13 DIY Wedding Favors That Every Couple Can Pull Off

tambourine favor — PHOTO BY PABLO BEGLEZ

When you find yourself strapped with a tight wedding budget, it can be helpful to cut some of the last-minute costs along the way. One of the easiest ways to do so is through DIY wedding favors. You'd be surprised at how quickly wedding favors can rack up costs, so consider this much more inexpensive route and take matters (quite literally) into your own hands. Plus, most of your guests will be too tired, too drunk, or even too forgetful to remember to pick up the party favor on the way out, anyway. Regardless, say thank you to friends and family for attending your wedding with more heartfelt and personal presents, from custom paper cranes to dip-dyed candle votives.

We rounded up 13 easy, affordable, and completely adorable DIY wedding favors to get you started and inspired for your own nuptials.

Something With Good Taste

Photo by Abby Jiu Photography; Design by Karson Butler Events

You and your spouse will be the Big Cheeses at your wedding with favors like these. Everyone will love munching on some light bites before dinner, but take it to the next level with custom cheese boards you can add to your tablescape. Label rectangular pieces of slate with your guests' names, then top with your favorite cheese and charcuterie. You'll save major favor dough and convert your guests into the ultimate party hosts with their new serving device.

Something to Sip

Photo by Julia Green Photography; Event Design by Bridal Bliss

Even wine connoisseurs will enjoy grabbing a small can of vino on the way out of your wedding. Add an inexpensive DIY touch with decorative straws and a personalized note attached, and voilà—you're all set with budget-friendly favor guests will rave about.

Something Musical

Tambourine favors — Photo by Pablo Beglez

Put your own spin on sets of mini tambourines by using stamps or a paint pen, then distribute to guests at the reception for optimal use on the dance floor.

Something Handwritten

Nothing says "thank you" better than by putting pen to paper and personally expressing your gratitude to guests. Handwritten notes cross the do-it-yourself criteria off the checklist, and guests will take home a unique note that they'll surely always treasure. Add a fresh apple for the finishing touch.

Something One-of-a-Kind

This couple turned their seating chart into guest favors, treating their nearest and dearest to handmade boats that the bride and groom made themselves. Each mini boat featured a different paper pattern with guests' names attached via a cardboard star.

Something Warm and Cozy

Send guests home from your winter wedding with a homemade hot chocolate kit, complete with all the sweet essentials needed to make this beloved beverage, marshmallows and all. Individual copper mugs lend a more elegant feel to the ingredients, which your friends and family will love sipping on a cold day. Plus, the pretty containers can see their fair share of use for alcoholic concoctions, warm or cold, after the wedding.

Something Scent-ual

Put your dip-dye skills to the test with these candle favors that you can customize to match your wedding color palette. Order votive candles with holders, and decorate them with strips of dyed cotton gauze.

Simply dip each piece of gauze into a watercolor bath of your chosen hue for a handmade favor that looks far from amateur.

Something Floral

Dried Flowers for Wedding Ceremony Toss — Photo by Nina Claire

Refine your bouquet-making abilities with arrangements of dried flowers for guests to pick up on the way out. Instead of regular paper cones, use pieces of sheet music to hold the stunning stems together.

Something Buzzzzworthy

Because you and your spouse bee-long together, gift your nearest and dearest with small vials of honey, which you can instantly assemble yourself. Cover tiny jars of this sweet substance with burlap, and print your own attachable tag.

Something Sweet

Guests of all ages can't say no to a bag full of pink, cloud-like, sugary goodness, and we love how this couple hung them on display with clothespins and a personalized thank you. Double the favor fun with a variety of cotton candy colors for your own wedding, which you can buy tubs of in bulk.

Something Sentimental

After eloping in Costa Rica, this couple brought back coffee beans to gift guests at their Michigan reception. You don't have to be jet setters to replicate this favor—add a more homey vibe and simply fill pretty little jars with yours and your spouse's favorite local coffee beans. This is especially perfect to highlight the city you're getting married in if you have a lot of out-of-town guests.

Something Green

To plant the seed for an easy and eco-friendly wedding favor, encourage guests to bring out their green thumbs after your wedding. Print out custom labels to attach to flower seed packets of your choosing (perhaps some buds you featured in your wedding decor?). If you're having a casual outdoor celebration, display the take-home gifts in a dirt-stuffed wheelbarrow.

Something Seasonal

Fall Favors — Photo by Jessica Castro Weddings

Tying the knot in fall? Send your guests home with painted mini pumpkins to keep in line with the autumnal feel. You and your SO can easily tackle this DIY craft on a Saturday afternoon with a little bit of paint, gift tags, and craftsmanship. Set them on guests' plates to denote their seating placements and liven up your reception tables.

How Much Do Wedding Favors Cost?