Are they necessary? What to consider? How much to spend? Alternatives?
Are they necessary?
As weddings have drifted further from tradition and toward personalization so has the tradition of wedding favors. It is no longer expected that the marrying couple provide a wedding favor. However, if you do decide to go with wedding favors for your destination wedding there are a few things to consider before buying.
What to consider before buying?
Travel
First and foremost, if you are bringing the wedding favors in your suitcase, check with TSA for prohibited items as well as luggage weight limits. Oftentimes for destination weddings, you are not only packing for one of the biggest days of your life but for your honeymoon as well! Your bags may already be exploding with swimsuits, sunscreen, and everything else you’ll need. Guests are also likely to come with their own bags pretty full or even end up with a stuffed suitcase heading home with their new souvenirs.
Practicality
For this very reason, you may want to consider something that guests will use throughout their stay. Welcome bags are now a common wedding favor for destination weddings. Filled with snacks, drinks, hangover kits, or beach essentials they present themselves as both practical and thoughtful. You can even include your itinerary, local guides or maps, and a welcome letter. Another favorite is an extra dessert at the end of the night for guests to take back to their rooms which can easily be arranged with the hotel and doesn’t require you to pack anything.
Cost
You can expect to spend 2% of your total budget or $2-$3 per guest. Of course, this depends on how many guests you have and what your budget looks like.
Reflects your Destination
Finally, consider what you want your wedding favor to reflect. Destination weddings are a whole experience from travel to celebration to culture. Giving your guests something that reminds them of your destination doubles as a memento of your special day and a souvenir of the amazing trip your friends and family are taking.
Then again, you may want to consider one last thing...would I rather put this money toward an experience?
What are the alternatives?
More often than not, wedding favors are unfortunately left behind or thrown away. Plus, traveling with them can quickly become quite complicated and limit your options. At this point, you may want to consider some of the alternatives. Afterall, guests are most likely to remember the good times shared more than monogrammed mints. Some wedding experiences could include a live band, fireworks, chocolate fountain, photo booth or heck, even a pinata!
However, if you do decide to go with a wedding favor alternative, it would still be a good idea to give your guests a welcome letter. Wedding favors are after all a special way to thank your friends and family for celebrating with you. For destination weddings especially, they will have spent a good amount of money and taken time off work, so giving a welcome letter is a simple and inexpensive way to thank them for this.
Of course, it’s your special day. If you want to give them a wedding favor - go for it! If bomb ass tacos or an extra dessert is more your style - go for it! The important thing is that both you and your guests have fun and make memories.