Unique Wedding Favours
Not sure what to choose for your wedding favours? Keen to hear the tale behind these tokens? Look no further than UKbride's guide to favour flavours!
Wedding favours give lasting impressions to your guests, and are a parting gift. You can either stick to the traditional, or follow your wedding theme through-out and choose to personalise your favours.
The custom of showing gratitude to your guests for sharing in the celebration of your marriage dates back to times of old, and has evolved in many ways through the ages. Giving small gifts, known today as wedding favours, are a simple token of good luck.
The tradition of giving favours is thought to have begun within European Aristocracy. They were originally named Bonboniere in France, where they would give gifts of bonbons and other sugared confectionary in crystal or porcelain boxes. Sugar was, at the time expensive, representing wealth and royalty; it was also thought that it held medicinal benefits.
Over the years this tradition evolved, and it became customary to give sugared almonds. Sugar was added to the bitter almonds in the hope that married life would be sweet, without the bitterness.
Sugared almonds again evolved to become Jordan almonds, which have a coloured sugar coating. The almonds are traditionally given to guests in odd numbers, as you cannot divide an odd number, symbolizing how the bride and groom will share everything and remain undivided.
Another tradition holds that the almonds, or sweets be given in groups of five, symbolizing health; wealth; happiness; fertility and long life.
Legend has it that if an unmarried woman puts the almonds under her pillow, she'll dream of her future husband.
These traditions are still practiced, and in Italy Bomboniere have remained an important part of weddings. Bomboniere by Maria continues to handcraft exquisite selections of Italian Bomboniere, using the finest materials and skills to show how the traditional can be brought to the 21st Century.
Other popular favours today are candy bags, personalised wine, candles and even favour cakes!
Whatever you decide, your guests are sure to be grateful to receive a token of your appreciation — a lasting souvenir of your special day!
