35+ Chic Environmentally Friendly Wedding Favors Your Guests Will Rave About

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! You’re probably in the throes of ALL THE DETAILS and environmentally friendly wedding favors are on that list. I can already tell this is going to be a fabulous event! Because you’re a busy bee these days, I’ve curated a list of guest gift ideas that are gentler on our earth.

Environmentally Friendly Wedding Favors

We’ve all been to weddings with fun guest gifts that are entertaining in the moment, but not super useful beyond the big day. Conversely, when a couple offers sustainable and environmentally friendly wedding favors that have a longer-term use, it’s an awesome surprise.

If you and your partner are interested in earth-friendly gifts that also cheer and delight your loved ones, then this is the list for you!

After reading, you’ll have a bunch of ideas to consider for your beautiful event and next exciting chapter in your love story.

This post is all about environmentally friendly wedding favors.

Environmentally Friendly Wedding Table of Contents

What is Considered Environmentally Friendly Wedding Favors?

An environmentally friendly wedding can mean all kinds of things! This curation of gifts and ideas includes:

• Practical items you can use long after the wedding
• Glass choices over plastic
• Compostable or plantable gifts
• Pre-loved treasures
• Handmade pieces
• Digital subscriptions or gift cards
• Locally-made
• Reclaimed or upcycled mementos

Vintage Art Deco Wedding

1. Artisan Trinket Box, Basket, or Tray

If you want to find individualized favors, try Shop Goodwill. You can bid online for pre-loved items and you never know what you’ll find! They even have trinket box bundles, which is a curated collection of treasures. It’s a pretty low-cost way to score several items at once.

This trinket basket from Made Trade is handwoven with sweetgrass and sisal by artisans across Africa. Every time your guests use their trinket boxes, they’ll remember your dream of a day!

Pro Tip:
If you enjoy the thrill of the shopper’s hunt
and love continuing the story of a pre-loved piece,
try ShopGoodwill.com for your wedding jewelry, too.

You’ll need to:
1. Start early and check the site often.

2. Do your research.
For example, I found an Art Deco brooch
that was in wonderful shape
that I had converted into a necklace.
(If I had gone to a jeweler
for this same type of piece,
it probably would’ve been triple the price.)

3. Inspect all photos to make sure
you’re okay with any imperfections.
(Some things will be in better shape
than others!)

4. Know that you might lose your item
to another bidder,
but you also might win it!

2. Antique Teacup & Saucer

You can find the most darling vintage teacups at antique and thrift stores. Add a unique cup and saucer to each place setting, and include a bloom or two in each one for extra charm. Let guests know they can take their teacups home as a memory from your big day.

If you have a lot of out-of-town guests, consider how they will transport their gift back home. If they’re flying, you might want to make alternative arrangements or choose an easier item they can pack in their luggage.

3. Classic Love Story Novel or Book of Poetry

Here are some more environmentally friendly wedding favors you can score that are pre-loved. Used bookstores will have all sorts of classic novels to fit your wedding style. Gift each guest with a love story or novel that that’s dear to your hearts. They’ll not only be entertained at the wedding, but also on the trip back home. They’ll either be reading or talking about how awesome you are for giving the gift of reading!

And holy moly, if you’re sort of obsessed with flat-out, stunning book covers, you MUST see these classic novel designs. It’s go time:

• Jane Eyre
• Wuthering Heights
• Sense and Sensibility
• Emma
• Little Women
• The Great Gatsby
• The Picture of Dorian Gray
• Persuasion
• Anne of Green Gables
• The Secret Garden
• Rebecca
• Les Misérables

Good Lord, they are literally trying to bankrupt me. I NEED EVERY ONE.

You can also add books to your registry
because you can never go wrong with classic literature!

For poetry fans, The Love Poems of Rumi is a tenderhearted collection of romantic poetry that is very moving. I highly recommend it!

Stack your books on a welcome table for guests to choose or leave one in each seat at the reception. You could even tuck programs into them for people to enjoy during the ceremony.

And one more thing: A book is always a timeless, resplendent gift you can pass down to other generations, sharing stories you love with those you love.

