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The earliest record of giving wedding favors goes back to the 13th century when wealthy brides of European aristocracy would give each of their female guests a small decorative trinket box. These boxes would be made from materials such as porcelain or crystal and may have been decorated with precious stones. Inside they would put sweet sweet confections or sugar cubes – a rare commodity only afforded by the rich in those days.

As sugar became more available and the price lower, favors were adopted by the wider population and those of more modest means. The decorative boxes began to change to fabric bags or wraps and sometimes sugar made way for almonds.

Jordan almonds or confetti where given in either threes or fives, symbolizing health, wealth, happiness, fertility and longevity. The bitter taste of the almonds and the sweet taste of the sugar coating was said to represent the bitter-sweetness of marriage! These favors would also have been presented in bags or wraps made from luxurious fabrics.

The tradition of favors continued through the centuries and almonds or some other sweet confection retained as the favor of choice. Through the 20th century benefits began to undergo something of a transformation. Chocolates and candy coated almonds began to replace the sugar coated almonds and of types of favors such as miniature bottles of spirits and candles became popular.

Packaging also moved from fabrics and expensive trinket boxes, to small card boxes, tulle nets and novelty boxes shaped like top hats. Other types of packaging in the form of plastic containers such as swans, champagne glasses and glass slippers became available, providing pretty holders for confectionary based favors.

At the dawn of the 21st century the wedding favor industry was undergoing something of a revolution, largely fueled by American brides who had taken wedding favors to their heart and demanded more unique and unusual favor types. The internet also helped to expand the industry making favors available to a wider market than ever before.

Today wedding favors can range from the traditional almonds to custom cookies, kitchen utensils and even mini trees! Packaging has also become more creative with decorative card boxes in a range of wonderful shapes through aluminum tins and novelty themed boxes.

It is now possible to find a wedding favor to suit any kind of wedding, be it themed, formal or casual. The choice of colors available is wider than ever before and personalization is available on just about everything!

Things have certainly come a long way since the 13th century!

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Source by Mae Andrea