Wedding favors are one of the last things couples plan and one of the first things guests take home. A small box of chocolates, a mini candle or a welcome bag at the hotel says "thank you for being here" before or after the big day. The packaging is what makes those little gifts feel personal instead of generic. This guide walks through how to choose wedding favor boxes and welcome bags — style, size, finish and quantity — whether you are a couple planning your own wedding, a planner, or a small brand making favors for clients.
Favor boxes, gable boxes or welcome bags: which one do you need?
Start with what goes inside and where guests will receive it. Each format has a different job:
- Favor boxes — small printed boxes that sit at each place setting. Ideal for chocolates, cookies, a mini candle, a soap bar or a small jar of honey. Our custom party favor boxes are made from 350 gsm paperboard and can be personalized with names, a date and your wedding colors.
- Gable boxes — boxes with a built-in handle that are easy to carry. They work well for treats, a dessert table take-home or kids at the wedding. Custom gable boxes come in 350 gsm paperboard or white E-flute corrugated (corrugated is UV printed only).
- Welcome bags — paper bags with fabric handles for out-of-town guests at the hotel, bridal party gifts or a rehearsal dinner. Our custom wedding welcome bags come in four sizes and hold snacks, water, a map or a small itinerary card.
Many couples combine two: a favor box at the table and a welcome bag at the hotel, printed with the same design so everything looks like one set.
Step 1: Choose the right size
Measure the favor itself, plus anything that goes around it — tissue, a ribbon, a small card. A box that is too big lets the contents slide around; a box that is too tight is hard for guests to open.
For welcome bags, the four standard sizes cover most needs:
- 4 × 2 × 6 in — a small gift: jewelry for bridesmaids, a candle tin, a few chocolates.
- 5 × 3 × 7 in — a compact favor bag with a treat and a note.
- 6 × 3 × 9 in — room for snacks, a water bottle and a schedule card.
- 8 × 4 × 10 in — a full hotel welcome bag or a bridal party gift set.
If none of these fit, custom sizes are available for boxes and bags. For more help with measuring, read how to choose the right custom box for your product.
Step 2: Pick a finish that matches your wedding style
The finish changes how the packaging feels in a guest's hand and how it looks in photos:
- Matte — soft, low-glare and elegant. A safe choice for neutral palettes and fine script names.
- Gloss — bright color with shine. Good for bold, colorful or tropical-themed weddings.
- Soft touch — a velvety matte surface that feels premium. Popular for bridal party gifts.
- Gold or silver foil — metallic names, monograms or borders that catch the light. Match the foil to your invitations, rings or table decor.
A classic combination: a white or cream box with gold foil initials and the wedding date. If you want to see and feel the finishes first, order the PackGroove Sample Box before you commit to a full run.
Step 3: Personalize the design
Wedding favors are small, so a simple design usually looks best:
- Names and date — the most common and most timeless choice.
- A monogram or crest — reuse the one from your invitations for a consistent look.
- A short thank-you line — "Thank you for celebrating with us" or "Love is sweet."
- Your wedding colors — one or two colors are enough on a small surface.
You can upload your own artwork — for example, files from your invitation designer — or choose "Design it for me" for +$29 and tell us the names, date and colors you want. Either way, check spelling, dates and small text closely on your digital proof before production.
Step 4: Plan your quantity and timeline
Count your guests, then add a few extras for vendors, last-minute guests or damaged favors. PackGroove orders start at just 3 pieces, so you can:
- Order a test set first. Get a few boxes or bags, fill them with your real favors and make sure everything fits.
- Split by purpose. Order favor boxes for the reception and a smaller number of larger welcome bags for hotel guests or the bridal party.
- Leave time for the proof. Production takes 1–3 business days after you approve the proof, plus shipping. Order with comfortable time before the wedding so you are not assembling favors the night before.
Curious about what drives the price of a small custom order? See our custom packaging cost guide.
Wedding favor packaging ideas
- Sweet table favors: chocolates or cookies in custom chocolate boxes with the couple's names in foil.
- Candle favors: a mini candle in a printed box — a gift guests actually use at home.
- Hotel welcome bags: a 6 × 3 × 9 in or 8 × 4 × 10 in bag with snacks, water and a weekend schedule.
- Bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts: a soft touch bag or box with each person's name.
- Kids at the wedding: gable boxes with a handle, filled with treats or small activities.
- Finishing touches: seal tissue with custom stickers or add a custom thank you card inside each favor.
For planners, bakeries and favor makers
If you make favors for couples — a bakery, a candle maker, a soap maker or a wedding planner — custom packaging helps your work stand out at every event. Because orders start at 3 pieces, you can print a different design for each couple without overstocking. Orlando-area bakeries and boutiques can keep a branded box for everyday orders and a personalized version for weddings.
Quick checklist before you order
- Measure the favor with everything that goes inside.
- Choose box, gable box or bag — or a matching combination.
- Pick a finish, or order the Sample Box first.
- Prepare your names, date, monogram and colors — or choose "Design it for me."
- Proofread the digital proof carefully. Custom items are made to order and cannot be returned; if a mistake is ours, we reprint at our cost.
Order your wedding favor packaging
PackGroove prints everything in-house: orders from 3 pieces, production in 1–3 business days, custom sizes available, and free US shipping on orders from $75.
Personalize your wedding favor boxes or design your wedding welcome bags today. Want to see everything together? Browse the Party & Gift Packaging collection.