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Wedding favours are small gifts given to guests as a gesture of appreciation or gratitude from the spouses during a wedding ceremony or reception. The tradition of giving wedding favours is believed to have originated with the exchange of five almonds, symbolising health, wealth, cheerfulness, fertility and long life. Today, wedding favours are diverse, ranging from confectionery to candles, scented soaps, charitable donations, and personalised items. Couples may choose to purchase wedding favours or make them themselves, aligning them with their wedding theme, budget, and cultural background.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To thank guests for their presence and to express gratitude for their love, support and well-wishes |
| Symbolism | Good luck, health, wealth, cheerfulness, fertility, long life, happiness, indivisibility of marriage |
| Types | Confectionery, cupcakes, macarons, chocolates, scented candles, soaps, photo frames, CDs, charitable donations, personalised trinkets, edible delights, practical mementos, welcome bags, recovery kits, bookmarks, seed packets, honey, tea, sweets, lanterns, flowers, small bottles of sake, ornaments, cards, eggs, candles, shot glasses, Christmas crackers |
| Factors influencing choice | Couple's personalities, wedding theme, cultural background, budget, number of guests, longevity/shelf life, time available |
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What You'll Learn
Wedding favours are a token of thanks from the couple to their guests
Wedding favours are small tokens of appreciation given by the couple to their guests during the wedding ceremony or reception. They are a way for the couple to express their gratitude and share their happiness with those who attend their special day. The tradition of giving wedding favours has a long history, with its roots in ancient times. For instance, in Ancient Rome, sugar-coated almonds were believed to represent life, and so were given to wedding guests in Italy and Greece as a symbol of the indivisibility of marriage.
Over time, the practice of giving wedding favours evolved, and it became common for couples to offer five almonds, which represented health, wealth, cheerfulness, fertility and long life. This tradition spread across Europe and is still considered classic today, along with other confectionery such as chocolates, cupcakes and macarons. Modern wedding favours, however, often take the form of scented candles, soaps, photo frames, CDs or charitable donations.
The choice of wedding favour is a personal one and couples may opt for something that reflects their personalities, cultural background and wedding theme. For instance, Ian and Louise filled small lanterns from Morocco with sweets, which also served as a seating plan. Other couples may choose to incorporate both of their cultures into their favours, like Kasumi and Kevin did. Wedding favours can also be used as a way to share information, such as including the wedding date and the couple's names, or they can be used as a practical memento, like a bookmark.
Couples may also choose to make their own wedding favours, adding a personal touch with DIY gifts such as homemade candles, seed packets or even small jars of honey. These DIY favours can be a thoughtful and affordable way to show guests their presence is valued. Couples can also opt for edible delights, such as colour-changing tea, which can be a unique gift and a conversation starter. Ultimately, wedding favours are a way for couples to thank their guests for sharing in their joy and celebrating their union.
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They are small gifts, often food, with a long history
Wedding favours are small gifts given to guests at weddings as a gesture of appreciation or gratitude. They are usually diverse and complement the wedding's theme or season. Wedding favours are not obligatory, but they are a cherished tradition that allows couples to express their thanks to their guests for sharing their special day.
The tradition of giving a small gift to each wedding guest has a long history. In Ancient Rome, the bittersweet taste of sugar-coated almonds was thought to represent life, so these were given away to wedding guests in Italy and Greece to symbolise the indivisibility of marriage. In the 17th century, among European aristocracy, wedding favours took the form of sugar lamps or confectionery presented in a box made of gold, porcelain or crystal, and decorated with gemstones. These were often called bombonieres or bonbonnieres. With the gradual increase in the availability and affordability of sugar, aspiring middle classes embraced the trend of sweet wedding favours, and it became a widely accepted norm across all social strata.
The tradition of gifting five almonds, which are considered a symbol of good luck, also spread across Europe. The almonds were thought to bring the marrying couple health, wealth, cheerfulness, fertility and long life. This tradition has evolved, and modern couples now gift confectionery such as cupcakes, macarons and individual chocolates, although some couples are moving away from food items towards scented candles, soaps, photo frames or CD compilations.
Couples may also choose to give their guests personalised trinkets, such as bookmarks, or edible delights like individually wrapped cookies or mini jars of honey. Wedding favours can also be used as a way to incorporate the couple's cultural background, such as the Japanese tradition of distributing flowers, small bottles of sake and sweets, or the Scottish tradition of attaching inedible favours to the cake for guests to take home.
