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This is a revolution...! An idea for a "Favor Marche" where guests choose their own favors 🧺
2023.01.24 published
What to Do About Favors?
Favors as a Thank You for Monetary Gifts at Weddings
There are two main patterns for giving favors:
✅ The couple chooses the items
✅ A catalog gift is given
Many couples opt for catalog gifts so guests can choose items they like because there’s a chance that the couple's chosen items might not fit the guests' tastes or that the guests might already own the items.
However, some feel that catalog gifts can be a bit impersonal, and the system fees might seem wasteful, making it quite a dilemma on which option to choose.
I Want to Try a Favors Marche or Gift Marche♡
While the traditional options for giving favors are either providing selected items or a catalog gift...
A trend that has recently started to gain popularity is called "Favors Marche" or "Gift Marche."
In this approach, the couple selects several types of items and arranges them like a market at the farewell space, allowing guests to choose their desired items from there. ♡
It's a fantastic idea that combines the best aspects of normal favors and catalog gifts…!
It’s also nice because guests can enjoy this as part of the wedding entertainment♡
There are still many who are unaware of the Favors Marche.
First, let’s discuss how to implement it and the key points to prepare! ♡
<What to Prepare for a Favors Marche?>
The first step is to consider what to prepare for the Favors Marche.
A traditional favor consists of:
✅ A main favor
✅ Sweets
✅ Auspicious items
The standard is to prepare three items or prepare two items by omitting the auspicious items.
Many couples base the main favor on the expected monetary gift amount (e.g., for friends, a monetary gift of 30,000 yen corresponds to a 3,000 yen favor; for teachers or bosses, a gift of 50,000 yen corresponds to a 5,000 yen favor).
Therefore,
✅ For families or bosses who usually receive a greater variety of gifts, the main favors should be prepared for each seat while guests can pick two items—sweets and auspicious items—from the Marche
✅ If most guests are friends, include the main favor in the Marche, allowing them to choose from three items
Let's consider how to handle the main favor and decide the content of the Marche! ♡
<How to Choose Items for a Favors Marche>
It seems ideal to prepare 5-10 different types of items for each category (favors, sweets, auspicious items, etc.) for the Marche.
Consider what items might delight each guest while imagining who would enjoy which items! ♡
✅ Items likely to please women (cosmetics, skincare, sweet snacks, etc.)
✅ Items likely to please men (alcohol, glasses, snacks, etc.)
✅ Items likely to please those with families (towels, body washes, condiments, etc.)
✅ Items likely to please those living alone (hand soap, instant food, rice porridge, etc.)
✅ Items likely to please those from far away (card-type catalog gifts or smaller snacks, etc.)
✅ Other catalog gifts (like alcohol or category-separated catalog gifts for home decor)
Apart from the items, also prepare:
✅ A large bag for guests to use when selecting items, ensuring any combination will fit inside
✅ Cards placed beside products detailing the item's name and the reason for choosing it
✅ A paper explaining the Favors Marche and the products (this could also be incorporated into the seating chart or profile book)
Let's get organized! ♡
<When to Hold the Favors Marche?>
The Favors Marche is typically held either:
✅ During the banquet
✅ When sending off guests
Both options seem common.
Holding it during the banquet can be enjoyable as part of the entertainment, and it allows for interaction as guests choose items. ♡ (It's often announced at each table, which also creates a nice opportunity for guest photos!)
The couple can act as attendants and share why they chose each item, saying things like, “I thought you might like this one!”
However, since the Favors Marche can be time-consuming, it may be challenging to incorporate it into the banquet if there are many other events or performances.
When held during farewells, it might mean less time for in-depth conversations with the couple, but it allows for guests to smoothly enjoy the Favors Marche. ♡
(Some couples even opted not to prepare small gifts if they held the Favors Marche at the farewell!)
<Points of Caution for Favors Marche>
One important aspect to consider when conducting a Favors Marche is “who will take what?”
For example, couples or families attending usually give one monetary gift, so typically, only one favor is prepared.
However, since a Favors Marche allows “one item each,” couples or families may become confused about whether to take just one item or if they can take two.
