AUTUMN INSPIRED WEDDING FAVOURS

For many of us Autumn conjures up thoughts of rich orange shades, hot chocolate, long walks, and a certain spooooky celebration.

If you’re planning an Autumn wedding, you may want to gift favours that embrace the spirit of the season.

But what? you might ask.

Well, look no further (except down the page) because we’ve got some thoughtful, waste reducing, and cost effective ideas that may just tickle your fancy.

Hot Chocolate Jar
Who doesn’t love a heart-warming hot chocolate, especially when it’s presented with mini marshmallows in a cute little reusable jar? What’s more, this gift idea is easily DIY-able! By saving food jars you can repurpose them and cut costs.

TIP – Be sure to source vegetarian friendly marshmallows for the veggies!

Cookies
Freshly baked, yummy scrummy cookies. Decorated or undecorated, they taste great.
Another simple to DIY gift. The recipe can be amended easily to accommodate all manner of dietary requirements meaning you don’t have to organise alterative gifts.
Ice your guests name onto the cookie and voilà, you’ve created a place name too!

TIP – If choosing transparent packaging for your items, opt for a wrapping made of cellulose. Cellulose is created using plant matter and is biodegradable.

Wildflower Seeds
Whether you present them in seed bomb form, or straight-up in a bag or pouch, they make great gifts. Your guests will be free to sow them in their gardens, window boxes, pots or even in the wild for a beautiful crop of flowers the following spring and summer. The bees, butterflies and insects will thank you for your service.

Bird Treats
Another wildlife winner. Autumn sees the temperature drop as winter follows close behind. During the colder months it’s harder for birds to find food so why not extend a helping hand to our feathery friends by sending your guests home with bird treats. Often available from wildlife charities such as the RSPB, or easily whip up a batch of your own.

TIP – Only use garden bird friendly ingredients recommended by the professionals.

Jam Pots
A tasteful and oh so tasty gift for your loved ones to enjoy on toast on a lazy Sunday morning, or perhaps on a cheeky scone.
Personalise the pots with labels or create pretty fabric toppers for the lids by repurposing some old fabric.
Once empty the jars can be reused or recycled.

Marshmallows For Toasting
Having a firepit at your function? Present your guests with marshmallow favours for toasting. It’s fun for all ages and a great way to get guests chatting.
Again, be sure to source vegetarian friendly marshmallows for your veggie attendees.

Warm Apple Cider
There’s no rule saying that a wedding favour has to be something guests can take home with them, so why not provide a free drink voucher for a warm apple cider for your loved ones to enjoy when the evening draws in.
Don’t forget a non-alcoholic version for the non-drinkers, designated drivers and kiddiewinks.

Trick or Treat Sweets
Embrace the festivities of Halloween by treating your guests to some sweeties. Whether you present them in recycled jars, wrap them in repurposed fabric tied off with twine, or pop them in personalised paper bags, these packets of joy will be well received.

As with marshmallows, many sweets contain gelatine and are not suitable for vegetarians.
If you’re unsure as to what gelatine actually is, here is BBC Good Food’s definition: “A colourless, tasteless and odourless setting agent made from the boiled bones, skins and tendons of animals.”

Eco-Friendly Sparklers
Add extra sparkle to your day with some eco-friendly sparkle sticks. Unlike ordinary sparklers, these eco-friendly alternatives are made with a bamboo handle – so no more burnt fingers – and have a much cleaner burn, reducing the amount of CO2 being released into the atmosphere. Hooray!

Doughnuts
You’re probably familiar with the Doughnut Wall – a large board with a number of pegs, on which doughnuts can be displayed. These walls are readily available to hire from local event hire companies and make a fun addition to any wedding.
If you prefer a slightly more personal touch, pop individual doughnuts into personalised paper bags and add them to your guests’ place setting.

TIP – Where possible, choose local businesses. This reduces your carbon footprint, supports the local economy and results in happy dances everywhere!

Toffee Apples
Fancy something a little more unusual? The traditional toffee apple is a great option for an autumn wedding.
They’re delicious, inexpensive, and easily DIY-able requiring only a few simple ingredients.
Rather than purchasing lolly sticks why not forage in the garden for some real sticks? (washed of course)
You can keep your apples simple or engage your creative side by adding sprinkles, drizzles, and dips. Pop each one in a cupcake case and they’re ready to go. Yum!

TIP – Use local apples! The UK is blessed with an abundance of apple trees, make good use of their delicious and nutritious fruit.