Wedding Favours: The Tradition of Giving your Guests 5 Sugared Almonds

When you decide to give your guests wedding favours you are giving your guests a token of your gratitude for their participation in your very special day. Traditionally 5 sugared almonds are given to wedding guests, presented in favour boxes or favour bags. But where did this tradition come from and what is the significance of “5”?

The traditions associated with the wedding favours in particular, date back to the 16th Century in Italy, when the Italians began to produce sugar. At that time sugar was considered a luxury food, afforded only by wealthy aristocrats. These aristocrats would give their wedding guests gifts of sugar in ornate gem encrusted, crystal or porcelain gift boxes, known as bombonieres on their wedding day. As sugar became more accessible to the general population, the tradition became more popular and giving favours to wedding guests became more widespread.

Over time the sugar in bombonieres was replaced with sugared almonds. 5 sugared almonds were given to guests to represent good wishes of   Health, Wealth, Happiness, Fertility and Long Life.

These days sugared almonds are available in a variety of colours, so if you would like your wedding favours to include this tradition,  you have the opportunity to co-ordinate your choice of confectionary with your wedding theme colours!

If you wish to read more about the traditions of wedding favours you may wish to visit my article at  Wedding Favours: The History of Wedding Favours from Sugar Cubes to Eye Candy on mrs2be.ie wedding discussion forum.

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