The tradition of giving wedding favours, or gifts to the guests at a wedding, has been around for centuries. It started from European Aristocracy giving their guests bombonnieres, or trinket boxes, filled with confectionery. This custom evolved and the tradition of giving almonds to guests later replaced the sugar confectionery. This then led to the giving of sugared almonds, which are the most popular wedding favour gift today. Traditionally, 5 sugared almonds are given, and they symbolise health, wealth, happiness, longevity and fertility.

Thankfully the modern bride isn't bound by tradition and there are an infinite number of options to make your wedding favours unique and memorable for you and your guests. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

1. Presentation, presentation, presentation

If you like the idea of the traditional sugared almonds, why not make the presentation of them individual to you? You can design and buy your own boxes or bags online and in many bridal or party shops. You can buy coloured, shaped or printed boxes or you could even buy the paper or fabric and make your own. For something a little different, you could give your gifts individual shot glasses filled with the sweets.

2. Everybody loves chocolate!

Well, we do! Instead of traditional sugared almonds, (which lets face it, might break teeth, cause nut allergies, be swalled whole by young children...) Why not give chocolate favours? You can choose which chocolates you give, so can personalise it further by giving people their favourites, or by making sure children have fun and alcohol free ones, whilst the adults can be treated to champagne truffles or cherry liqueurs!

3. Don't forget the kids!

If you have children at your wedding, how about giving them their own special favours? Wedding teddy bears are one idea, or you could give them small toy cars, colouring sets or small games if you want to keep them quiet and amused...

4. Something old, something new...

This one is one for those of you who like a challenge! We all know the 'Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue' rhyme for brides on their wedding day. It might be best not to give your guests borrowed gifts, but you could give them one old thing and one new thing, maybe in a blue box or bag. Something very poignant for the 'old' is an individual memory of that guest printed out for them.

5. Stay with the theme.

From beach weddings, to medieval, fairytale, even gangster or sci-fi, there are items available from outfits to decorations and favours to keep your event within a theme. You can also match your favours, either by presentation or by content. Even if it is shaped sweets in decorated boxes it shows your guests you have thought about them and made the effort.

6. What happens in Vegas...

Entertainment at wedding receptions is a big part of the event. You can now hire games tables, so ideal favours could be a pack of cards and some chips to play with on the tables.

7. Keep it personal.

For a really personal touch, you could give the guests a photograph of the bride and groom in a small frame. A good idea if you want the guests to have something they can keep.

8. Money's too tight to mention...

Yes, we know weddings are a huge financial commitment but there are ways to keep costs down. You can cut the costs of wedding favours by making your own - cookies or cupcakes decorated with the initials of the bride and groom, perhaps with a note to your guests, are affordable, personal and memorable.

9. Keeping it clean.

Your favours don't have to be edible. Small soaps or candles, perhaps in the colour scheme of your wedding, can make beautiful gifts.

10. A gift that grows.

Literally! For something really unusual, how about giving your guests small pots with bulbs planted in them. The pots could be decorated or left blank. You could even give the children something to decorate the pots with to keep them busy!

Whatever you decide to give your guests as wedding favours, we hope you have fun choosing, and we are sure they will appreciate the thought you have put into their gifts.