By Sweet Memories Heirloom Pastries
Wedding favors can be traced back for centuries and across cultures. Until recently, in the United States, brides (and grooms) would give a special gift of appreciation to their parents, and their wedding party; now the tradition has grown, once again, to include the entire guest list. Wedding favors have been given throughout the centuries by the Bride after the wedding ceremony, to her guests as a gesture of appreciation and hospitality. Now, it is the bridal couple, who give the gift. Typically these tokens are placed at the seats of their guests, if a meal is being served, or they are displayed on a table for the guests to pick up as they leave to take home.
The gift of choice given by those early brides up through the early 1900's were edible confections such as sugared almonds, fine chocolate, special cookies (this is where Mexican, Danish and many other wedding cookie variations originated), or some other specially created delicacy. They were carefully wrapped and always well received. In the early twentieth century wedding cakes became 'white', replacing the centuries old tradition of some sort of fruit and nut cake, which represented good fortune and prosperity. The fruit and nut cake became the grooms cake which was cut and wrapped for each guest in an elegant manner. The gift was supposed to be put under the pillow that night, and according to lore, ensured the guest would have sweet dreams and a blessing of joy.
So where does this leave you? First: know your budget and stick with it. $3.00 per guest doesn't seem like much until you multiply it by your guest list, add tax and possibly shipping…. the budget can be blown before you blink. The point of the favor, throughout time, is to be a little token; a ''thank you for sharing in our day." The good news is you have affordable, budget friendly, alternatives to the over given candles, picture frames and many other "cute" items which guests often wonder what they will do with.
Early brides had the right idea; an edible delicacy. Sweet treats can be personalized or customized for your guests, can be very budget friendly, and you will be appreciated for your thoughtfulness. Current, popular edible wedding favors include cake pops, monogrammed cake truffles, a hand decorated cookie, heart cut-out shortbread cookie with decorative detail, two or three small wedding type cookies, mini cupcake or petit fours, to name a few. Typically these are individually packaged, further coordinating with your wedding vision and adding very little, if any, extra cost. Concerned for a gluten-free or vegan guest? You can easily have theirs adapted to meet their dietary needs.
Keep your wedding favors simple, you have history to back you up. Don't break the bank, your guests want to share in your joy, not in your despair over all the bills left to be paid. Wedding favors should embody the joy of your special day and what says that better than a fabulous bite of something delicious? As the incredible flavor takes hold, a smile will bloom on their face and a Sweet Memory will have been created! And that is perfect.
See you at the Hunt Country Celebrations Bridal Show & Expo on March 18th!
No comments:
Post a Comment