Whilst browsing around the Greek Stephana website i found this explanation about koufeta:

“The Wedding Favors The sugar coated almonds (koufeta), which were placed on the tray with the crowns and which will later be offered to the guests are also symbolic.
In the early days of the Church, honey dipped almonds were offered to the newlyweds by the priest.
The white symbolizes purity. The egg shape represents fertility and the new life which begins with marriage. The hardness of the almond represents the endurance of marriage and the sweetness of the sugar symbolizes the sweetness of future life.
The odd number of almond is indivisible, just as The Bride and The Groom shall remain undivided.“

Greek Stephana is one of the leading websites for Greek wedding products such as stefana, bomboniere and martirika.

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How many Koufeta will you put in your bomboniere?
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Related topics that you might like:

• History of Bomboniere (Koufeta)
• Bomboniere Ettiquite
• Should Bomboniere Be A Surprise?

Black Oval Wedding favor at the Greek Wedding Shop

My Koumbara asked me a question the other day…
‘Can we be traditional with the bomboniere? I want it to be a surprise on your wedding day!’ she said.

Bomboniere (or Bonbonerie) have become so commercial these days. The old tradition is not only practices by Greeks and Italians any more but also by most modern Brides. There is a large variety of Bomboniere available now and they are advertised in every bridal magazine. The Bride (or the Koumbari) can choose from a range of different colours, shapes, sizes, flavours and ornaments as the choices become endless.

Whilst bomboniere are traditionally a gift from the Koumbari, many Brides these days are making the choice themselves.

When The Bride Chooses The Bomboniere

• Be polite and first have the approval of the Koumbaro/Koumbara before making the choice - especially if the Koumbari are the ones paying for the bomboniere.
• Chip in and offer to pay for the bomboniere if you want something specific.
• Make sure that the Koumbari are happy with your choice and with the price. Ensure that it is within their budget.

When The Koumbari Choose The Bomboniere

• Bomboniere always look nice when they match in with the theme of the wedding so ask what the colours are going to be.
• Ask the Bride and Groom for ideas on what they like and what they don’t like.
• Go shopping with your Bride and Groom or perhaps with the Brides mother who could probably help with the decision making.
• Consider the price and multiply it by the number of guests. You don’t want to spend outside of your budget.

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Do you have any other advice for Brides or Koumbari about choosing bomboniere?
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I am very lucky to have a wonderful Koumbara and a fantastic Koumbaro. I trust them both and I know that whatever they choose as bomboniere for my wedding will be just perfect. It is their gift to us and I personally don’t care what they are going to look like (as long as they match my colour scheme ).

So I said
‘Yes, Let’s be traditional! I think it will be a nice surprise!’

Related Topics that you might like:

• Stuffing up the Stefana
• The Role of the Koumparos
• Is The Koumbara The Same As The Maid of Honour?

Organza bag with black ribbon at the Greek Wedding shop

Koufeta are sweet sugar almonds that are traditionally used as wedding bomboniere (wedding favours) for the guests at a Greek wedding. The Koumbaro/The Best Man will usually purchase the koufeta as one of their gifts to the Bride and Groom on their wedding day. People often ask about the number of koufeta that should be used inside the bomboniere and why it is said that it should only be an odd number. Here are some interesting facts about the number of koufeta in bomboniere:

Why do we choose odd numbers for the koufeta?

The Greeks use an odd number of koufeta in the bonbonerie and on the wedding tray because an odd number is not divisible by 2. This represents the idea that the number can not be divided as so, the new couple will never be divided or brake up.

Why should the number of koufeta be a prime number?

The koufeta within the bonbonierie should be a  prime number, namely: 1,2,3,5,7,11,13,17 because prime numbers are divisible only by unit -1 – by themselves and no other number. The unit -1 – symbolizes that only one thing, death, can separate the couple and the division of the numbers by themselves symbolizes the fact that the wife and husband themselves and their egos can bring their union into separation.

How many koufeta should be used?

The wedding bonbonierie is traditionally composed of an odd number of koufeta 3-5-7-9-11 . The most common number is 7, as are the Divine Mysteries of the Church.

Others say that the number of koufeta should just be 5, symbolizing health, joy, fertility, prosperity and longevity.

Is Koufeta used for anything else apart from the wedding bonbonerie?

Koufeta is also placed on the wedding tray along with the stefana (and red ribbon/rose petals for those who come from Cyrprus or a few of the smaller Greek Islands). The number of koufeta placed on the wedding tray should also be an odd/prime number.

Koufeta is served to the guests at the house on the morning of the wedding as everyone is getting ready. It is also a tradition that single women should sleep with koufeta under their pillow at night so they can have a sweet life.

Koufeta is also used for other parties and celebrations such as Christenings.

Coconut flavoured koufeta at the Greek Wedding shop

In the early days of the Church, honey dipped almonds were offered to the newlyweds by the priest. Today the koufeta has evolved in to a product of different shapes, flavours and colours but it still has a strong symbolic meaning at a wedding. The egg shape represents fertility and the new life which begins with marriage. The hardness of the almond represents the endurance of marriage and the sweetness of the sugar symbolizes the sweetness of future life.

What colour Koufeta should be used?

Traditionally for a wedding, white koufeta is used. The white symbolizes purity.

