When planning your Charlottesville wedding, our thriving small business community makes it easy for you to support local at every step! Of course the big stuff like catering and florals are typically local. But you can find the details locally, too! Have you thought of welcome gifts, wedding favors, or thank you gifts yet? I know some wonderful treats & gifts vendors who can help! I’ve narrowed it down to some of my favorites in this post here, so we can make gifting one less thing you have to worry about!

 

Read on for a list of 7 stores who will personally help you take care of your Charlottesville gifting needs.

 

Charlottesville Welcome Gift and Wedding Favor Ideas

 

1. Found. Market Co.

Found. Market Co. is known for not only their cute retail shop and deli, but also their delicious shortbread cookies (featured below)! Plus, they can even customize the packaging for your wedding.

“Our Little Things Shortbread are handmade with homegrown herbs plus other organic and sustainable ingredients, making them a thoughtful gift for the environment and for the receiver. Food is nourishing, and what better gift to give someone?” -Kelsey

 

Found Market Co.'s the little things shortbread perched on a rock. During the detail shots of a Charlottesville wedding

 

2. Jaclyn’s Cookies

For handmade personalized cookies, I highly recommend Jaclyn’s Cookies! Jaclyn is incredibly talented and offers a variety of custom cookies perfect for any event. She has no problem bringing your vision to life or simply creating the perfect design for you.

“I love decorated cookies because they can add a special, personalized touch to so many aspects of your wedding. They can be used to announce your engagement or sent out as Save the Dates. They can be added to your hotel welcome bags or add a personalized touch to your place settings or dessert table. Or they can be a special treat for your guests to take home as a favor at the end of the night. There are so many possibilities and I love working with brides and their families to create that perfect special touch” -Jaclyn

 

 

3. Virginia Shop
The Virginia Shop is a great option for gifts for your loved ones. Another locally owned shop that can craft stunning baskets, with a variety of candies, wine, snacks and so much more all from Virginia. A great way to show off Virginia’s treats and specialities.

 

“The Virginia Shop offers a full service Welcome Bag program. We offer our bag, tissue, ribbon, assembly, and delivery to your guests at no additional charge! We just ask that you spend a minimum of$10 on our products per bag. Popular items include, all locally made Virginia peanuts, chocolates, caramels, potato chips, popcorn, bottled water and wine or beer. A lot of couples take advantage of our “Virginia is for Lovers” branded merchandise to really drive the romantic theme home. Give us a shout at 434-977-0080 or check out our welcome bag page on our website.” – Tiffany

 

4. Wine & Country Shop
The Wine & Country Shop have a little bit of everything, which makes it a great stop when searching for the perfect Charlottesville welcome gift or wedding favor alike. Throughout their catalog there are rich and luxurious bar accessories, drink mixes and so much more.

“With the rise in popularity of vineyard weddings in Virginia, look no further than the Wine & Country Shop to add elegance to your wedding day. From bespoke bridesmaid presents to welcoming artisan gifts and beautiful favors for your guests, this boutique is brimming with everything you need for elegant entertaining. The Wine & Country Shop is the perfect place to create one-of-a-kind pampering baskets filled with indulgent spa products, find elegant gifts for your wedding party, collect handsome and unusual barware, build a bespoke picnic hamper set for a romantic vineyard outing, serve a fabulous charcuterie, and the perennial favorite of engaged couples is the Wine & Country “Taste of Virginia” Welcome Gift that includes a beautifully curated assortment of the very best locally-made artisan foods and Virginia wines perfect for greeting guests to your vineyard wedding celebration. For more wedding and luxury lifestyle inspiration, visit www.WineAndCountryWeddings.comwww.WineAndCountryShop.comwww.WineAndCountryLife.com” – Jen

 

5. Gearharts Fine Chocolates
Gearharts is another great option to support local while planning your Charlottesville wedding. These artisan-made decadent chocolates are perfect for anyone on your list. In addition to handmade chocolates, they also offer brownies, cookies and caramels alike. Shopping for your Charlottesville welcome gifts is really just a great excuse to stop by Gearharts!

 

6. Faded Poppy Mercantile
If you’re looking for a unique welcome gift or wedding favor, Faded Poppy has got just what you’re looking for. Between wine flavored gummies, candles, beard oil, and even wine gum. Faded Poppy is a great option to keep things light hearted and fun on your wedding day.

Faded Poppy is a wedding planning & floral design business serving the central Virginia region. In early 2020, expanded and opened “FP Mercantile”. FP Mercantile specializes in small batch, European & American made gifts for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries and, of course, weddings. Some of our favorite welcome gifts would be: a reusable cotton tote for carrying all the goodies they find around town; local treats & sweets; reusable water bottles; a map; your wedding planner’s contact information; an itinerary of the weekend; and a special note from the couple.” – Sara

 

7. La Vache Microcreamery
La Vache Microcreamery uses French techniques when perfecting their delicious caramels. Another one of my favorites because they shop for and support other local businesses by choosing ingredients grown locally and responsibly. It’s a perfect touch for your Charlottesville wedding favors or any welcome gift on your list.

“The characteristics of even the simplest of wedding favors  or welcome gifts can emphasize the tone of your event. Local, simple, pure, beautiful, honest – all of these words describe the values we incorporate in making our caramels and they are incredibly delicious to boot. La Vache means ‘holy cow’ and we want your guests leaving with that thought of your wedding as well.” – Stephanie

 

 

Charlottesville is bursting with incredible small businesses, and supporting local is a great way to show off Virginia’s best at your wedding. I hope this list helps make wedding favor shopping that much easier and enjoyable!

 

And if you’re still looking for a photographer to capture the story of your day, check out my portfolio or reach out through our contact form here!

 

7 Charlottesville Wedding Favor and Welcome Gift Ideas