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Wedding Favours: The History Of Wedding Favours From Sugar Cubes To Eye Candy

While we all know that wedding favours are a token of the bride and groom’s gratitude to their guests on their wedding day, have you ever wondered about the traditions attached to these little gifts? Wedding favours have been given to guests for many centuries and have evolved from the traditional presentation of sugar in elaborate gemstone encrusted porcelain boxes, to gifts of sugared almonds, with guests to-day being given a multitude of favours that range from confectionary to practical and memorable keepsakes of your wedding day.

The practice of giving gifts of food to celebrate births and marriages dates back as far as Roman times. These gifts were know by the Italians as “confetti” and were entirely different from our interpretation of the word, which we associate with coloured paper or flowers to be thrown at the bride and groom. Traditional “confetti” included almonds which were coated in honey and have evolved into the sugar coated almonds that we know to-day.

The traditions associated with the wedding favours in particular, date back to the 16th Century in Italy, when the Italians began to produce this “luxury” food, a delicacy even, called sugar! Wealthy aristocrats would give their guests sugar, often in the form of a cube, presented in ornate gem encrusted, crystal or porcelain gift boxes, known as bombonieres on their wedding day. As sugar became more accessible to the general population, the tradition became more popular and giving favours to wedding guests became more widespread.

Over time the sugar in bombonieres was replaced with sugared almonds. It is traditional to give guests 5 sugared almonds which signify Health, Wealth, Happiness, Fertility and Long Life.  These gifts represented more than just a thank you to wedding guests, as it was believed that the bride and groom were lucky on their wedding day and the favours were given to impart the bride and grooms luck and the blessings of their marriage to their guests.

With the popularisation of wedding favours, particularly in the US (and most likely every brides quest to have a unique and special wedding day!),  the range of gifts given to wedding guests has greatly expanded to include many unique and practical favours. Some of the more popular favours include candles, bottle stoppers, keyrings, and photo coasters, usually presented in eye catching gift packaging that will appeal to even the most discerning guest.

Many people still use the traditional wedding favours presented in little boxes or tulle nets. They may vary the filling using sugared almonds, chocolates or mints. These favours can often add to the decoration of the tables, if chosen in a colour to match the wedding theme, as well as serving as a gift to guests

Whether you decide to choose a more traditional favour or something more contemporary, I recommend that you consider your theme and your budget before making a decision. If you have time favour boxes and or tulle net  bombonieres can be handmade at home to reduce costs. Alternatively there are many low cost, readymade wedding favours and gifts available to express your thanks and to bestow the luck of your wedding day!

About the Author

Mary New is the managing director of Paper Cocktail Ltd., a company specialising in providing unique, handmade wedding invitations and wedding favours that will make a lasting first impression.

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