When to Give Out Wedding Favours: A Simple Guide

Last Updated: October 23, 2026

Table of Contents

• When to Give Out Wedding Favours: The Main Options
  • On the Tables Before Guests Sit Down
  • At the End of the Evening
• Where to Put Wedding Favours at Your Venue
• Do You Need Wedding Favours? What Couples Actually Do
• Wedding Favour Ideas That Suit the Timing
• Wedding Favour Etiquette: Who Hands Them Out and Who Gets One
• A Practical Timeline for the Full Wedding Day
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

When to Give Out Wedding Favours: The Main Options

When to give out wedding favours comes down to two main moments: on the tables before guests sit down, or at the end of the evening as they leave. Both work well. The right choice depends on your favour, your venue and how you want the day to flow.

At Letterbox Cocktails, we supply ready-to-drink cocktail favours for weddings across the UK, so we have a good view of what actually works on the day. According to Zola's wedding favour guidance, many couples plan to give guests a favour, though the timing is left open.

Here are the options, with the trade-offs spelled out.

On the Tables Before Guests Sit Down

This is the most common choice, and for good reason. A favour on each place setting does two jobs at once: it decorates the table and it tells every guest they have a gift waiting.

• Best for: edible favours, small boxes, personalised items
• Timing: set out before the wedding breakfast
• Watch out: you need one per seat, so your count must match your table plan

The main risk is that guests move seats. If your favour is tied to a name card, keep the two together.

At the End of the Evening

Handing favours out as guests leave works well for anything bulky, fragile or best kept cold. It also doubles as a clear signal that the night is ending.

• Best for: drinks, anything chilled, larger gifts
• Timing: the last hour, near the exit
• Watch out: some guests leave early, so you may need a second handout point

If you are weighing up a drinks-based favour, our guide to cocktail wedding favours shows how they work as a modern alternative before you settle on a handout moment.

Where to Put Wedding Favours at Your Venue

Placement decides whether favours feel like part of the room or an afterthought. There are three reliable setups: on the place settings, on a dedicated display table, or handed out personally.

Place settings suit small, flat items. A display table near the entrance or by the bar works for anything guests should pick up themselves. Personal handouts suit the end of the night.

A few practical points:

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• Check with your venue before you plan a display table. Some have rules about where items can sit.
• Keep a display tidy by restocking it through the day, not just once.
• Put anything heavy or breakable at the back of the table so it does not get knocked.

Our bespoke cocktail boxes wedding favours guide covers placement and presentation in more detail if you are planning a display.

Do You Need Wedding Favours? What Couples Actually Do

No, you do not need wedding favours. They are optional, and plenty of couples skip them entirely.

That said, many couples still choose to. A majority of couples planned to give, or had given, a favour to their guests. So it is a common tradition, not an obligation.

If you are unsure, ask yourself:

• Does a favour fit your budget without squeezing anything else?
• Will it suit your guest list, including children and older relatives?
• Would you rather spend the money on something else, like the meal or the band?

There is no wrong answer. A well-planned wedding without favours beats a stressed one with them.

If you want to see what is out there before deciding, our round-up of the best wedding favours gives you a clear picture of the options.

Wedding Favour Ideas That Suit the Timing

Match the favour to the moment and you avoid most problems. Small, flat items suit place settings. Anything chilled or bulky suits the end of the evening. But the best choice also depends on how the favour needs to be stored, moved, and looked after during the day.

Here is a simple way to think about it:

One thing most guides miss: drinks-based favours need a plan for keeping them cool. Sort that with your venue early, and the rest is easy. For edible favours, ask the venue where they can be stored away from direct sun and heat. If you have guests with allergies, consider individually wrapped items with clear labels.

For a current list of options, our modern wedding favour ideas covers what couples are choosing this year.

Wedding Favour Etiquette: Who Hands Them Out and Who Gets One

The short answer: give one favour per guest, and let your venue or wedding party handle the handout. There is no strict rule about who does it, but a few people should be briefed.

On quantities:

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• Count one per guest, not one per couple.
• Add a small buffer for extras, usually a handful.
• Decide early whether evening guests get one too. Day guests are the usual baseline.

But guest logistics matter more than most guides admit. Here is how to handle the common tricky cases:

• Children: If a favour contains small parts or alcohol, have a child-friendly alternative ready. A small activity pack or a sweet treat works well.
• Dietary restrictions: For edible favours, offer a clearly labelled alternative (for example, a nut-free or gluten-free option) and keep a note of who needs what.
• Mobility needs: If a guest uses a wheelchair or has limited mobility, make sure their favour is easy to reach, on the table rather than in a high display, or handed to them directly.
• Plus-ones: A plus-one is a guest, so they get a favour. If you are unsure of names, a generic favour works fine.
• Guests who leave early: If you are handing out favours at the end of the night, ask a member of the wedding party to give favours to early leavers as they say goodbye, or leave a small batch near the exit.

On who hands them out:

• Venue staff: good for place settings, as they are already setting the room.
• Wedding party: good for end-of-night handouts.
• You two: nice for a personal touch, but you will be busy.

If you are comparing suppliers for a drinks-based favour, our cocktail favour comparison sets out the differences to help you choose.

A Practical Timeline for the Full Wedding Day

Here is how the timing usually plays out, hour by hour. Adjust it to your own schedule.

1. Morning: confirm favours are at the venue and stored correctly.
2. Two hours before guests arrive: venue staff set favours on the tables or display.
3. Guest arrival: display table ready if you are using one.
4. Wedding breakfast: favours on place settings do their work.
5. Early evening: restock the display if needed.
6. Last hour: hand out end-of-night favours near the exit.
7. After the event: collect any leftovers for the trip home.

Conclusion

Getting the timing right takes one decision and a short conversation with your venue. Once that is settled, the rest of the day runs itself.

If you want a favour that guests actually remember, Letterbox Cocktails delivers ready-to-drink cocktails through the post, with build-your-own boxes you can personalise for your guests. Our favours arrive ready to serve, with no mixing and no special equipment, and our presentation keeps them looking the part on the day. We are rated five stars by customers for service and presentation.

Get started with Letterbox Cocktails and give your guests a send-off they will talk about.

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