4. Pashminas

Especially if your wedding is in the cooler months, a gift of a shawl or pashmina is a lovely idea! I did this for my very, VERY windy beach wedding in November. Guests loved the extra cozy warmth to snuggle up in. Plus, they could take them home and wear them over and over again!

One way to be extra eco-conscious is to choose oversized scarves or wraps from thrift shops. Not only will each one be one-of-a-kind, but you’ll avoid purchasing fast fashion. My suggestion is to wash them after purchase to make sure they’re in tiptop shape for your guests. (Also, check for holes or stains. No one’s clamoring for holes or stains these days!)

If you still prefer to buy new, companies like Immaculate Vegan produce ethically-made clothing and accessories. I love this Vegan Classic Woven Scarf. It comes in:

• Almond
• Classic Red
• Biscuit
• Charcoal
• Burgundy
• French Navy
• Heather Grey
• Black

So, depending on your wedding colors, there are several options to choose from! I offered a variety of colors that coordinated with my seaside hues, which gave guests a color choice.

5. Subscription to Ancestry.com

If you love vintage, then history might be your thing, too. For an intangible gift, you could offer subscriptions to Ancestry.com. After a day of spending time with loved ones, it might spark people’s interest to find out more about their heritage and family roots.

If you’re planning a wedding in the UK,
check out the Sustainable Wedding Alliance
and their supplier directory.
Looks pretty nifty!

Secret Garden Wedding

6. Seed Packets

You can get the cutest packets of flower and herb seeds at your local hardware store. And they’re so inexpensive! Add a little label or tag with your wedding date, a quote, or a thank-you note from you and your love.

7. Mini Watering Can with a Romantic Quote

Yes to cute watering cans for indoor plants! Don’t even get me started, but this copper watering can is absolutely precious! If you have the budget or a smaller wedding guest list, these are perfect. This style also comes in silver and gold.

It’s definitely more economical to buy your mini watering cans in bulk, though These playful colors are adorable for a whimsical wedding. They’re made for kids, but I have a bunch of kid gardening tools that come in handy for smaller projects or tighter corners in your garden.

Also, if you have the budget, these Grace & August floral and hummingbird watering cans are so precious that I literally want one right now. They come in Black, Blue, and Sage and have the most elegant illustrations to inspire you. They look like they were made for your wedding!

These silver, steel watering cans come in a pack of 50, and could gorgeously double as vases and your environmentally friendly wedding favors!

8. Garden Gloves Monogrammed with Your Wedding Date

Everyone can use garden gloves, even if they don’t garden! But if they do garden, this will be an exciting and useful gift. You’re also encouraging others to enjoy nature and grow something beautiful, like your love story. Awww!

9. Skeleton Key Bottle Opener

I used these skeleton key bottle openers to secure my place cards. My wedding was a mix of vintage, Art Deco, and storytelling themes, but if you’re going all-out Secret Garden, these are also for you!

I also love these skeleton key bottle openers that have a more heart shape.

10. Amaryllis Bulb Kit

I received one of these kits from a good friend…and it’s really fun! These kits come with everything you need:

• Amaryllis bulb
• Planter
• Soil
• Instructions

It’s a beautiful plant to watch unfold during the winter months. Here is a white amaryllis that comes with a matching white ceramic pot.

Romantic Rustic Wedding

11. Reclaimed Wood Slice Ornament

You could hand-letter your wedding date or your favorite quote onto the surface, attach a pretty ribbon, then place on an ornate tray for your guests to pick up. This Etsy seller sells wood slices from fallen aspen trees in Colorado.

12. Plantable Paper Menus, Programs, or Place Cards

Plantable paper is not only beautiful, but such an excellent eco-friendly choice. This seller creates plantable paper made from donated, post-consumer waste that’s embedded with wildflower seeds. You can get gorgeous prints on darling heart-shaped cards, along with other items like plantable table numbers and plantable menus.

Depending on what plantable papers you choose, let your guests know they can take them home and create their own butterfly and pollinator gardens.

