The ManicaPost
Hello Mutare, its 2018 and we want to celebrate your wedding with you. Makorokoto! Amphlope! Congratulations!
If you would like us to showcase your wedding in the Manica Post, please contact us. We will come and take pictures of key parts of your wedding for showcasing in this column. You will also automatically be entered into the Bride and Groom of the Year competition.
Yes it’s true! We want Manicaland and the rest of the nation to celebrate with you through your wedding photos. Message or call Ann 0772933845 or the Editor 0778175925 for booking or more information
Do all guests have to get a small piece of cake or we can provide something else?
I was asked this question last week. For those who are confused, the tradition at weddings these days seems to be that guests are given a very small piece of cake (one or two inches). This is part of what we call a “Guest Favour”. Like a thank you gift to the guests for coming and sharing the amazing day with the couple.
Guest favours are an added cost to weddings that many couples do not want to pay for. So it has become the trend especially in Africa, to have the baker prepare a larger cake that is cut in to tiny squares for each guest. The cost is minimal.
It is the tradition in some Western cultures for the guests to receive what guest or party favours; these vary in price and durability in accordance with the desires and budget of the bride and groom. This practice has spread to other events associated with weddings, such as engagement parties, bridal showers and bachelor parties and even baby showers retirement parties and anniversaries, among others.
So, wedding or guest favours are small gifts given as an appreciation or gratitude to guests from the bride and groom during a wedding reception.
HISTORY
The tradition of distributing wedding favours is an old one. It is believed that the first wedding favour, common amongst European aristocrats, was known as a bonbonniere. A bonbonniere is a small trinket box that was made of crystal, porcelain, and or precious stones. The contents of these precious boxes were generally sugar cubes or delicate confections, symbolising wealth and royalty.
As sugar became more affordable, bonbonnieres were replaced with almonds. For centuries, almonds were commonly distributed to wedding guests to signify well wishes on the bridegroom’s new life. In the 13th century, almonds coated with sugar, known as confetti, were introduced. Confetti soon transformed to sugared almonds, which later evolved into the wedding favour for modern day weddings. Traditionally, five Jordan almonds are presented in a confection box or wrapped in 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 and sweetness of a marriage.
Today, gifts to guests are commonly known as wedding favours and are shared in cultures worldwide. Wedding favours have become a part of wedding reception planning. Wedding favours are diverse and usually complement the theme or season of the event.
Classic favours range from the classic sugared almonds, individual chocolates to candles and scented soaps.
Modern gift trends include: CDs with the favourite music of the bride and groom, shot glasses filled with coloured candy or silver picture frames with a photo of the couple.
Gifts may also be personalised with the couple’s names, initials or wedding date.
Chocolates in innovative shapes represent a blend of classic favours with modern themes, along with personalised effects, both on the chocolate (with edible ink) and on the wrappers. Favours can also come in the form of a thank you card to each guest.
The choice of favours is personal to the hosts, who might make or buy party favours for their event. The main factors in this decision are budget, the number of guests, the longevity or shelf life of the chosen favour, and the time available for making or shopping for favours.
Chocolate favours given out to guests of a party on occasions like birthdays, corporate celebrations and weddings are known as party chocolate favours.
They can be customised and personalised. For instance a wedding chocolate can be shaped in the form of a cake or in the shape of a couple or church. For corporate occasions, one could get the logo and tagline printed on these favours
A few brides even decide they want to create their own particular favours.
There are many unique souvenir ideas people can go for and the choices are unlimited and personal.
Some end up with candles tied with ribbons or even butterflies that they can beautify themselves.
Hope this has helped someone out there.
Until next week, God bless!
Ann can be messaged only on 0772933845, or emailed on [email protected] or found in Meikles Department Store Hair and Beauty Salon Mutare.
