Planning a wedding in northern Minnesota? Whether you’re tying the knot lakeside or in the Northwoods, incorporating your home state’s culture and charm into your wedding favors is a fun and personal touch your guests will love. Here’s 19 Minnesota-themed wedding favor ideas that celebrate the Land of 10,000 Lakes in unique and memorable ways.
1. Mini Bottles of Maple Syrup
Give your guests a taste of Minnesota’s sweetest tradition—pure, locally tapped maple syrup. These tiny glass jars can be adorned with a custom label that says “Love is Sweet” along with your wedding date. Pair them with a rustic wooden spoon or a pancake recipe card for a cozy, breakfast-themed gift. For a true Minnesota treat, consider birch syrup.
2. Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox Cookies
Celebrate Minnesota folklore with sugar cookies shaped like Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. These cookies can be iced in your wedding colors or decked out in classic lumberjack style. Package them in clear bags with a cute “From the Land of Giants” tag for a nostalgic and playful treat.
3. “Minnesota Nice” Candles
Locally made candles labeled “Minnesota Nice” or other cheeky phrases like “Uffda!” or “Up North Vibes” make elegant and practical favors. Choose scents that reflect the Northwoods, like pine, birch, lake breeze, or wild blueberry. Bonus points for a custom label featuring your names and wedding location.
4. Traditional Lefse in Personalized Packaging
Share a beloved Scandinavian staple with your guests—soft lefse rolled with butter and sugar. Wrap it in wax paper and tie it with twine or ribbon, adding a custom tag that reads “A Taste of Our Heritage.” It’s a heartfelt nod to Minnesota’s strong Norwegian roots.
5. Hotdish
While you can’t give every parting guest a 13 x 9 hotdish, you can create a spin on the classic. Why not tie your grandma’s famous hotdish recipe (or Tim Walz’s) to a wooden spoon or a can of cream of mushroom soup? It’s a light-hearted twist on the ever-popular comfort food that is oh-so-Minnesota.
6. Custom Minnesota-Shaped Magnets or Ornaments
Gift guests a small keepsake they’ll actually keep—custom magnets or Christmas ornaments shaped like the state of Minnesota. This is especially nice if you have multiple guests arriving from out-of-state. You can mark your hometown, wedding location, or even include a heart over your wedding location. Materials like wood, leather, or ceramic give these favors a handmade, earthy feel.
7. Wild Rice Favor Bags
Share Minnesota’s official state grain by packaging a small amount of wild rice in a decorative bag. Add a tag with your favorite recipe (like creamy wild rice soup or a citrus-y wild rice salad) and a note about how wild rice grows naturally in Minnesota lakes and is sacred to local Indigenous cultures.
8. Lutefisk Gag Gifts
Not for the faint of heart—or nose! Tiny “Emergency Lutefisk” jars or funny tags like “Smells like grandma’s house at Christmas” bring a lighthearted joke to your wedding favors. Use gummy fish inside the jars for a less polarizing (and more edible!) twist on this Minnesota classic.
9. Minnesota Honey Jars
Support local bees and give guests a taste of liquid gold with mini jars of Minnesota honey. Perfect for tea lovers or those who appreciate natural sweetness, these jars can be tied with a ribbon and labeled with “Meant to Bee” or “Thanks for Bee-ing Here.”
10. North Shore Pebble Keychains
Lake Superior is not the sandy shores that many visitors expect. Rather, her tumbled black stones pile up on shore to create a rocky beach. Use these unique stones to create minimalist, nature-inspired gifts. You can leave the pebbles in their natural form or paint initials, dates, or symbols onto them. A beautiful way to bring a piece of the North Shore to your guests.
11. Sota Clothing or Love From MN Stickers
Custom vinyl stickers featuring Minnesota-shaped designs, local slang, or cute phrases like “Lakeside Love” or “Sota Sweethearts” make affordable and trendy wedding favors. These are perfect for destination weddings in Minnesota or couples who want to show off their Sota pride.
12. Mini Bottles of Minnesota Craft Spirits
Treat your guests to a sample of Minnesota’s booming craft distillery scene. Brands like Tattersall, Far North Spirits, and Vikre offer mini bottles of gin, vodka, aquavit, or whiskey. Add a label that says, “Take a shot—we tied the knot!”
13. Seed Packets of Native Wildflowers
Let your love bloom—literally! Gift guests custom seed packets filled with native Minnesota wildflowers like Black-eyed Susans, wild lupine, or purple coneflower. Include a note encouraging guests to plant them in their gardens and remember your special day every time they see a bloom.
14. Mini Canoe Paddle Magnets or Décor
Celebrate Minnesota’s lake and paddling culture with miniature canoe paddles made of wood or metal. Personalize them with your names or wedding date. These make great fridge magnets, tree ornaments, or décor pieces guests will treasure.
15. Lake-Inspired Coasters
Whether your wedding is on the shores of Lake Minnetonka or tucked into a cabin near Gull Lake, lake-themed coasters are a great way to bring in that lakeside charm. Use watercolor art, topographical lake maps, or simple MN silhouettes to personalize the design.
16. Local Coffee Samplers
Give your guests a caffeine kick from local Minnesota roasters like Peace Coffee, Duluth Coffee Company, or Spyhouse. Package a few ounces in kraft paper bags or glass jars with a cute label: “Love is Brewing.”
17. “Don’tcha Know” Koozies
Custom can koozies are always a hit—especially with a fun Minnesota twist. Try sayings like “Skol!” “Uff da, we got married!” or “Hotdish and Hoppiness.” Add your wedding date and location for a functional, fun memento.
18. Mini Jam Jars from MN Fruit Farms
Preserve the sweetness of your big day with mini jars of jam from local fruit farms. Flavors like strawberry rhubarb, chokecherry, or wild blueberry feel ultra-Minnesotan. Pair with homemade bread or a scone recipe for bonus charm.
19. State Fair-Inspired Snack Packs
Bring the magic of the Minnesota State Fair to your reception tables. Think mini bags of kettle corn, caramel corn, cheese curds (the shelf-stable kind!), or even mini pronto pup mix with dipping sauces. Package in kraft paper bags with a “Fair Enough” sticker and you’re golden.
Whether you’re leaning rustic and woodsy, cozy and Scandinavian, or quirky and fun, Minnesota offers endless inspiration for meaningful and memorable wedding favors. These gifts don’t just celebrate your wedding—they tell the story of where you’re from and what makes your love uniquely yours.