The Wedding Favor Tradition and What to Give

Wedding Favor - history

The tradition of giving a Wedding Favor to wedding guest originated in Europe in the form of a ‘bonbonniere’, or bomboniere in Italy, that was in the form of a sugar cube in a small box. In these times, sugar was an expensive item affordable only by the wealthy, and the material of the box varied according to the wealth of the family of the bride, and could be of porcelain, silver or even gold.

The bomboniere lives to this day as a Wedding Favor in the form of five sugared almonds that represent the five wishes for the newlywed couple of health, wealth, happiness, fertility and longevity. These are also called Jordan almonds which, in Middle Eastern culture, represent the sweetness and bitterness of marriage. Today, a wedding is not complete without the wedding favor, and no Italian wedding is complete without the Jordan almonds.

Wedding Favor - cost

There is now a wide range of a Wedding Favor in all price ranges and you will be able to give wedding favors to all your guests. The principal guests, such as close family, will receive the principal favors, with less expensive alternatives for everybody else. Although the range of possibilities is large, and there is no convention that states what must be given, there are some traditional favors that are used more than others, the first of which is a form of foodstuff.

Apart from the traditional sugared almonds, decorated Oreo cookies are popular as are chocolate nuts. Although these are usually peanuts, they are probably carrying on the nut tradition. The Wedding Favor is placed in a small box, as were the originals, with a thank you note attached. Colored and decorated votive candles are also common. These can be colored and decorated, and you could even make your own. All it needs is some paraffin wax, melted with some wax dye, and then poured into a suitable container with a piece of string as a wick – a heat proof glass is fine, and that can then be decorated.

Wedding Favor - choices

Another frequently given Wedding Favor is a house plant, or even better, a small seed tray ready sown with seeds. Perennials that can be transplanted outside in the garden are the best choice. Alternatively, give a simple plant container and two or three small packets of seeds to be sown at the right time. These are always popular since, once grown, they provide a constant reminder of the happy day.

An unusual idea for a Wedding Favor, especially if you have a number of guests booked into a local hotel, is to purchase small wrapped blocks of fragrant soaps, and arrange with the hotel to place them in each guest’s room with a note from yourselves. That is a delightful way to express your thanks to your guests for traveling from out of town for your wedding.

Wedding Favor - ideas

A more traditional Wedding Favor is a gift of pewter, or, if you have a bit more money to spend, silver. This is possible a throwback to the traditional boxes used for the bomboniere, but perhaps not. Typical gifts are pewter boxes containing a solid heart engraved with the couple’s names and the date of their wedding. Picture frames and bottle openers are also popular.

There is a vast number of such items that can be given ranging from golf balls and tees to miniature bottles of wines or spirits. Irrespective of what you give, the Wedding Favor is an important part of your expression of thanks to the guest for taking the time to witness your marriage ceremony.










Wedding Favor

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