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Updated Oct 14, 2024This Is How Much Real Couples Spent on Wedding Favors
Whether you're opting for candy or keepsakes on your big day, here's what you can expect to spend.
Photos: Stocksy,Design: Tiana Crispino
Wedding favors are small gifts for guests to thank them for celebrating with you. While they're technically not required, we love the gesture and your guests will too. But how do they impact your overall budget? Here, we're sharing the average cost of wedding favors and gifts to help you plan for this additional charge. Spoiler: It varies based on where you're tying the knot and how many guests are invited.
To help you stay within budget, we're also sharing our top tips about how to have thoughtful party favors for guests and save money at the same time (yep, it's possible).
The Average Cost of Wedding Favors and Gifts
Based on a survey of nearly 10,000 newlyweds who tied the knot in 2023, the average cost of wedding favors and gifts is $450. Keep in mind that this number actually includes guest goodies and presents for the wedding party, the latter of which are often bigger or more personalized items (and in turn, cost more).
Also note: The average cost actually changes when you break it out by US region. The Northeast/New England and Mid-Atlantic regions of the country saw the highest average cost of wedding favors, with couples who wedded there spending over $500 in total on wedding favors and gifts. Comparatively, couples who married in the Midwest and the West spent the least amount on average, coming in at just under $400. In the South/Southeast and Southwest, the average cost was $426 and $450 respectively. As for international destination weddings, couples averaged $676 on favors and gifts.
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The average cost also varied by wedding size. As expected, those with bigger wedding guest lists also spent more on favors and gifts. According to our study, couples who hosted 50 or fewer guests spent just under $350, while those with more than 100 guests spent a little over $500. All this goes to show that there are many variables that impact the cost of guest gifts.
How Much Should You Spend on Wedding Favors?
Now you're likely wondering, knowing the stats, how much should wedding favors cost you, personally? It's completely up to you and your fiancé when it comes to how much you want to spend on wedding favors. Before you make a decision, consider your wedding budget and where favors fall on your priority list. (Remember, they're fun, but they don't have to be elaborate—you might choose to focus on giving guests experiences at the wedding instead of something to physically take home.) From there, think about the size of your guest list. If you're throwing an intimate destination wedding, for example, you may be willing to spend more per attendee. On the flipside, more guests could drive the total price up, so you might want to pay a little less per person. (Pro tip: Look for discounts on bulk orders.)
Once you know how much you want to spend on wedding favors and can get an idea of roughly how much each favor should cost per guest, it's time to start shopping. Just remember, wedding favor personalization and gift wrapping may cost extra, so don't browse favors at your max budget without considering these additions.
How to Save Money on Wedding Favors
If you've decided you just have to have wedding favors at your wedding (we couldn't agree more) but you have a tight budget, don't worry. There are many affordable wedding favor ideas that are cute and unique—some are even under $1 each. (Bargain!) Start by browsing The Knot Shop for inexpensive but reliable party favors like $1 bottle openers, $2 wine glasses and $3 playing cards.
You could also get crafty with DIY wedding favors. For instance, you could pick up a bulk bag of your and your partner's favorite candy, then tag and package it into individual servings yourself.
Really, it's all about getting creative. As long as you offer something actually useful, easy to carry and memorable, your guests will go home happy. And don't forget, you can cover two wedding details for the price of one. Let your favors double as escort cards, place settings or just general table decorations at the wedding reception. Just make sure your guests realize they can take them home at the end of the night!
How Much Should You Spend on Wedding Party Gifts?
As for wedding party gifts, like with all presents, it's the gesture that means the most. That said, couples spend an average of $80 per person in the wedding party.* A good rule of thumb when budgeting for your own wedding party is to spend around what you'd spend on each person's birthday or holiday gift. Many of our favorite gift ideas for bridesmaids and groomsmen cost between $20 and $100. Of course, you can certainly find special tokens of gratitude at other price points, too. Check out all our gift guides for more inspiration—we've got them for everyone from your parents to the flower girl and ring bearer.
*Based on The Knot Wedding Party Gifts Research
