Last Updated on October 9, 2024 by SampleBoard
More people are tying the knot outside the confines of four walls, and with good reason.
In 2022, 72% of weddings took place partially or fully outdoors, mainly because outdoor weddings are opportunities to bring sunlight and fresh air to a romantic affair like your wedding day.
Additionally, open spaces are more straightforward for decorators to work with, and there’s nothing wedding photographers Sydney love more than working with lots of natural light.
However, there’s one con to outdoorsy nuptials: sun exposure.
From discomfort to skin and eye damage, the effects of UVA and UVB rays can persist with you and your guests long after you’ve said “I do.”
This is particularly true when you have a multi-day wedding celebration over a weekend.
For your guests, this can negatively color their experience of what should be a happy occasion.
This is where wedding favors can help. For some couples, the dilemma of whether or not to provide wedding favors can be tricky.
You want to communicate so many things: your personality as a couple, an affirmation of appreciation towards your guests, and even your wedding theme.
But at the same time, you want to be mindful of costs and minimize waste.
This is why the practical route is the best one: ensuring that your guests don’t accidentally (or purposefully) leave favors on the tables when all is said and done.
At the same time, these favors can be the perfect way to offer on-theme sun protection for your guests! Below are a few options you can consider.
We’ve all been to a wedding where the couple gave out impractical party tokens.
Sure, personalized trinkets or mini-figurines of the bride and groom are meant to memorialize the couple and their special day, but they’re usually relegated to the “miscellaneous” drawer afterward.
Consider gifting sunglasses, then, as something you’re sure your guests will use during the wedding ceremony itself and hopefully beyond.
While you won’t want to break the budget if you are gifting every guest with a pair of sunglasses, if you are only gifting the families, bridesmaids, and groomsmen, you may want to splash out.
Credit: Ray-Ban on Instagram
Sunglasses from an established brand demonstrate how much your closest friends and family mean to you and offer the best protection during a summer day.
Brands like Ray-Ban offer legendary styles that suit everyone, such as the Aviator and Wayfarer styles. They even have a customization service that will allow you to tailor them to your special day.
Prescriptions are also available for these frames, allowing you to order a unique pair for your parents or grandparents.
The great thing about sunglasses is that they not only provide sun protection but also combat any glare that could prevent your guests from truly appreciating the beauty of your ceremony and wedding venue.
The sun doesn’t discriminate, whether your outdoor wedding is at an idyllic garden or on the beach with the waves nearby.
This brings us to another great wedding favor: individual sunscreens.
Brands like Best Day Ever Spot even offer customized sunscreens, so you can have each tube feature a guest's name or your wedding monogram.
Credit: Best Day Ever Spot on Instagram
Instead of positioning a large bottle of sunscreen at the venue entrance, which can feel transactional, consider these smaller bottles for your guests to take home and use on their next day out.
Ensure your sunscreens are at least SPF 50 and broad spectrum for prime protection. If you can also find a lighter formulation, that would be even better so your guests don't feel greasy throughout the day.
Ventilation is also an issue for outdoor events, so you’ll want to give your guests a way to cool off without having to leave their seats prematurely to cool off in the venue’s air-conditioned areas.
Hand fans will do the trick if you're looking for a timeless solution.
In many cases, you can even get your fans embroidered or printed with your theme.
Alternatively, battery-powered handheld fans are a great wedding favor idea that your guests aren’t going to leave behind.
These fans come in a variety of colors, too, so you can easily find some that complement your wedding color scheme.
Some couples may opt away with wedding favors entirely, which is fine, too. After all, it’s your wedding day, and you call the shots.
But when it comes to a wedding where the elements are a factor, you’ll want to be considerate of your guests by giving them something to keep their skin safe from the sun.
It's a lovely bonus that they can use your thoughtful gift even during their next beach day or outdoor adventure.
