Images of cheap wedding favors may bring to mind matchbooks or generic goodie bags reminiscent of a kiddie birthday party, because cheap is such a cringe worthy word. That is until it sinks in that your wedding and all the receptions costs and extras can easily go upwards of $20,000. Suddenly, the word “cheap” means a whole different thing, in a good way! While you want to thank your guests for coming by giving them wedding favors, you may find that you don’t have a lot left over after all the big expenses like the ceremony, the food, decorations, photographers, invitations and so much more.
No problem. We’ve gathered a few cheap wedding favors (aka affordable wedding favors) that don’t look cheap. They’re the kind of wedding favors your guests will actually love. Almost everything listed can be purchased at a dollar store (we used Dollar Tree). With a little creativity you can make simple wedding favors look like unique gifts.
Cheap Wedding Favor Stem Vases
One way to cut down on wedding favor costs is to have your table décor double as your guest favors. Clear Glass Tapered Bud Vases are a beautiful way to decorate your reception tables while adding color to the room. Just add a personalized tag to each one and they’ll double as your wedding favors, too! As an optional idea, you could also use these as place cards by writing your guest’s name on each tag… and they can still double as the favor!
What You’ll Need:
- 9½ Etched Tapered Glass Stem Vases
- Faux or Fresh Flowers
- Ribbon, Raffia, or Twine (in your choice of colors)
- Glass Gems (in your choice of colors)
- Cardstock Paper Tags
- Hole Punch
- Scissors
Easy Directions:
- First, design and print paper tags with a message (if you want), plus your names and wedding date (see FREE tag template). We printed our tags 18 to a page on 8½x11″ cardstock then cut them out.
- Using a hole punch, punch a hole in one end of each of your tags.
- Cut your ribbon/raffia/twine into 22″ sections (you could cut them a little shorter, depending on the size bow you want).
- Using the ribbon/raffia/twine, tie a knot around the glass vase, then slip your tag on the ribbon/raffia/ twine and continue to tie it into a bow.
- Fill each vase to desired height with glass gems in your choice of colors.
- Place fresh or faux flower stems of your choice into the vase, pushing them into the gems for stability (we used fresh lilies). Fill vase with water if using fresh flowers.
- Place a completed vase favor at each seat at your reception.
Cheap Wedding Favors – Personal Favor Bags
White favor boxes come in packs of 12 for just $1… super affordable 8.3¢ each! Just fill them with your favorite candy, nuts, or mints and set them at each place setting, or display them on silver trays at a favor table (trays also are available at Dollar Tree). Decorate the boxes to match your décor or wedding color scheme by tying a ribbon in one of your colors, or add a strip of colored card stock paper (attach it in the back with double-sided tape), and add a personalized label to the front that says “Thank You” or features your names and wedding date. With a little paper, glue, tape, and creativity, you can really personalize them to match your day.
Cheap Wedding Favors
These adorable tin pail favors were super easy to make with ribbon and personalized “Thank You” tags — just add a little candy and you’re done! They already come with white ribbon and a tag but we to swapped out the white ribbon for a ribbon and card color that coordinated with the wedding theme.
What You’ll Need:
- 3-ct. Packs of Tin Pail Favors
- Heavy Card Stock Paper
- Tag Template
- Hole Puncher
- Ribbon
- Craft Glue
- Scissors
- Candy, Nuts, or Mints
Easy Directions:
- First, design and print paper tags with a message (if you want), plus your names and wedding date (see FREE tag template). We printed our tags 18 to a page on 8.5×11″ card stock, then cut them out. Instead of printing your message directly on the tag template, you could do as we did and layer several pieces of different color paper on top of the base tag for added dimension. We printed our messages on white card stock, cut them into rectangles, and glued them to the layered tags.
- Using a hole puncher, punch a hole in one end of each of your tags.
- Cut your ribbon into 12″ pieces. String ribbon through each tag and tie them with a bow onto each pail.
