The History of Wedding Favors

Origins of the Tradition of Giving Gifts or Favors at Receptions

May 18, 2009

The custom of giving favors to guests at a wedding dates back to late Medieval Europe, where a bonbonniere of sugar or sugared almonds was given in thanks and for luck.

Wedding favors are almost taken for granted as a necessary part of a wedding reception. These small gifts have a history that dates back at least four centuries, to the nobility of Europe and the costly gifts of sugar and confections that were distributed at the end of wedding celebrations as a token of thanks and to display their wealth and nobility.

Europe and The First Wedding Favors

Although the precise origin of wedding favors remains unknown, the earliest records of such gifts date to various European countries in the 16th to 18th centuries – the late Medieval to Early Modern period. During this time, it became traditional for the nobility to give gifts of sugar and sugared confections not only at weddings, but at any parties and receptions.

Sugar was very expensive at this time, so the gifts were a mark of the wealth and prestige of the giver. Sugar cubes and candy were usually presented in a "bonbonniere," a small box made of precious crystal, gemstones, or porcelain.

As the price of sugar became more affordable, the tradition spread to other social classes and it began to include other gifts: small boxes of almonds and other nuts, biscuits, and fruit. In the lower classes, these gifts may have been presented at the start of the wedding ceremony so the guests could enjoy them during the celebration.

It eventually became traditional to present guests with a favor of sugar coated almonds, known as "confetti." The term confetti was later replaced with "Jordan almonds," five candy-coated almonds said to symbolize the gifts of fertility, longevity, wealth, health and happiness wished on the bride and groom in their new married life. Jordan almonds symbolize both the bitter and the sweet aspects of married life.

Why Give Wedding Favors?

Wedding favors are said to be a symbol of the bride and groom's thanks to their guests for sharing their special day and for the gifts given to them – but that isn't the whole story.

In older traditions, the bride and groom were believed to be lucky. By the 19th century, when wedding favors had reached the middle and lower social classes, favors were given as a way for the bride and groom to spread their luck and the blessings of their marriage to each of their guests. The new couple often distributed favors by hand to each person at the wedding as a way to share the blessing of their love.

Modern Wedding Favors

Although many weddings still feature favors like sugared almonds, mints, Jordan almonds, and bonbonniere-like trinkets and boxes, most couples favor gifts to their guests that are more practical. There is increasing demand for useful favors that guests will keep and that will remind them of the wedding of friends or family. Nevertheless, the oldest traditions of sugared nuts and confections remain vital and popular to this day.

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The copyright of the article The History of Wedding Favors in Wedding Services/Receptions is owned by Victoria Anisman-Reiner. Permission to republish The History of Wedding Favors in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.