Friday, September 16, 2011

Discover Just Why We Give Wedding Favours

By Ruth Williams


The custom of giving favours to wedding invitees dates back centuries and was to give thanks to guests for making the occasion memorable. We continue this custom today however, wedding favors range considerably, exactly what were the very first wedding favors which were given 100's of years ago? This short article looks at the history and relevance of wedding favors.

In days gone by, European aristocrats, in particular those from Italy and France, gave every wedding guest a sugared delicacy inside a trinket box. Sugar symbolised wealth and royalty and was a costly product. The trinket boxes would have been created from ceramic or metal and decorated with precious gemstones. They encased these sugared sweets called Bonbonnieres. Gradually, sugar became cheaper and less of a luxury. Because of this, the principle of offering wedding favors passed on to those of lowlier means and so was no longer exclusive to the rich.

As time proceeded, Bonbonnieres were substituted by almonds and these were given to wedding guests instead. In the thirteenth century, the almonds became sugar covered and were generally known as Jordan almonds. These favours are still commonly given at today's wedding receptions.

Marriages were regarded as a lucky occasion, so the wedding couple would offer their guests five Bonbonnieres or Jordan almonds as a way of spreading this good fortune. These five sweets represented health, success, fertility, happiness and long life.

The wedding favour also acted as a keepsake of the occasion and still does today, something which the wedding guests could take away and remember the day by. The sort of wedding favors used nowadays range considerably, nonetheless the custom still remains and is popular amongst cultures worldwide.

In recent times the type of favour given to guests may well focus around the theme of the wedding reception or simply connect with the bride and grooms lifestyle, there really is no limit. As well as furnishing the tables, the wedding favours can also provide a source of entertainment for the wedding guests or perhaps a talking point.

Favors were also given to guests at other events. At other significant occasions and birthdays, guests received a souvenir of the occasion. Giving favours was a gesture of thankfulness and was an important part of any wedding party or special event.

There really isn't any boundaries to what you could give guests as favors these days. Although the tradition of giving a present to say 'thank you' to the guest continues there aren't any formalised recommendations to what the favours ought to be. There's a large range of readymade wedding favors to buy or you could easily create your own, which ever you choose it should be individual to you and your wedding day.




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