Giving your guests something special will turn your wedding into a precious memory that will prolong the magic of this exceptional day. Beyond traditional wedding favours, discover how to choose refined gifts that reflect your personality and the elegance of your celebration.
Why give gifts to your wedding guests?
Guest gifts are much more than just a tradition in the French art of entertaining. They embody the elegance of the gesture and the quintessence of Provençal hospitality, where every detail counts to honour those who do you the honour of sharing this sacred moment.
These signs of attention show your gratitude to those who share the happiest day of your life. Although not obligatory, these gifts are increasingly appreciated and expected by guests.
These small tokens, heirs to the aristocratic traditions of offering sugared almonds as a sign of prosperity, have become a contemporary extension of your celebration. They allow your loved ones to take away a fragment of this memorable day, while perpetuating the delicate art of gratitude.
Each gift tells a story, the story of your union and the love you have for those around you.
A tradition steeped in history and symbolism
Inherited from aristocratic customs where sugared almonds were offered as a sign of prosperity, this modern custom has its roots in the art of entertaining. It symbolises the exchange of happiness and the transmission of the family values on which your new union is based.
The opportunity to share a little of your story or the theme of your union through a carefully chosen gift reveals your attention to detail. This approach fits perfectly with the refined spirit of a wedding in Provence,where each element contributes to creating an exceptional atmosphere.
How do you choose original, personalised wedding gifts?
1. Gourmet and refined gifts
Savour the richness of Provence's terroir with mini jars of homemade jam made with seasonal fruit, sachets of shortbread biscuits scented with orange blossom, small bottles of vintage extra virgin olive oil or mixed rums with Mediterranean spices. Presented in glass containers personalised with your names and surrounded by Provençal fabric, these delights will delight the taste buds while prolonging the emotion of your special day.
2. Plant and symbolic gifts
Keep your love alive with mini succulents in local ceramic pots, sachets of lavender seeds to sow marked with your wedding date, or delicate bouquets of dried lavender tied with satin ribbons. These eco-friendly gifts, grown with respect for Provençal biodiversity, symbolise the growth of your union while recalling the timeless beauty of the Jardin des 3 Fontaines.
3. Scented gifts and well-being
Extend the sensory ambience of your wedding with candles scented with lavender and verbena, handmade soaps made using traditional Marseille soap methods, or sachets of salt flavoured with Provencal herbs. Presented in olive wood boxes engraved with your initials, these gifts will offer your guests a moment of well-being in their daily lives.
4. Personalised and unique gifts
Discover other original ideas: key rings engraved with your initials, leather bookmarks with your wedding date, small mirrors with a personalised message or notebooks with a romantic quote. These everyday objects, imprinted with your story, will naturally find their place in the lives of your guests.
Engraved cups, magnets with your photo or personalised labels. These useful objects will keep the memory of your union intact.
The originality of a gift does not necessarily lie in its cost, but in the choice and presentation that make it unique. Consistency with the theme of your wedding is the common thread running through this selection, creating perfect harmony with the atmosphere of your celebration.
Personalization is the key to transforming a simple object into a precious keepsake. Incorporating your first names, the date of your wedding, or a personal message gives each gift a special emotional dimension, reflecting the attention to detail in a tailor-made wedding.
Thinking about the theme of your wedding, the season and your personality will help you choose gifts that reflect who you are. This prior reflection ensures that your gifts are perfectly in tune with the general atmosphere of your celebration.
Gourmet and refined gifts: an explosion of Provençal flavours
Gourmet treats are a sure-fire choice and universally appreciated by your guests. These delicacies offer the advantage of satisfying all palates while creating a moment of shared pleasure.
Local Provencal products, such as small flasks of olive oil personalised with a label bearing your name, sachets of calissons d'Aix presented in organza pouches, homemade jams in glass jars adorned with fabric or local honeys accompanied by a small wooden spoon, evoke the gentle Mediterranean way of life and remind your guests of the beauty of this exceptional region.
Plant and symbolic gifts: nature as a token of your love
These plants are the perfect embodiment of harmony with nature and the symbolism of the growth of love. These eco-friendly gifts have a lasting appeal and a message of hope.
Mini succulents, seed packets to sow or small bunches of dried lavender will extend the magic of your wedding garden well beyond this special day.
A timeless gesture, these attentions are transformed into lasting memories, just like the garden of the Château des 3 Fontaines, abundant and eternal.
