Wedding - Wedding Favors - Wedding Speeches

Wedding is an event that highlights the lives of people in a relationship. In as much as couples plan for their wedding day in terms of reception, wedding gown, and the entourage, part of the preparation includes wedding favors. These are small gifts given by the newlywed couple to guests. The giving of gifts is a simple gesture of showing appreciation to their guests for attending and sharing with them the most special occasion of their lives.

The giving of wedding favors dates back some centuries ago. It started in the 16th century where the rich Europeans distribute gifts to wedding guests in the form of small trinket they called bonbonniere. This trinket is a small box made of porcelain, crystal or precious stones that contains sugar or confection. It symbolizes wealth and royalty. Some customs are in the form of five candies which symbolizes the five common wishes of couples such as fertility, happiness, health, longevity and wealth.

The traditional gift giving of sugar and candies have changed over the years. These were replaced with sugarcoated almonds given in set of three or five. Sugarcoated almonds in 3’s means the husband, wife and future child while a set with five almonds represent wishes for happiness, health, fertility, longevity and wealth.

Other wedding favors depend on the cultures and traditions of each country. Like in Malaysia, couples give a hand painted egg that symbolizes fertility. In Japan, paper cranes made by the bride and used as decorations during the wedding are also given away. The paper cranes symbolize fidelity, good fortune and longevity.

In this modern times, the type of wedding give-away have evolved from the traditional to a more personalized and more practical items like scented candles, soap, picture frames, compact discs with the favorite songs of the couple, wine glasses and glass coasters. These are only some of the many available items today. Some couples also prefer to print or engraved their names on the keepsakes.

As times have changed, the soon to be wed couples could hire the services of a wedding event organizer to facilitate the preparation of everything needed in the wedding. The organizer could help the couple decide the kind of gift they would like to give their guests according to their taste and preference. Alternatively, they could browse the internet and see for themselves the many available ideas and designs. It could help them decide if they could not come up yet with what type of gift to give.

Souvenirs need not be expensive to be remarkable. It could serve its ultimate purpose as long as it reflects the personalities of the couple combined with the theme they have selected for their wedding. If on a budget, they could buy the item they want in bulk, make the souvenirs personally, and come up with an elegant style using not so expensive materials.

Wedding favors need not be expensive to be unique or outstanding. The most important thing is that the newly weds show appreciation to their guests who spend their time and share their very special moment. It is a symbol of gratitude that reminds them that they were a part of such unforgettable experience in the lives of a newly wed couple.