Wedding Favors from Around the Globe
Wedding favors can be found at almost every wedding, but what are the wedding favors of the different cultures around the world. Wedding favors can come as just about anything today in a modern wedding.
Those who attempt to stay near beloved traditions will find that the wedding favors only vary slightly from culture to culture. Cultures who were very much influenced by Roman influences will find that the wedding favor is confections or sugar-coated almonds in the count of five, which are packaged in a box, fabric or tin of some kind.
The count of five represents the five good wishes of the wedding celebration - happiness, health, longevity, fertility and wealth. In the case of the almonds, these treats were to represent both the bitter and sweet moments that make married life. In Malaysia, you will find that the wedding favors are painted and decorated eggs. Normally found as red in color, these eggs symbolize fertility for the married couple. Irish wedding favors are a bell.
The bell is meant to restore harmony when a couple is fighting as well as to shine as a reminder to the couple of their sworn vows to each other. In the Netherlands, the Roman tradition has been altered slightly by replacing the almonds with sweet Dutch candies. This is known as the "Bridal Sugar" and is typically bundled in tulle.
The Russians and the Japanese share the tradition of giving slightly larger wedding favors such as picture frames, vases and sachets. In Spain you will return home from a wedding with a vase full of orange blossoms as the traditional wedding favor there. The first noted wedding favor in history comes from England, where the wedded couple handed out love knots made of lace and ribbons to their wedding guests.
In Puerto Rico, the wedding favor tradition is for the guest to choose a charm off a wedding doll at the wedding party's table and to also receive ornately made cards that have the wedding date and names on it, called "copias". In India, you may receive hand-carved elephants for your wedding participation. They are truly a work of art and a beautiful sculpture to display in one's home. In Africa, the Cowrie shell is used in many aspects of wedding and of course in wedding favors as well.
These shells represent fertility and prosperity to the new couple. As you can see, there are many customs and traditions that make our world and our wedding wonderful. Why not incorporate these traditions into your wedding favors whether part of your heritage or not. Of course there are more cultures not represented here, so do the research necessary to find the tradition that you wish to share with others.
Wedding favors are an essential part of the wedding day to show the appreciation for the wedding guests, why not share the world with them at the same time with many different cultures blended together. You can take the best of the world and have it all on your special day. Wedding favors are an excellent way to do just that.
Article
Different with Your Wedding Favors
Hand-craft Your Wedding Favors
Personalize Your Wedding Favors
Top Websites for Wedding Favors
Traditional Wedding Favors for the Traditional Wedding
Wedding Favors from Around the Globe