The Bomboniere

Bomboniere and confetti
Bomboniere are small gifts from the bride and groom that are traditionally given to all guests during the reception. Confetti are candy covered almonds that are wrapped up with a small card containing the names of the couple and the wedding date.

To remember this day the couple offers the bomboniera to the guests. The future bride is responsible for the cost of these gifts but the couple chooses them together. The bomboniere should be ordered at least 3 months prior to the wedding. Usually one bomboniera is given per family unit. Be sure to calculate correctly and add a few extra, for someone that might have been forgotten. Ask the family of the groom how many bomboniere are needed. In each package there should be a small card with the name of the couple ( first the brides name, then the groom, never with the last name, and the wedding date).

How to choose the bomoniera
Decide on three types of bomboniere:
-Little sachets with confetti in tulle or embroidered with the initials for those not invited to the reception.
-Normal ones for family and those invited to the reception.
-The best ones are for the maid of honour, best man, and any bridesmaids. There are many specialised stores with a wide selection. It can be any kind of object, like a champagne cork in silver, a turtle in stone ( symbol of a long marriage), a small picture frame. Don’t try to be too original. Tradition dictates a classic bomboniera in crystal, Murano glass, silver or porcelain.


Who should get a bomboniera
-Give the simplest type of bomboniera as a sign of friendship to colleagues, neighbors, etc.
-For those invited to the reception, all bomboniere should be the same.
-The most important bomboniera are for the maid of honour and best man.

When to give them
The simplest bomboniera should be given to acquaintances and colleagues just before the wedding. For the wedding guests there are a few options:

-The couples give them personally to the guests as they are leaving. One per family unit or couple.
-They can be handed out by the mother of the groom if the couple leave early.
-After the wedding, the mothers distribute the bomboniere to the invitees.

Confetti Number
-The number of the confetti inside the bomboniera should always be an odd number, 3 or 5. Sometimes a single confetto is put at the place of each guest.
-During the reception the bride will distribute confetti from guest to guest with a silver bowl and spoon on a silver tray.
-Another style in vogue are “flowers” made from confetti.

Type
The classic type are almonds with a white candy shell. If you would like to match confetti with the dress colour , there are confetti in ivory with white chocolate inside. Looking for something new? Try coloured confetti, or confetti with chocolate ad almond inside or yellow with lemon liqueur inside… or even with the initials of the bride and groom.

History
The confetto is typically Italian. It accompanies all festive events of life, baptism, first communion, confirmation, graduation, weddings, anniversaries. The symbolic value for weddings is explained like this: The almond is bittersweet, and represents life. The outer covering of sugar is the hope that the union is more sweet than bitter. Usually five confetti are used that symbolize wishes for health, wealth, happiness, fertility and longevity.