The Story Behind Wedding Favours: A Timeless Tradition

The Story Behind Wedding Favours: A Timeless Tradition:

Where do wedding favours come from? Who started the tradition, and are they still important?

Wedding favours have been a timeless tradition for centuries, with brides and grooms around the world offering guests a small token of appreciation for joining them on their special day. But what exactly is the story behind these sweet gestures, and why have they remained a staple of modern-day weddings?

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the history of wedding favours and explore the various ways they’ve evolved over time. From traditional sweets and trinkets to more unique and personalised gifts, we’ll discover how wedding favours have come to hold a special place in the hearts of brides and grooms everywhere.

Wedding favours might seem like a small thing, but if you have a guest list of 100 or more, the cost can soon add up. So, are wedding favours something that you can skip in order to focus your budget on other, more important things? Or do they have a rich history and heritage that might make you want to think twice about leaving them out?

The Origins of Wedding Favours

While there is no exact location where wedding favours first appeared, two countries claim to be where the tradition began: England and France. They first appeared in England during the 16th century, when brides offered their guests small bags of sugar as a symbol of their union. Sugar wasn’t a common commodity back then – it was rare and expensive. So this simple act of kindness was seen as generous.

Where as in France, it is noted that the tradition came into fashion through the French aristocracy. Again, sugar was noted as being handed out, but in small porcelain or crystal trinket boxes. It’s amazing to see how sugar’s value has changed over the years. Maybe  this could be the wedding favour you want to gift to your guests.

Over the centuries, wedding favours have taken on many different forms, with sweets, trinkets, and other small gifts being offered as tokens of appreciation. In some cultures, wedding favours have even been tied to good luck, with items such as rice or five-spice powder being offered to guests in the hopes of bringing the couple good fortune.

For instance, in Greece, it has long been customary to use sugared almonds as the preferred wedding favour. Almonds are considered a symbol of good luck, and the Greek tradition was to give each guest five almonds. This was thought to represent:

• Fertility
• Longevity
• Health
• Wealth
• Happiness

The act of giving sugared almonds was seen as a way for the wedding couple to share their own good fortune with their guests and was also a mark of respect.

How modern day Wedding Favours have transformed

Wedding favours have boomed in popularity, and so has people’s generosity. It’s amazing to see the difference a period of time can make. Changes and today’s lifestyles have modernised our approach to wedding favours. While many couples still give them to their guests, the choice of favour has shifted, particularly in recent years as the tradition has grown in popularity. Sugared almonds are no longer the go to favour, having fallen out of fashion over the last decade or two. Now, although many couples still like to give out chocolates or other sweets, the list of items used as wedding favours is much more varied and includes:

• Chocolates
• Candles
• Soaps
• Sweets
• Photo Frames
• Bespoke Items
• Jewellery
• Cupcakes
• Alcoholic miniatures (for the adults)
• And more!

From customised candles and monogrammed totes to personalised glassware and keepsake boxes, the options for modern-day wedding favours are endless. And with the rise of eco-conscious weddings, many brides and grooms are opting for plantable wedding favours that double as beautiful decorations and help to promote environmental sustainability.

Another trend in wedding favours is to offer guests an experience or service rather than a physical item. This could include hiring a local artist to paint guests’ portraits, offering a wine tasting experience, or even hosting a couples’ cooking class. This type of favour not only provides guests with a memorable experience, but it also allows brides and grooms to get creative and offer something truly unique and special.

Wedding favours, if you choose to have them, are a great place to get creative. You can think outside of the box and do something a little different that makes them both special and memorable. Keep in mind, often the simplest of things can make the greatest impact.

Do You Need Wedding Favours?

The short answer is no; you do not need to have wedding favours. Wedding favours are not an essential part of your day, but they do have a lot of history behind them and are considered a nice gesture to show how much you appreciate having your guests in your life. As well as this, this small gift can go a long way in thanking them in making the journey to celebrate your wedding. Some people may well have travelled halfway around the world just to celebrate your magical day with you.

Ultimately, the gifts can be as big or small as you like. Whether it’s a nostalgic nod to tradition or a creative expression of the couple’s unique style, wedding favours play an important role in helping to make a wedding truly unforgettable. And with so many exciting and creative options available today, there’s never been a better time to put your own spin on this timeless tradition.

Typically, wedding favours are placed on the table setting at your venue, ready for when your guests arrive after the ceremony has taken place. They can be used to enhance your place settings and almost be a form of decoration in themselves, depending on your theme and choice of favour. Of course, the flip side of this is that they could be taking up valuable space on place settings that you can’t afford to lose, and you could end up with reception tables that look messy and not well thought out, which is probably something that you will want to avoid.

It’s unlikely that anyone would take offence if you chose not to include wedding favours on your special day, and they can certainly increase costs depending on the number of guests you have and the type of favour you opt for. Like many other things, it’s down to your own personal choice. Do wedding favours feel important to you? If so, why? And can you create a unique wedding favour with a unique touch that doesn’t take money from what could already be a tight budget?

It’s another detail that can help create the ultimate wedding experience and really let your personality shine. Don’t let the thought of trying to create an elaborate wedding favour make you lose any sleep, it’s just an added extra.

What are your thoughts on Wedding Favours? Has this helped you think of the perfect gift you can give your guests?

Thank you for reading “The Story Behind Wedding Favours: A Timeless Tradition.”

Speak soon, Jake.

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