Wedding traditions – why wedding favors are necessary?

When it comes to wedding favors there are two teams – those who love the tradition and those who don’t.

While some brides love the idea of giving away monogrammed key chains as a wedding return gift, others simply loathe the idea of spending money on these small disposable items.

The ongoing debate on the relevance of Indian wedding favors leads many couples to think about why favors are necessary and the things they should know before doling out money for these little items.

In this blog, we will look at the pros and cons of wedding favors to come up with a conclusion if they are necessary.

The pros:

1. A token of thanks:

Since the 17th century, the wedding return gifts are considered as a token of appreciation. It is an opportunity for the bride and grooms to appreciate the guests for taking part in their auspicious day. In destination weddings, guests spare considerable days from their busy schedules to attend your wedding. It is a nice way to show them your gratitude through this small gesture.

2. You can give away your favorite treats and trinkets:

Wedding favors can be anything – from homemade jams and expensive wine bottles to marble figurines and wooden coaster sets. You can give away your favorite treats and figurines to the guests as a token of appreciation. It also acts as the souvenir of your wedding that your guests can keep with them forever (if it is not edible).

3. It is a tradition:

It has been a tradition for centuries. Earlier, people gave sugar cubes and morsels at the wedding. The rich and expensive favors were a means of showing off at high-class weddings.

Later, lower-class weddings also started following the trend. The expensive items were replaced with other pricey commodities like Almonds and other nuts.

4. Considered lucky:

It is believed that favors are a great way to earn the blessings of the guests who attend the wedding. Couples can personally hand over these gifts to their guests to receive their blessing.

The cons:

1. Another expense at the wedding:

The major reason why couples drop the idea of distributing gifts to their guests is that it is an added expense. For couples who are trying to trim their budget, favors are the easiest element to remove.

2. Guests may not use/keep them:

Unless you offer eatables as favors, there is a high chance that your guests will not keep them. They will just end up in a drawer – never to be seen again.

Conclusion – Are wedding favors necessary?

Wedding return gifts or favors are a tradition that has been followed in India and across the world for long. Whether you are having a traditional Hindu wedding or a Christian wedding, favors are a nice gesture of appreciation. Your guests expect to be treated with respect and made feel welcomed.

With so many wedding favors ideas available now, they are not an expense anymore. You can even give away thoughtfully picked personalized favors that are inexpensive. The only thing to ensure is that they must be useful for the guests. List out unique favors like delicacies, religious figurines, silver items, handmade pouches, bejeweled earrings boxes, etc. and make your guests feel special.