Weddings come along with a lot of stuff. And all that stuff can create a lot of waste in just a single day. If you’re trying to limit your environmental impact as you’re wedding planning, there are plenty of ways to work with your vendors to keep that footprint small—like these eco-friendly wedding favors and gift ideas, for example!
Renting items instead of buying, opting for biodegradable disposable goods, or featuring locally-sourced produce on your menu are some excellent ways to transform your wedding into an eco-friendly affair. But all those gifts you’re giving out to your loved ones is a particularly great place to start.
Typical wedding favors (boxes of treats and bags of goodies for instance) tend to fill trash cans, increase your carbon footprint, and completely disregard the needs of the planet. Ready to make a change? Check out these eco-friendly wedding favors and gift ideas that everyone will love—including the planet!
All products featured on Brides are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
See more: Eco-Friendly Wedding Registry: Everything You Should Ask For
Something for the Bride...
Naja Bella Strappy Bralette and Mila Brief
Treat the bride-to-be with a bachelorette party staple that’s also environmentally-conscious. Lingerie brand Naja offers a selection of eco-conscious bras and panties made from recycled plastic fabric and printed using advanced technology that helps reduce water consumption and minimizes the amount of waste water being put back into the environment.
SHOP NOW: Naja, $45 for the bralette and $22 for the brief
Something for the Groom...
Iris Skateboards Pointbreak Complete
If the groom is more often seen cruising the sidewalks than in the car, give him an upgrade with a skateboard that’s made from, well, skateboards! Iris Skateboards uses old boards that would otherwise end up in a landfill to create completely one-of-a-kind boards that feature eye-catching stripes and, according to the founder, they ride as good as they look.
SHOP NOW: Iris Skateboards, $250
Something for Guests...
Love By Bean Organic Seed Bomb Favors
Gussy up guests’ gardens as you do good for the planet. Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds are drawn to fragrant wildflowers, and stick around to help other plants grow and thrive. Make starting a garden easy by giving each guest a pack of seed bombs as a favor. They can simply be scattered on top of soil—the paper is biodegradable, so no digging required! Choose colors to match your wedding palette, and watch your love grow as guests near and far plant the seeds!
SHOP NOW: Etsy, $450 for 150 packs of three
Something for Guests...
Fair Trade Coffee Favors
Gift your friends and family the perfect blend. Every morning, when they brew their fair trade coffee, they'll think of you and your oh-so chic, eco-friendly big day.
SHOP NOW: Etsy, $2.95
Something for Guests...
Air Plant Wedding Favors
Give your guests the gift of green! These teeny tiny air plants are just too cute. Plus, adding houseplants to your space can help improve the air quality in your home.
SHOP NOW: Etsy, starting at $5.99
Something for Guests...
Posh Stainless Steel Reusable Water Bottles
One of the easiest ways to reduce your impact is to swap disposable water bottles for a reusable version. This stainless steel design features a chic matte finish in muted colors, a spill-proof cap, and double-wall insulation to keep drinks colder, longer. Skip the logo for a simple addition to your welcome bags, or upgrade to a custom-printed version so guests won’t forget your wedding weekend.
SHOP NOW: DiscountMugs, starting at $5.87 each for 100
Something for Guests...
Baggu Reusable Bags
All reusable bags are not created equal. If you’re going to invest in giving your guests reusable bags—whether for your weekend welcome bags or your favors—look for a tote that’s made of an earth-friendly material and that will be long-lasting, so it'll be a small impact while you purchase as well as in the long-run. Baggu’s Ripstop Nylon bags are made from 40% recycled material, so they’re eco-friendly but still durable. Plus, when you’re done with the bag, you can send it back and they’ll work with the American Textile Recycling Service to make sure it doesn’t wind up in a landfill. And the over 20 colors and pattern choices certainly don't hurt either!
SHOP NOW: Baggu, $12
Something for Guests...
Local Treats, like Cape Whoopies Maine-iac Whoopie Pies
Everyone loves snacks! Reduce your carbon footprint by filling welcome bags with local treats instead of buying in bulk from online retailers. Your guests will get a delicious taste of the region you’ve chosen for your wedding, and you’ll be supporting local businesses! If you’re tying the knot in Maine, for example, share a whoopie pie with each guest for a real taste of the East Coast.
SHOP NOW: Cape Whoopies, $59.00 for 12
Something for Guests...
Reef-Safe Sunscreen
If you’re tying the knot in the warm summer months, you may want to give your guests sunscreen to protect their skin. But some sunscreen products can cause coral reefs to become bleached and damage local waterways (a major concern especially if you’ll be at a coastal destination), so choosing the right product is more important than ever. Take care of guests’ skin and coral reefs with a reef-safe sunscreen in a convenient travel size.
SHOP NOW: Reef Safe Sun, $3.50 each
Something for the Wedding Party...
Allbirds Runners and Loungers
Take the guesswork out of gifting by choosing a single gift for all of your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Allbirds sneakers use a tree fiber sourced from South Africa that uses 95% less water than cotton, wool from New Zealand that requires 60% less energy than synthetics to produce, sustainably sourced and renewable Brazilian sugarcane (that removes carbon from the atmosphere as it grows!) for the soles, and a recycled plastic bottle for every pair of laces.
SHOP NOW: Allbirds, prices vary
Something for the Wedding Party...
Bridesmaid Gift Box
Pop the bridesmaid question with this box of goodies from Lauren Conrad's fair trade company that empowers female artisans all over the world.
SHOP NOW: The Little Market, $56
