Like most any other ritual handed down 
from the ages, a wedding wouldn't be complete without fertility symbols, like 
the wedding cake. Ancient Romans would bake a cake made of wheat or barley and break it over the brides head as a symbol 
of her fertility. (Whether this meant cracking the cake above the bride's head 
or actually bonking her on the noggin with 
it is rather unclear. We're not sure we really want to know!) Also guests often ate the crumbs as a sign of good luck.

Over time, a variant of this custom evolved into the forerunner of the contemporary tiered cake that is widely used today. In medieval England, wedding guests brought small cakes to the ceremony as a gift for the newlyweds. The cakes were stacked in a pile, as high as possible, to make it difficult for the newlyweds to kiss one another over the top. If the bride and groom were able to kiss over the tall stack, it was thought to 
symbolize a lifetime of prosperity. And this is why many wedding cakes 
have a little bride/groom figurine on top! Finally, during the reign of King Charles II of England, it became customary for them to be stacked neatly and frosted together as a more convenient option.

The custom of giving favors as a wedding memento to celebrate the beginning of the couple's new life together was born in Italy during the eighth century. In the beginning, this custom was practiced only by the noble families. In the wedding of Victor Emanuel of Savoy to Elena of Montenegro, favors of solid silver were given to their 1800 guests. By the end of the 19th century the practice had gained acceptance among all social classes, and it was customary for a Peasant couple to distribute 
their almonds in a golden cardboard box.

Today the giving of favors is not restricted to weddings alone, but is given to celebrate all kinds of occasions or events. The favor is filled with different colored almonds to signify each occasion. Pink and blue is used for christenings, red for graduations, green for engagements, white for weddings, and silver and gold for 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries.

The giving of wedding favors has been a tradition for a very long time. The giving 
of favors have come a long way from the first little almonds given to guests at a wedding celebration to the elegant and sometimes extravagant items given today. A favor need not be costly to be appropriate and marvelous.

First consider your budget for giving of favors. Get a approximate idea of about how many favors you will need. By deciding if you would like to give every guest a simple memento of your affection or a more elaborate favor per couple or per family. With so many choices available for favors these days the decision what to give sometimes is not easy. Ask yourself a few simple questions first.
Will you make the favors yourself? Will you have enough time to buy the materials and think of the design of the favor? Is there any family members, friends or a member of the bridal party that might give you some help?
Do yourself a favor before you start rather than do something you may regret later. Many brides underestimate the time and energy that’s required create party favors. Whether your guest list is for thirty or three hundred, making your wedding favors yourself is not easy. With so many other things consuming your time in planning your wedding, many times its best to purchase something simple, that will do the trick. We have received many calls from brides desperately trying to order something or anything at the 
last minute. Sometimes, it's just easier and more cost efficient to let a professional handle this aspect of your wedding day.