Wedding Talks: Wedding Favors And Showers, Past And Present

The ancient customs of Rome and Italy had their own way of showing gratitude to their guests. Initially, fruits, nuts and biscuits were given to guests before the ceremony. The Romans blessed their couples with fertility. Fruits and nuts represent this in their custom. The Italians were big on status. Therefore giving luxurious items like silk scarves and incense was a common practice amongst the wealthy. This showed that the tradition of giving out favors had dated all the way back to the 16th century. And sure enough they had come a long way.

In today’s world and time, favors are given as an appreciation and token of gratitude for guests that has attended and shared a special event. Be it for bridal shower, baby showers, anniversary, birthday or even corporate celebrations favors have evolved and expanded from mere weddings to all types of functions, as a symbol of gratitude for participants.

Depending on where you are from, wedding favors diverse from each part of the world in accordance with the culture and tradition that is practiced. Different culture has different impact and influence on the type of gifts newlywed present to their guests. However, no matter how different the gifts are, the rule of thumb in giving out favors is of course to represent and symbolize health, wealth, happiness, fertility and longevity.

Wedding favors play a big part in the wedding itself. A wedding without favors is nowadays considered incomplete. Brides and groom would more often than not give out gifts that are useful like card holder, pen or letter opener. Though practical, the gifts are made personal with the new technology, where brides and grooms can leave their signatures on the gifts. Made in bulk and surprising not at all costly, these favors are more likely to make lasting impressions on the guests. With the growing online companies specializing in personalized favors, getting them done would be just the click of the mouse away.

Favors have been with us for a very long time. Nonetheless, showers were also part of human culture a long way back as well. It was said to originally start in the Netherlands. A young girl from Amsterdam fell in love with a poor mill boy. Although the boy was broke, he spent his life aiding the other poor and needy.

The father objected to the marriage and they were later refused of the custom dowry. With little to get by, they would not be able to survive. In spite of this, the villagers came to offer them things that they would need. The kindness of the boy was repaid by the village people and soon enough they were able to start a new life together. This was said to be the birth of the tradition of wedding showers we know today.

Bridal showers are meant for the close friends and relatives of the bride. Brides to be would sometimes assign a theme to their showers like Hawaiian or Christmas theme but this would all be affected by the budget. Indeed, favors given would need to reflect the themes of the bridal showers. Whatever it is, brides need to make sure that that the gifts given are sincere because this would make it more meaningful. No matter how much you need to spend on these shower favors, if they can appreciate your little offerings, it would be always be priceless.

About the Author

Elizabeth Ellis is a leading expert in all personalized gifts and has written a number of articles related to baptism gifts, personalized photo mugs, baby shower favors and so on.