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.

Unique wedding favor ideas for Indian weddings

Wedding favors are quite a trend these days. The small gifts given by the bride and groom are a token of thanks for the guests who took time from their busy schedules to attend the wedding ceremony.

Wedding favors serve as a souvenir of your wedding that your guests can cherish for a lifetime especially in Indian weddings, where guests are treated as a god. Wedding favors must not only be unique but depict thoughtful selection. If you’re on a tight budget, it is better to skip the wedding favors. There is no use of doing it for the sake of tradition. However, if the wedding favors are a part of your budget, then you must think creatively. You don’t need to give favors out of obligation by picking expensive things; instead, a thoughtful wedding favor will definitely be the best.

Let’s look at some unique wedding favor ideas that you can present to your guests as a heartfelt token of love and appreciation.

1. Scarves and stoles:

This one is very unique and useful wedding favor you can give away to your invaluable guests. This is a great idea if you are planning a winter wedding. You can either handover these favors individually to your guests during their entry or exit, or keep them on a counter, from where your guests can pick one. To make it more personal, have identical scarves.

2. Good luck plants:

Send some good luck in your guests’ lives by giving them good luck plants like Cacti, terrarium, or other bonsai plants. You can easily find these plants in the market at cheap prices. It is useful as well as your guests can keep these plants on their work desks or empty tables at home.

3. Edible wedding favors:

Edible wedding favors like handmade jams, herb oils, organic honey, imported chocolates, etc. can also serve as great wedding favor. These alluring wedding favors can be eaten or used as an ingredient in various recipes. Your guests would love these wedding favors.

4. Scented candles and soaps:

How about spreading some fragrances in your guests’ lives? Send them scented candles, handmade soaps, serums, face mists, etc. to fill their homes with fragrances. Your guests can easily use these products in their daily lives.

5. Organic tea, coffee, and mugs:

Your guests will certainly love these wedding favors as they are very useful and unique. Especially, your Indian guests will be moved by this token. You can add mugs with these coffee and tea bags for a more personal experience.

6. Miniature alcohols:

This one is for the party animals. If you are having a beach wedding, then this wedding favor is the best way to spark up the party feeling. Your guests can take a few shots from these cute miniature alcohols and enjoy your wedding day.

7. Mason Jars:

Mason jars are also a great wedding favor. Your guests can keep their essential goodies in these jars. You can make them more personal by adding a thank you note on the lid or inside the jar.

We hope you can take some cues from these amazing wedding favors for your big day.