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My Koumbara asked me a question the other day…
‘Can we be traditional with the bonboneries? I want it to be a surprise on your wedding day!’ she said.
Bonbonerie have become so commercial these days. The old tradition is not only practices by Greeks and Italians anymore but also by most modern Brides. There is a large variety of Bonboneiri available now and they are advertised in every bridal magazine. The Bride (or the Koumbari) can choose from a range of different colours, shapes, sizes, flavours and ornaments as the choices become endless.
Whilst bonbonerie are traditionally a gift from the Koumbari, many Brides these days are making the choice themselves.
When The Bride Chooses The Bonbonerie
- Be polite and first have the approval of the Koumbaro/Koumbara before making the choice - especially if the Koumbari are the ones paying for the bonbonerie.
- Chip in and offer to pay for the bonbonerie if you want something specific.
- Make sure that the Koumbari are happy with your choice and with the price. Ensure that it is within their budget.
When The Koumbari Chooses The Bonboneri
- Bonboneries always look nice when they match in with the theme of the wedding so ask what the colours are going to be.
- Ask the Bride and Groom for ideas on what they like and what they don’t like.
- Go shopping with your Bride and Groom or perhaps with the Brides mother who could probably help with the decision making.
- Consider the price and multiply it by the number of guests. You don’t want to spend outside of your budget.
Do you have any other advice for Brides or Koumbari about choosing bonbonerie?
I am very lucky to have a wonderful Koumbara and a fantastic Koumbaro. I trust them both and I know that whatever they choose as bonboneries for my wedding will be just perfect. It is their gift to us and I personally don’t care what they are going to look like (as long as they match my colour scheme 
).
So I said
‘Yes, Let’s be traditional! I think it will be a nice surprise!’
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This picture of white koufeta is from Carol and Pete’s Wedding web site.
Whilst browsing around the Greek Stephana website i found this explanation about koufeta:
“The Wedding Favors The sugar coated almonds (koufeta), which were placed on the tray with the crowns and which will later be offered to the guests are also symbolic.
In the early days of the Church, honey dipped almonds were offered to the newlyweds by the priest.
The white symbolizes purity. The egg shape represents fertility and the new life which begins with marriage. The hardness of the almond represents the endurance of marriage and the sweetness of the sugar symbolizes the sweetness of future life.
The odd number of almond is indivisible, just as The Bride and The Groom shall remain undivided.”
Greek Stephana is one of the leading websites for Greek wedding products such as stephana, bonboneries and martyrika.
How many Koufeta will you put in your bonboniere?
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Bonboniere (an Italian word) also known as “favors” are gifts given out on special occasions to the guests. They traditionally contain five sugared almonds which, for wedding, symbolise health, wealth, happiness, fertility and long life.
Bonboniere are always given as gifts at Greek weddings but they are also a topic of controvery. Please help me to establish some “correct” Bonboniere Etiquitte.
Questions for Disucssion:
Who is responsible to pay for the bonboniere (bride & groom or kombari)?
How much money should you spend on bonboniere?
Who should choose the design/style of the bononiere (the bride & groom or the person paying for it?)
Who receives a bonboniere (every guest or one per family)?
Should you give kids bononiere?
Do you have seperate bonbonieres for males and females? (Apparently lot’s of wedding receptions are suggesting this theses days).
What are some “bad” bonbonieres you have received?
Here is an extract from tietheknot.com.au
“The concept behind Bonboniere, originated in France, around 300 years ago, when a small box of sweets (the french word – bonbons) was given away to guests on happy occasions. Over time the idea spread to other parts of Europe, and in particular to Italy and Greece. Bomboniere (the Italian spelling) consisted of an uneven number (typically 5) of sugar-coated almonds, representing the bittersweet life of a married couple. The five almonds have significant meaning – wishing the new husband & wife: happiness, health, wealth, children & a long life. In Greece they are known as “Koufeta” (the Greek word for wedding favours) The giving of the bonbonnière is also traditional for christenings, baptisms, communions, confirmations, and graduations.
Our sugar-coated almonds are made in Australia by a family of second generation Italian confectioners. The best of both worlds: a traditional family recipe, made to the highest Australian health standards. They are made with premium Australian almonds and Australian sugar. There is no need to worry about buying the almonds too soon, or them going stale. These candy almonds have a 2 year shelf-life! Our white bomboniere almonds are approxiamately 24mm long and five will fit comforatbly in our mini organza bags. With approxiamately 300 almonds per 1 kilo bag, you should be able to make wedding favours for 60 guests. The coloured candy almonds, shown top left, are very popular for christenings. These dry roasted almonds are covered in thin sugar coating. Each piece measures about 30mm long, 11mm thick and 22mm wide. There are approxiamately 240 pieces in a 1 kilo bag. Buy 2 kilos and get free freight within Australia!”
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