💒 Wedding Planning

Best Wedding Favors Under $5 That Guests Actually Keep (2026)

Event Floor Planner TeamJanuary 27, 2026
Best Wedding Favors Under 5 That Guests Actually Keep 2026 for best wedding favors under $5 - event planning photography
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Our top pick: Personalized Candle Tin Favors — they're under $3 each, gorgeous, and every single guest takes one home. No one leaves a candle behind.

Let's be honest. Most wedding favors end up abandoned on tables. Those little bags of Jordan almonds? Left behind. The custom-printed matchbooks? Forgotten. The mini picture frames? Already in the trash.

The trick isn't spending more — it's picking something people actually want. We researched the favors with the highest "take home" rates and found 10 winners, all under $5 per guest.

Quick Comparison

Favor Badge Cost/Guest Take-Home Rate
Personalized Candle Tins🏆 Best Overall$2.50–$3.5095%+
Mini Honey JarsMost Unique$2.00–$3.0090%+
Custom Bottle OpenersMost Practical$1.50–$2.5095%+
Succulent Plant FavorsMost Instagram-Worthy$3.00–$4.5085%+
Wildflower Seed PacketsMost Eco-Friendly$1.00–$2.0080%+
Custom Cookie BagsBest Edible$2.00–$3.5098%+
Mini Hand SanitizersBest Value$0.75–$1.5090%+
Personalized Coasters (Set of 2)Most Reusable$2.50–$4.0085%+

Our Top Picks

#1 Personalized Candle Tin Favors

🏆 Best Overall$2

These mini soy candles come in a sleek tin with a custom label featuring your names and wedding date. They look expensive, smell amazing, and every guest wants one. Choose from scents like lavender, vanilla, fresh linen, and rose — or pick a signature scent that matches your wedding theme.

The tins are 2 oz (the perfect size for a favor) and burn for 10-12 hours. Stack them at each place setting or arrange them on a display table with a "Light one in our honor" sign. Guaranteed: zero left behind.

Check Price on Amazon →

Best for:Elegant, thoughtful favors that work for any wedding style

#2 Mini Honey Jar Favors (1.5 oz)

Most Unique$2

Most Unique · $2.00$3.00 each

"Meant to Bee" honey jars are the favor that makes guests smile AND gets used at home. These 1.5 oz jars come with a mini wooden dipper and a custom tag. Real honey, beautifully packaged, universally loved. They work for breakfast the next morning or tea that evening — instant utility.

Display them on a wooden board with a cute "Meant to Bee" sign. They double as table decor and double as a conversation starter. These have one of the highest take-home rates of any favor.

Check Price on Amazon →

Best for:Rustic, garden, and honey-themed weddings

#3 Custom Bottle Opener Favors

Most Practical$1

Most Practical · $1.50$2.50 each

Bottle openers are the favor that keeps giving. Every time a guest cracks open a beer, they think of your wedding. These come in shapes like keys, flip-flops, anchors, and hearts — all customizable with your names and date engraved on a tag. Sturdy metal construction means they last for years.

At under $2 each in bulk, they're one of the most affordable custom favors available. Package them in a small organza bag or attach to a "Pop one open for the newlyweds!" card.

Check Price on Amazon →

Best for:Fun, practical weddings — especially popular at outdoor and casual receptions

#4 Mini Succulent Plant Favors

Most Instagram-Worthy$3

Most Instagram-Worthy · $3.00$4.50 each

Living succulents in tiny pots are the favor guests photograph and post on Instagram. They're trendy, low-maintenance, and last for months (or years) after the wedding. The mini 2-inch pots come in assorted varieties — every guest gets a slightly different plant, which makes them feel unique.

These double as place card holders if you add a small name tag. They also serve as natural table decor, reducing the need for separate centerpieces at smaller tables. Just note: order these close to the wedding date since they're living plants.

Check Price on Amazon →

Best for:Garden weddings, boho themes, and eco-conscious couples

#5 Wildflower Seed Packet Favors

Most Eco-Friendly$1

Most Eco-Friendly · $1.00$2.00 each

"Let Love Grow" seed packets are the cheapest and most meaningful favor on this list. Each packet contains wildflower seeds native to North America — guests plant them and literally watch your love grow. The custom packets include your names, date, and planting instructions.

They're flat, lightweight, and easy to display. Tuck them into napkin folds, scatter them on a favor table, or place in a basket by the exit. Perfect for spring and summer weddings. The flowers bloom in 6-8 weeks after planting.

Check Price on Amazon →

Best for:Eco-conscious couples and outdoor/garden weddings

#6 Custom Cookie Bags (Cellophane + Tags)

Best Edible$2

Best Edible · $2.00$3.50 each (bags + DIY cookies or bakery order)

Edible favors have a near-100% take-home rate. Buy these custom cellophane bags with ribbon ties and "Thank You" tags, then fill with cookies from your favorite bakery (or bake your own). Two cookies per bag is the sweet spot — enough to feel generous, not so much it's awkward to carry.

Sugar cookies with royal icing in your wedding colors are classic. Chocolate chip is universally loved. Or go with macarons for an upscale touch. The bags keep cookies fresh for 2-3 days.

Check Price on Amazon →

Best for:Couples who want a personal, homemade-feeling favor on a budget

#7 Mini Custom Hand Sanitizer Favors

Best Value$0

Best Value · $0.75$1.50 each

Post-2020, hand sanitizer favors went from quirky to appreciated. These 1 oz bottles come with custom labels featuring your names and date. They're practical, pocketable, and dirt cheap in bulk. Scented options like lavender and eucalyptus feel more elevated than standard sanitizer.

Place them at each setting or in a basket by the door. They work as both a favor and a practical courtesy for guests during flu season.

Check Price on Amazon →

Best for:Fall/winter weddings, budget-maximizing, and the perpetually practical

#8 Personalized Cork Coaster Set (2-Pack)

Most Reusable$2

Most Reusable · $2.50$4.00 per set

Custom cork coasters with your names and wedding date are the favor that lives on coffee tables for years. The natural cork material is eco-friendly and functional. They come in round or square shapes and can be customized with any design — monograms, floral patterns, or a simple "Cheers to [Names]" message.

Package two coasters per guest in a small kraft box. Every time guests use them, they'll remember your celebration. These are especially popular with couples who love wine or craft cocktails.

Check Price on Amazon →

💡 Pro Tip: The #1 rule for wedding favors: edible and practical always win. If a guest can eat it tonight or use it tomorrow, they're taking it home. Skip anything purely decorative — those are the ones left behind.
Our Top Picks for best wedding favors under $5 - event planning photography

Favor Planning Guide

Best for:Practical couples who want a lasting, everyday reminder of the celebration

How Many to Order

Order one per guest, not per couple, plus 10-15% extra. For 100 guests, order 110-115 favors. The extras cover damaged items, display pieces, and surprise plus-ones.

Display Ideas

Skip the "favor at each place setting" approach if your favor is small — guests miss them or confuse them with decor. Instead, set up a dedicated favor table near the exit with a sign: "Thank you for celebrating with us — please take one!" This way every guest passes by on their way out.

Timing

Order personalized items 8-12 weeks out. Order plain bulk items 4-6 weeks out. Always order a test batch first to check quality, especially for edible items.

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Event Floor Planner Team

Helping event planners create stunning floor plans and seating charts for weddings, corporate events, and special celebrations.

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