It's essential to communicate clear instructions ahead of time, so don't forget to inform guests!＊
For instance, along with the name plates, include messages like,
“We plan to hold a Favors Marche afterward. The XXX family can take two main favors and also prepare two sweets for YYY and ZZZ, so please pick a total of four items.” This will help guests feel at ease participating! ♡
I’ve gathered experiences from brides who have conducted or are preparing for a Favors Marche to share how they went about it and what they prepared! ♡
Experience 1
MIYU, who will hold her wedding at the Risol no Mori in Chiba♡ (@0319_wedding)
<Contents of the Favors>
✅ John Masters Organic - Body Milk, Shampoo
✅ OLAPLEX - Shampoo, Conditioner
✅ uka - Nail Oil
✅ Blue Bottle - Instant Coffee
✅ suuw. - Fabric Softener
✅ Aesop - Hand Cream
✅ Classic SUGOI - Mini Bath Towel
✅ Jurlique - Body Wash
✅ ACCA KAPPA - Shaving Foam
✅ Clarins Men - Face Wash
✅ Craft Beer Catalog Gift
✅ Actus Catalog Gift
✅ Thermos - Tumbler
✅ KINTO - Tumbler
(Items considered but not selected)
✅ waphyto - Body Wash
✅ track - track oil
✅ Clinique - Shaving Foam
✅ Stylish bottles of sake or whiskey
<Number Prepared>
I prepared exactly 60 items for 60 guests!
<About the Bags>
I am preparing marche bags, and for items without original wrapping, I will use ribbons ♡
<Message to Brides Considering a Favors Marche♡>
I have often received favors and thought, “I already have this,” or “I’m not a fan of this design,” so I wanted everyone to select their favorite items, which is why I chose a Marche format!
I focused on disposable items, selecting more gender-neutral cosmetics, but also prepared a catalog gift for guests to choose their favorite from that selection!
The overall cost is about 3,300 to 3,800 yen!
Although traditional favors are commonly sold around 4,000 yen for a 3,300 yen catalog, it feels like the bride loses out. However, since I prepared various items for the Marche, I believe that’s mitigated, and if purchased strategically during sales or at lower prices, I’m glad I went with the Marche!
I made sure to not have too wide a price gap, focusing on recognizable brand items that I thought, “I’ve always wanted this, but it’s a bit too expensive for me!”
Additionally, I paid attention to the overall appearance! If all the packages have dull colors, it may undermine the festive feel when arranged together, so I kept the external appearance in mind!
Experience 2
Sami, who held her wedding at THE GATEHOUSE in Nagoya♡ (@ah_wedding_account)
<Contents of the Favors>
The main item was a Barneys New York catalog gift (card type), which was placed in the favor bags on guests' tables!
I prepared 11 different types of sweets and drinks, allowing each guest to choose two!
✅ AND THE FRIET Potato Snacks
✅ TOKYO TULIP ROSE Tulip Langue de Chat
✅ Coffret Chaton Cat Box Chocolate
✅ Raw Onion Soup
✅ Kanou Shoujuan Chocolate Monaka
✅ AKIBI BAKERY Traveling Tea
✅ 100% Yamagata Apple Juice
✅ Blend Coffee
✅ Moretti Beer
✅ Mon Chere Rose Financier
✅ Lulumerie Chocolate Sable
<Number Prepared>
I ensured everyone could take two sweets or drinks.
With 27 guests, I needed at least 54 items, but to ensure the last few guests would still enjoy selecting, I prepared around 65 items!
Some types had 10 units, while others had around 5!
<Guest Reactions and Popular Items>
Guests exclaimed, “Wow! This is amazing! It’s my first time!” and I was very pleased!
Coffee and beer were popular among male guests!
For female guests, sweet treats like the rose financier and cat-themed chocolates were favorites!
<About the Bags>
I purchased tote bags in three designs from Konishi Seisakusho, using them randomly for guests' chairs!
<Message to Brides Considering a Favors Marche♡>
Preparing the Marche was a bit challenging, but it felt like opening my own shop, and the preparation was enjoyable!
Imagining the happy faces of guests, I selected cute packages!
Although you need to prepare a generous amount, it’s fun to enjoy any leftovers!
We did not provide a small gift, opting for a farewell at the end!
