25 Eco-Friendly Wedding Favors That'll Make Your Guests (and the Planet) Happy

If you're planning a sustainable wedding or striving for a zero-waste celebration, you may think party favors are out of the question. While you don't necessarily need to give out wedding favors, gifting your guests can be a lovely way to express your appreciation. Eco-friendly wedding favors are the perfect workaround, as they allow you to treat your loved ones without compromising your values or creating excess waste.

But how do you shop for sustainable wedding favors? While choosing gifts made from recycled materials and ethical sources is an excellent jumping-off point, it's not the only way to help the planet. Sourcing wedding favors from your locality can help you reduce the carbon footprint of your wedding and support small businesses at the same time. The Knot Vendor Marketplace is a great place to find local vendors that offer wedding favors and other related items.

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Once you're ready to shop for sustainable and ethical wedding favors, check out our list of green giveaways below. From wildflower seeds and herb kits to edible treats and practical picks, these eco-friendly party favors won't cost the earth.

1. Bee-Friendly Seed Packets

Photo: BloomandHaul

Here's a sustainable wedding favor your guests will be buzzing about: Seed packets filled with bee-friendly wildflowers. Each one contains locally sourced non-GMO seeds in a wide range of plant varieties that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Better yet, the packaging is made from recycled paper and features a cute illustration of a bee for a playful touch. Once the flowers blossom, your guests will be reminded of your wedding day all over again.

2. Reusable Bottle Stoppers

Photo: The Knot Shop

Choosing eco-friendly wedding gifts for guests doesn't mean you have to compromise on having fun. These heart-shaped bottle stoppers are a practical (and cute) keepsake your loved ones can use to keep their favorite drinks fresh for longer. Plus, they'll help reduce food and beverage waste, which is what sustainability is all about.

3. Soy Wax Candles

Photo: TheDancingWick

According to The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study*, over 60% of couples consider personalized elements to be an important part of their wedding vibe. If you're looking for party favors that are both personal and eco-friendly, we recommend these soy wax candles. Unlike paraffin candles, they're made from natural wax and phthalate-free fragrance oils that don't emit harmful chemicals when they burn. Choose from an array of on-theme scents (like wedding cake or fresh-cut roses) and customize the labels with your names, dates or a heartfelt thank-you message.

4. Natural Beeswax Lip Balm

Photo: Burt's Bees

If you're searching for earth-friendly wedding favors your guests can add to their beauty routine, Burt's Bees has the answer. These moisturizing lip balms are made from responsibly sourced beeswax and are formulated without parabens, phthalates or petrolatum. The sustainable, plant-based packaging is easy to recycle and can even be personalized with your names or wedding details for an extra touch of customization.

5. Cute Mini Succulents

Photo: Desert View Cactus

We love miniature succulents because they're low maintenance and look absolutely adorable. They also don't need much water to thrive, making them an eco-friendly wedding favor that guests can enjoy at home. These particular plants are available to buy in bulk and come with textured burlap bags and optional thank-you tags for a rustic touch. Just note that some assembly is required.

6. Mini M&M Packets

Photo: M&M'S

Edible wedding favors are a great option for a sustainable wedding, especially if guests can eat them right away. These mini packets are filled with M&M's that are decorated with cute wedding-themed motifs and personalized details in up to three colors of your choice. Each bag is made from a single type of plastic that's easier to recycle than foil, so they won't create loads of waste. Order plenty, as guests will make these disappear pretty fast.

7. Herb Garden Kits

Photo: Get Urban Leaf

Let love grow! These herb garden kits include everything from basil and thyme to parsley and cilantro and come in packs of eight that you can divide up for your guests. Each packet also contains detailed instructions so your loved ones will know exactly how to plant and grow them when they get home. Fun, creative and green—what's not to love about these eco-friendly wedding giveaways?

