To make your wedding a real success, it's a nice idea to give your guests original and useful wedding favours that represent your magical and memorable day, as well as the spirit of your ceremony. Read on for our winning ideas.

Original Wedding Favours

It's always worth choosing original wedding favours for your guests to thank them for joining you on your big day. Personalised favours branded with your names and the date of your ceremony are trending. These unique tokens are a gift to remind your guests of the day you all shared, filled with love and joy. You could even personalise the favours with a bespoke illustration for the occasion or a phrase that represents you both – think of it as your wedding motto. What matters is that it's something meaningful, and something that suits the favours you give to your family and friends, whether it's a pretty fan, a mug or some sweets.

Foodie favours

If you get it right, favours with flavours always go down well. You could give your guests a bottle of extra virgin olive oil, for example. It's something different that they definitely won't forget.

Or how about something sweeter, like a little jar of artisan jam or honey with personalised packaging to match your wedding décor scheme. If you source it from suppliers in the area, this original wedding favour idea also supports your local economy – the perfect eco-friendly, sustainable gesture.

For more elegant, sophisticated weddings, you could take it up a notch with some French macarons; a wonderfully refined treat with just the right aesthetic appeal for chic events.

Original unisex wedding favours

It's becoming much more common to get unisex wedding favours, so you don't need to get separate ones for women and men. Have fun with it! You could set up a little nook with some fresh herb plants for guests to take home at the end of the reception. A sustainable gift that lasts.

Customised candles are another original wedding favour idea. You could have a pretty label on them with the date of the wedding; ideal for both men and women. Another nice memory for your guests could be a fabric bag with a funny phrase representing you as a couple along with the date. Tote bags are a fine example of a useful and original wedding favour – we all need them!

Artisan soap is another standout unisex wedding favour that's sure to impress guests. It's an original idea, but there are plenty of small businesses offering these products. You could add a handwritten label with your names and the date to elevate it further.

Original wedding favours for guests

Maybe you feel as though unisex favours aren't quite right for your wedding? Let's look at some original wedding favour ideas by gender and type.

Favours for women

A handmade lip balm beautifully wrapped in bespoke packaging is an original idea for women. This handbag essential definitely fits the original and useful wedding favour brief! And if you opt for natural ingredients and a delicious scent, you really can't go wrong.

A fan is a classic choice for a summer wedding. Your guests can use it at the wedding and beyond, all-season long. You could find some in your wedding colour scheme, and add your initials or something else to make it more personal. The perfect unique favour to remind them of your special day. 

Meanwhile, if you're getting married in autumn or spring, how about a pashmina? That gives your guests the option to wrap up if they feel chilly later on. It might not be the most original wedding favour for women, but they'll certainly appreciate it!

Favours for men

A bottle opener makes a practical yet impressive favour for men – you could even customise it with your names or initials. When you add these personal touches, your guests will look back and remember your wedding day with a smile every time they use it.

A little key ring torch is even more original. It's definitely a little different, and they'll appreciate the fact that it's useful. They might even have some fun with it at the reception.

Original and Modern Wedding Favours

If you really want to wow your guests, you need to think about original and modern wedding favours. How about a practical gadget they can use at the reception, or even every day?

Technology and gadgets

If you're a millennial who's always online, tech gifts are the ones for you. Something like a USB stick with a cute bespoke case: you could even personalise each one, adding a picture of you and each guest. They'll be amazed!

If you're short on time for preps, you could go for something simpler like wireless earphones, a small portable Bluetooth speaker or a power bank with USB outputs so they can remember your wedding every time they charge their phone or device. Another winner!

Useful favours

If you're not much of a tech fan, there are plenty of other useful things your guests can use after the wedding. An original fabric sunglasses case is one idea, handmade and customised with your names and the date. Fabric cases are best as they suit the various different types of sunglasses: both women and men will appreciate this utterly practical favour.

A beautiful bespoke bookmark is another nice idea, and you could involve your choice of charity. Lots of different charities produce them to raise funds, and your guests are sure to appreciate a beautiful gesture with a positive impact.

We couldn't end our list of original and useful wedding favour ideas without mentioning some dancing shoes! You could arrange a space near the dance floor with footwear organised by size; your guests are almost guaranteed to appreciate it. Unisex espadrilles are perfect for summer weddings, and even flip-flops have been making an appearance at weddings in the last few years. Both of these options are comfortable to dance in, giving your guests welcome respite from their heels (her) or new, uncomfortable shoes (him). And these are favours that last; they can wear them on many a happy occasion in the future, too.