Wedding favors are little gifts, tokens or trinkets which are given to the guests of the newly wed couple after the wedding ceremony or during the wedding reception. They are often tokens that extend a sense of gratitude for the presence of the guests during the wedding day.
It is a very ancient tradition when the giving of the wedding favors is tackled. Throughout the history, the first ever practice of giving a wedding favor was done by old European aristocrats, nobles, and members of the richest group of the society. Bonbonnier was the first term for the wedding favor and such is an Italian word.
Back then, bonbonnieres were usually a small box, the size of a trinket or jewel box that was made out of porcelain, crystals, and sometimes with the addition of precious gems and stones. These boxes were usually filled with sugar, sugar cubes, and other delicate confections. This was meant to symbolize royalty and wealth. The reason for this was because back then, sugar was an expensive and hard to find product. And mostly only the wealthy, nobles, and the elites had access and could afford it. But over time, as sugar became more and more common and inexpensive, couples from lower classes were able to afford it. Thus the tradition of giving wedding favors and other such gifts of appreciation reached the masses, and couples of modest income and upbringing.
Thereafter, bonbonneries were being replaced with almonds because of the declining trend of sugar over the ages its becoming more reasonable in terms of prices. For several centuries, it was common to give almonds as a wedding favor to the wedding guest to signify the affluence of the new couple’s life together.
Sugar coated almonds known as confetti was soon introduced in the thirteenth century. Over time confetti then evolved into sugared almonds, and then became known as the modern day wedding favors that were distributed in weddings today. It was tradition to have five Jordan almonds to be presented in a confection box or to be wrapped in beautiful fabric. Each almond is meant to represent wealth, health, fertility, longevity, and happiness. One reason why almonds were used, aside from being a bit expensive, was because that the bitterness of the almond and the sweet candy coating represent the bittersweet union of marriage.
It was part of the tradition to bear five Jordan almonds to be offered in a confection box or to be wrapped in a fine fabric. Each almond signifies wealth, health, longevity and long lasting joy. One fundamental reason why almonds were used, apart from being a bit expensive, was because its bitterness and sweetness of candy coat symbolizes the perfect mix of marriage.
Today, gifts to wedding guests are more popularly called as wedding favors and the distribution of these tokens of gratitude to guests is a long tradition shared by different cultures across countries around the globe.
These are just to name a few. There are more types of wedding favors out there, especially in today’s modern world.
Weddings are such joyous occasion that everyone participating in the wedding entourage are excited to experience its preparation. You can begin with wedding favors that will display a stunning effect on this big day. Or you may want to try bridesmaid gifts.