8 Amazing Return Gift Ideas for Your Wedding Guests

Your wedding is one of the biggest experiences in your life. And it’s only natural that you’d want to remember it — from the time you and your partner started planning the wedding to the end of the festivities during your reception — for as long as you can. You want to be surrounded by people dear to you, and you want them to remember sharing your most special moment, too. That’s what souvenirs are for!

But we all have to admit that there had been one (or two or too many) times we received mementoes we weren’t exactly keen on keeping. Unless you only have close family and friends and they wouldn’t mind displaying a photo of you and your spouse or an ornament that doesn’t exactly go well with their home’s decor, stay away from rather cheesy keepsakes. Make sure your wedding favors won’t end up in the garage (or worse, the trash) by looking for ones that are unconventional but don’t suck. Don’t know where to start? Here are eight to choose from.

1. Timepiece 

They’ll remember you whenever they use it, and they’ll thank you for giving it. Staying punctual and fulfiling commitments on time is important to everyone,  so that makes clocks, watches or any thoughtfully handpicked timepiece a great gift. While you want them to remember your special day and the thoughtfulness of your wedding favor, you wouldn’t want to plaster your and your spouse’s initials or your wedding date on the clocks though. This one makes for a unique gift that tells them that you are thankful for the valuable time they gave to grace the most important occasion of your life – your wedding.

2. Sunglasses

Sunglasses are not only practical but also stylish. Wearing them is the easiest way to jazz up any look. Go for classic shapes that suit most face shapes such as aviators and wayfarers. They’re best for when you have a summer wedding, but sunnies can also be used all year long. Take it a notch higher by giving sunglasses cases with the guest’s initials engraved or printed on them.

3. Succulents

A plant they can cherish and grow is definitely something you’d want to consider. Taking care of a plant, aside from being a cute way to have your wedding remembered, is a therapeutic activity. Plus, succulents make for great home decorations.

4. Lip balms

Nobody likes chapped lips. Thank your guests for joining you on your special day and that you care about the health of their lips by giving them personalized lip balms. Choose a flavor that’s similar to the dessert served at your wedding so they’ll remember the fun moments you shared during your special day each time they swipe the balm on.

5. Journals

There’ll always be something you’ll need a journal or a notebook for. Instead of a simple notebook, though, make sure it still has a tiny touch of your wedding to it. Choose one in the color of your wedding theme. Have your guest’s name written in calligraphy on the cover to give it a personal touch. You can even try to have the pages printed with a monogram of your and your spouse’s initials for that unique remembrance from your wedding.

6. Utility bags or pouches

You are glad that they traveled all the distance to make it to your wedding reception. Now, give them something they can use and remember you by each time they travel. Utility bags, handy pouches or traveling kits are a staple for those who are always living out of a suitcase, for work or leisure and even for those who don’t travel too often but can surely utilize bags and kits. Give them something they can actually use often to have a less cluttered and more organized stuff back at home.

7. Coasters

Give your tea-loving guests something they’ll absolutely love and use for a long time. If some of your guests are not tea-drinkers, this will definitely make them pick up the habit. A coaster will serve as a wise gift item for resting the drinks upon and protecting the surface of their table from stains. Also, makes for a great collectable item. Just make sure you place some thought into picking up beautiful ones that exude your tasteful aesthetic sense.

8. Mugs

While mugs don’t sound inviting, they’re incredibly useful. The key to making a mug as a wedding favor not suck is picking a classic design. Steer clear of the cheesy. Go for clean. You can also personalize by getting mugs that have a letter printed on them and give your guests one that matches the first letter of their name.

There are so many wedding favors that can end up being your guests’ favorite things. Give them something useful and they’ll remember you for as long as they use your souvenir.