The Ultimate Wedding Favour Budget Guide for UK Couples: Save Money Without Compromising Style

Explore Wedding Favors

Wedding planning should be exciting — but budgets can quickly feel overwhelming, especially when balancing meaningful touches like wedding favours with bigger expenses like venue hire, catering and flowers. Favours aren’t always necessary, but they’re a cherished way to thank guests and leave a lasting impression of your day. Whether you want elegant personalised chocolates, cute keepsake boxes or thoughtful edible treats, knowing how much to spend on wedding favours in the UK can save you stress and money — and ensure every penny counts.

In this guide, we’ll break down wedding favour budget UK couples should plan for, how to manage wedding favours cost UK, and smart planning tips so your favours are memorable — not costly.

Before we dive deeper, take a look at the ChocoCraft wedding favour range — from elegant keepsake boxes to customizable wedding favours chocolates that can make your guest gifts feel personal without blowing your budget.

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What UK Couples Really Spend on Wedding Favours

When planning a wedding favour budget, context matters. The average UK wedding spend continues to rise as couples invest in venues, food, decor and guest experience. According to a comprehensive UK wedding cost report, the average total spend on a wedding is around £20,000, with favours making up a small slice of that overall budget pie — roughly £158–£160 in total on average. (bridebook.com)

Why This Matters

For most couples, favourite items like photography, venue costs, flowers and catering take priority because they directly impact the day itself. Wedding favours often represent only 2% of total wedding costs — but they still hold emotional value as tokens of appreciation for guests. (bridebook.com)

Think of favours like a “thank you postcard” — only edible, personalised, and possibly more memorable. You don’t need to spend a fortune for them to feel thoughtful. Even simple treats, like packets of sweets or small keepsakes, can be impactful when placed thoughtfully at each setting.

What Counts as a Wedding Favour?

A wedding favour is any small gift you give guests to thank them for sharing your day. It might be:

• A beautifully wrapped sweet treat or confection
• A small keepsake box personalised with names and wedding date
• Edible favours like chocolates or mini biscuits
• DIY items tied to a theme or personal story

People often ask: Do guests expect wedding favours? The simple answer is no — favours are nice to have, not essential. Many guests genuinely care more about the shared experience than the takeaway gift. (bridebook.com)

That said, planning how much to spend on wedding favours UK depends on your priorities, guest list size and overall budget.

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The Core Problem: Balancing Meaningful Favours with Budget Realities

Planning a wedding favour budget can feel like a balancing act. On one hand, you want something that feels personal and worthwhile. On the other, it can be easy to overspend on little details that don’t matter to guests as much as the food, music or photos.

Big Questions Couples Ask

• How much should I spend on wedding favours per guest? A typical benchmark is £1–£5 per guest, depending on how personalised or premium you want the gift to feel. (hitched.co.uk)
• Are expensive favours worth it? It depends on your priorities. While guests appreciate thoughtful favours, they rarely remember high‑priced novelties if the overall experience lacks warmth, good food or entertainment.

Common Budget Challenges

• Guest List Growth: If your guest count increases, costs multiply. A £3 favour for 150 guests becomes £450 — a noticeable number in the overall budget.
• Personalisation Costs: Adding names, dates or custom designs (e.g., wedding favours – 6 chocolate box with bespoke messaging) increases perceived value but may bump up cost per unit.
• Expectation vs. Reality: It’s easy to feel like you must include favours — but many couples find they can skip them or offer a simpler token and still delight guests.

Real-World Spend Examples

Budget-conscious couples often choose inexpensive yet meaningful items such as:

• Personalised retro sweets or mini popcorn boxes (often under £1 each) (hitched.co.uk)
• Seed packets or eco‑friendly favours that reflect sustainability values (bredenburycourt.co.uk)
• DIY or handmade treats that tie into the wedding theme, saving money while adding charm (bridebook.com)

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Head In The Game: The Opportunity in Smart Favour Budgeting

Planning a wedding is not just about what you spend — it’s about how you allocate your budget so that every choice delivers value and joy. Smart favour budgeting gives you:

A Token That Feels Personal

Personalised favours — even on a modest budget — create nostalgia. A custom treat box with names and a thank-you message sticks in guests’ minds far more than generic noise.

