- Wedding favours are small gifts given as a gesture of
appreciation or gratitude
- to guests from the bride and groom during a wedding
ceremony or a wedding reception.
The tradition of distributing wedding favours is a very old
one.
- It is believed that the first wedding favour, common
amongst European aristocrats, was known as a bonbonniere.
- A bonbonniere is a small trinket box made of crystal,
porcelain, and/or precious stones.
- The contents of these precious boxes were generally
sugar cubes or delicate confections, which symbolize wealth
and royalty.
- (In this era, sugar was an expensive commodity and was
treasured only among the wealthy. It was believed that sugar
contained medical benefits).
- As the price of sugar decreased throughout centuries,
- the tradition of providing gifts to guests reached the
general populace and was embraced by couples of modest
means.
As sugar became more affordable, bonbonnieres were replaced
with almonds.
- For centuries, almonds were commonly distributed to
wedding guests to signify well wishes on the bridegroom’s
new life.
- In the thirteenth century, almonds coated with sugar,
known as confetti, were introduced.
- Confetti soon transformed to sugared almonds, which
later evolved into the wedding favour for modern day
weddings.
- Traditionally, five Jordan almonds are presented in a
confection box or wrapped in elegant fabric to represent
fertility, longevity, wealth, health and happiness.
- The bitterness of the almond and the sweetness of the
coated candy exemplify the bitter sweetness of a marriage.
Today, gifts to guests are commonly known as wedding favours
and are shared in cultures worldwide.
- Wedding favours have become a part of wedding reception
planning. Wedding favours are diverse and usually complement
the theme or season of the event.
- Classic favours can range from the classic sugared
almonds or individual chocolates to candles and scented
soaps.
- Modern gift trends include:
- CDs with the favourite music of the bride and groom,
- shot glasses filled with coloured candy or silver
picture frames with a photo of the couple.
- Gifts may also be personalized with the couple's names,
initials or wedding date.
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