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  Mug Cake -157683

  Give your guests a treat that serves double duty with a mug cake. Collect a wide variety of cute mugs from your local thrift store, and make easy microwave mug cakes in them for your guests to take home. Once they’ve finished their cake, they can use the mug for their morning coffee.

  Photo Credit: Mr. Michael Phams/Flickr

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  Ornament

  Give your friends and family an adorable reminder of your wedding with a handmade ornament for the holiday season. Thoughtful and practical, this project just requires a bit of fabric, pillow stuffing, thread, and ribbon. Even if you’re no whiz with a sewing machine, small ornaments can be easily hand-sewn in just a few minutes and will likely become part of your guests’ holiday decor for years to come.

  Photo Credit: Casia/Flickr

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  Jam

  For those of us who love spending time in the kitchen, there’s no sweeter favor to gift friends with than a tiny jar of homemade jam. Decorate the jars with ribbons or favorite fabrics, and add a personalized tag thanking each guest for being part of your wedding day.

  Photo Credit: Rooster Farm/Flickr

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  Loose Tea

  A calming cup of tea is just what you'll need to wind down from a wedding weekend, so why not gift your guests with your own special tea blend? Herb, spices, and a few pieces of citrus zest create a delicious herbal tea that will become a kitchen staple for even the biggest caffeine addicts.

  Photo Credit: Justin Henry/Flickr

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  Soap

  Some wedding favors are merely meant to look pretty on a shelf, but if it’s practicality you’re going for, there’s nothing better than a bar of homemade soap. Combine lye, water, coconut oil, essential oils, and the herbs, flowers, and exfoliating agents (like oatmeal) of your choice to create a useful gift that’s easy to cook up in large batches. If your wedding has a theme, it’s easy to customize your soap to match — wrap in plaid fabric for a country twist, or add a blue tint and sea salt for a beachy vibe.

  Photo Credit: SoapyLoveDeb/Flickr

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  Cookie Mix

  Your wedding's sweet treats don't have to end with the cake cutting. But instead of sending your guests home with a cookie or two, give them a whole batch — with a jar full of cookie mix and a recipe tag. Heartfelt, inexpensive, and easy to assemble, this favor is a surefire hit for guests of all ages.

  Photo Credit: _e.t/Flickr

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  Figurine Keychains

  Get in touch with your inner child for this adorable project — just grab a few mini-figurines and dress them up like brides and grooms with a little bit of fabric, glue, and imagination. Hook the figurines onto key rings, and you’ll have a one-of-a-kind favor that your guests won’t be getting at any other wedding.

  Photo Credit: Dirkb86/Flickr

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  Flip Books

  For an easy and inexpensive favor, make a wedding flip book. Using just a pen, paper, and a few staples or ribbon, you can create an adorable wedding cartoon that starts at “I do” and ends with a lot of misty-eyed guests.

  Photo Credit: Axisworks/Flickr

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  Paper Mask

  Make your wedding selfies special by giving each guest a homemade mask at their place setting. With just a few ingredients, like cardboard, glue, paint, and yarn, you can make adorable animal masks that will add a fun, special touch to your wedding snaps. We especially love this idea for Halloween weddings and for the kids at weddings year-round.

  Photo Credit: Douglass R. Witt/Flickr

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  Coasters

  Give your guests the gift of ring-free furniture with a set of fun coasters. Print out a few of your favorite photos, back with cardboard, and seal in resin or just a coat of Mod Podge for an adorable place to rest a cup.

  Photo Credit: Elin B./Flickr

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  Mini Potted Plants

  Weddings may be a lot of work, but these favors are about as low maintenance as they get. Plant succulent clippings in mini terra cotta pots for a charming favor that even those without the gift of a green thumb can enjoy year in and year out.

  Photo Credit: Sean A. O’Hara/Flickr

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  Snow Globes

  Capture the magical spirit of your wedding day with an adorable miniature snow globe. Whether you’re making a wedding scene or going for something a bit sillier, homemade snow globes are bound to inspire awe — and awws — from your guests.

  Photo Credit: NathanMac87/Flickr

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  Truffles

  Send your guests home with a reminder of the sweetness of your wedding day with a mini box of homemade truffles. They’re easy to make in big batches, can be personalized with tasty toppings like pistachio and coconut and, if you’re lucky, you can treat yourself to any leftovers when the big day is over.

