. If you want variety, consider a favor bar where guests select from multiple options, ensuring everyone receives equal treatment.
Do guests actually keep wedding favors?
It depends entirely on the favor. Edible wedding favors are almost always consumed. Useful, practical favors (like bottle openers, coasters, or candles) have a very good chance of being kept and used.
Unfortunately, small trinkets personalized only with your names and wedding date (like keychains or picture frames) are the most likely to be left behind on the table at the end of the night.
Choosing a wedding favor vendor
Finding the right artisan or vendor to create your favors can be part of the fun. Your local wedding planner will likely have a list of preferred vendors, but you can also find great options on your own. Use these helpful guidelines:
Start your search on online artisan marketplaces like Etsy, which have thousands of vendors specializing in custom wedding items.
Look to local businesses. Your favorite bakery, coffee roaster, plant nursery, or chocolatier may offer bulk discounts for wedding orders.
Visit local craft fairs or farmer's markets to find unique, handmade goods from local artisans.
Read reviews on Fash.com and Google carefully to check for feedback on product quality, reliability, and customer service.
Questions to ask a wedding favor vendor
Before you sign a contract or place a large order, make sure you have all the details. Important questions to ask your potential vendor include:
Do you have a minimum order quantity?
What is the total price, including customization, packaging, and any setup fees?
Can I see or order a physical sample before I commit to the full order?
What is your turnaround time from the final order approval to the delivery date?
What is your policy for items that arrive damaged or have printing errors?
Do you handle delivery directly to the venue, or do I need to arrange for pickup?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.