Wedding Favour Ideas

Wedding favours, or Bomboniere as they are traditionally known are an Italian tradition. The original Bomboniere were given out by the bride and groom to all their guests and consisted of 5 sugared almonds to represent health, wealth, happiness, long life and fertility.

They are now more commonly given as a small gift, memento of the day or keep sake from the couple to their wedding guests.

Wedding favours are also used to ‘dress’ a table. Most are attractively packaged and add to the presentation of the guest tables. They can be placed at each place setting or arranged in a central display on the tables. The traditional Italian Bomboniere are presented in deep baskets with large handles around which the almond nets are tied. The bride and groom then carry these to each table for every guest to take their gift.

Wedding favours have become more popular in recent years and consequently the diversity of Bomboniere, so what you can now give to your guests is far more imaginative and varied than sugared almonds. Here are some that I have used at my weddings:

• Miniature bottles of whisky – a fun and appropriate gift to give your guests if you have Irish or Scottish heritage. You can also have the bottles personalised with a special label.
• Potpourri – this can be presented in a variety of containers such as clear boxes, tulle or small tins.
• Miniature wedding cakes – presented in a clear box and decorated with your names and the wedding date. A great keepsake or post-wedding snack for your guests!
• Scented candles – presented in attractive tins, small holders or wrapped in tulle to match your colour scheme.
• Crackers – containing a small gift and placed at each setting. These can be custom made to match your colour theme.
• Cookies – in a variety of shapes and colours. Presented in a clear bag and tied with a ribbon to match your colour scheme and, if you wish, a message from the two of you.
• Cigars – always popular with the men and some of the women as well!
• Lottery tickets – because you just NEVER know!
• If you have no idea what to do – I have had couples donate the money to a charity they support instead. I then have tags made that I tie around the wine glass stem on the table explaining that this donation has been made in place of a favour.
• Favours are not compulsory – I always tell my couples that unless there is something we can create that is personal to them or that enhances and compliments their table decor they are an unnecessary expense. The money saved may be better spent on a great band or at the bar!

Article by London Based Wedding Co-Ordinator Siobhan Craven-Robins

Image from Flickr, Uploaded by Jessica Higgins

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