Are you planning a wedding on a budget? It’s been a long time since I planned my own wedding, but I still remember feeling particularly stressed out about choosing just the right favors. We wanted something that folks would really like to have and that reflected our personalities, but we didn’t have a lot of money to spend. Making your own DIY wedding favors saves a buck and gives your guests a more personalized memento to remember your special day.
1. Seed Packets. My husband and I did a version of this idea from English Wedding at our own wedding almost nine (!) years ago. I love the idea that those some of those herb seeds folks took home are still thriving somewhere.
2. Homemade Jam. A good friend made big batches of homemade, seasonal jams and jellies for her wedding favors. We all got together for a crafternoon to put labels on the jars with her. Inspire the Bride has a set of printable labels that you can use to make your homemade jam look totally professional.
3. Donations. This “Doggy Bag” project by Marry This is just one example, but I love the idea of doing a very small favor and making a donation to charity instead.
4. Fortune Cookies – How sweet are these handmade, paper fortune cookies from Once Wed?
5. Match Boxes. These puntastic, colorful match box designs from Bespoke Bride are so, so cute. And you can print them out for free!
6. Succulents. These cute succulents from Wedding Chicks do double duty: they’re place cards AND favors. Knocking out two things at once is the ultimate wedding craft.
7. Homemade Tea. Mix your own tea blend or buy a bag of bulk tea to stuff these sweet homemade fabric tea bag favors from Ruffled. There are both sew and no-sew instructions.
8. Cactus Blooms. This reminds me of the seed packets, but cacti are way harder to kill. Great idea, Divine Caroline!
9. Terrarium Place Holders. Another favor that doubles as a placeholder, this time from Wednesday Lettering and Letterpress.
10. Fancy Chocolate, Fancily Wrapped. Who doesn’t love chocolate? Get your favorite candy bars and personalize them for your guests. Chelsea from Frolic shared this tute at My Wedding. She used fabric yardage, but you could save a buck and wrap your bars with stash fabric.
