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  • Writer's pictureLydia Mattern

8 Eco-Friendly Wedding Favors Your Guests (and the Earth) Will Appreciate

Updated: Nov 24, 2022


Eco-friendly wedding favors

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, and you want everything to be perfect. One way to make it even more special is to choose eco-friendly wedding favors your guests will love.


Wedding favors are a tradition that dates back to the middle ages when guests would often take home a piece of the wedding cake or a flower from the bride's bouquet. Today, couples have a wide range of options for thanking their guests for sharing in their special day and providing them with a small token of appreciation. For couples who want to get married and do good things for the earth, eco-friendly wedding favors are a great place to start.


8 Eco-Friendly Wedding Favors Your Guests Will Love

If you’re striving to have a sustainable wedding, here are eight eco-friendly wedding favors that are good for the earth and enjoyable for guests.


1. Reusable Water Bottles

Gifting your wedding guests reusable water bottles is eco-friendly in so many ways. If you hand them out as guests arrive at your wedding, they can use the bottles throughout the celebration. This eliminates waste from single-use cups and makes it so you don’t have to rent or purchase drinkware. Plus, you can customize the water bottles with your wedding date or something similar as a keepsake for guests.


2. Potted Plants or Succulents

Another budget and earth-conscious eco-friendly wedding favor idea is to give guests potted plants or succulents. It’s a bonus if the plants you give are the same ones used for your wedding decorations, like your table centerpieces and aisle decor. Succulents, in particular, are fairly inexpensive and can last a long time!



3. Beeswax or Soy Candles

Beeswax and soy candles are made from non-toxic, natural materials, making for an excellent eco-friendly wedding favor. You can also choose from a variety of colors and scents to find the perfect match for your wedding theme. Take it a step further and purchase candles with customized lids or containers that feature your wedding details.


4. Recycled Glass Jars

Choosing wedding favors made from recycled materials is an excellent way to “go green” at your wedding. You can fill recycled glass jars with something sentimental, fun, or practical! One idea is to put your wedding “confetti” into small jars for each guest. This makes it easy for your guests to throw something at your wedding send-off, plus it doubles as a wedding favor they can take home with them. Another idea is to fill jars with a healthy snack (like dried fruit) for guests to enjoy on their drive home from your wedding.

5. Organic Lip Balm

Organic lip balm is a great gift because it’s useful and earth-friendly. Unlike conventional lip balms, organic versions are made with ingredients that are safe for both people and the environment. They're also free of artificial fragrances, colors, and flavors. So not only will your guests be able to pamper their lips with a beautiful balm, but they'll also be doing their part to help the planet.


6. Fairtrade Chocolate or Coffee Beans

Most chocolate and coffee beans come from developing countries where growers are paid very little for their crops. This results in unfair working conditions and often forces farmers to use harmful chemicals and pesticides to maximize their yields. Fairtrade certification ensures that growers receive a fair price for their crops, allowing them to improve their working conditions and invest in environmentally sustainable practices. As a result, choosing fairtrade chocolate or coffee beans as your wedding favors is a great way to support eco-friendly farming. Plus, your guests will appreciate the delicious taste of these ethically sourced treats!


7. Freshly Harvested Wedding Gifts

Seasonal fruits made into jams or marmalades from a local Lake Tahoe farm make wonderful eco-friendly wedding favors. Serve them in recycled glass jars, and you’re not only doing good for the environment, but you’re helping local Tahoe farmers too!


8. A QR Code Favor

If you want to go completely waste-free, get digital with your eco-friendly wedding favors. You can create a QR code that acts as a 100% online wedding favor “bag.” When guests scan their QR code, it takes them to a website where they get gift cards to local businesses to spend at their leisure.


Plan Your Eco-Friendly Wedding in Lake Tahoe with Epic Thyme Events

Epic Thyme Events is a full-service wedding planning company specializing in eco-friendly weddings in Lake Tahoe. We believe your wedding should reflect your values and are committed to helping you create a beautiful and sustainable event.


Lake Tahoe is a truly magical place, and we are honored to work with couples who want to celebrate their love in this special corner of the world. We know that planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but we are here to help you every step of the way. We will work with you to choose the perfect venue, select eco-friendly vendors, and design a menu that reflects your style and taste. Most importantly, we will work tirelessly to ensure your wedding is everything you’ve ever dreamed of.


If you are interested in learning more about our services, please contact us today! We would be happy to chat with you about your vision for your big day.

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