Ever wonder what a wedding favor was used for and why we use them today? The tradition of wedding favors is a very old one. It is believed that the first favor was known as a bonbonniere used amongst European aristocrats.
A bonbonniere was a small trinket box made of either crystal, porcelain, or precious stones. It was a given gesture of appreciation to the guests from the bride and groom given during the wedding reception or ceremony.
Inside these small trinket boxes sugar cubes or delicate confections were found, it usually meant you were in the presence of royalty or wealth. As sugar become relatively inexpensive, sugar was replaced with almonds, these same almonds in the thirteenth century were covered with sugar, known as confetti. Traditionally five almonds were presented in a confection box or were wrapped in an elegant fabric to represent fertility, longevity, wealth, health and happiness.
As favors evolved to the modern day wedding, guests would receive gifts known as wedding favors. Today favors range from the traditional sugared almonds to candles, soaps, shot glasses with candy or simply a picture of the couple.
