Thoughtful and Sustainable Wedding Favors Your Guests Will Love (And Actually Use)
Photo provided by Katherine Anne Confections
When it comes to planning your wedding, every detail counts, especially when it comes to showing appreciation to your guests. Instead of traditional wedding favors that often end up collecting dust or tossed aside, why not choose eco-friendly options that everyone will genuinely love? These sustainable wedding favors not only express your gratitude but also help leave a positive mark on the planet.
If you’re in Chicago, you’re in luck! The city is full of fantastic local businesses that offer sustainable wedding favors. Supporting these local businesses is a win-win: you reduce shipping emissions, plus you’re supporting your community. The favors below all feature Chicago businesses that are a part of the Green Wedding Alliance, committed to helping couples create greener weddings. Here are some ideas for sustainable wedding favors your guests will love—and the Earth will thank you for.
Chocolate Truffles
Photo provided by Katherine Anne Confections
Give your guests a treat with handcrafted chocolate truffles from Katherine Anne Confections, a local chocolatier in Chicago. These truffles are made with sustainable, high-quality ingredients that ensure a rich and satisfying flavor.
Choosing consumable favors like these is a smart choice for sustainability. Unlike traditional favors that might be forgotten or thrown away, consumable items are meant to be enjoyed, reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact.
With a range of flavors—from classic dark chocolate to fun seasonal specials—you can easily assemble a selection that caters to everyone’s taste buds—while supporting a local, eco-conscious business.
2. Custom Salt Blends
Photo provided by Keep It Savory Salt Co.
For a practical favor that guests will actually use, Keep It Savory Salt Co. in Chicago offers delicious, sustainable salt blends made right here in Chicago. Partnering with local businesses, they create unique flavors and package each blend with custom labels that can be personalized with your wedding date, names, or a special message for that personal touch.
Since salt is a kitchen essential, you can count on these blends to find a place in your guests’ everyday cooking. It’s a favor that adds a bit of flavor to their meals and serves as a simple, sustainable reminder of your celebration.
3. Soy Wax Candles
Photo provided by The Jade Vine
Soy wax candles are a practical and eco-friendly wedding favor that your guests will appreciate. Unlike traditional paraffin candles made from petroleum, soy wax is a renewable resource that burns cleaner and longer, producing less soot and fewer toxins.
A great option is The Jade Vine, a member of our Green Wedding Alliance. They offer candles made by local Chicago artisan Ivy, who hand-pours each candle into stylish concrete containers. Ivy uses clean-burning soy-coconut wax and fragrance oils sourced from small businesses, making these favors a way to support local artisans and sustainable practices.
4. Succulents or Mini Terrariums
Succulents and mini terrariums make thoughtful, lasting favors that also look great as table décor. These easy-care plants add a fresh, green touch to your wedding and give guests a little piece of nature they can take home.
Green Wedding Alliance florists can add succulents to your flower order, cutting down on extra vendors and keeping things simple. It’s an easy way to add natural beauty to your wedding and give your guests a favor they’ll actually want to keep.
4. Donations to Charity
Photo from Green Wedding Alliances beach cleanup day
Think about donating to charities or non-profits that support sustainable and eco-friendly practices. This choice not only helps important causes but also shows your commitment to a greener future.
To share this special gesture with your guests, use plantable seed cards to inform them of the donations made in their honor. You can personalize these cards with a message about the cause, and guests can even plant these cards later!
5. Reusable Bags
Photo from The Green Wedding Alliance’s 2022 Wedding Recyclery
Reusable bags are a practical, eco-friendly wedding favor your guests will actually use long after the day. Great for grocery runs, market visits, or even as an everyday tote, they’re a small way to help cut down on single-use plastic waste.
Choose bags made from sustainable materials like organic cotton or recycled fibers. For an extra personal touch, customize them with your names, wedding date, or a simple design that reflects your celebration.
6. Local Honey Jars
Photos Provided by The Roof Crop
Sweeten the deal with small jars of honey sourced from local beekeepers, like these from The Roof Crop. This option not only supports local agriculture but also provides a delicious treat for your guests.
Customize the jars with labels featuring your names and wedding date. You might even include a fun fact about the importance of bees in our ecosystem. Your guests will leave with a sweet reminder of your special day and the local sustainability efforts behind it.
8. Seed Packets
Photo Provided by Flossy Floral
Encourage your guests to connect with nature by giving them seed packets! Choose native wildflower seeds or easy-to-grow herbs that they can plant at home. Flossy Floral offers a variety of seeds!
Package the seeds in eco-friendly envelopes or biodegradable bags, and include a note explaining the importance of planting seeds for local ecosystems. This thoughtful favor allows your guests to grow something beautiful while fostering a sense of connection to the environment.
Choosing sustainable wedding favors is a great way to say thanks to your guests while being kind to the planet. When you pick thoughtful, eco-friendly options, you’ll create memories that last long after the celebration is over—without adding to the waste.
Whether you go with delicious chocolate truffles, unique salt blends, or even fun seed packets, remember that the little things really matter. Your guests will appreciate these meaningful gifts, and you can feel good knowing you're making a positive impact.
As you dive into wedding planning, don't forget to check out our sustainable wedding vendors from Chicago’s Green Wedding Alliance to help you create a celebration that aligns with your values!
