There are very few places in the World that have a rich, long and passionate history of famous loves like Italy. Indeed Italy is the home of two of the most famous lovers in literature, Romeo and Juliet and for more than one thousand years it has been the custom in Italy, Greece and other European countries to give presents, Bomboniere, to guests at weddings.
Originally Bomboniere were only associated with the wealthy aristocracy such as the Medici and Borgia families and consisted of precious gems, gold, silver, crystal and porcelain given together with five almonds. The almonds symbolised luck and traditionally represented Health, Wealth, Happiness, Longevity and Fertility. Often these boxes also held other confectionary delicacies at a time when sugar was expensive and was highly valued by everyone as it was also believed to have medicinal benefits. These sugar coated almonds became known as confetti.
Some of the most lavish weddings in history hail from the Italian Renaisance period, from the nobile Florentine princes of the Medici and the wealthy Venetian merchants. History recalls the opulent and extravagant wedding of Catherine di Medici later Catherine I of France who married Henry II of France when untold treasures were lavished on the guests to demonstrate the power and wealth of Florence and the Medici Family.
All cultures across time have approached marriage as a wonderful event, with the nuptials celebrated throughout the families. By making gifts to members of the families the bride and groom could pass on their good luck. Today these gifts are known as wedding favors.
These heartfelt gifts are given at Italian weddings with the resounding echoes of that famed Italian toast of "Per cent'anni", which means for a hundred years.