Favours are an important part of any wedding day. A wedding is a chance for you to gather all your loved ones and celebrate in your love and favours are a terrific opportunity to say thank you for coming. 

The tradition of giving wedding favours is very old and were very common amongst English aristocrats. The earliest favours were known as bonbonniere, a small box made out of crystal, porcelain or precious stones and containing sugar cubes or delicate confections. They were used to symbolise wealth and royalty (in this time sugar was a precious commodity and only enjoyed by the wealthy). As the price of sugar was lowered through the centuries, the tradition of providing gifts to guests reached the general populace and was embraced by couples with more modest means. 

As sugar became more affordable, bonbonnieres were replaced with almonds, hence the more popular and well known sugared almonds today. They were first introduced in the thirteenth century. They were used to signify well wishes on the bridegroom's new life. Traditionally five sugared almonds are presented in a confection box or wrapped in an elegant fabric to represent fertility, longevity, wealth, health and happiness. The bitterness of the almond and the sweetness of the coated candy are a metaphor for the bitter sweetness of a marriage.

Today, gifts to guests are commonly known as wedding favours and are shared in cultures worldwide. They are an important part of wedding reception planning. 

The Chocolate Emporium has supplied its ranges of chocolates to weddings to great success and they have made a stunning addition to the festivities. In one, the Lindt chocolates were arranged in rings around the centrepieces to stunning, colourful effect. 

If you would like to enquire about the possibility of having any of our ranges as possible favours for your wedding please contact us on info@the-chocolate-emporium.com 

For bulk orders a discount will be considered and can be discussed. We are also in contact with a reputable supplier of a sweet cart for weddings should you need to display them in a memorable way. Again, simply enquire on the email listed above. 

Most of all, enjoy planning the best day of your lives and have a long and happy life together. From experience, a wedding day can be the most overwhelmingly wonderful day and is something to be treasured for the rest of your life. Favours are a fantastic way of spoiling your guests as much as they are spoiling you. 

Here are some other, non-food ideas for wedding favours that you might like to consider: 

* Sunglasses (for a summer wedding)

* Coffee beans (in beautiful paper wrapping) 

* Homemade limoncello 

* Mini journals or sketchbooks

* Classily made hangover kits (for after the night of the wedding) 

* Homemade mini candles 

* Instagram coasters (using your personal photographs) 

* Shot galsses 

* A charity donation made in your guests name