Wedding favours can easily spiral into a $400-plus line item when you're buying pre-made options retail. These seven DIY wedding favour ideas keep the cost between $0.15 and $1.22 per guest, all using materials from Canadian retailers including Dollarama, Bulk Barn, Costco Canada, and Michaels Canada.
The Golden Rule for Cheap Wedding Favours Canada: Eat It or Plant It
One insight that comes up consistently in Canadian wedding communities: guests are far more likely to take home and use a favour they can eat, drink, or grow. A keychain with your wedding date? It ends up in the bin. A jar of infused sea salt they'll use for months? That sticks around.
Every idea on this list is either edible or plantable. That also keeps costs down, since you're sourcing consumables in bulk rather than ordering custom-manufactured keepsakes. For cheap wedding favours Canada-wide, bulk sourcing is the move that makes the math work.
Three stores handle most of the supply work for budget wedding favours:
- Dollarama for glass jars, treat bags, twine, and basic craft supplies
- Bulk Barn for ingredients (candy, coffee, chocolate, salt, spices)
- Michaels Canada for stamps, ribbon, and specialty packaging (always use the 40% off one regular-priced item coupon before buying anything here)
7 DIY Wedding Favours
1. "Let Love Grow" Wildflower Seed Packets
Estimated cost: $0.72 per guest
Wildflower seeds are among the most popular cheap DIY wedding favours right now, and the cost is hard to beat. West Coast Seeds offers regional wildflower blends native to different parts of Canada, so you're not inadvertently introducing invasive plants into your guests' gardens. A 25g bag runs about $15.99 and covers roughly 25 guests at $0.64 per envelope.
Pick up kraft mini envelopes from Michaels at about $6.99 for a 50-pack ($4.20 after the 40% coupon, roughly $0.08 each). Total per favour: around $0.72.
Instead of printing individual labels, use a custom rubber stamp with your initials and "Let Love Grow" to seal the envelopes. It's faster to produce in volume and adds a quality that printed stickers rarely match.
Assembly time: 1-2 minutes per packet.
2. "The Perfect Blend" Coffee Bags
Estimated cost: $0.37 per guest
Coffee is one of the most practical edible wedding favours you can offer. Bulk Barn's French Roast beans run $2.89-$3.19 per 100g. A 10g portion (enough for one pot) costs about $0.29 per guest.
Kraft or glassine favour bags from Michaels come to about $0.08 each after the 40% coupon. Fill each bag with roughly 1/4 cup of whole or ground beans, seal with a sticker or tag, and label it "The Perfect Blend." Total per favour: around $0.37.
Assembly time: 2 minutes per bag.
3. Mini Canadian Maple Syrup Jars
Estimated cost: $1.22 per guest
Individual decorative maple syrup bottles from gift shops often run $5 or more each. The DIY version closes that gap considerably. Pick up a 1L jug of Kirkland Signature Organic Maple Syrup from Costco Canada (around $15.99 per litre), then head to Dollarama for 50ml or 100ml glass jars with corks, usually $1.25-$1.50 for a 4-pack.
At a 50ml fill per guest, one litre covers about 20 guests. With jars factored in at approximately $0.42 each, the total lands around $1.22 per favour. Sterilize the jars before filling to preserve shelf life, and tie a length of red-and-white twine around the neck.
Assembly time: 5 minutes per bottle. Use a funnel. Pouring maple syrup without one is slow and messy.
4. DIY S'mores Kits
Estimated cost: $1.10 per guest
S'mores kits work well for outdoor or summer weddings and land well with guests of all ages. Bulk Barn carries everything you need: graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate squares. Buying these components in bulk brings the ingredient cost to about $1.00 per kit.
Cellophane treat bags from Dollarama (50-pack for $1.50, about $0.03 each) keep the packaging cost low. Assemble two graham crackers, one marshmallow, and two chocolate squares per bag. Secure with twine. Total: around $1.10 per kit.
To elevate the presentation, use the Michaels 40% coupon to grab a sheet of decorative cardstock and cut bag toppers with your names and wedding date. It adds maybe two minutes per kit and makes a visible difference on the table.
Assembly time: 3 minutes per kit.
5. Herb-Infused Finishing Salt
Estimated cost: $1.00 per guest
Infused salts look polished and are practical for anyone who cooks. Coarse sea salt from Bulk Barn runs about $0.50 per 100g. Pick up dried rosemary, lemon zest, or chili flakes from the same aisle.
Small spice jars from Dollarama (3-pack for $1.25-$1.50, about $0.42 each) hold the salt well. Mix the salt and herbs together in a large bowl first, then fill individual jars. Include a small tag with a suggested pairing, like "Rosemary Salt: try it on roasted potatoes." Total: around $1.00 per jar.
Assembly time: 10 minutes for bulk mixing, then 2 minutes per jar.