  Photo Credit: Nick Harris/Flickr

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  Potpourri

  Let your guests enjoy the gift of a sweetly scented home with a bag of homemade potpourri. A few weeks before your wedding, air dry a mixture of flowers, herbs, pinecones, cinnamon sticks, and fruit rinds, toss in a mix of your favorite essential oils, and let the combined ingredients sit in an airtight container for a week. Spoon the completed product into gift bags, and send your guests home with a personalized present they can actually use.

  Photo Credit: RJP/Flickr

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  Hangover Kit

  After a night of dancing, drinking, and loud music, there will inevitably be a few headaches the following day. Give your (adult) guests the gift of a pain-free morning with a kit containing headache medicine, mouth wash, an eye mask, and a bottle of water — it may not seem like much, but trust us, they’ll thank you.

  Photo Credit: Nan Palmero/Flickr

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  Granola

  If you have friends and family traveling across the country or globe for your wedding day, it’s safe to assume that some of your guests will be getting an early start the day after your celebration. Send them off with a small jar of homemade granola for the road — if they can wait to enjoy it at home, it’s an amazing breakfast treat, but if not, it also makes the perfect plane or car snack without milk.

  Photo Credit: Franz Conde/Flickr

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  Mini Terrariums

  You may see the same favor ideas over and over at weddings, but mini terrariums aren’t likely to be on that list. Using just a few ingredients easily obtained at your local craft store, like clear jars, moss, and animal figurines, you can create an adorable home décor piece your guests will eagerly display for years to come.

  Photo Credit: Lindsay Turner/Flickr

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  Sachets

  Vintage handkerchiefs can be easily repurposed into sweet-smelling wedding sachets with just a few steps. Combine your favorite spices, citrus rinds, and dried flowers, and either sew them into a pouch or simply tie them up in a hanky with pretty ribbon for a pretty, personal favor.

  Photo Credit: CakersandCo/Flickr

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  Candles

  Give your guests a non-cheesy reminder of the eternal flame between you and your significant other with a homemade candle. Add essential oils to a paraffin, soy, or beeswax base, and transfer into the vessel of your choice with a wick in the center — sea shells and tea cups are adorable containers for these cute gifts.

  Photo Credit: slgckgc/Flickr

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  Pinwheels

  Throwing rice at weddings may seem like an antiquated tradition at this point, but that doesn’t mean you need to forgo all fanfare as you make your walk back down the aisle as a married couple for the first time. Instead of rice or rose petals, make a batch of colorful pinwheels for your guests to spin as you make your way back through the crowd — they’re easy to assemble and will add a touch of whimsy to your wedding photos.

  Photo Credit: Nakimusi/Flickr

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  Hot Chocolate Mix

  Winter wedding guests will enjoy warming themselves up with a charming kit of hot cocoa mix. Combine cocoa, sugar, powdered milk, marshmallows, and peppermint candies in a jar for a sweet treat everyone will love.

  Photo Credit: Jack Deutsch, © 2012 The Stonesong Press, LLC.

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  Coloring Books

  Even the most lively wedding can have a few lulls, so give your guests a fun and entertaining favor in the form of a homemade coloring book. Whether they’re filling in cartoonish pictures of you and your significant other or just coloring in pages you’ve printed from the internet, a coloring book is a great way for adults and kids alike to have a little extra fun.

  Photo Credit: Eugene Kim/Flickr

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  Bubbles

  Bubbles are a fun favor for adults and kids alike. A mixture of water, sugar, glycerine, and dish soap transforms into magical, iridescent bubbles when blown through a plastic wand. Pour the combination of ingredients into a small jar, tie a wand onto the side, and you’ll have a cute favor that'll make your wedding photos look magical.

  Photo Credit: Clint Mason/Flickr

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  Bath Soak

  Weddings can be a stressful time for everyone, from the bride and groom to their guests, so give your friends and family the gift of relaxation as they exit the party. Combine sea salt, epsom salt, and the essential oil blend of you choice in a cute jar or pouch for a calming bath soak they’re sure to love.

