Weddings have been practiced long before the Middle Ages, this practice have been a part of our social events since early times. The union of two people is a practice that would require a special treatment to the guest of honours and the guests. Weddings come with great food, great wine and of course gifts. Wedding favours has also been here for a long time, these gifts given by the bride and groom during the wedding ceremony are given as a sign of gratitude and appreciation to the guests.
This tradition in giving wedding favours has been practiced for a long time ago by European aristocrats, these gifts are called bonbonniere, and a bonbonniere is a small trinket made of precious materials such as porcelain, crystals and most of the time made with precious stones. Contained in these small boxes would be sugar cubes, for the time this practice was practiced sugar was a very rare commodity that only was only afforded by the wealthy families. As the price of sugar decreased on the following years wealthy families traded in the sugar for almonds.
For centuries the almond replaced the sugar, thirteenth century came and the almonds where coated with sugar, thus called confetti. Over the time confetti evolved and transformed to sugar coated almonds. Over the years the bonbonniere had experienced the slow change from generation to generation. Fast forward to our time today, Wedding Favors come in different sizes and shapes. The old times of the “small box” are long gone and exchanged with cards, small figurines and many more. This gesture in giving gifts to the guests really means that the bride and groom are happy to see the people attend their wedding, and as a remembrance to a very happy occasion.
In this modern time, this gesture of giving away gifts on the reception has been shared to different cultures worldwide. Wedding favours has been and always been a part of wedding planning. No wedding is without a wedding favour. Wedding favours are usually diverse and would come with the theme of the wedding or the season. It also comes down to the bride and groom and what they really want to give out on their wedding day. Traditional weddings call of classic favours, and of course that’s where our beloved sugar coated almonds come in.
Sugar coated almonds maybe far away from its origins but it is strangely practiced in almost all the westernized countries in the world. Asian weddings come with wedding favours as well, the gifts would be different but the gesture of giving from groom and bride to the guests is still alive. This is a very old tradition that must be preserved throughout the years and must be practiced in every wedding.
Weddings are a very important turning point in a man and woman’s life, this time your family and friends gather and witness your very special day. Don’t forget to give at least a small token of gratitude for them to know that you guys are very happy to see them at your wedding day.