- Fill your pails with candy, nuts, or mints and add to each place setting, or create a favor table and display them in a group.
At Dollar Tree, the 3-ct. Packs of Tin Pail Favors come with white ribbon and “Thank You” tags. Here we swapped out the white ribbon for sage green to match our color scheme, but still used the included tags.
Cheap Wedding Favors – Personalization on a Budget
Looking for really inexpensive favor ideas? Maybe you want personalized favors that won’t break your budget? Simple… just get really creative with the everyday useful products! With a little paper, double-sided tape, a color printer, and a dash of creativity, you can create whimsical personalized favors out of seemingly ordinary items like lip balm, playing cards, bottled water, and more. Your guests will actually use them, and they’ll appreciate the little printed reminder of this special occasion. Just use these printable templates or design your own to create a meaningful party favor. Everything shown is available at Dollar Tree (both in store and online).
What You’ll Need:
- Choose Your Favor… lip balm, playing cards, and bottled water from Dollar Tree are all useful and economical choices, especially for warm-weather weddings!
- Label Sheets (peel & stick printable paper) or Cardstock
- Double-Sided Tape (if using cardstock)
- Scissors
Easy Directions:
- First, design and print labels with a message (if you want), plus your names and wedding date. We printed our labels on 81⁄2×11″ label sheets, and then cut them out. You could also choose to print your labels on cardstock.
- Remove any existing labels from your favors.
- Peel the backing off each printed label and care¬fully place them on the favor. Take your time and be sure to avoid air bubbles. If you are using cardstock, use double-sided tape to adhere the label to the favor, plus to stick the label seams together for a professional-looking finish.
- Place your favors at each place setting, or create a festive favor basket, table, or tray.
Lip Balm Favors
No matter what time of year your wedding is, everyone can appreciate a tube of lip balm. They disappear so quickly that this is one favor you know will be useful. (FREE Label Template)
Playing Card Favors
A pack of playing cards is a great way to pass time. Get your guests playing together at the reception and create some fun memories, or give the kids something to do. Plus, these cards can be used in the future for family game night, or on camping trips! (FREE Label Template)
Water Bottle Favors
Water bottle favors are especially useful for outdoor weddings. Keep your guests hydrated during the ceremony or at the reception when it’s time to start dancing. (FREE Label Template)
Cheap Wedding Favors – Blooms in Boxes
These adorable favor boxes will add color and beauty to your wedding! Gorgeous blooms burst from the top of simple white favor boxes that have been fancied up with a strip of ribbon… so beautiful, so easy, and so affordable! Choose the type of flowers that complement your wedding theme, add coordinating ribbon, and fill the boxes with the candy, nuts, or mints of your choice.
What You’ll Need:
- One-Piece Wedding Favor Boxes (Dollar Tree sells them in packs of 12 for $1)
- Ribbon (in your choice of colors)
- Faux Flowers (your choice)
- Candy/Mints/Nuts
- Double-Sided Tape
- Scissors
Easy Directions:
- Remove the flattened boxes from the packaging and unfold and shape them to put together.
- Using the scissors, cut your ribbon into 91⁄4″-long strips. Wrap the ribbon around the middle of the box and secure it in the back with double-sided tape. Be sure to position the tape so it’s hidden by the ribbon for a professional-looking finish.
- Fill the favor boxes with your choice of candy, mints, or nuts and push the lid down to close the boxes.
- Cut the blooms off your floral bushes, leaving about 2″ stems (we are using our Gerbera Daisies).
- Push the floral stems down through the center of your favor boxes (there is a small opening left when the box is completely put together) until they pop into place.
- Place a favor box at each place setting, or display the boxes in a basket, on a favor table, or on decorative trays (we are showing ours above on our nickel-plated trays).
Creative Tips:
If you can’t find a flower in your wedding colors, take some wide ribbon and tie bows to attach to the top instead.
If you want to use something other than boxes, replace the favor boxes with canning jars or mini storage containers and glue your decorations into place.