Don't Bother Doing This At Your Wedding

Aside from the money that you put down, you probably put a lot of thought into your wedding. But this trend can probably end this year.

Wedding season is underway. It feels like just about every weekend is getting filled up with a new couple's big date. Chances are, you're going to see this a lot this summer and it's something that couples could probably do less.

Wedding favors are still a thing

Fewer and fewer bridal couples are giving wedding favors these days. According to The Knot, they've actually decreased by 21% since 2017. BUT 48% of couples do still give them out. So it's pretty common to sit down at a table and see something sitting there for you to take home after the last song is played.

Why do people still do wedding favors?

When you plan a wedding, you realize how many people are involved in making it a huge celebration. Your family and friends not only show up to the actual day, but to showers and engagement parties. They fork over money for gifts and they book hotel rooms. Some have to book a flight to get to you. To not say thank you feels...wrong.

So often, the couple will give their guests a little something just to show their appreciation that someone went out of their way to come to their big day.

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Not all favors are bad

There are some favors that people really appreciate. Things that are consumable are good (except Jordan Almonds - save your money). Do you make your own syrup or wine? If it's good, people will love it. It's a good way to share a piece of your personality with your guests with something that they can use.

Another good idea is to take the money that you were going to use on favors and donate it to a great cause in their name. Maybe it's a huge donation to a veteran's association or a foundation that sets out to cure a disease. People do appreciate those things.

There's one type of favor that you can just skip

Unless you want to end up with a bunch of favors on your table at the end of the night, don't give your guests something with your name on it that they'll never use. You know what I'm talking about. That single piece of glassware (a shot glass or a wine glass) with your names and date etched into them. When will people use those? Stationery with your name and date on it is another example of a favor that people will leave on the table. People hate when they get favors that have your names on them.

Was this you? Did you do this at your wedding? Don't feel bad. If you did it, you're not alone. And if you're doing it this year, there's no need to change your plans if you've already paid for it. There was a time when this was the thing to do. It's not the end of the world by far. But you don't have to do it anymore. I know...it seems kind of cold to say, but for a lot of people, once they leave the wedding, it's over. And I get that it was an effort to be thoughtful but I can't tell you how many times as a DJ I've been loading out at the end of the night and seen more of these things left on the tables than were taken.

If you're thinking about doing this...don't. Save your money or spend it on more hors d'oeuvres.