The Complete Guide
Rehearsal Dinner Favors: 25 Thoughtful Ideas From $1.49 (2026)
The night before the wedding sets the tone for everything that follows. The right favor turns a dinner into a memory your wedding party keeps for years.
The rehearsal dinner is where the wedding weekend actually starts. Your closest people, the ones doing the work of standing up for you, deserve a favor that feels personal. This is not the occasion for a generic candy bag at the table. It is the moment to give them something they will actually carry home, something that says "you were there at the beginning."
Good news: you do not have to spend much to do it right. The ideas below run from $1.49 per guest up to $10, and most can be personalized with your names and date at no extra cost. Browse by category, then use the comparison table at the bottom to narrow down the right style for your wedding party size and budget.
All favors are available at Forever Wedding Favors' Rehearsal Dinner collection and ship in 5 to 7 business days.
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1. Koozies and Can Coolers
Koozies are the most practical rehearsal dinner favor because they get used the same night. Every guest opens a drink, the koozie goes on the can, and your name is right there. Order one per guest and they leave with something they will use again at every backyard cookout, tailgate, and beach trip for the next decade.
Order a few extras beyond your exact headcount. Koozies often travel home with guests in a pocket or a bag, and having 5 to 10 spares means you will not run short at the table.
2. Shot Glasses and Champagne Flutes
If your rehearsal dinner includes a toast (most do), putting a personalized glass at each place setting turns the toast moment into a favor pickup. Guests raise the glass, you clink, and they already have their takeaway. Shot glasses work for casual dinners; champagne flutes suit a more formal setting.
3. Candle Favors
A small candle at a rehearsal dinner table pulls double duty: it sets the mood during dinner and goes home as the favor. Choose a style that fits your wedding aesthetic. For intimate, candlelit rehearsal dinners, a candle favor doubles as decor and takeaway at the same time.
4. Bottle Openers and Wine Accessories
Metal bottle openers and wine stoppers are the rehearsal dinner favor that genuinely gets used. They go in a drawer or on a keychain and come out every time someone opens a drink. The best ones have a personalized engraving or print that makes them feel considered, not generic.
Browse the full bottle opener favor collection and wine stopper collection for additional styles.
5. Playing Cards and Small Keepsakes
Personalized playing cards make a versatile rehearsal dinner favor because they double as table activity and takeaway. If your dinner runs long before the toasts, a deck at each table keeps energy up and the night memorable. Guests keep the deck and use it at home for months.
6. Budget Picks Under $2 Per Guest
Rehearsal dinners rarely have the same per-person budget as the wedding itself. These options land under $2 each without looking cheap at the table.
Quick Comparison: Which Favor Style Is Right for You?
| Favor Type | Price Range | Best For | Personalization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shot Glass | $1.79 to $2.09 | Casual dinners, large groups | Names and date printed |
| Koozie | $4.69+ | Outdoor or relaxed settings, beer-heavy crowds | Names and date, choice of color |
| Candle Favor | $3.49 to $4.00 | Formal dinners, intimate settings | Names, date, monogram options |
| Bottle Opener | $2.99 to $3.64 | Couples with a beer or cocktail crowd | Printed text or engraving |
| Playing Cards | $3.99+ | Dinners where guests linger at the table | Custom deck artwork, names and date on cover |
| Matchbox | $1.49 | Very large groups, minimal-budget dinners | Names printed on cover |
| Wine Stopper | $3.69+ | Wine-focused dinners, upscale events | Engraved names or motif |
How to Choose the Right Rehearsal Dinner Favor
Match it to the vibe of the dinner
A backyard rehearsal dinner with a keg calls for koozies. A private dining room at a restaurant calls for a candle, a champagne flute, or a wine stopper. Think about what guests will be drinking and doing, and pick a favor that fits naturally into that setting.
Scale your budget by guest count
Rehearsal dinners typically have 15 to 60 guests. At 20 guests, a $4 per-person favor costs under $80. At 60 guests, a $1.79 shot glass costs under $110. Either is very manageable. If you are over 50 guests, the matchbox or shot glass keeps costs controlled without sacrificing the personalization.
Order early, not the week of the wedding
Standard shipping is 5 to 7 business days, so ordering at least 2 to 3 weeks before the dinner gives you a comfortable buffer. If something arrives with a defect or a wrong print, you have time to replace it without emergency shipping costs.
Think about what complements your wedding favors
If your wedding favors are shot glasses, the rehearsal dinner might be a good place to give koozies instead, so guests have two distinct keepsakes. Coordinating the two events without duplicating them is a small detail that makes the weekend feel considered.
All the styles above, plus dozens more, are available in the rehearsal dinner favors collection. You can also browse by playing card favors, candle favors, and bottle opener favors to compare styles side by side.
Rehearsal Dinner Favors: Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to give favors at a rehearsal dinner?
No, favors are not required. But they are a warm gesture for the people doing the work of standing up for you, and they are one of the more affordable ways to make the night feel special since your rehearsal dinner guest list is much smaller than the wedding itself.
Should rehearsal dinner favors match the wedding favors?
They do not need to match, but they should feel like they come from the same couple. Using the same names and date on both is enough to create a cohesive feel across the two events. Choosing different product types (shot glasses at rehearsal, candles at the wedding) gives guests two distinct keepsakes rather than duplicates.
How far in advance should I order rehearsal dinner favors?
At least 2 to 3 weeks before your rehearsal dinner. Standard shipping at Forever Wedding Favors is 5 to 7 business days, and building in a week of buffer means you have time to address any issues without emergency shipping costs.
What is the most popular rehearsal dinner favor?
Koozies, personalized shot glasses, and bottle openers are consistently the top three. They are affordable, practical, and get used the same night. Candle favors are popular for more formal, sit-down rehearsal dinners.
Can I personalize rehearsal dinner favors with a custom message?
Yes. Most favors at Forever Wedding Favors accept your names, wedding date, and a short message or sentiment. Personalization is included in the listed price on most styles.
What is a good rehearsal dinner favor for a large group (over 50 guests)?
Shot glasses ($1.79), mini mason jar shot glasses ($1.79), and personalized matchboxes ($1.49) are the best options for large groups. All three are personalized, look great at a table, and stay under $2 per guest. At 60 guests, matchboxes total under $90 including personalization.
Are rehearsal dinner favors different from wedding favors?
Not necessarily in type, but typically in scale and tone. Rehearsal dinner favors often feel slightly more personal and casual since the group is small and you know every person there. Wedding favors tend to be more uniform since they cover a larger, more mixed guest list.
Ready to order? Browse the full rehearsal dinner favor collection and find the style that fits your wedding party, your venue, and your budget. Ships in 5 to 7 business days.