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LA's Best Stores for Non-Basic Wedding Favors

By Danielle Directo-Meston
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By Danielle Directo-Meston

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Our Weddings Week continues on the topic of tchotchkes: more specifically, wedding favors. Seen as a touching takeaway or useless crap destined for KonMari-like liberation, these mementos are best enjoyed when they're actually functional, no?

Whether you're seeking edible giftables or evergreen reminders of your everlasting love, we've rounded up a handful of LA boutiques that are also great sources for unique wedding favors. From luxe confections to —Additional reporting by Ashley Tibbits

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Galco's Old World Grocery & Soda Pop Stop

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Satiate your guests' sweet tooth with a treat from this nostalgic candy shop tucked inside Highland Park's Galco's Old World Grocery. Whether it's vintage sweets (candy buttons, licorice Snaps), hard-to-find bottled bubbles (Cheerwine, Nesbitt's), or a custom concoction via their soda creation station (personalize the label for your event!), a gift from Galco will have your guests feeling as sugar-buzzed as they do giddy with glee at the old-school goodies they just scored. [Photo]
5702 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
(323) 255-7115
(323) 255-7115

Hot Cactus

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>As we previously told you in our list of LA's best indie boutiques, this cute cacti shop is making succulents of the spiney variety cooler than ever. And given our arid climate, a gift from here is easy enough to maintain even for plant novices. This store stocks an impressive breadth of types and sizes, so chat up owner Carlos Morera about what you're looking for to give your guests. We particularly love the idea of going for a mix of funky little guys that are teeny enough to adorn a desk or bedside table. [Photo]
1505 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Spellbound Sky

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Crystals from this enchanting little boutique in Silver Lake will let your guests keep the love and light going long after they leave your soiree. The incredibly sweet and informed staff will steer you in the right direction and the shop keeps tons of itty-bitty rocks on hand (in a great price range), which is handy if you're planning to buy in bulk. Consider a heart-opening rose quartz (they even stock tiny skulls for the edgy brides), heart-shaped pyrite for manifesting good vibes, or the stunning rainbow sparkler, bismuth, which is used for promoting positive change. [Photo]
1033 Myra Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029
(213) 926-9686
(213) 926-9686

Spitfire Girl

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If curiosa is what you desire to gift guests, head to this Los Feliz boutique of quirky and whimsical offerings. With a rotating stock of oddities that could include anything from tiny taxidermy butterflies to "wish capsules," the shop has the cool gift game on lock. [Photo]
1939 1/2 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 912-1977
(323) 912-1977

The Soap Kitchen

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The addictive, wholesome products from this Pasadena bodycare apothecary are handmade in-house, the old fashioned way. Treat your guests to shea butter soap bars spiked with rosehips and rose geranium for a romantic and pampering bath experience or an oatmeal and olive oil bar with intoxicating patchouli and sandalwood essential oils. The bath boutique even offers cute, customized wrapping (boxes, bags) as part of their "Soaplessly Devoted" favors option. [Photo]
25 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 396-9996
(626) 396-9996

Compartes Chocolatier Melrose Place {at Alfred}

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Although the luxe price tag alone is enough to guilt-trip guests into eating a favor from Compartes, the allure of the high-end candy brand's tasty truffles will surely do all of the convincing. The confection shop offers 1 to 20-piece boxes, and you can mix and match from over 40 flavors to match your wedding theme. They'll even customize your candies with your own design or monogram for a truly personalized treat. [Photo]
8428 Melrose Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90069
(323) 475-8986
(323) 475-8986

Soap Plant and WACKO

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Admittedly, this lowbrow art and home goods haven—which calls itself the "second happiest place on Earth," and with good reason—is filled will its share of useless collectibles and gag gifts, but it also stocks a selection of useful items, like its in-house line of bath products, silly pens, inventive flasks, and more kitschy-cool items. [Photo]
4633 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 663-0122
(323) 663-0122

Paper Moon Vintage

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Technically, this is the address of vintage maven Nicole Loretta's throwback fashion shop of the same name—but chances are you've already spotted her sepia-toned snapshot set-up at host of LA events and weddings. The local photobooth fave brings a whole suitcase of dress-up accessories for guests to tap into their speakeasy style, then gives partygoers a visual memento that can be posted on the fridge (or Facebook or Insta). [Photo]
4516 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Puzzle Zoo

