In Manitoba a few of us have been discussing IPSC match awards. The section spends a boatload of money on trophies for matches and with a small section like ours it's a big chunk of our budget.
We hand out trophies for 1st-3rd in every recognized class & division - basic trophies for regular matches and extra nice ones for the provincials.
What do other sections (and disciplines) do??
Consider yourself lucky. Only 2 first place trophies for Open, standard, and production division have been given out in NB this year.(and that was at the provincials)

No 2nd or 3rd of anything has been given out at any of the matches. The match at my club this weekend, has plaques for 1,2,3 standard and production, and 1,2nd Open, and a few medals for junior. I will probably only have 15 shooters, but I hope it encourages them to keep coming out to matches. I want shooters to leave the match and have something that recognizes their efforts.
Yes, they can be expensive, and if only maybe 10 shooters in total show up you may need to rethink if you can get plaques for the top 3. (perhaps medals, which cost about $4. with some lettering would be in order).....BUT, if it is a sanctioned IPSC match, and you want people to come out and shoot, it may help increase numbers of participants. I have seen one range in NS that had a great idea, and it saved some money. They gave out a nice certificate, that was said something like, "On this day of our Lord, May 4th, 2007, "Joe-Bloe" did by excellent marksmanship and gun handling, place 2nd overall in production division,...etc....." The point is that shooters spend money on gas, ammo, etc...why not show them that there participation in the match was appreciated....It doesn't have to be a gold medal or a huge plaque, but just about every other serious sport give out trophies, plaques and medals,.....
Just one shooters opinion.
Given that putting on a match is voluntary, I would rather have a decent match than a trophy.