Even though I lived on Etsy during my wedding planning, I didn’t know about these options and really wish I had!

13. Swedish Dish Cloths

Swedish dish cloths are like reusable paper towels. They dry fast, can be disinfected in the microwave or washed in the dishwasher, and composted after they’ve run their course.

My Swedish dish cloths are three years old and still work well, so they obviously last a long time!

14. Trashie Donation Bag

Trashie responsibly recycles clothes, shoes, accessories, and linens. If you know your audience and know they’d enjoy a Trashie bag, go for it! The cheerful colors are perfect for a vibrant wedding theme or tropical backdrop.

I write about Trashie clothing recycling here and include a full list of things they take, including purses, belts, hats, costumes, holiday décor, and comforters!

15. Plantable Seed Pens

Okay, say WHAT? When I discovered these pens, I could see all my dreams coming true! Also, wish I had found these earlier. You can even add personalization, like your names and wedding date or a special quote.

After use, plant the entire pen in the ground and let the seeds inside take root! Literally, how brilliant!

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Dreamy Beach Wedding

16. Reusable Shopping Bag or Tote

Reusable shopping totes are wonderful for welcome bags or guest favors. We used some exquisite (if I say so myself) bags to welcome guests at the hotel and packed them with snacks, hand sanitizer, tissues, notepads, headache meds, and indigestion tablets. Many of our guests toted them all around the resort over the weekend!

Envirosax makes some beautiful shopping totes in all kinds of amazing patterns. I use the Envirosax brand and used another brand for my wedding. That pattern is sold out right now, though! I know, SAY IT AIN’T SO!

But there are SO many delightful designs out there, so I have faith you’ll find the ones for you!

17. Handmade Wine Cork Coasters

If you’ve got a surplus of wine corks hanging around, you can create coasters for your guests. There are many tutorials online, including how to make your own natural glue.

Another way to find free corks for your coaster project is to check with your local Buy Nothing Project community on Facebook. I love this neighborhood swap resource! You can always find something unique, plus people who will adopt your pre-loved treasures, too.

18. Shampoo & Conditioner Bar Sampler

Pamper your guests with plastic-free hair care! I love these shampoo and conditioner bars by /liv/ Nature. They come in cute travel tins, so they’re easy to pack up for the trip home.

Ethique also makes a sweet heart-shaped sampler. This particular cruelty-free kit includes two shampoo bars and two conditioner bars. They also offer samplers in groupings of three.

19. Travel Pillow with Carry Case

What I love about this travel pillow is that it comes with a protective case which, if you’re also grossed out by icky airplane germs and public loos, then you’ll love that, too! This pillow was on Oprah’s Favorite Things list for 2024.

20. Travel Laundry Bag

Your guests may have forgotten a mini laundry bag to take back dirty clothes or damp bathing suits. I bring a bag on every trip and it helps sort the clean clothes from the grimy ones!

I love this set of two laundry bags with handles! The designs are super seaside chic, too! They could also be wonderful for a wedding in the mountains.

21. Reusable Metal Straws

These reusable metal straws come with a tiny cleaning brush and carrying case. I have several and they’re really comfortable to drink out of. They’re compact enough to fit in your purse or bag and can be hung on a keychain.

If your budget allows, serve your reception beverages with metal straws and share why! Especially with visiting a natural habitat for sea turtles and other marine creatures, this is a good reminder for us all.

22. Rose Quartz Gua Sha

Rose quartz and jade are soothing to your skin and your guests may enjoy a little pampering after being on a sun-drenched or windy beach. I have this set that comes in a reusable storage box. It’s a thoughtful gift for all ages and genders.

23. Vegan Lip Balm

While I have your attention, I’m going to tell you about my favorite vegan lip balm! Gifting your guests with hydrated, kissable lips will be a welcome surprise over an oceanside weekend.

Available in Unscented or Peppermint, this vegan lip balm is housed in paper and ZERO PLASTIC. Girls and guys alike love it, too. (Just ask the guy who lives with me!)

