It is most likely these days, that couples preparing for their marriage are likely to ask if there is a certain part of the wedding process where there is no tradition involved. If there is one time you'll get tired of traditions, it is probably the wedding occasion. Starting from the engagement, there is already the engagement ring, which has been the de rigueur of the ancient Roman culture when a woman is set to be married. All throughout the wedding preparation and during the event itself, all these are marked with the customary traditions and beliefs. At the end of most weddings, guests are given wedding favors. But would you believe that the giving of such wedding favors is not at all a modern practice to make a wedding more costly? It is still among the old traditions included in the marriage ceremony and celebration.

Many centuries ago was the time when wedding favors were conceptualized. Bonbonnieres, as they were then called, were common wedding give-aways to the guests of a European aristocrat wedding. However, bonbonnieres [http://www.wedding.com.au/directory/bonbonnieres/] are also a staple supply in other social gatherings like baptismal and birthdays. A bonbonniere was then an elegant box crafted with porcelain, precious stones, crystal or metal. Inside the boxes are sugar delicacies. So you can see that a bonbonniere was only a wedding practice among the rich and the wealthy as sugar during those times are so expensive that only rich people can afford. Later almond, which was another symbol of wealth and richness replaced the sugar stuffs inside the bonbonniere. People then consider wedding as a lucky occasion. the bonbonnieres the couple to their guests are like parts of the newlyweds luck that they share with their guests. There are even instances when these bonbonnieres contain five pieces of almond or candy each representing happiness, health, longevity, wealth and fertility.

Many years more and the bonbonnieres have evolved to what we now know of as wedding favors. These days, giving away bonbonnieres or wedding favors to guests is not only done by only a few. Not that many people have gone rich through the years, but the fact that today, wedding favors need not at all be too expensive. Even small pieces of candies wrapped presentably can be given by the newlyweds as a sign of gratitude to guests who have been part of their momentous event. Even those couples who are following a strict budget can simply craft their own wedding favors.

When it comes to wedding favors or bonbonnieres, no specific rule is set on what the couple should give. There are wedding favors given in accordance to the theme of the wedding (a practice usually done by the Americans). In many countries all over the globe, there are traditional favors that are given out during a wedding. In Italy, the marrying couple is expected to hand out to their guests some chocolate covered almonds or Jordan almonds which are almonds dipped in sugar. In Spain, wedding guests are all expecting to receive orange blossoms placed in a small vase. Whereas in Netherlands, the Dutch give away 'bridal sugar' and some favors including five candy pieces as representation of their wedding wishes for the couple.