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Literally a playground of puzzles and brainteasers, this SoCal toy retailer offers plenty of ways to entertain your guests (aside from at the open bar) while you're busy with your wedding photo sesh. From cards, mini puzzle sets, travel games, and more, there's something for partygoers of all ages. [Photo]
7547 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 782-1020
(323) 782-1020
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Galco's Old World Grocery & Soda Pop Stop

5702 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
Satiate your guests' sweet tooth with a treat from this nostalgic candy shop tucked inside Highland Park's Galco's Old World Grocery. Whether it's vintage sweets (candy buttons, licorice Snaps), hard-to-find bottled bubbles (Cheerwine, Nesbitt's), or a custom concoction via their soda creation station (personalize the label for your event!), a gift from Galco will have your guests feeling as sugar-buzzed as they do giddy with glee at the old-school goodies they just scored. [Photo]
5702 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
(323) 255-7115
(323) 255-7115

Hot Cactus

1505 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90026
>As we previously told you in our list of LA's best indie boutiques, this cute cacti shop is making succulents of the spiney variety cooler than ever. And given our arid climate, a gift from here is easy enough to maintain even for plant novices. This store stocks an impressive breadth of types and sizes, so chat up owner Carlos Morera about what you're looking for to give your guests. We particularly love the idea of going for a mix of funky little guys that are teeny enough to adorn a desk or bedside table. [Photo]
1505 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Spellbound Sky

1033 Myra Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Crystals from this enchanting little boutique in Silver Lake will let your guests keep the love and light going long after they leave your soiree. The incredibly sweet and informed staff will steer you in the right direction and the shop keeps tons of itty-bitty rocks on hand (in a great price range), which is handy if you're planning to buy in bulk. Consider a heart-opening rose quartz (they even stock tiny skulls for the edgy brides), heart-shaped pyrite for manifesting good vibes, or the stunning rainbow sparkler, bismuth, which is used for promoting positive change. [Photo]
1033 Myra Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029
(213) 926-9686
(213) 926-9686

Spitfire Girl

1939 1/2 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
If curiosa is what you desire to gift guests, head to this Los Feliz boutique of quirky and whimsical offerings. With a rotating stock of oddities that could include anything from tiny taxidermy butterflies to "wish capsules," the shop has the cool gift game on lock. [Photo]
1939 1/2 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 912-1977
(323) 912-1977

The Soap Kitchen

25 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103
The addictive, wholesome products from this Pasadena bodycare apothecary are handmade in-house, the old fashioned way. Treat your guests to shea butter soap bars spiked with rosehips and rose geranium for a romantic and pampering bath experience or an oatmeal and olive oil bar with intoxicating patchouli and sandalwood essential oils. The bath boutique even offers cute, customized wrapping (boxes, bags) as part of their "Soaplessly Devoted" favors option. [Photo]
25 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 396-9996
(626) 396-9996

Compartes Chocolatier Melrose Place {at Alfred}

8428 Melrose Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Although the luxe price tag alone is enough to guilt-trip guests into eating a favor from Compartes, the allure of the high-end candy brand's tasty truffles will surely do all of the convincing. The confection shop offers 1 to 20-piece boxes, and you can mix and match from over 40 flavors to match your wedding theme. They'll even customize your candies with your own design or monogram for a truly personalized treat. [Photo]
8428 Melrose Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90069
(323) 475-8986
(323) 475-8986

Soap Plant and WACKO

4633 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Admittedly, this lowbrow art and home goods haven—which calls itself the "second happiest place on Earth," and with good reason—is filled will its share of useless collectibles and gag gifts, but it also stocks a selection of useful items, like its in-house line of bath products, silly pens, inventive flasks, and more kitschy-cool items. [Photo]
4633 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 663-0122
(323) 663-0122

Paper Moon Vintage

4516 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Technically, this is the address of vintage maven Nicole Loretta's throwback fashion shop of the same name—but chances are you've already spotted her sepia-toned snapshot set-up at host of LA events and weddings. The local photobooth fave brings a whole suitcase of dress-up accessories for guests to tap into their speakeasy style, then gives partygoers a visual memento that can be posted on the fridge (or Facebook or Insta). [Photo]
4516 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Puzzle Zoo

7547 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Literally a playground of puzzles and brainteasers, this SoCal toy retailer offers plenty of ways to entertain your guests (aside from at the open bar) while you're busy with your wedding photo sesh. From cards, mini puzzle sets, travel games, and more, there's something for partygoers of all ages. [Photo]
7547 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 782-1020
(323) 782-1020