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24. Handcrafted Headbands & Handkerchiefs

If you sew or are generally crafty, you could gift your guests with haute headbands and handkerchiefs! Whether it’s an old shirt with an awesome pattern (but now has a hole in it!) or some scrap fabrics just hanging around, turning these gems into handmade gifts will be unforgettable to those you love.

25. Personalized Beach Towel

Any type of gift that can be easily used long after the event tops my list for environmentally friendly wedding favors. While I think some knickknacks and tchotchkes are really cute, I believe items that are equally fun AND functional cut down on unnecessary waste. Ask yourself, “Would I keep this for later use?” If so, you’re on the right track for picking your gifts.

On a recent girls’ trip, one of my sweet friends gifted each of us a beach towel monogrammed with our names. It was so creative and thoughtful. Pretty sure your guests will feel the same way!

26. Jute Planter

A tiny little planter, with or without a plant inside, is such a memorable memento from a day of “I do’s” on the sand. These tiny baskets by Starfish Project aren’t only for greenery, but can be used to hold odds and ends or jewelry.

Jute is also compostable, so while you’re giving back to an honorable, life-saving organization, you’re also giving out environmentally friendly wedding favors,

I’m honestly salivating over this wedding hair clip
by Starfish Project. It is SO BEAUTIFUL.

When you purchase from Starfish Project,
you help women get to freedom
and recover from harmful circumstances.

It’s a purchase of love.

Enchanted Fairytale Wedding

27. Glass Candy Jars

Fill a beguiling, vintage glass jar with locally-made taffy or your favorite candies. These mesmerizing glass jars with wooden lids will be a delightful keepsake from your wedding day.

Do consider your guests’ travel arrangements, though. For those flying, glass jars may be difficult to bring back home. However, you could add in a gift of a tea towel or beach towel to cushion it in their suitcase. If you go that route, don’t forget to share directions on how to bring their gift back home. Your loved ones will appreciate your kind consideration because, YES YOU DID think of everything!

28. Jewelry Case for Travel

Let me just say, no one does not NOT like travel jewelry cases! They’re ADORABLE!

The Blake Travel Case Jewelry Bag is vegan leather, compact, and CUTE! With every purchase, a tree is planted in British Columbia, Canada.

This is also a great gift for your wedding party!

It’s also made by a company who is climate positive and working diligently to make environmentally friendly products. Read more about them here.

29. Macramé Art

Macramé has such a boho, fairytale feel and it’s something anyone can do! (Okay, I haven’t personally done it, but I know a macramé expert and he says it’s possible for all!)

You can save big bucks by creating your own designs. Start with a very basic pattern and build from there. I believe in you!

30. Vintage Dinner Bells

To be extra sustainable, go on a thrift store treasure hunt to find eclectic antique brass bells for each guest. You may need to make several trips to several different stores but, if you’re into that kind of thing like I am, this will be exciting!

Let the bells do double duty and have guests ring them for your end-of-night exit! Attach a little thank-you note or quote to each bell with instructions.

31. Biodegradable Water Bottle Made from Corn-Based Plastic

Compostable plastic is out there, but you have to do a bit of searching. That’s why you have me!

This cycling bottle is biodegradable and made from corn-based plastic, It’s designed to break down into the soil after multiple uses. I haven’t tried one of these yet, but I’m super curious.

If you want to dress it up, wrap a wide, thick jute ribbon around the middle and tuck a sprig of dried flowers near the knot. Make sure you inform your guests that they can plant their bottles in their garden. Do this with an attached plantable tag or sign on your favors table.

This bottle is 70% wheat-based. While it still has some plastic components, the manufacturer is working toward a solution to go 100% plant-based.

32. Natural Handmade Raffia Fans

Natural raffia can be composted and will break down back into the earth, so you can add it to your garden! Especially if your wedding is outdoors, a whimsical raffia fan is welcome to your guests and can be displayed as décor when they get back home.

If possible, look for natural materials, made with eco-friendly and ethical practices, and created by local artisans.

Still need gifts for your wedding party?
I got you!

Check out these sparklers from Starfish Project.
They have stuff for men, too!

