ON WEDDINGS : WHAT IS THE MEANING BEHIND WEDDING FAVORS?

We have always taken it for granted, that we will always have a little something to bring home when we attend a wedding. Be it chocolates, a piece of cake, or these days, little trinklets. What are they about? Duh! It is only now that we are asking ourselves this question considering one of us is getting married soon.

Some of our friends said it is a little something for the guests to remember your wedding by. Some said it is a sort of thank you for attending the wedding. Lets see if they are right. Here is our research.

BONBONNIERE
Centuries ago, European aristocrats, most notably those in France and Italy, would send their wedding guests home with a small gift called a bonbonniere, or as it’s called in Italian, a bomboniere. These weren’t exclusively a wedding staple however. They were also given out at birthday parties and other celebratory occasions.

A bonbonniere was actually a box made of porcelain, crystal, precious stones or metal. Inside one would find delicacies made of sugar. It was from these boxed and gift wrapped confections that today’s wedding favors are derived.

GOOD LUCK
A wedding was considered a lucky occasion way back when. By passing bonbonnieres and other treats onto wedding guests, the Happy Couple felt they were also bestowing their good luck upon their guests. In most cases, these lucky gifts consisted of five almonds or pieces of candy which represented fertility, health, wealth, happiness and longevity.

JORDON ALMONDS
Bonbonnieres evolved as confectioners began making candied almonds by dipping them in sugar or some other sweet coating. This tradition is kept alive today with the brightly colored jordan almonds given out at many of these joyous occasions. In fact, if you count, you may find of these tulle wrapped treats – still represent the five wedding wishes.

FAVORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
These days when it comes to wedding favors, anything goes. While Americans usually give favors according to their wedding's theme or the Happy Couple’s Lifestyle, many countries have traditional favors

• At an Italian wedding, guests can expect to receive chocolate covered or jordan almonds.
• At a Spanish wedding, guests can expect to walk home with a small vase filled with orange blossoms.
• The Dutch will give out what is called “bridal sugar.” They too give out favors which include five pieces of candy representing wedding wishes.

Cool. If we are ever going to have wedding favors, we would probably do it the traditional way with a little writeup to educate our guests.