The bride and bridegroom getting gifts from their guests is a very common sight. Wedding favors on the other hand are small gifts given to the guests by the bride and the groom. This is either giving during the wedding ceremony or the reception. Wedding favors are usually given as a gesture of appreciation or gratitude. The tradition of giving wedding favors is not new. In fact it is believed that this was much famous among the Europeans and the first wedding favor was called the bonbonniere. This is a small trinket box which is either made of porcelain, crystal or small precious stones. These boxes usually contained sugar or confections. In those times, when the custom of wedding favors had come into existence, sugar was very expensive and only the rich could afford this. Thus, giving wedding favors was also prevalent much among the rich. As the price of sugar started decreasing, the tradition started to get common among the common man too and was embraced by couples of modest means too. Sugar inside the bonbonniere symbolized wealth and royalty.



The contents of the bonbonniere underwent several changes over the years. As sugar had become a cheap buy and affordable for common public, the rich preferred not to use it anymore. Instead they went in for almonds in place of sugar. The gifting of almonds to the guests continued for a long time. Almonds signified well wishes on the bridegroom's new life. By the thirteenth century, the almonds got replaced by almonds coated with sugar known as the confetti. This again got transformed into Jordan almonds which were either packed in boxes or wrapped up in elegant fabric to represent fertility, longevity, wealth, health and happiness. As per the trend, five Jordan almonds are kept in the box. In totality, the bitterness of the almonds and the sweetness of the sugar together signified the bitter sweetness of the marriage.

As for today, wedding favors have become very common and is a custom followed everywhere. In fact it has become a necessary part of every wedding and have complemented receptions and ceremonies alike. There are too many options available to the couple for selecting gifts as wedding favors and it often leaves them confused. Some of the very famous gifts used as wedding favors are personalized pens, wedding flowers, trinket boxes, goblets, candles, vases, and even personalized wedding cameras. Some of the couples prefer to give gifts with their names written on it and also the dates of their wedding so that the guests could remember it even after the wedding is over.

Although initially, wedding favors were common only among the rich people, but today no weddings are complete without wedding favors. It has become an integral part of all weddings. The importance of these wedding favors have created a new business. Business men profit a lot from this. Wedding favors are no more a trend. In almost all weddings it is a necessity and also a matter of prestige if someone fails to arrange for wedding favors. In general, it is a sign of love and gratitude on the part of the the newly weds and a remembrance on the part of all those who attended. Indeed a sweet remembrance.