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Favours can be personalised, DIY, or store-bought
Wedding favours are small gifts given to guests as a gesture of appreciation or gratitude for their presence and well-wishes on the couple's big day. They are not obligatory but have become a common part of wedding planning, especially in the United States and Canada.
Store-bought favours offer a convenient and hassle-free solution for couples with busy schedules. Classic choices include sugared almonds, chocolates, or other confectionery. Modern trends include scented candles, soaps, photo frames, or charitable donations in the name of the guests. Couples can also opt for unique, handmade wedding favours from speciality suppliers.
The choice of favours ultimately depends on the couple's preferences, budget, time, and skills. It is important to consider items that reflect their personalities, wedding theme, and cultural background. Favours can be edible, practical mementos, or ephemeral items that help guests celebrate. They can be presented in elegant packaging or rustic containers, adding a touch of magic and elegance to the wedding celebration.
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They can be edible or practical, like candles or soaps
Wedding favours are small gifts given to guests as a gesture of appreciation or gratitude for their presence and well-wishes on the couple's big day. They can be edible or practical, like candles or soaps, with the latter often serving as a memento of the occasion.
The practice of giving wedding favours has a long history, with the gifts traditionally believed to bring good luck. In the past, newlyweds would give handcrafted trinkets, candles, or other small tokens to their guests. Sugared almonds, representing health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity, were also a common choice. Today, couples often opt for personalised gifts or items that reflect their personalities, wedding theme, and cultural background.
Edible wedding favours remain a popular choice, with confectionery being a classic option. Couples may choose to gift individually wrapped cookies, mini jars of honey, chocolates, cupcakes, macarons, or even unique items like colour-changing tea. These treats can be presented in elegant packaging or rustic containers, adding a touch of magic and elegance to the festivities.
Practical wedding favours can also be a great way to thank your guests. Candles, scented or otherwise, are a classic option that can complement the wedding theme or season. Scented soaps are another popular choice, offering a practical memento of the occasion. Homemade candles or DIY seed packets are simple, affordable choices that add a personal touch, showing your guests how much you appreciate them.
Ultimately, the choice of wedding favour is a personal one, and couples should consider their budget, the number of guests, and the desired longevity of the favour when making their decision.
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Couples may opt for charitable donations instead
Wedding favours are small gifts given to guests as a gesture of appreciation or gratitude for their presence and well-wishes on the couple's big day. They are not obligatory, and couples may choose to opt-out, especially if budgets are tight.
Charitable donations as wedding favours can be personalised and presented in various ways. Couples can choose a charity that is meaningful to them or aligns with their wedding theme. For example, if the couple is passionate about environmental conservation, they may donate to an organisation focused on reforestation or protecting endangered species. The donations can be made in the names of the couple's guests, and this can be communicated through a thoughtful note or card at each place setting. This way, the guests still receive a token of appreciation while also being made aware of the couple's charitable contribution.
Another option is to set up a donation station at the wedding venue, where guests can learn about the chosen charity and make their own contributions if they wish. This interactive approach can create a lasting impression and encourage a sense of collective impact among the guests. The donation station can be creatively designed to align with the wedding theme and provide information about the cause, fostering a deeper connection between the celebration and the charitable aspect.
Couples can also consider combining charitable donations with a small, meaningful gift for their guests. For example, they could offer tokens such as bookmarks, candles, or seed packets, with a note explaining that a donation has been made on their behalf. This approach blends the tradition of giving a keepsake with a charitable gesture, creating a thoughtful and impactful favour.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding favours are small gifts given to guests as a gesture of appreciation or gratitude for their presence and well-wishes on the couple's big day.
The tradition of giving small gifts to wedding guests has a long history. In Ancient Rome, five sugar-coated almonds were given to guests, symbolising health, wealth, cheerfulness, fertility and long life. In the 17th century, European aristocrats would give sugar lamps or confectionery in decorative boxes. Today, wedding favours are a cherished tradition that allows couples to express their thanks.
Traditional wedding favours include sugared almonds, chocolates, and other confectionery. In some cultures, specific gifts are traditional, such as hand-painted eggs in Malaysia, flowers or small bottles of sake in Japan, and ornaments or candy at Muslim weddings.
Modern wedding favours can include scented candles, soaps, photo frames, CDs with the couple's favourite music, shot glasses filled with coloured candy, charitable donations, and personalised items such as bookmarks. Couples may also opt for welcome bags with information about the local area, drinks, and other treats.
Wedding favours are typically given to guests during the wedding ceremony or reception. They can be placed at each guest's table setting or presented to them directly.