6. "Mint to Be" Treat Bags
Estimated cost: $0.78 per guest
After a long night of food and dancing, guests appreciate something to freshen up with. Scotch mints or peppermint candies from Bulk Barn run about $1.50 per 100g. A 50g portion per bag brings the candy cost to $0.75.
Small organza drawstring bags from the wedding aisle at Dollarama or Michaels, or plain treat bags from Dollarama at $0.03 each, keep packaging costs minimal. Fill each bag with 10-12 mints and add a "Mint to Be" tag. Total: around $0.78 per bag.
Assembly time: 2 minutes per bag.
7. Washi-Tape Tea Lights
Estimated cost: $0.15 per guest
If the budget is extremely tight, this is the option that makes Dollarama wedding favours supplies stretch the furthest. A bulk pack of unscented tea lights brings the cost to about $0.10 per candle. A single roll of washi tape ($1.25 at Dollarama) covers about 25 lights.
Wrap one strip of washi tape in your wedding colours around the metal rim of each tea light. That one step turns a plain utility candle into a personalized, handmade wedding favour. Give each guest a set of three tied together with a ribbon: total cost around $0.45 per set of three, or $0.15 per individual light.
This one is easy to do while watching a film, which makes assembling 150+ pieces much less tedious than it sounds.
Assembly time: 1 minute per light.
Cost Comparison: All 7 Inexpensive Wedding Favours at a Glance
| Favour Idea | Primary Source | Estimated Cost per Guest |
|---|---|---|
| Washi-Tape Tea Lights | Dollarama | $0.15 |
| "The Perfect Blend" Coffee | Bulk Barn | $0.37 |
| Wildflower Seed Packets | West Coast Seeds + Michaels | $0.72 |
| "Mint to Be" Treat Bags | Bulk Barn + Dollarama | $0.78 |
| Herb-Infused Finishing Salt | Bulk Barn + Dollarama | $1.00 |
| DIY S'mores Kits | Bulk Barn + Dollarama | $1.10 |
| Mini Maple Syrup Jars | Costco Canada + Dollarama | $1.22 |
Tips for Assembling Handmade Wedding Favours Without the Stress
Start Early with Non-Perishables
The washi-tape tea lights and wildflower seed packets can be assembled months in advance. Get those out of the way early and store them in labelled boxes. Save the edible options like the S'mores kits and coffee bags for one to two weeks before the wedding to keep everything fresh.
Run an Assembly Party
Invite your wedding party or family over for a favour assembly night. Provide snacks, put on a playlist, and you can finish 100 or more favours in a single evening. It turns a repetitive task into a pre-wedding memory.
Don't Skip the Favour Station Signage
Small favours get lost on a busy reception table. Set up a dedicated display with a clear sign. Small chalkboards or gold-rimmed frames from Michaels work well for this. A simple "Please take one" sign ensures no guest leaves without noticing the favours.
Label Allergens on Edible Favours
For S'mores kits, coffee bags, or anything else containing common allergens (wheat, dairy, soy, tree nuts), print a small ingredients list on the back of the tag. It takes a few extra minutes per batch and prevents questions mid-reception.
Shopping Tips for Wedding Favours Canada: What to Know Before You Go
A few things worth knowing before buying supplies for your cheap DIY wedding favours:
- Dollarama stock varies by location. If you find the exact jars or bags you want, buy your full quantity immediately. Specialty glassware and seasonal craft items often don't get restocked once sold out.
- Bulk Barn discounts add up. Many locations offer a 10% discount for seniors and students on Wednesdays. Some locations run a "Sustainable Sunday" discount when you bring your own containers (check your local Bulk Barn flyer, as this varies by province).
- Michaels coupon strategy. The Michaels Canada website almost always has a 30-40% off one regular-priced item coupon available. Never buy stamps, favour boxes, or ribbon at full price.
Frequently Asked Questions About DIY Wedding Favours Canada
Are wedding favours necessary?
No, they're optional. Many couples skip them entirely without any complaints. If you do include them, keeping the cost under $1.50 per guest means they won't meaningfully impact your overall wedding budget.
How much should you spend on a wedding favour?
A common guideline is $1-$3 per guest. All seven options on this list land within or well under that range. For a 100-person wedding, even the priciest option here (mini maple syrup jars at $1.22 each) comes to $122 total, compared to $300-$500 for pre-made equivalents.
What kinds of wedding favours do guests actually keep?
Edible and plantable options consistently get taken home. Treat bags, infused salts, wildflower seeds, and coffee bags tend to travel well. Anything with a practical use after the wedding performs better than decorative keepsakes.
Where can you buy wedding favour supplies in Canada?
- Dollarama for jars, bags, and packaging basics.
- Bulk Barn for edible ingredients in bulk.
- Michaels Canada for craft supplies, but only with their 40% off coupon.
- For the maple syrup idea, Costco Canada's bulk jugs are what make the per-unit price work.
Prices and availability are based on research conducted in March 2026 and may vary by province and store location.
