Wedding gifting has grown into a thriving industry, with curated wish lists and gift registry services now available at most retailers. But where did this tradition actually begin?

If we look back through history, gifting around weddings has deep roots. One of the earliest forms was the dowry, a gift from the bride’s family to the groom, often in the form of land, money, property, or other valuables. This offering was intended to ‘offset’ the cost of the bride’s living expenses, which would now be the groom’s responsibility. In some cultures, the tradition was reversed, with the groom’s family gifting to the bride.

But wedding gifting hasn’t always been just about the couple. Guests, too, have long been part of the tradition. The practice of giving wedding favors, small tokens of appreciation for attending, can be traced back to 16th-century France, when aristocrats gifted ornate trinket boxes known as bonbonnières, filled with confectionery.

Over time, this tradition evolved. A more familiar version includes the classic five sugared almonds, each symbolising health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and long life.

Today’s weddings are far more imaginative and playful. Guest favours now range from local honey and hot sauce to mints, bath bombs, and even flower seeds, a beautiful blend of tradition coupled with a personal touch.