Wedding favors are not just a trend. Happy couples have been bestowing their guests with trinkets as far back as the eighth century, according to Hudson Valley Magazine. What better way to continue the tradition than to send your guests home with a trinket of thanks for celebrating your special day that is sourced from the historic Hudson Valley region.
Hi, we are the Preston Barn, Hudson Valley wedding venue that specializes in celebrations that last the entire weekend. With on-site and nearby accommodations, in-house catering, and only one wedding per weekend, we host wedding weekends from the rehearsal to the send-off brunch. Learn more about our weddings here.
We’ve seen many different favors over the years. Some generic and some truly unique. Our favorites are usually edible, practical, and/or meaningful! We especially love it when they are locally sourced. Check out some of these great ideas!
Jars of yumminess that anyone can enjoy.
Jars of honey or jam are items anyone can enjoy and use at home while being reminded of your beautiful celebration. We’ve also seen couples share bottles of locally sourced olive oil and vinegar. They also doubled as escort cards!
For honey or jam favors, we recommend our friends at Brookby Farm Store, which sells their own jams and honey from Cudney Family Apiaries in Dover Plains. There’s also Crown Maple here in Dover Plains which is good for a maple syrup favor and something for you and your guests to visit over the weekend!
2. Let Love Grow
Perfect for a rustic or modern wedding, succulents are durable and low maintenance. They could be everlasting like your love and the memories of your wedding day… as long as your guests give them a little love and some sun. Prepare them yourself or leave it to the experts. Our friends at Parrino’s Greenhouse can assist you with choosing your container and plants.
3. There's always room for s'more love.
Package up a kit for your guests to enjoy s’mores at the fire pit later in the evening. You could also set it up as a special table near the fire pit for a cute self-serve display. Our couples have been really creative with this!
Let your Preston Barn Event Coordinator, Helene, create a custom s'mores package for your guests. Would you rather have your guests enjoy s'mores during your reception or after-party? Ask Helene--we can do that, too!
4. All the treats!
People enjoy weddings mostly to support the people they love, but also for what?
FOOD.
Give the people what they want. Whether they are already bagged and ready to go, or displayed on a table for grabbing and bagging themselves. Here are some great to-go treat ideas:
Candy or Candy Buffet
Donuts or a Donut Wall (in the fall, grab those Apple Cider donuts from Barton Orchards in Pouquag NY or fancy and unique donuts from Glazed Over Donuts in Beacon NY (YUM!)
Cookies (made by the couple with love or from a local bakery)
Packages of Granola or Granola Bars from Wholey Oats in Amenia
5. In Lieu of Wedding Favors...
You may decide that you want to make a donation to a charity or organization in lieu of purchasing favors. It could be supporting a local organization or something that is meaningful to you.
Here’s a thought…
The Knot reports that couples spent an average of $400 on favors. For couples from the Hudson Valley, for example, one might choose the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley (https://foodbankofhudsonvalley.org/). For every dollar donated, the Food Bank can provide 4 meals; the average favor budget would be enough to supply the Hudson Valley with 1600 meals! Make sure to let your guests know that you've made a donation. You can use signage at the tables, a statement in the program, or on your wedding website.
What do you think of these favor ideas? Have any other suggestions? Leave a comment!