Just be cautious of the timing! Food and drinks do have expiration dates, so be careful about that~
Also, it’s necessary to be prepared for carrying much more! Lol
Experience 3
Maiko, who held her wedding at Karuizawa Club Ariake-tei♡ (@my_mai_days)
<Contents of the Favors>
As a small gift, we conducted a vegetable Marche featuring veggies grown by family! ♡
<Number Prepared>
Double the guest count plus about 20 extra (two for each guest)
<Guest Reactions and Popular Items>
Guests were very pleased, commenting on how delicious the vegetables served during the banquet were!
After taking them home, they received wonderful feedback praising their taste!
<About the Bags>
I initially provided tote bags for all guests to use as favor bags.
<Positive Feedback♡>
Since I wanted to introduce veggies made by my family to guests, I was thrilled to see them enjoy them firsthand and hear reports of how delicious they were afterward!
Experience 4
Kanam1, who held her wedding at Century Court Marunouchi♡ (@m1yako_wedding)
<Contents of the Favors>
- Main Favors
✅ Marvis Toothpaste
✅ uka Hand Soap
✅ suisavon Soap
✅ Weleda Bath Additive
✅ Giovanni Body Scrub
- Sweets
✅ Okinawa Trip Coffee
✅ Two types of local curry from Yamanashi
✅ Shinshu Mochi
✅ Maruhachi Seicha’s Sencha and Genmaicha
✅ AND THE FRIET (five types)
- Auspicious Items
✅ Two types of Kayanoya Dashi
✅ Seven types of Kayanoya Dashi
<Number Prepared>
Each item was divided by theme and counted across the guest count plus an additional 5-10 items as a buffer. ☺
<Guest Reactions and Popularity>
The most popular items were Marvis toothpaste, uka hand soap, Okinawa trip coffee, and Shinshu mochi!
<About the Bags>
I ordered jute bags online for my favors (which closely resembled Muji bags).
I confirmed the size by ordering one beforehand and then prepared the required number.
<Message to Brides Considering a Favors Marche♡>
I was thrilled that everyone was exceedingly engaged with the event!
The feedback was overwhelming, with several guests saying, “What’s this?! So much fun! I was really torn about what to choose!”
Some friends even chose completely different items in groups, and they each appeared to have a lovely time💘
For brides who will host a Favors Marche, I hope you’ll enjoy yourselves from the selection stage onward!
Occasionally, popular items might run out quickly, but as long as guests enjoy choosing from what remains, it’s not so critical to stress about item quantities. ☺
Also, it helped me to have themes like auspicious items, main items, etc., as that made deciding the contents easier. I suggest using standard auspicious item categories as references!
Moreover, avoid having too many items available for selection, as that can slow down the decision-making process once guests start hesitating. ✨
Experience 5
Miho, who held her wedding at NEST by THE SEA in Aichi♡ (@wd___mi)
<Contents of the Favors>
✅ Four types of catalog gifts
✅ Hand soap
✅ Towels
✅ Daily necessities like toothbrushes
✅ Sweets
✅ Tea
✅ Coffee
✅ Face masks
✅ Bath salts
<Number Prepared>
✅ Guest count × 3 items + 2 as a buffer
<Guest Reactions and Popular Items>
Both male and female guests enjoyed it! ☺️ Particularly, Aesop hand soap and Mariage Frères tea were popular among female guests, while unique or limited-edition sweet treats were popular among all genders. 🍫
<About the Bags>
I ordered canvas eco bags online, designed for easy carrying and that could be reused.
<Message to Brides Considering a Favors Marche♡>
The Favors Marche allowed all guests to stand up and interact, which encouraged conversations with everyone🫶🏻 It was wonderful to observe guests chatting happily with each other and between my friends and my parents as well! 🥹
Plan the offerings with guests’ ages, genders, and modes of return transport while considering various perspectives. 🛍 A larger variety of items keeps it fun for guests and also looks great when displayed! 🐰🤍 While selecting the items, I let their packaging guide my choices for a stunning display.
Since the Favors Marche deviates from standard gift practices, it's crucial to explain the concept and process to guests! ☺️📝
(Miho created these informative cards for her guests♡)
Experience 6
Rino, who held her wedding at Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court♡ (@rn_prebride)
The venue, Bleston Court, offers services for Favors Marche!