8. Sewing Repair Kits

Photo: Amazon

Sustainability isn't just about choosing natural materials or recycling products—it's also about learning to repair and care for what you already have. Encourage guests to look after their clothing by replacing buttons and mending small tears rather than throwing them away. Each of these kits contains sewing essentials like a needle, a pin, two buttons and six threads in different colors, which will help if they're in a pinch. We think they'd made a great addition to eco-friendly welcome bags for guests.

9. Spice Rub Jars

Photo: The Spice House

Don't be afraid to show off your personality when choosing eco-friendly wedding favors for your big day. If you and your partner are foodies, why not send each of your guests home with a jar of spice mix? The Spice House offers a variety of cooking spices, including chili powder, ground ginger and fennel, which they can use to make fragrant curries and hearty casseroles. Bonus: They're packaged using 100% recyclable materials and the jars are reusable.

10. Bamboo Drinking Straws

Photo: Gift4Angel

Looking for an eco-friendly party favor that's not a plant? Try reusable bamboo drinking straws. These ones are made without pesticides or chemicals and can be engraved with your wedding details for a personal touch. Best of all, they're washable and can last for months with proper care, so your guests can use them again and again.

11. Reusable Water Bottles

Photo: The Knot Shop

Mini water bottles have historically been a popular wedding favor choice—and for good reason. It's important to ensure your guests are hydrated and happy (especially if you have an open bar). But if you want to minimize waste, consider gifting your friends and family reusable water bottles instead. The Knot Shop offers BPA-free options in four colors that can be customized for a more personal finish.

12. Floral Confetti Cones

Photo: FlauraeConfetti

In 2023, about 3 in 10 couples included eco-friendly elements in their wedding, according to The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study*. If you want to include fun traditions like tossing confetti in your celebration but are concerned about the environmental impact, consider using dried flower petals instead. These confetti cones are filled with rose petals, jasmine, cornflower and lavender and are 100% biodegradable (including the paper). They also look super pretty.

13. Eco-Friendly Deodorant Bars

Photo: Ethique

Promote a plastic-free beauty habit among your wedding guests by leaving these solid deodorant bars in the restroom for them. Each one is made of bamboo powder and zinc oxide that absorb moisture and reduce odors, with a sweet lavender and vanilla scent for added freshness. They're a more eco-conscious alternative to traditional aerosols, plus the heart shape is perfect for a wedding favor.

14. Beeswax Food Wraps

Photo: Thrown4aLoop

Looking for sustainable options to add to your wedding cake checklist? Add this beeswax food wrap to your dessert table so guests can take a slice (or two) home with them. The set includes 10 large sheets made from natural beeswax, cotton fabric, pine resin and jojoba oil for a more eco-friendly alternative to aluminum and clingfilm. A practical (and reusable) party favor that helps reduce food waste? Sign us up!

15. Ocean Conservation Bracelets

Photo: Pura Vida

If you're planning to get married on the beach, we've found the perfect eco-friendly wedding souvenirs. These handcrafted bracelets don't just give us serious surfer vibes—they also help support ocean conservation. With every purchase, Pura Vida donates 5% to a charity that works to protect the world's oceans, beaches and shorelines through climate activism. They're also waterproof, so guests can leave them on for a post-wedding swim.

16. Reusable Tote Bags

Photo: Rook Design Co

We love reusable tote bags because they encourage an eco-friendly change in your guests' daily habits. With this bag, they can cut down on single-use plastic and use them to carry groceries or run errands. Practical and versatile, they're one of the best wedding favors for a destination wedding, as they can be used for airport shopping, sorting laundry or stashing snacks for traveling.

17. DIY Coffee Favors

Photo: theFavorLoft

Thinking of giving out coffee wedding favors to your guests? Choosing fair trade brands is the best way to treat them to a fresh brew while being mindful of the environment. Pick up some ethically sourced coffee beans for your guests (consider brands like Stumptown, Wandering Bear and Equal Exchange) and then package them in these customizable bags made of recycled paper.

18. Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Photo: Free the Ocean

If you're having a destination wedding somewhere hot and sunny, it's thoughtful to give your guests some sun protection. But did you know that many sunscreen formulations actually contain ingredients that are harmful to marine life? This reef-safe sunscreen avoids that problem while effectively protecting against the sun's UVA and UVB rays. It's also hypoallergenic, water-resistant and comes in a reusable tin, so it's worth spending a little extra on.

19. Recycled Paper Playing Cards

Photo: GiftsInaJiffy

Playing cards are always a popular party favor idea, especially if there are kids on the guest list. If you're looking for an eco-friendly option (and don't mind skipping on the personalization), try ones that are made of recycled cardboard. We think these brown paper playing cards make the perfect rustic wedding favors for a sustainable celebration.

20. Donation to Charitable Organization

Photo: Reef Life Foundation

Going for a zero-waste wedding favor? Make a donation to a cause that's close to your heart in your wedding guests' name. Not only is it a super eco-friendly wedding favor, it's also a creative and meaningful way to personalize your nuptials. The Reef Life Foundation uses donations to help restore ocean life, including degraded coral reefs and kelp forests—two important components of the underwater ecosystem.

21. Ethically Sourced Chocolates

Photo: Ghirardelli Chocolate Company

For guests who have a sweet tooth, it's hard to go wrong with some delicious chocolate. The fact these candies are ethically sourced and available to buy in bulk makes them taste all the sweeter. Ghiradelli Chocolate Company uses high-quality cocoa and works closely with farmers to encourage sustainable farming methods that are kinder to the environment. Choose from an array of tasty flavors, including sea salt caramel, dark chocolate macchiato and mint, to suit your guests' tastes.

22. Birdseed Wedding Favors

Photo: Zazzle

How cute are these birdseed wedding favors? The brown paper bags feature a playful illustration of two love birds and can be personalized with your wedding details for a thoughtful touch. Simply order some birdseed and fill each one for a fun, eco-friendly wedding favor. You never know, this thoughtful giveaway may be just the thing to inspire your guests' new favorite hobby.

23. Eco-Friendly Beeswax Crayons

Photo: Maisonette

When it comes to choosing wedding favors for kids, a sustainable approach will serve you well—they are the next generation, after all! These extra-large crayons are made from eco-friendly beeswax and will make an excellent addition to the children's table. Each set includes eight vibrant colors and comes in a cardboard box that's easy to recycle. If you want to be extra thoughtful, download and print some coloring pages to keep them entertained while the grown-ups mingle.

24. Customized Body Scrubs

Photo: lulusugar

If you're looking for sustainable wedding favors that double up as self-care gifts, we've got you covered. These vanilla body scrubs are made from all-natural ingredients, including cane sugar, organic coconut oil and plant-based oils. Each jar can be labeled with your names, wedding details or a short message for an eco-friendly party favor that's personal and practical.

25. Custom Eco-Friendly Stickers

Photo: noissue

We couldn't write a round-up of eco-friendly wedding favors without considering the materials required to make them look personalized and pretty. If you're committed to giving out sustainable gifts or even making your own favors, noissue has a host of eco-friendly packaging options. Their custom stickers are printed on 100% recycled paper using water-based inks and are fully compostable, so they're kinder to the environment. Just be aware that most of their products require a minimum order quantity.

*The Knot Real Weddings Study captured responses from 9,318 US couples married between January 1 and December 31, 2023; respondents were recruited via email invitation from The Knot and/or WeddingWire membership. Respondents represent couples from all over the country with various ethnicities, income levels, race, age, sexual orientation and gender identity. To provide the most comprehensive view of 2023 trends, this report also includes wedding statistics from ad hoc studies conducted throughout the year. In a typical year, The Knot Worldwide conducts research with more than 300,000 couples, guests and wedding professionals globally.