Scented gifts and well-being: an invitation to relax
Scented gifts offer your guests a moment of well-being and relaxation, extending the sensory experience of your wedding. Delicately scented candles or handmade soaps create a soothing atmosphere.
These attentions allow your loved ones to rediscover, in the privacy of their own home, the subtle fragrances and refined ambience of your celebration at the Château des 3 Fontaines.
Personalised and unique gifts: the imprint of your story
To add an unforgettable touch to your guest gifts, you have several options: engrave your initials intertwined on glass tumblers, print your wedding photo on souvenir magnets, embroider the date of your union on ribbons around sachets or create personalised labels for homemade jam jars. Every detail counts to turn a simple present into an emotional memory.
Personalised items tell your story and create a lasting bond between your guests and this special day. These made-to-measure gifts show the special attention you pay to each of your guests.
Engraved tumblers, key-shaped bottle openers and embroidered napkins combine utility with personalisation, ensuring that your gift will find its place in the everyday lives of your loved ones.
What budget should you set aside for guest gifts, and how useful are they?
Here are a few examples of average prices to help you estimate your budget:
| Type of gift | Examples | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Gourmet gifts | Mini jam jars, biscuit bags | 3 to €8 per piece |
| Plants present | Succulent plants, seed sachets | 5 to 12€ per unit |
| Perfumed attentions | Handmade candles, soaps | 6 to €15 per gift |
| Customised objects | Personalised jewellery | 50€ or more per person |
The budget issue needs to be approached realistically and pragmatically. Allow for around 15% more gifts than your number of guests to anticipate unforeseen events. For intimate family weddings, you can opt for more elaborate touches, while for large receptions, small uniform gifts will make the logistics easier.
There are elegant options to suit all budgets, from the most economical gifts to the most refined attentions.
Focusing on the quality and relevance of the gift rather than the quantity guarantees a stronger emotional impact. A carefully chosen and elegantly presented gift is better than an expensive but impersonal object.
The gift's usefulness is a guarantee that it will not be forgotten or neglected.
For a harmonious distribution, plan a dedicated space near the exit or place each attention next to the place cards. A few days before the event, make fabric bags or kraft boxes decorated with ribbons for a chic, uniform look.
A practical gift that accompanies your guests in their daily lives, regularly reviving the memory of your union.
The real challenge lies in the gesture, the intention and the memory they create. These intangible values go far beyond the financial dimension of your investment.
Offering a little attention is not an obligation, it's a thoughtful gesture that transforms gratitude into a tangible, loving memory.
The essentials for your guest gifts
In your quest for the ideal guest gift, a few basic principles will guide your choice towards attentions that are as elegant as they are memorable.
Frequently asked questions about guest gifts
When to give the gifts?
Ideally at the end of the reception, placed near the exit or next to the place cards for a harmonious distribution.
How should they be presented?
In fabric pouches or decorated kraft boxes for an elegant, uniform look that reflects the refinement of your wedding.
Should gifts be differentiated? You can create subtle variations for different categories of guest (family, witnesses...).
When to order? At least 2 months before for personalisation and final assembly 15 days before.
Whatever your choice, focus on three key elements:
Customisation Add your first name, your date or a touching message that will leave a lasting impression.
The usefulness : Choose objects that your guests will cherish and use every day
Harmony : Choose gifts that are perfectly in keeping with the theme and spirit of your wedding
These touches, however small, will become precious memories of your big day.
The search for the perfect gift starts by reflecting on the essence of your relationship and the atmosphere you want to create. This harmony between the gift you choose and the atmosphere of your wedding will ensure perfect cohesion.
Aligning your gifts with the sumptuous setting of the Château des 3 Fontaines creates an elegant synergy that enhances your celebration. This consistency is a testament to your attention to detail and your desire to offer an exceptional experience.
Let your intuition be your guide and don't hesitate to seek professional advice. For peace of mind: 3 months in advance, define your budget and select 2-3 gift options; 2 months in advance, order the essentials and plan the personalised finishing touches; 15 days in advance, proceed with the final assembly and packaging.
for a harmonious selection. The expertise of an experienced wedding planner can guide you in this delicate choice.
At Château des 3 Fontaines, we understand that every detail contributes to the perfection of your celebration. Let us be your guide.
The Château des 3 Fontaines team