<Contents of the Favors>
Dressings and compotes unique to Karuizawa, alongside sweets and craft beers
<Number Prepared>
I’m not sure about the individual quantities as everything was handled by Bleston Court, but all items were prepared generously to ensure that even guests arriving later could engage in the selection process.
<Guest Reactions and Popular Items>
Since it was a completely novel Favors style, all guests were happy. Karuizawa-themed dressings and compotes were especially popular and vanished almost instantly.
<About the Bags>
The gifts were part of the Bleston Court gift Marche plan and included Muji-like bags.
<Message to Brides Considering a Favors Marche♡>
Doing the Favors Marche was incredibly rewarding! It looked fantastic in photos, and it was wonderful to see guests socializing before the reception began, ensuring they were pleased.
Experience 7
Tomoyo, who held her wedding at Esprit de Nature♡ (@ty.wd0730)
<Contents of the Favors>
I turned the sweets into a Marche with pastries from my previous patisserie!
<Number Prepared>
I prepared 60 items for 52 guests, creating about 13 different gift options, including baked goods and jams! ✨
<Guest Reactions and Popular Items>
Guests loved being able to choose from various options and greatly enjoyed the experience! 🤍
Large shareable pound cakes and jams were particularly popular among families, while smaller bags filled with madeleines were well-received by friends.
During the farewell, many guests showed off their selections, and I received numerous photos! 🥰
<About the Bags>
I mainly used the venue's bags (as souvenirs and auspicious items were ordered from the venue).
For guests without bags, I ordered random bags with my patisserie order and distributed about 15.
<Message to Brides Considering a Favors Marche♡>
It was rewarding to see guests delighted, and I felt truly happy to offer something I passionately wanted to give to those I love! 🤍
However, preparing everything was quite a challenge. Organizing orders and meetings, arranging layout space, and writing product cards and explanations were all part of the effort!
My venue was extremely kind and proactive in suggestions, but I recommend consulting with them as early as possible regarding fees and layout space (I began my preparations about half a year in advance!).
Nonetheless, I believe it was one of the best decisions I made!
Wishing you a delightful preparation journey! ♡
Experience 8
Serika♡ (@serika_0423)
<Contents of the Favors>
- Favors
I chose items that are widely recognized and suitable for both genders.
✅ Aesop Mouthwash
✅ THREE Hand Soap
- Sweets
I picked items I knew to be delicious based on my prior experience and that had aesthetically pleasing packaging.
✅ Blue Bottle Coffee
✅ AND THE FRIET, etc.
<Number Prepared>
I arranged items so that each of the 47 guests could select one sweet and one item from the general selection, preparing three extra each for a total of 50.
(Each selection was facilitated by calling guests in groups of six.)
<About the Bags>
I prepared Muji jute bags as favor bags for guests’ tables.
<Guest Reactions and Popularity>
Guests appreciated well-known items across genders!
During the gift Marche, we, the couple, stood behind the selection area and explained the gifts to guests, allowing us to interact more with friends and creating valuable opportunities for photos.
Since some guests were focused on chatting with friends and only took items from one category, there ended up being some excess compared to our totals.
It was essential to keep expiration dates in mind when preparing sweets, especially for baked goods, which needed to be ordered in advance for pickup the day before the event.
I ensured that regardless of what combinations guests chose, everything would fit within the prepared favor bags! ♡
A Fun, Enjoyable Favors Marche♡
The Favors Marche (Gift Marche): a fresh wedding entertainment and favor distribution method!
Check whether your venue can accommodate this (as this is still a new approach, many venues may not have prior examples), select items, prepare explanations and cards for the Favors Marche, meet your MC to plan announcements, and think about your display arrangements—organizing everything can be quite demanding.
However, those who have tried it reported, “I’m so glad we did it!” and that “Guests loved it!” It seems to have been a fulfilling experience for everyone involved! ♡
If you’re interested, do reach out to your venue!＊
Available at Marry♡
Here are recommended items for your Favors Marche!
① Drip Bag Coffee
② Ring-shaped Lace Sables