More Funds For What Really Matters

By controlling costs on favours, you can reallocate funds toward:

• Delicious catering
• A memorable band or DJ
• A high-quality photographer

This is where planning tools like the UK wedding budget planner from Bridebook can help you see the big picture.

Examples of Popular Favour Options & Cost Benchmarks

Here’s a snapshot of favourite wedding favour ideas with typical costs — ideal for UK wedding favour budget planning:

Edible & Affordable (Great for Sweet Tooth Guests)

• Retro sweets, marshmallows or popcorn: From £1 per guest (bridebook.com)
• Mini chocolate packets personalised with your names: Around £1–£3
• DIY sweet mix in themed packaging

Eco & Mindful Choices

• Seed bombs or flower seed packets: About £1 each (bredenburycourt.co.uk)
• Biodegradable confetti or wooden tokens: As low as 40p–50p each (realwedding.co.uk)

Keepsakes & Personal Touches

• Personalised candles or keyrings: £2–£5 each (bridebook.com)
• Small handmade bookmarks or soap bars from DIY kits (bredenburycourt.co.uk)

Tip: Choosing an edible favour like personalised chocolates allows you to give something delightful and memorable, without the risk that guests leave the venue with unused objects. And with options like wedding favours – 4 chocolate box and 9 chocolate box, you can scale according to guest numbers and theme.

Luxury Wedding Favor Collection

Deluxe chocolate wedding favors crafted to complement premium celebrations.

Discover Wedding Favors

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Key Concepts & Framework: How to Plan Your Wedding Favour Budget

Now that we've explored the context and challenges of deciding how much to spend on wedding favours in the UK, let's break down the practical concepts and planning steps that make budget planning smart and stress‑free. Whether you're working with a tight budget or want to allocate funds strategically, these core pillars will help you stay in control.

1. Understand Your Total Wedding Budget

The first step in any budget planning exercise is understanding your total wedding budget — how much you have to spend overall and which line items take priority. Think of your wedding budget as a pie chart: large pieces go to venue, catering, photography and entertainment, while wedding favours typically occupy a small slice. This is intentional — guests remember the experience more than small gifts.

Create a budget tracker that lists all major categories, such as venue, catering, décor, attire and then favours. This way you can visualise where favours fit in and adjust if needed. Tools that help with UK wedding budgeting can be especially useful, like the Bridebook budget planner.

2. Set a Per‑Guest Favour Limit

Once you know your overall budget, decide how much you want to allocate per guest for favours. As noted in Part 1, a realistic range is £1–£5 per guest depending on how personalised or premium your favours are. This small range can make a big difference when multiplied by guest count. For example, for 120 guests, a £3 per guest budget results in £360 total — a manageable figure for many weddings.

This per‑head method also helps you compare ideas side by side. If personalised chocolates cost £2.50 per guest and a DIY keepsake costs £1.80, you can quickly see the impact on your favour budget.

3. Choose Favour Types That Align with Your Theme

Your wedding theme can influence cost without sacrificing style. For example, rustic‑themed weddings might lean toward eco‑friendly seed packets, small jars of local honey, or personalised mini jam jars. A modern city wedding might have sleek favour boxes with artisanal sweets or bespoke chocolates.

ChocoCraft provides custom options such as 2‑chocolate favour boxes and 18‑chocolate favour boxes that can be tailored to various themes and budgets. These give you flexibility: choose fewer chocolates per box for a lower price point or go for an upgraded box style for a premium feel.

4. Decide Between Ready‑Made & DIY Options

DIY favours often appear budget‑friendly on the surface, but without careful planning they can cost time and money. Buying components, packaging and spend hours assembling favours may add stress close to your wedding date. Ready‑made options, especially personalised ones like those from ChocoCraft, strike a balance: they feel thoughtful, look polished and save you valuable planning time.

Decide early whether favours will be DIY, ready‑made, or a mix — and build that into your timeline so you’re not rushing last minute.

