How Much Do Wedding Favours Cost in Australia?

Wedding favours offer you the opportunity to provide your guests with a small gift or keepsake that they can take home (or eat!) and remember the time they spent celebrating with you on your big day.

But when you’re already spending thousands on your wedding, how much should you spend on wedding favours that are thoughtful, personal and something that your guests are going to appreciate?

Below, we’re going to take a look at the cost of wedding favours, including the average amount couples spend, how much some of the most popular wedding favours cost, and what factors can influence how much you might spend.

What are wedding favours and do you need them at your wedding?

Wedding favours are small tokens or gifts given to guests who join in celebrating your big day. These little, personal gestures are a way to express gratitude and serve as keepsakes for your family and friends.

Favours don’t have to be expensive—many wedding favours cost around $1 each—but they’re a thoughtful way to show your appreciation. Some couples even opt for DIY wedding favours, which could range from a small bag of lollies to a custom-made puzzle cube (though something like that would cost significantly more than $1).

However, even the most budget-friendly or DIY wedding favours can add to your growing list of expenses. Considering that the average wedding in Australia costs around $37,000, it’s worth asking: if you’re working with a tight budget, is this a detail you could skip to save some money?

Do you have to do favours at your wedding?

While favours aren’t something that your guests will expect – and certainly aren’t the reason they’re coming to your wedding – their absence may be noticed by some (but certainly not all). In fact, some of your guests may choose to not take their favour home at all, and if you’re gifting food or sweets, they may even be devoured before the first course is served at the breakfast or dinner.

If you’re looking to save budget, or it’s simply not something that interests you or fits with your style or theme of your wedding, then you shouldn’t feel pressured to provide favours simply to appease others or because it’s something you believe your guests expect – because they definitely don’t.

What’s the average cost of wedding favours?

In Australia, couples typically spend an average of $400 on wedding favours. While this might seem like a small expense compared to the overall wedding budget (around 2% of what’s usually spent on a venue), the costs can quickly add up, especially if you’re opting for custom, handmade favours or have a guest list of 120 or more.

If you’re looking to save money while still embracing the tradition, simple options like a packet of lollies for each guest can do the trick. For instance, 250 packets of Love Hearts sweets might cost around $50, leaving you with extras to enjoy yourself!

What are some popular wedding favour ideas?

If you’re looking for some wedding favour ideas but you’re not quite sure where to start, the below guide will give you a rough guide for how much some popular wedding favours cost so you can gauge if they fit within your budget.

Edible favours

Retro lollies – You can find pre-made packs of retro lollies or create your own by shopping for bulk sweets. Costs start from $1 each.
Honeycomb – Always a crowd-pleaser, honeycomb is not only visually appealing but also delicious. Costs start from $1.50 each.
Fudge – Creamy, luxurious, and perfect for satisfying your guests’ sweet tooth. Costs start from $2 each.
Hot chocolate kit – A unique favour that few can resist and can be creatively packaged. Costs start from $2.50 each.
Popcorn – A tasty, budget-friendly option that’s sure to be a hit. Costs start from $1 each.
Mints – Perfect for a refreshing and simple favour. Costs start from $1 each.
Jellybeans – Affordable sweet treats available in a variety of flavours. Costs start from $1 each.
Cake pops – A fun and convenient way to offer guests a taste of cake, especially if you’re skipping a traditional wedding cake. Costs start from $1.50 each.
Marshmallows – Sticky, sweet, and affordable. Costs start from $1 each.

Non-edible favours

Bubbles – Everyone loves bubbles! They’re fun, whimsical, and super affordable. Costs start from less than $1 each.
Personalised playing cards – A unique, personal gift that your guests will treasure. Costs start from around $6 each.
Second-hand books – A great conversation starter and very budget-friendly. Costs start from around 50 cents each, or even less if you browse local op shops.
Pens, notepads, or pencils – Practical and thoughtful favours that everyone can use. Costs start from $2.50 each.
Jewellery charms – A sweet keepsake that can be used in various creative ways. Costs start from $3.50 each.
Wildflower seeds – A thoughtful, eco-friendly gift your guests can plant and cherish. Costs start from $1.50 each.
Charity donation – A meaningful and generous gesture. You can choose how much to donate on behalf of your guests.
Soap/hand sanitiser – A practical and unique favour, especially appreciated these days. Costs start from $3 each.
Scratch cards – Add a little excitement to your wedding! One of your guests might even leave richer (and hopefully share some with you!). Costs start from $1.50 each.
Personalised candles – A charming and universally loved gift. Costs start from $3 each.
Personalised coasters – A unique keepsake that will remind your guests of your big day every time they use it. Costs start from $4 each.
Personalised keyrings – A practical and sentimental token. Costs start from $2.50 each.
Disposable cameras – A nostalgic and fun favour for your guests. While they’ve become more expensive, costs per camera start from around $18 (plus development costs).

Is it cheaper to do DIY wedding favours?

If you’re on a budget, it can be much cheaper to do wedding favours yourself. However, if you’re looking for highly personal or customised favours, such as personalised playing cards, you may find the DIY approach more challenging. If you haven’t done anything similar before, there’s also the risk of inconsistent quality.

If you’re looking for something simple, such as a bag of retro lollies, you should be able to put this together with little effort and without much room for error. It should save you some money, too.

What factors can impact the cost of wedding favours?

When choosing wedding favours, as well as the type of favours you go for, there are several factors to bear in mind which can impact the overall cost.

Quantity – It may seem obvious, but the more guests you have the more you’ll have to spend on favours.
Personalisation – Highly personalised wedding favours will cost more than something you can grab off a shelf or make yourself.
Vendor – A small, independent vendor may have higher prices than a large company with hundreds of employees. However, the level of care and quality is also likely to be better from a smaller vendor.
Quality – The higher the quality of materials or ingredients you use, the more expensive your favours will be. Remember, your favours are only a token gift to your guests and they won’t be expecting something premium.
Presentation – Marshmallows or honeycomb may be fairly inexpensive, but if you choose to package them in a fancy box with ribbon they may not be inexpensive for long.
Season – Depending on what you go for, the time of year may play a part in cost. For example, during peak periods when gift companies are in demand, costs may be much higher.

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