Wedding Gazette

Favor Facts

By Jennifer Baumann

No one really knows how the tradition of wedding favors got started, but everyone around the world does know that it's an important symbol, saying "thank you for coming" from the happy couple to family and friends.

Where did the idea of wedding favors come from? Nobody seems to know for sure. But, we do have records of brides and grooms in England giving away love knots made out of lace and ribbons during the 16th and 17th centuries, and Russians have always been known for the wedding couple not only receiving beautiful gifts, but bestowing one on each guest as well.

Here are some other cultures' takes on the showering-of-gifts-on-your-wedding-guests thing :

• In Malaysian culture, the traditional wedding favor is painted, decorated eggs - a symbol of fertility for the couple.
• Italians give chocolates or candy filled with almonds or almond paste.
• Also very popular among nuptial couples today, Victorian couples gave party "crackers" - decorated tubes filled with goodies. When you break them apart, they make a loud noise, and all the presents fly out.
• Middle Eastern wedding favor tradition is centered around the Jordan almond. A candy-coated nut supposedly representing both the bitter and the sweet of marriage, custom dictates that you give five pieces to each guest, to represent the five wedding wishes: health, wealth, happiness, fertility and longevity.
• Orange blossoms are very popular for Spanish weddings. A perfect favor would be stems of orange blossoms in a bud vase for each guest.
• Turn a Greek wedding tradition around on your guests: the couple used to receive glass charms in the shape of an eye on their wedding day - this was to protect them from bad luck.
• Both the Russians and the Japanese favor the same kinds of favors: both cultures are known for leaving nice gifts like picture frames, bud vases, or sachets as thank-yous.
• Dutch favor tradition includes "Bridal Sugar" - five pieces of Dutch sweet candy wrapped in tulle. Each piece represents the five wedding wishes: love, happiness, loyalty, prosperity, and verility. Very similar to other cultures' wedding wishes.
• In traditional Jewish and Chinese weddings, favors are not usually given at all.

Here are a few ideas to consider when choosing your wedding favors:

• Give traditional favors based on your family's cultural/religious/historical background.
• Whether it be highlighting a favorite hobby or activity, choose a creative favor that is very "you": an extension of the two of you guests will always remember.
• Show off your artistic ability by making your own creation from scratch.
• Give a memory that will allow guests to make their own: a picture frame, and then send a photo along with the thank-you card to place in the frame.