5. Be Clear About Favour Purpose

Finally, ask yourself what role favours play in your wedding. Are they purely tokens of appreciation? Are they part of a ritual (e.g., escort cards)? Do they tie into a cultural or personal narrative? Knowing the “why” helps prioritise where to spend and where to save. For many couples, edible favours such as chocolates become both a treat and a keepsake, especially when personalised.

To help your guests feel appreciated without overspending, consider pairing a small edible favour with a heartfelt note or a thank‑you card placed at each setting.

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Data, Research & Case Studies

Now, let’s look at what data and research say about wedding spending patterns — and how you can apply this insight to favours.

Average Wedding Spend Breakdown (Useful Benchmarks)

Research from UK wedding planning sites reveals that most couples allocate their budgets like this:

• Venue & Catering: ~40–50%
• Photography & Videography: ~15–20%
• Flowers & Décor: ~10–15%
• Entertainment (DJ/Band): ~10%
• Favours & Miscellaneous: ~2–4%

While percentage figures vary per couple, the trend is clear: couples invest where guests directly experience value. Favours are meaningful, but they’re secondary to elements like food, music and memories captured in photos.

Consider this example: A couple with a £25,000 overall wedding budget might allocate £500–£1,000 towards favours. If they invite 150 guests, that’s roughly £3–£6 per guest — a comfortable range for personalised chocolates or keepsake gifts.

Case Study: Small Wedding with Big Impact

Emily and Liam from Yorkshire had a wedding of 80 guests. With a modest budget, they chose to spend thoughtfully:

• Venue & Catering: £12,000
• Photography: £2,500
• Entertainment: £1,500
• Favours: £240

For favours, they selected personalised chocolates placed in elegant boxes personalised with their names and wedding date. Their guests appreciated the personal touch, and many took photos with their favours — spontaneously sharing them on social media. By prioritising quality over quantity, Emily and Liam demonstrated that thoughtful favours don’t have to be expensive to be memorable.

Case Study: Larger Wedding & DIY Option

Sarah and James had a 200‑guest wedding. Their approach was mixed: instead of expensive luxury items, they combined:

• Handmade mini cookie packs for younger guests
• Small DIY seed packets symbolising growth
• Personalised thank‑you notes with a small piece of chocolate

This blend kept per‑guest costs under £3 while still feeling personalised. Their guests appreciated the variety and sentiment behind each favour.

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Practical How‑To & Action Steps

Now let’s dive into practical steps you can take right away to plan and finalise your wedding favour budget.

Step 1: Create a Budget Spreadsheet

Use a simple spreadsheet or wedding planning app to track:

• Total wedding budget
• Expected guest count
• Favours allocated budget
• Favours cost per unit & total cost calculation
• Vendor quotes, taxes and delivery charges

This spreadsheet becomes your go‑to reference every time you consider a new favour idea.

Step 2: Get Quotes Early

Request quotes from multiple vendors — including custom options like personalised chocolates or bespoke boxes. Compare quotes not just on price but on turnaround time, packaging options and delivery. For instance, ChocoCraft offers various favour box sizes such as 12‑chocolate boxes and 9‑chocolate boxes, which can be scaled to match guest count and budget.

Step 3: Decide When to Order

Timing matters. Ordering too early might risk damage or loss, while ordering too late could incur rush fees. Aim to finalise your favour order at least 6–8 weeks before the wedding date.

Step 4: Organise a Favour Assembly Plan

If you choose DIY elements, schedule a favour assembly day with friends or family. Treat it like a mini‑event that not only distributes workload but adds fun to the planning process.

Step 5: Track Delivery and Quality

When your favours arrive, check the quality, packaging and count as soon as possible. This gives you time to fix any issues.

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Trends & Expert Insights

Wedding trends evolve, and so do guest expectations. Here are some insights that can guide future‑proof decision‑making:

• Experience Over Things: Guests care more about shared experience than physical gifts — so keep wedding favours simple and meaningful.
• Sustainable & Eco‑Friendly: Reusable items, seed packets and edible treats are on the rise.
• Personalised Edibles: Custom chocolates and treats that reflect the couple’s story are increasingly popular.

