I had a bride ask me this morning why we give sugared almonds as bomboniere at weddings and christenings.  Honestly, I didn’t know the correct answer.  I just knew that we traditionally give five almonds to our guests and the symbolism was to do with fertility and happiness.

So, off I went to find out the real reason why we traditionally give sugared almonds as bonbonniere…

Wedding favors have been with us for centuries.  In their early days, aristocratic brides and grooms from across Europe presented wedding favors made from crystal, porcelain, gold or precious gems to their guests as a token of thanks.

Almonds were also a popular choice, although it wasn’t until the thirteenth century that they were covered with a layer of sugar – the combination of bitter almonds and sweet sugar a symbol of the bittersweet nature of marriage. 

Today, sugared almonds (or ‘confetti’ as they are known in Italy) are presented in lots of either three or five – three to signify the bride, groom and their future child; five representing fertility, longevity, happiness, health and wealth.

Over time, the tradition spread beyond the aristocracy, and today couples of many cultural backgrounds delight in this special gesture of gratitude to their guests, selecting special favors that reflect their personalities or wedding themes. 

Whether you call them bonbonniere like the French, bomboniere as the Italians do or koufeta, as they are known in Greece, wedding favors are a charming way to thank your guests for participating in your special day.  What’s more, your friends and family will appreciate an eternal memento of the love you share for each other.

You can purchase traditional bomboniere almonds at the Pink Frosting online wedding shop.  We have traditional white, and also many other popular colours including pink, blue, red, yellow and green.

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn