Unique Wedding Favors and Wedding Reception Favors - The Best in Favors
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The Best in Favors
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Wedding Etiquette
Wedding Etiquette
Questions and Answers:

Q. I've been told that the bride's family pays for the wedding.  Is this true?

A. I'll explain this the way it was explained to me from my very Italian, very old fashion, “traditional” father….He said that a wedding should be looked at as “One Big Grand-osa Date!” The groom asks the bride for a date (to get married).   That's the date.  The reception is not the date, but it's a party after the date, which is given by the brides father because he is so happy at the joining of his daughter to this man.  With that being said,  the ceremony and everything leading up to the ceremony is paid for by the groom and his family.  This includes:
Engagement Ring and Engagement Party
Grooms Attire
Limousines (including transportation to and from airport for honeymoon)
Flowers for the brides bouquet, corsages for both mothers and grandmothers, boutonnieres for fathers and Groomsmen)
Rehearsal dinner and thank you gifts for his groomsmen.
Clergy Fees, Marriage License Fees
Music for the ceremony
Pictures, so that he and his bride will have memories. (Photographer/Videographer)
Wedding gift for the bride
And of course …, the honeymoon

Now, provided that the brides father is consenting to this marriage, he then throws a grand celebration after the wedding ceremony.  Thus, the brides family pays for:
Invitations
The place of the celebration (Reception Hall etc.)
Flower for the reception hall (Centerpieces)
Food & Liquor for the reception
Music for the reception

According to my father, the only thing the bride has to do is get ready for this date, and of course thank her brides maids for their participation.  Thus, she pays for the bridal luncheon, thank you gifts for her brides maids, her dress, hair, make-up etc.  Oh yes, and don't forget the wedding gift for the groom!

After returning from the honeymoon, the bride and groom together pay for a very special thank you gift to their parents.  (Traditionally, this is the parents photo album/video, and a very special thank you dinner)

Please take special note, that this is “TRADITION” as portrayed by my wonderful and loving father.  Many families and cultures have different traditions.  Most importantly, tradition can and sometimes should be broken for many different reasons, some of which may be due to financial reasons.  Let's say the bride's family can only afford to invite a total of 100 guests, yet the total number of friends and family is really about 200.  Guess what… Tradition might just have to be broken.  Each and every wedding in this day and age, must be designed not to drain anyone's budget.  After all, it's a Joyful Event.., let's keep it that way for everyone!

---Annette Martino---


Q. Do the attendants (bridesmaids and ushers) pay for anything?

A.  Yes.  The best man and the groomsmen (ushers) pay for the bachelor party.  The maid of honor and bridesmaids pay for a bridal shower and may also host a girls night out (bachelorette party).  All of the attendants pay for their own attire.  They may choose to either pay for their own individual wedding gifts for the bride and groom, or give a combined wedding gift from all of the attendants.  Other responsibilities of the maid of honor and best man, are to be legal witnesses of the marriage.  They will be asked to sign the marriage license.  In addition, the best man traditionally handles all the tipping (but with the groom's money), so that the groom should not be disturbed to do so.., while the maid of honor attends to the brides personal needs (ex: If the bride is tripping on the train of her gown, the maid of honor would bussel it up for her etc.)


Q. What does Jordan Almonds symbolize?

A.  The tradition of giving Jordan Almonds to guests at a wedding originated in the Middle East, as the almonds are grown plentiful.  It is given to symbolize the Bitter and the Sweet in a marriage.  Old tradition, was to give each guest three of these candy coated almonds, representing the bride, the groom and their future child.  Over the years, the tradition has evolved to giving each guest five almonds.  These five almonds represents health, wealth, happiness, longevity and fertility.  


Q. If I'm going to give out Jordan Almonds, do I give out three or five Jordan Almonds?

A. Although this is entirely up to you, may I suggest that if you are giving the almonds out as the favors, then you might want to put five almonds in either an organza bag or pretty little box.  If you are using the almonds to decorate a totally different favor, then I suggest putting three almonds inside a piece of tulle, and tie the them to the favor with ribbon.


Q. Do I give a  favor to each guest or  to each couple?
A. This is entirely up to you.  Generally speaking, if you are giving out favors that are small, edible, or inexpensive, then it is customary to give a favor to each guest.  If you are giving favors that are more substantial in cost, then you might want to give one to each couple, and one to each guest who attends without a date.  I have been to weddings, where the favor was a note, rolled up and tied with a beautiful ribbon, stating that a monetary gift has been made to a particular charitable organization, on behalf of all their guests.  I think I enjoyed that favor the most!