Wedding favors are small tokens of appreciation given from the bride and groom to guests who attend their wedding. Traditionally, wedding favors are given at the reception, although some couples may choose to give these gifts at the ceremony instead. Either way, wedding favors are a great memento of a special occasion, as well as an excellent way to thank guests for attending a celebration.

Historically, the first wedding favors were known as bonbonnieres, and were given by members of the European aristocracy. These bonbonnieres were small boxes made of expensive materials, such as crystal and porcelain. Very wealthy families even commissioned boxes adorned with precious stones. In the days when sugar was expensive and only obtainable by the wealthy, sweets or sugar cubes were placed inside the boxes, symbolizing prestige and royalty.

Over the years, these expensive boxes were replaced by more economical almonds, usually coated in a sugar known as confetti. These types of wedding favors usually contain five almonds, which represents happiness, health, fertility, wealth, and longevity for the bride and groom. Tradition holds the sweetness of the confetti and the bitterness of the almond represent the bittersweet moments of marriage.

Today, brides and grooms can choose from a plethora of wedding favors to bestow on guests. Almonds are still popular, as are bubbles, goblets, pens, cameras, and miniature candy boxes. Many of these items can even be engraved with the names of the bride and groom as well as the date of the marriage, adding a personal element to the gifts.