A wedding is a special celebration for family and friends, as well as for the bride and groom. There are so many things to attend to in the exceitement of planning the wedding that the bride will often ask for some help from friends and family to help her with the details of receptions, flowers, outfits and vehicles. You will find that relatives and friends will want to help.
There are extra duties for the members of the wedding party - matron of honor, bridesmaids, best man and groomsmen. Their duties include helping the bride and groom get everything organized in time for the big day. They are also responsible for helping the bride and groom and seeing that the proceedings all run smoothly.
The tradition of giving small gifts or wedding favors to wedding guests and attendants dates back to early European times, when aristocrats and the wealthy would give each other sweets to celebrate marriages. People called them bomboniere because this means ’small box of sweets’. The original gifts were made of crystal and gold, and embellished with precious stones. Sugar was still rare and expensive in those days, so only the wealthy and the aristocrats could afford these gifts.
During the 13th century, the tradition of giving sugar-coated almonds developed as sugar became more affordable. The traditional number of almonds was symbolic; there were five, standing for health, happiness, fertility, wealth and longevity. The slightly bitter almond is covered by a sweet sugary coating to be representative of the bitter-sweet aspects of marriage.
Gradually, over time, wedding guests started to give more practical or elaborate gifts to the couple and the tradition of the five almonds was retained by it becoming a guest gift instead. Previously wedding brides went very long distances in order to pay for wedding cake. While the tradition of the bomboniere is still around, the gifts may be called guest gifts or wedding favors. Several European countries still have the tradition of giving bomboniere that contai 5 almonds, in a little decorated box or lace bag tied with ribbons.
Most couple give a more elaborate guest gify these days, with modern brides often forsaking the tradition. Champagne glasses, scented candles, pens or picture frames with a wedding photo are among the most common gifts these days. An old bridesmaid would be a excellent lady to inquire about advice about bachelorette party games or bridal shower games. Personalize them with the names of the bride and groom, and even the date of the wedding, if you like. Most couples intend their guest gifts to be both a thank-you for the guest’s attendance and wedding gift and a momento of the wedding day.
There are lots of ideas that can be used for these gifts of appreciation and they don’t have to be very expensive. You will find a wide range of wedding favors, in various price ranges, when you do an internet search. You will possibly get some great ideas from these website, even if you don’t end up buying from them.
You might be one of those brides who prefer to make their own wedding favors. You can get little colored boxes at many stationary supply stores. To tie the wedding favors to the wedding theme, decorate the outside of the box accordidng to your theme and then put in some chocolates. Select the color of the ribbons to match your wedding theme, attach a gift tage for the guest’s name and tie it all closed and you will have created wedding favors that will both look greaty and be appreciated. Maybe you could consider making the chocolates yourself at home.