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Jordan Almonds As Wedding Favors
26 May 2006
Jordan Almonds As Wedding Favors
Koufeta, Bonbonnier, Dragees, Confetti………Traditions of Jordan Almonds
One of the most common traditional wedding favor candies used today is the Jordan Almond. Jordan Almonds as wedding favors or sweets is a tradition over 3,000 years old in Greek, Middle Eastern, French and Italian weddings. The Jordan Almond Wedding Favors are given many names depending on the culture in which they are referred to. As European wedding favors they are called almond dragees, or these tasty wedding favors are most commonly referred to as confetti in the Italian wedding culture. For the origin of confetti or Jordan Almonds as wedding favors we must look back to the ancient Romans, who celebrated births and marriages with the distant ancestors of today's confetti favors. But until the renaissance they - and other sweets - were made with honey. The introduction of sugarcane into European kitchens in the 15th century marked the beginning of the modern era for confetti. In the renaissance, as in antiquity, confetti were not just for ceremonial use. They were real sweetmeats made of candied fruits, or with almonds, dried fruits, aromatic seeds, hazelnuts, pine nuts or cinnamon, covered with a hard coating of sugar. And they were habitually served not only at wedding banquets but also at many important meals. The tradition of the presence of Jordan Almonds during important occasions has led to it becoming symbolism for special occasions, especially weddings. The tradition of Jordan Almonds as wedding favors expands through history and many cultures as the tiny sweet itself evolves through time.
These tasty sugar coated nuts, called Koufeta in Greek, are said to represent many things. The bittersweet almond taste is symbolic of life itself. The sugar coating is the hope that life will be blessed with more sweetness than bitterness. Wedding favors should contain an odd number of Jordan Almonds, which is indivisible just as marriage should remain. Middle Eastern wedding custom dictates that five Jordan Almonds pieces are presented to each wedding guest as wedding favors. The number five represents five wedding wishes: health, wealth, happiness, fertility and longevity. In the Middle Eastern wedding culture the candy covered almonds are considered aphrodisiacs and are always on hand.
In Greek wedding culture, to ensure sweetness and purity in the marriage, "koufeta" bags filled with an odd number of white candy-coated Jordan Almonds tied with ribbon are given to guests as wedding favors. The white symbolizes purity and the shape of the almond symbolizes never-ending love. The odd number is indivisible, symbolizing how the husband and wife will share everything and remain undivided. For modern Greek wedding favors, white Organza Favor Bags with satin drawstring are filled with 5 Jordan Almonds.
For hundreds of years, the gift of sugar-coated Jordan Almonds has been a traditional European wedding favor, especially in Italy, France and Greece, where they are also known as Jordan almonds or Almond dragees. The French particularly prefer French almond dragees. These white Jordan Almonds have found its way into containers that range from simple Organza Bags to Silver Favor Tins. It is most famous as part of the Italian "bonbonniere" or confetti favor, which is a presentation of 3 or 5 almonds wrapped in tulle and tied with a bow. The number of almonds in the favor is important; as to not bring bad luck upon the new couple. Today, the tradition to give sugared sweets as wedding favors has grown to include their fabrication in lovely tulle and silk flowers created in Italy, and known as Confetti Flowers. (Confetti is from the word confection.) Five almonds can also be incorporated into Ribbon Flowers, also known as Coccarde Favors. They are sold as Organza Ribbon Flower Favors for weddings.
Modern brides are very creative with the traditional Jordan Almonds. Traditionally white Jordan Almonds have been used for weddings; however Jordan Almonds are available in pastel colors to coordinate with the wedding décor. Brides use pastel Jordan Almonds in creative Jordan almond favor holders to put a twist on an old tradition. Jordan Almonds have even been incorporated into heart shape cookie cutters to create an unique wedding favor treat called “Cookie Cutter Wedding Favor Treats” This is a heart shaped cookie cutter which holds inside it 3 Jordan Almonds wrapped in tulle with a satin ribbon. Why not add a favor tag that reads “Cut Out For Each Other”. Another popular idea for Jordan Almonds is Gold Jordan Almonds or Silver Jordan Almond favors. Gold Jordan Almonds or Silver Jordan Almonds put a spark into wedding favors and they are very unique. Wedding guests will be surprised by the creativity used to include the metalic tones in wedding favors. Creativity with Jordan Almonds can include a classic tradition in a very modern wedding.
However one chooses to present these tasty Jordan Almonds or Almond Dragees as wedding favors, it is a symbolism of cultural tradition and a very special occasion
Jordan Almonds by,
Sara
Sara
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Throw a Traditional Italian Wedding
Despite what you might think, you don't have to be a sun-kissed couple fresh from the shores of Sicily in order to have an Italian wedding. A couple of Italian descent are more than welcome to weave Italian traditions into their wedding -- whether or not they've ever set foot in Italy.
Many of us find that the most satisfying weddings combine nostalgic old traditions with contemporary ways of doing things. And old religious observances, historic dances, and traditional Italian foods are sure to give your wedding a warm Italian heart.
As everyone knows, Roman Catholicism is Italy's primary religion. So a traditional Italian wedding typically means a traditional Catholic wedding as well, including a full mass with the ceremony. However, it's still true that not every Italian is Catholic. Although it may be a bit unusual, if you and your partner aren't Catholic, you can still incorporate the Italian traditions in your reception. One of the most charming is the dove release, symbolizing the love and affection of each newlywed for the other, although this tradition is not very old.
No Italian wedding is complete without a few traditional dances, such as the Tarantella. Although the Tarantella's origin is somewhat murky, most of the stories about it involve a spider bite, and tell of a dance either meant to counteract the venom, or one that simply mimics the uncontrolled motions of the sufferer. At any rate, these days the Tarantella is performed at wedding parties to wish the couple a fine future together. Participants form a circle and dance in a clockwise direction, until the music speeds up and the dancers must change direction. The tempo changes several times, each time forcing the dancers to change direction and dance even faster. The Tarantella continues until it becomes impossible to keep up, and the dance falls apart.
What's the most distinguishing aspect of an Italian wedding? The food, of course. The Italians invented the evocative word abbondanza, which somehow means something more than mere "abundance," and no Italian wedding would be complete without an overwhelming feast of many courses. Traditionally, the wedding reception begins with an antipasto course of cheeses, olives, mushrooms, and pickled sweet peppers. This course is followed by subsequent courses starring pastas, meats, salads, soups, and desserts, each one punctuated by freely flowing wine.
It's interesting to note that some of the foods at an Italian wedding have symbolic overtones. For example, the giving of sugar-coated almonds to guests symbolizes that marriage is both bitter and sweet. The number of almonds given is associated with traditional meanings: for example, three almonds speak to fertility, while five almonds wish for wealth.
Another authentic Italian wedding tradition is the breaking of a glass at the reception's end, somewhat like a similar tradition within the Jewish faith. However, the deeper symbolism underlying these traditions is very different. Within Judaism, the broken glass symbolizes human frailty and the hardship the couple's ancestors endured as a result of their faith. But in Italian weddings, the broken glass points toward the future. The number of shards is said to predict the number of happy years the couple will have together.
It's deeply satisfying for couples of Italian descent to weave these traditional elements into their modern-day wedding. Even if only your distant relatives still reside on Italian soil and you've never been to Italy, it's still absolutely fine to follow these traditions. And that's not to say you have to be Italian, either -- all that's required is that you appreciate the richness of Italian culture and are willing to try something new.
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