The tradition of giving favors to wedding guests goes back centuries and was to thank guests for making the occasion special. We continue this tradition today but wedding favors vary considerably, so what were the original wedding favors which were given centuries ago? This article looks at the history and significance of wedding favors.
In days gone by, European aristocrats, particularly those from Italy and France, would give each guest a sugared delicacy in a trinket box. Sugar symbolized wealth and royalty and was an expensive commodity. The trinket boxes were made of porcelain or metal and decorated with precious stones. They contained these sugared sweets known as Bonbonnieres. Overtime sugar became cheaper and less of a luxury. As a result, the practice of giving wedding favors spread to those of lowlier means and so was no longer exclusive to the rich.
As time went on, Bonbonnieres were replaced by almonds and these were given to wedding guests instead. In the thirteenth century, the almonds became sugar coated and were known as Jordan almonds. These favors are still commonly given at today’s weddings.
Weddings were seen as a lucky occasion, so the bride and groom would give their guests five Bonbonnieres or Jordan almonds as a way of sharing this luck. These five sweets were to represent good health, wealth, fertility, happiness and long life.
The wedding favor also acted as a keepsake of the occasion and still does today, something which the guests could take away and remember the day by. The type of wedding favors used today vary considerably, but the tradition still continues and is popular amongst cultures worldwide.
Nowadays the type of favor given to guests may revolve around the theme of the wedding or perhaps relate to the bride and grooms lifestyle, there really is no limit. As well as providing decoration for the tables, the wedding favors may also provide a source of entertainment for the guests or a talking point.
The tradition of giving favors was not limited to weddings. At other special occasions and birthdays, guests were given a souvenir of the event. Giving favors was a gesture of thanks and was an important part of any wedding or special occasion.
There really is no limit to what you can give guests as favors these days. Although the tradition of giving a gift to say ‘thank you’ to the guest continues there is no formal guidelines to what the favours should be. There is a huge choice of readymade wedding favors to buy or you can create your own, which ever you choose it should be personal to you and your wedding.
