I've been asked lately by several brides-to-be why Italian favors traditionally include Confetti, otherwise known as Jordan Almonds. There are several meanings to these sugar coated almonds and of course, if you are interested in following the tradition, there are a few key important details you'll need to consider.
Now, why do I know the tradition...These candies are small, but they are not exactly forgiving when they are being thrown at you as was done by my mother on my wedding day. Apparently, they are a sign of good luck and fertility...(not to mention humour for the camera man filming the assault).
On a more serious note, confetti themselves are somewhat bittersweet, representing one's journey in life and marriage. These candies represent the hope that there will be more 'sweetness' than 'bitterness' in the marriage. And yes, they are often tossed at the bride with the hopes that she will bear children (plural!).
Confetti in Italy are packaged in beautiful ornate favor boxes or wrapped in delicate tulle and handed to guests. Confetti is still a staple for Italian weddings and is often used to dress up a favor (bomboniere). But there is an unwritten rule to how many confetti you should package with your favour. An odd number of confetti, represents a number that is indivisible, as should be your marriage. 5 confetti is most popular since it traditionally represents health, happiness, fertility, wealth, and longevity.
And so there you have it. There's always more to a favor than you think!
Bye for now!
MaryLabels: wedding favors, wedding favours