What are Wedding Favors?

It is common in most western cultures for the guests at bridal showers and weddings to receive party favors. Wedding favors are small gifts given as a gesture of appreciation or gratitude to guests from the bride and groom during a wedding ceremony or a wedding reception. Party favors today come in all types of shapes & sizes, some edible, and some not. This practice has also become standard in other types of formal occasions such as baby showers, engagement parties, retirement parties, anniversaries, and holiday gatherings.

Where did Wedding Favors come from?

The tradition of giving your guests wedding favors is a very old one. It is believed that the first wedding favor, common amongst European aristocrats, was a small trinket box that was made of crystal, porcelain, and/or precious stones known as a bonbonniere. The contents of these precious boxes were generally sugar cubes or other delicate confections, which symbolized wealth and royalty.

As sugar became less expensive, almonds began to be used in order to maintain the prestigious value of the wedding favor. For centuries, almonds were commonly distributed to wedding guests to signify well wishes on the bride & groom’s new life.

What have these favors of almonds evolved into today?

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