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Wedding favours, also called bonbonnieres, are gifts from the bride and groom to their guests as a symbolic thank you for attending their wedding.

While they are more important in some cultures than others, years ago nearly every Australian wedding would have had sugared almonds in a small box or organza bag.  Originating in Italy and particularly common at Greek weddings, usually five sugar coated almonds were provided to each guest.

The five almonds represented health, wealth, happiness, fertility and a long life.  It is an odd number so they cannot be divided, which represents the unity of the bride and groom.

In recent years though a much wider range of favours are being offered.  Examples include:

• Small packets of seeds for flowers used in your bouquet or decorations.
• Donation cards advising guests that the Bride and Groom have made a contribution to a charity
• Chocolates, which are always popular, or mints.
• Succulent plants in small pots, as they are pretty resilient and can survive almost anywhere.
• Bottle openers.
• Special glasses.
• Luggage tags.

Importantly though, you should not feel obliged to offer them. Guests are not likely to wonder where they are if you don’t have them.