The wedding favor was born as a precious box containing period sweets, i.e. sweets made from dried fruit covered in honey. This small chest was given to loved ones as a symbol of good omen, during important events to remember in the aristocratic environment.
It is a secular gift that originates in the fifteenth century when in Italy it was customary to exchange jewel boxes full of sugared almonds between the noble families of the betrothed who were celebrating their engagement. Later, the custom of donating these precious sugared almond holders also spread in France and England, until it became fully established at the end of the 19th century: on the occasion of the wedding of the future king of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele III, the guests brought gift of wedding favors, thus starting what would become the modern tradition.
Once a status symbol of the aristocracy, the wedding favor soon spread throughout society and its meaning also changed. In the current era, this gift is part of the custom of many countries and is no longer a simple box for sweets: the modern wedding favor is almost always a real gift packaged and placed next to a small bag of sweets. Today wedding favors are given as gifts by the newlyweds to their loved ones as a sign of gratitude for having taken part in their most beautiful day; definitely a sweet souvenir that cannot be missing from every wedding.
When choosing wedding favors, remember that they should represent your couple, your passions or simply your love, but at the same time they must be in harmony with the wedding style. If you have already organized everything while remaining faithful to your tastes, it will be easy to recognize the most appropriate wedding favor for the entire context among the many solutions offered by the market!
USEFUL FAVORS
Wedding favors useful for the daily routine are among the most popular for modern-style weddings.
No more trinkets destined to fall into oblivion: make your guests happy by choosing things for home, work or even travel. Original shakers, cutting boards, spice sets, sugar bowls and measuring cups, but also cosmetics, perfume or essential oil diffusers, as well as cute key rings and luggage tags.
These are just some original ideas for useful wedding favors, also easily available on online shops such as the Dekor Store. This virtual shop is among the most assorted and will allow you to create your own wedding favor by choosing from different solutions of objects, decorations and confetti. An online shop designed for those who want to save time by quickly comparing the many alternatives on the web!
FOOD AND WINE FAVORS
In the same way, the food and wine wedding favors with typical products of the area where the wedding will take place are appreciated.
But that’s not all: if you were supported by a real team of family or friends, you could even attempt the arduous task of packaging typical homemade sweets. Wedding favors of this type will give your guests a tasty memory of your homeland or the country that hosted your destination wedding.
ECOLOGICAL FAVORS
A must in recent years are the ecological favors thanks to their zero environmental impact.
It is an ideal solution for a natural style wedding and is increasingly sought after by future spouses who care about the health of the planet. So here’s the idea of giving succulent plants, bonsai, watering pots or even aerial plants in personalised wooden cubes. You could also combine everything with a nice message like: “Let love grow”!
Or what do you think about plantable party favors? That’s right, among the green solutions there are also bulbs, pencils and pens with seeds at the end or germinable paper products. If you are wondering where to find everything, I discovered iGreen Gadgets: an all-Italian startup created to help the environment through creativity and communication. Here you will find unique eco-sustainable wedding favors and many other green-themed items.
ARTISTIC AND ARTISANAL FAVORS
Couples who are passionate about art and everything that revolves around it will dream of a fashionable and not at all predictable wedding.
In this case, an original idea could be to donate wedding favors made by artisans or artists, perhaps from the area to which the spouses are linked. Decorated ceramics, candles or crafted glass, handmade soaps but also mini works of art on hand-painted canvas.
Finding similar creations will not be difficult, just search online or take a stroll through the streets of the most famous villages for their artistic and artisanal creations. Guests will appreciate these characteristic artifacts as wedding favors and every time their eyes fall on them, they can’t help but think of you!
SOLIDARITY FAVORS
Future spouses who wish to make a charitable donation will opt for the timeless solidarity favors suitable for weddings in any style.
It is an altruistic choice to embrace a just cause such as helping scientific research or less fortunate children, but also protecting the environment or animal life.
Making a solidarity favor is really simple: just choose the non-profit organization to support and make a donation. On the day of the wedding you will share this gesture with your guests by giving them your solidarity favors or confetti bags with a message inside that talks about your initiative.
WEDDING FAVOR ETIQUETTE
Once the wedding favor has been purchased, it will be important to adapt its packaging and the matching confetti bag: colours, elements and fabrics must be the same as those intended for the preparation of your wedding. But paying attention to all this is not enough. Well yes, like the ceremony and reception, wedding favors also have their own etiquette.
According to the rules of etiquette, the final word on the choice of wedding favor lies with the future bride. If you are unsure about the quantity to order, take into account the guests who will be coming to the reception as well as those who might surprise you with a gift even though they are not attending your party. One wedding favor for each family and two for each unmarried couple will be sufficient but don’t forget the ones for your witnesses, always different and of greater value. Etiquette also includes a small symbolic gift for those who contributed to making your wedding special: this is the case of the suppliers you relied on.
Although the use of wedding favors has spread to many countries, sugared almonds remain an Italian tradition. Even today, those who get married in the Bel Paese combine a bag of five sugared almonds with the wedding favor or, on the contrary, opt for the so-called sugared almonds: a table dedicated to kilos of sugared almonds of different flavors which can be eaten on site or taken back home .
Finally, deliver the wedding favors when the celebrations are almost over and your guests will come to say goodbye before leaving. Whatever gift you choose, it will surely be appreciated by your loved ones as it will symbolize your union and the memory of a beautiful wedding spent together.