Expert wedding planners suggest focusing budget where guests notice it most, and using favours as a narrative piece rather than a costly add‑on.

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Conclusion 

Planning your wedding favour budget UK doesn’t have to be stressful. By understanding overall budgeting, setting a per‑guest limit, choosing favour types that align with your theme, and making smart decisions about DIY vs ready‑made, you can create thoughtful, memorable favours without overspending.

Remember, favours are tokens of appreciation — their purpose is to thank guests, not impress them with price tags. With tools, templates and mindset in place, you’re ready to plan favours that are beautiful, meaningful and budget‑savvy.

Elegant Wedding Favor Boxes

Beautifully designed chocolate wedding favors that add a memorable touch to your big day.

Explore Wedding Favors

Want help choosing your perfect favour? Check out ChocoCraft’s full range of personalised wedding gift options including 4‑chocolate favour boxes and 6‑chocolate favour boxes — perfect for making guests feel special without overspending.

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Key Information 

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FAQs 

1. How much should I spend on wedding favours in the UK?
Most couples spend between £1–£5 per guest on wedding favours in the UK, depending on how personalised or premium the gifts are. Setting a per-guest budget helps you plan effectively and ensures favours are thoughtful, memorable, and fit comfortably within your overall wedding budget.

2. Are wedding favours necessary for guests?
Wedding favours aren’t mandatory. Guests usually appreciate the experience of your day more than physical gifts. Favours are a token of gratitude that adds a personal touch, but skipping them or choosing simple, meaningful options still makes your wedding memorable.

3. What are budget-friendly wedding favour ideas in the UK?
Affordable favours include personalised chocolates, mini jam jars, DIY seed packets, or small sweet treats. These options cost around £1–£3 per guest, are easy to customise, and still make a memorable impression without overspending your wedding favour budget.

4. How do I calculate my wedding favour budget?
Start by setting your overall wedding budget and deciding what percentage to allocate to favours (typically 2–4%). Then, divide by your guest count to determine a per-guest limit. This helps you choose items that are both meaningful and cost-effective.

5. Can DIY wedding favours save money?
DIY favours can be budget-friendly if planned carefully, but they also require time and materials. Consider combining DIY with ready-made items for efficiency. Focus on simple yet personalised gifts that match your wedding theme to keep costs under control.

6. Should I prioritise personalised or generic favours?
Personalised favours, like chocolates with names or date, create a memorable experience and show appreciation for guests. Generic favours may be cheaper but are less meaningful. Balance your budget and guest expectations to decide the level of customisation that works best.

7. How do I plan wedding favours for a large guest list?
For large weddings, calculate your per-guest budget carefully, and consider scalable favour options like chocolates or small edible treats. Ordering in bulk often reduces costs. Using a mix of thoughtful and cost-effective items ensures every guest receives something special.

8. When should I order wedding favours?
It’s best to finalise and order wedding favours at least 6–8 weeks before the wedding. This allows time for production, personalisation, and delivery while avoiding rush fees. Early planning also helps you adjust quantities if the guest list changes.

9. What types of wedding favours are trending in the UK?
Trending wedding favours include personalised chocolates, eco-friendly gifts like seed packets, and small keepsakes. Couples increasingly choose edible or reusable items that reflect their personalities, wedding theme, or sustainability values, creating memorable gifts without high costs.

10. Can wedding favours be used as part of the décor?
Yes! Wedding favours can double as table décor or escort card elements. For example, small chocolate boxes, jars, or mini bouquets can complement table settings while serving as meaningful gifts. This approach adds style and functionality while staying within your budget.

Author Bio

Saurabh Mittal is the Founder of ChocoCraft and a global gifting expert with over 20 years of professional experience, including 15+ years in the premium and personalized gifting industry. He has led the successful launch of ChocoCraft’s personalized chocolate gifting solutions across multiple international markets.

Since 2013, Saurabh and his team have partnered with 2,500+ companies worldwide and served 100,000+ individual customers, delivering customized logo chocolate gifts for corporate, festive, and personal celebrations. His expertise lies in corporate gifting strategy, personalized branding, wedding and global gifting trends.