Jetsetter Destination Wedding

33. Gift Card for a RideShare Service

Your guests may be hopping all over town during the wedding weekend, so offering them a free ride is a great gift. You can also use this opportunity to stress safety in areas they’re not familiar with and to always use a reputable rideshare service if they’ve had drinks.

Encourage carpooling, so that guests can stretch their rideshare benefits even more, plus get to know each other better!

34. Reusable Makeup Remover Cloths

After a long night of dancing under the stars, guests will want to crash on their cushy hotel beds and snooze away. Just add water to these reusable makeup remover cloths and wipe off all that makeup while under the cozy covers.

35. Terrapass Carbon Offsets

Even if you’re the eco-friendliest of the eco-friendlies, your wedding will still produce waste, carbon dioxide emissions due to air and vehicle travel, electricity and water usage, meals, and tons of other tiny details that require energy.

This is NOT to make you feel bad! This is just reality! But there are ways to offset our impact to the environment. Terrapass is a company that funds positive climate projects to help restore the balance to the earth’s damage. And they have wedding packages!

To learn more about Terrapass, I write about them here.

36. Beautiful Letter on Plantable Paper

One way you can show your gratitude to each guest is to include a note on plantable paper. Tell each individual how thankful you are for them or share a story that illustrates why you love them so much.

Afterwards, guests can keep their notes forever by snapping a pic with their phones, then plant the paper at home in their new wildflower gardens, thanks to you!

Environmentally Friendly Wedding Favors Wrap

At this point, I hope you’ve found some magical ideas for environmentally friendly wedding favors. If you’ve been inspired by this post, please let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear what sparked your imagination!

Congratulations on your engagement! I’m wishing the best for you and your love.

Environmentally Friendly Wedding Q&A

Are there environmentally friendly wedding vendors?

Yes! If you have a wedding planner, that’s an outstanding place to start. Wedding planners know everyone and can help you pick products and services that align with your values. For example, there may be nearby florists that create bouquets and arrangements without using floral foam blocks. You could also check into locally-grown produce or sustainable event venues.

What kind of difference do you think we’re making by adding environmentally friendly elements?

Each time you choose greener options, you’re reducing your carbon footprint and establishing positive habits. In addition to that, you’re spreading awareness and inspiring social responsibility. We can’t do everything, but we can do something! Each person matters.

What if my partner wants meat served at our reception and I don’t?

Eating less meat does help the environment, but it’s also important to work with your partner on the menu. (Hey, you’re going to have a lifetime of working together…practice begins now!) It’s a tricky situation, too, because many guests will expect a hearty meat and potatoes type of spread…and I’m sure some of your family members aren’t lacking opinions on this subject!

Use your intuition and, if anything, you can provide options for all diets: vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten-free, and the meat and potatoes peeps. BUT, if your dream is to go all vegan, go for it! It’s your day and a good chef can work culinary miracles for all tastes.

What are some environmentally friendly ways to honor the memory of a loved one(s) at our wedding?

You can do this in endless ways!

• Wear a piece of jewelry that was special to your loved one.
• Gift mini saplings to your guests and ask them to plant their trees in memory of your person or fur baby.
• Play one of their favorite songs during the ceremony or reception.
• Put their photo in a pretty frame you already own and set in a chair of honor OR on a memory table.
• Include a story about them in your toast.
• Name a signature drink or dessert after them.
• If you have a locket, add their photo and wear it on your big day.
• Embroider their name inside the skirt of your dress or the lining of your suit jacket.
• Add their favorite color into your wedding theme.
• Incorporate a distinctive element into your design. Maybe it’s your dog’s face on the cocktail napkins or centerpieces that include your cherished aunt’s collection of antique treasures. For my wedding, Jon’s daughter was the flower girl and she carried her petals in my great-grandmother’s candy dish.

Do I have to give out wedding favors?

If you’re doing a very green, zero-waste wedding, then opting out of favors can be a part of the theme. However, it’s still an elegant gesture to include an expression of gratitude to your guests, whether it’s a special menu item, donation to an ocean conservancy, or a thank-you card.

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