  Photo Credit: Tyrone Adams/Flickr

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  Vanilla Extract

  Vanilla extract is as ubiquitous in cooking as tear-filled toasts are at weddings, but it’s also a surprisingly pricey purchase. If you love to bake, send your guests home with a little bottle of homemade vanilla extract that they can use in their own recipes — soak sliced vanilla beans in bourbon or spiced rum, store in a cool dark place, and in about a month’s time, you’ll have an amazing gift ready for wrapping.

  Photo Credit: Ted Major/Flickr

25 Homemade Wedding Favors Your Guests Will Love

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  State of Lace -155196

  Chantilly lace fit-and-flare gown with an illusion bateau neckline and keyhole back. Gown, about $1,749, by Simone Carvalli. Floral crystal headpiece by Ti Adoro Jewelry. Rolled-edge veil by Bel Aire Bridal. 

  Photo Credit: Angelika Buettner

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  Light as Air

  Organza A-line gown with silver embroidered appliqués, V-neckline, illusion back and layered organza skirt with front slit. Gown, about $1,090, by Moonlight Bridal. Floral hair vine by Ti Adoro Jewelry. Strappy heels by Blue by Betsey Johnson.

  Photo Credit: Angelika Buettner

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  Crystal Clear

  Hand-beaded lace mermaid with a V-neckline, silk organza lining and seed pearl and sequin hand-beaded belt. Gown, about $12,500, by Mira Zwillinger. Starburst crown by Untamed Petals by Amanda Judge. Bangle by Lafonn. Engagement ring by Gemvara. Heels by David Tutera.

  Photo Credit: Angelika Buettner

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  Arm Candy

  Lace-over-crepe sheath with sweetheart bodice, illusion neckline, and lace appliquéd sleeves and back. Gown, about $2,099, by Martina Liana. Crystal and pearl headpiece by Untamed Petals by Amanda Judge. Floral motif cathedral-length veil by Berger Collection for Mon Cheri.

  Photo Credit: Angelika Buettner

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  Happy Talk

  Venice and Chantilly lace fit-and-flare gown with an illusion sweetheart neckline, lace-covered cap sleeves and a plunging illusion back. Gown, about $1,867, by Justin Alexander. Hair comb by Ti Adoro Jewelry.

  Photo Credit: Angelika Buettner

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  Rosy Outlook

  Tulle and corded-lace over crepe-back satin sheath with high illusion neckline and a lace-edged detachable train. Gown, about $2,700, by James Clifford Collection. Starburst crown by Untamed Petals by Amanda Judge. Bangle by Lafonn. Engagement ring by Gemvara. Bouquet by Lucy's Flowers.

  Photo Credit: Angelika Buettner

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  Lace is More

  French lace mermaid with appliquéd long tulle sleeves, plunging illusion neckline, multilayered skirt with sheer side lace panels and a flowing tulle train. Gown, about $10,000, by Galia Lahav. Rhinestone headpiece by Untamed Petals by Amanda Judge.

  Photo Credit: Angelika Buettner

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  Feelin' Lacy

  Alençon lace and satin fit-and-flare gown with an illusion neckline and back and a crystal embellished waistband. Gown, about $1,595, by Cristiano Lucci. Hair comb by Erin Cole. Bangle by Ti Adoro Jewelry. Clutch by Amanda Pearl. Engagement ring by Gemvara. Heels by David Tutera.

  Photographed at the WestHouse Hotel NYC, a boutique hotel located in midtown Manhattan that features an elegant townhouse décor embellished with art Deco elements. savor views of Manhattan and the Hudson river while dining in the terrace. in the Den, a private lounge that evokes a modern speakeasy, choose from a curated menu of bespoke cocktails. in-room spa services are available, along with many other amenities. for more information, go to westhousehotelnewyork.com.

  Photo Credit: Angelika Buettner

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  Curve Appeal

  Hand-beaded Swarovski crystal mermaid with sheer low back, sparkling tulle skirt and horsehair-trim hem. Gown about, $5,695, by Amalia Carrera for Eve of Milady. Crystal headpiece by Bel Aire Bridal. Bouquet by Lucy's Flowers.

  Photo Credit: Angelika Buettner

The Most Captivating Wedding Gowns