Why Have Wedding Favors At Your Wedding?

Are you planning your wedding and wondering how the tradition of giving guests wedding favors got started? You’re not alone. As we make our way through the wedding process, it’s interesting to find out how some of the best loved traditions got started.

Wedding favors actually started centuries ago by European upper classes. The favors were known as bonbonieres. These items were not only given to guests at weddings, but at birthdays and other events also. Weddings were considered to be "lucky" events – not only for the bridal couple, but for their guests also. These early favors were small fancy boxes – hence the favor box. These boxes were encrusted with jewels and filled with candies and other sugary delights.

This wonderful tradition eventually made its way to more and more brides and grooms. By giving their guests these favors, they were passing on their good luck. Most favor boxes contained 5 almonds that represented long life, happiness, health, wealth and of course – fertility for many children. Many couples continue to give the 5 almonds in a wedding favor box that matches their wedding color to their guests.

Today in the United States, we continue the tradition of giving our guests wedding favors not only to thank them for participating in our day, but to continue to pass on the bridal couples "good luck". Choices are plenty for favors and many couples make their decision based on the theme of their wedding. For beach weddings, couples choose favors such as seashell coaster sets, flip flop key chains or candle favors with a tropical theme. For those that prefer a more elegant wedding favor, choices such as bottle stoppers, passport covers or silver favors are great choices your guests will be grateful to receive.

In other countries such as Italy, couples often select crystal favors, espresso cup favors, and porcelain favors. For an Irish wedding, couples may select Celtic coaster sets. Hispanic couples often choose religious favors or favors in Spanish such as a coaster set. Chinese couples look for favors in red and gold as that signifies love, joy and prosperity.

Your choice in wedding favors may be based on your family’s traditions or you may choose to deviate completely and do something very different for your guests. When selecting your wedding favors, first consider your budget as you start looking for the perfect favor. Once you know how much you are able to spend per favor, add a touch of your personality to your selection. Love wine? Consider wine themed favors such as bottle stoppers. The bottle stopper ranges in price from $1.50 to $4.50 each depending on the style you select. Are you an avid boater? Favors to take a look at include nautical themed favors such as lighthouses or sailboats. Choosing a favor that reflects your personality plus is useful too makes it that much better for your guests.

Once you have selected your favor, decide on how you would like to present to your guests. You may decide that you want to place your favor at each guest’s seat. This is a great idea as the favor is an easy way to decorate the tables. Another option is to display the favors all together at a table near where your guests will exit. This way, they can easily pick up their lucky gift on the way out the door.

Whichever favor and whatever way you decide to give it to your guests, making it a reflection of you as a couple will give it more meaning. Enjoy your day.

Wedding Favors
Wedding favors for every budget, color, theme.