Engraved wedding favors are on my list of wedding items that if your wedding budget is tight you would be better off without them. The sad fact is that lots of your favors will end up being forgotten, either on the table at the reception or tucked away in a drawer at home.

You already know the wedding guests that will love the engraved photo frame with your names and wedding date; grannies, mums, aunties and old family friends. If your heart is set on engraved wedding favors buy them for these guests only. For the rest of your guests buy the same gift but without the engraving, they are more likely to treasure the gift as they would be happy to have it displayed at their home. The hard fact is if you put your name on it and if they remember to take it home it will have a short life on display.

To make your engraved wedding favors more appealing you could keep it simple with a thank you engraved on it or a discreet date and initials. This way you are saving yourself money and giving a gift that is appreciated and used.

The best favors to give are those that will be used, for men a pen knife or a watch - these are practical gifts and avoid the engraved tankards and cufflinks, they will be worn or used at the wedding but it is unlikely anyone will wear 'bestman' engraved cufflinks anywhere else. Unless they can't find any other cufflinks when they are getting ready one day! And I don't know anyone that will bring out an engraved tankard for a relaxing beer at home!

If you have the money the best engraved wedding favors are those that are personalized with your guests names, a beautiful jewellery box or a watch with a bridesmaids name engraved on it will be treasured for years.

If you are ordering engraved wedding favors it is worth talking with companies that provide corporate gifts, you will find that they will be more competitive as they are not quoting prices with that magical wedding mark up! Before you order just think will your guests appreciate the extra cost of the engraving?