Soap as a wedding favour?

[jumperweather]

They'd be personalised or have our names on.

What do people think of this?

Thank you

[JerichosPenisInADeadChickHat]

"I'd also avoid scratch cards. What if someone one really really big?"

Well that's what you'd be hoping for surely?!

[londongirl12]

I think edible things are the way to go. Male guests are not going to put something non edible (soap, candle holder etc) in their pockets. And lots of women have small bags which just about fits your purse, phone and some make up in. There's no room for other things....

[fastwigglylines]

@jumperweather

Yeah, I think 70 something soaps in a room probably would change the scent of it!

(Hopefully we get married this year!)

We were already thinking of having a Sweet cart /station area - I'm all for that actually!
So this would be purely helping her out, and I think my DP doesn't care what we do really, and said it was up to me! So obviously I came to the very wise Mumsnet!
She is more DP's friend than mine. She is a very lovely, awesome person! I just didn't picture soaps at my wedding!

I'm also then wondering if it means I'd have to be totally laid back about everything and just leave her to it, and not know what they smell like or look like or how they'd be packaged as I'm not paying for it....so that stresses me out?
Although I'm sure she'd send me photos and samples if I wanted them.

I'm torn between being a bitchzilla and saying no and a OhI'mNotSureAboutThisZilla and saying yes!

You're not being a bitchzilla to say no. Please don't be railroaded into it.

Lots of people are sensitive to over-perfumed stuff. You could end up giving your guests headaches. Home made soap can smell awful if they're not great at it. I have some given to me by a young woman who was setting up a business and I find the smell irritating, I've never used it.

[schmockdown]

It's weird, will smell and mostly get left behind. How do you fit a bar of soap in a clutch?

[Nonamesavail]

Not sure id want a soap with names on.

[plg21]

If you feel you should be supportive, I'd go for putting them in a basket on a separate table with a note asking people to help themselves. Not on the table as I'd be worried about the smell.

That said, I don't know anyone that still uses soap and I'm guessing that use has gone down during covid.

[Lucindainthesky]

I can't believe somebody gave lush soap as favours. The reception must have really stank.

[Grapesoda7]

I wouldn't want a Soap with somebody else's name on. Or bar soap at all really. I agree that the smell could be overpowering, I can't stand the smell walking past Lush!

The tunnoch teacake sounded great, I get really hungry at weddings, especially when you've had the ceremony, waited for the photos and then have to wait for the meal. As a guest, I'd rather have some nibbles or canapés as soon as I'm at the reception venue than a favour

[movingonup20]

Don't bother, most people don't take them home - stick to a truffle in a little bag or something else edible. That said I managed to go 3 years without buying soap after one family wedding, most people left them on the table and my dd (autistic) unknown to me collected them up and put them in her bag!

[Freshprincess]

At best I’d put it in my handbag, forget about it and then throw it away months later when I next used my bag. Assuming it’s hotel sized bar, a proper full size bar, I’d leave on the table.
At worst it would trigger a migraine (I’m really sensitive to strong chemical smells, Lush makes me heave).

Bring back the sugared almonds, I say.

[NewYearNewPlumbing]

I wouldn’t want anything scented anywhere near my food.

But then I view all ‘wedding favours’ as tat. Unnecessary expense, unnecessary environmental impact. Just put an extra bottle of wine in each table, much better hospitality.

[NewYearNewPlumbing]

If she is offering this as a promotional thing say you are not actually doing table favours, esp scented soap, but would love to offer them (a limited number) in a basket where people can help themselves, and attach her business card to them.

You could put them in the ladies! Hmm, maybe not , she might be a bit insulted.

[NaughtipussMaximus]

@SionnachRua

Wouldn't waste any time or money on favours. At a push maybe edible (or drinkable) ones. Scratch cards arent a bad idea too.

But honestly most of the keyrings/ wood tags/ candles/ pencils (all wedding favours I've been given before) are absolute tat.

My friend had these sort of sparkly little charms which were very cute and pretty but most people left theirs. I took mine home but then wondered wtf I was supposed to do with it and it’s now in in drawer somewhere, taking up space.

OP, make them edible or drinkable!

[whatwedontknow]

Don’t do it. Definitely not with your name on and even worse that your DP friends DH is trying to use your wedding to promote business. Are they going to leave a business card with the sample?

I wonder if he has discussed his offer of making 70 personalised soaps for free with his DW? Don’t give his ..just a thought.. text, any headroom.

[icelollycraving]

I love a soap but probably not, no.
It would alter the fragrance of the room. As pp pointed out, it’s s a bit like Anthea Turner
I remember spending ages looking at favours. No one really wants them unless they can enjoy them there. Women don’t want to carry anything beyond their bag, men don’t want them. Little bottles of Prosecco are ok if they were personalised. Saying that, I’d be wondering if that was the extent of the free drinks!

[whatwedontknow]

@NaughtipussMaximus oh that reminds me one wedding I went to had hand made wine charms as favours, which were lovely especially when the table was busy.

[NaughtipussMaximus]

I’m actually considering digging mine out again as I think it’s the kind of thing 6yo DC would like to use as ‘treasure’ in a game... my hoarding tendencies paying off!

[NailsNeedDoing]

I love most wedding favours and I’d love receiving a little soap, but I would feel weird about using it if it had your names on it. It would be like washing you away down the drain and I couldn’t do it. Sorry, I’m weird like that.

PPs point that they will change the smell of the room is far more important, I hadn’t thought of that! If you’re going to do it, definitely make sure they’re packaged so there’s no smell.

[idontevenknowanyonecalledblurb]

I'm not sure about soaps- I don't know many people who use hard soap. We made a donation to a premature baby charity as our son was prem and gave everyone a little pin badge pinned to a card. We also had everyone's name made out of wood as their place marker- so most took that as a little keepsake too.

[Arrierttyclock]

I'd do something edible. All the non edible favours are always left on tables. I'm welsh and my husbands English and we had welsh cakes which went down well

[squeezeapplesmakejuice]

Ummm I like soap but it has to be good quality usually
Homemade soap.
If the soap is cheap then no way
Also I wouldn't want to wash myself using soap that has the names of the bride and groom on it

I think I would either 'accidentally' leave it at the venue or donate it

[FinallyHere]

Our wedding was admittedly way back in the 20th century... for favours I bought a box of sugared almonds wholesale.

Tied them up ( seven in each bubble) in Ivory creme net, with a ribbon to close. I expected people to taken them home but loads were eaten on the spot.

Making those favours was my favourite part of all the wedding prep.

[NaughtipussMaximus]

It was always sugared almonds when I was young - my parents would bring them back when they’d been to a wedding without us and share them out. But I suppose there’s much more awareness of nut allergies now.

[jumperweather]

I'm really appreciative of everyone's responses.
Some really good points to consider, a lot I hadn't really thought of.

I would like to support her somehow but I don't want to offend her by suggesting we put some samples in the loo! Even though it's a good idea.....

My OH is becoming annoyed with me, and I think he's already regretting having mentioned it!

I've started to realise that I'm actually a really anxious person as this decision and the thought of saying no is really taking over my brain!