However many couples these days are matching their bonbonerie and koufeta with the wedding themes and use colours such as gold and silver. Gold and silver koufeta colours are available on the Greek Wedding Shop as well as other colours such as pink, blue, green and orange.

Is it ok to use flavoured Koufeta?

Flavoured koufeta is becoming more and more popular. It tastes sweeter and they are nicer to eat. You can find a range of different koufeta flavours on the Greek Wedding Shop including: strawberry, lemon, pistacio, hazelnut and caramel.

Click here to check out the Greek Wedding shop!

The tradition of giving favours to wedding guests has become popular around the world. Today this tradition is practiced by people of all cultures and not just the Greeks. As the tradition has spread across the western world, there have been changes to the traditional koufeta sugar almonds used as bonbonerie. Chocolate hearts are commonly used as well as pearl shaped hazel nuts and some use the couples favourite lollies instead of the almonds.

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How many koufeta did you put inside your bomboniere?
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Related posts you might like:

• Symbolic Meaning of Koufeta
• History of Bombonieres (Koufeta)
• The History of Vasilopita

Source: newingreece.blogspot.gr

http://www.greekweddingshop.com

Greek Weddings have beautiful symbolic meanings in the Orthodox Church. The stefana that is used to crown the Bride and Groom has a symbolic meaning just as the lambathas/candles do. The tray and the koufeta along with the commandaria each have a very special place in a Greek Orthodox Wedding. Our cultural and religious traditions fascinate me and it is a topic that I am truly passionate about.

I have spent my days thinking and dreaming about Greek Weddings and I have shared my thoughts here with you on this blog. So now, after six years of writing about Greek Weddings, it feels right to turn my passion in to a business.

It gives me great pleasure to announce the official opening of the Greek Wedding Shop. Here you will find beautiful Greek Orthodox Wedding and Christening Gifts such as Stefana, Lambathes, Bombonerie, Martirika, Koufeta and Easter Candles.

I work with amazing creators and suppliers from all over the world and I personally hand pick each item that is listed on the Greek Wedding Shop.

So if you have an event coming up soon, like a Wedding or a Christening or if you plan to purchase your God Child a candle for Easter next year, then please visit The Greek Wedding Shop.

I would love to hear what you think about my new business. Please share your feedback with me here on the blog or send me an email. Or if you are a designer and you are interested in working with me on the Greek Wedding Shop, then please send me some photos of your creations – I’d love to see what you do too!

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HELP CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF THE GREEK WEDDING SHOP

To celebrate our official store opening we are giving away 4 boxes of flavoured koufeta. You can choose your favourite flavour from our selection which includes strawberry, chocolate, lemon, pistacio and many more.

Take a look at the Greek Wedding Shop ~ August Catalogue featuring some of our new and favourite Wedding and Christening products.

Shop online for beautiful Greek Orthodox Wedding and Christening at the Greek Wedding Shop or if you have any questions, please send an email to sia@greekweddingsandtraditions.com.

Filed under: About the blog, Fashion, koufeta, Wedding candles Tagged: bomboniere, koufeta, lambades, Stefana, wedding crowns

  Small bomboniere (wedding favor) with koufeta (sugar almonds or jordan almonds) “Sleep with this (koufeta-sugar almond) under your pillow the night of the wedding you just attended and the person you will marry will be revealed to you in a dream” according to this Greek custom! I had slept many nights after attending friends weddings with a koufeta under my pillow and nothing was ever revealed to me but then again I never remembered any of the dreams I had – so who knows! ♦ Have you ever tried this? Does it work? ♦

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Bomboniere Solidali Associazione Malattie Reumatiche Infantili, Ospedale Pediatrico Gaslini, Genova The concept behind why we give out Koufeta or Jordan sugar almonds, originated in France, around 300 years ago, when a small box of sweets, bonbons was given away to guests on happy occasions. Over time the idea spread to other parts of Europe, and in particular to Italy and Greece. Confetti, as they are called in Italian or Koufeta, as they are referred to in Greece, consists of an uneven number typically 5, of sugar-coated almonds, representing the bittersweet life of a married couple. The five almonds have significant meaning – each Koufeta symbolizes wishing the new husband & wife: happiness, health, wealth, children & a long life. The gifting of the Koufeta or confetti is also traditional for christenings, baptisms, communions, confirmations, and graduations. There are many creative ways that these koufeta and confetti are gifted. Some are placed in tulle and then placed on top of another wrapped favor gift such as a picture frame, vase, serveware, decorative items such as candlesticks. Other koufeta and confetti presentations can include the almonds added to create a flower. I have seen these as a decorative accent on top of the wrapped gift or as a flower that is actually on a stem and displayed in a vase which doubles as a centerpiece and where each guest takes one at the end of the night. Another way that I have seen jordan almonds presented is in a small gift box. These gift boxes typically follow the wedding or event’s color scheme or theme. Tiffany blue with the 5 koufeta inside and wrapped with a white satin bow is a very popular way that these boubounieres are given out. These koufeta now come in different colors, different flavors, or my personal favorite ones that have a decorative design. For a wedding I have seen these designs in the form of initials of the bride and groom right on top of the almonds or an actual sugar design of a bride and groom affixed to the almond (white usually is the color of the almond with these) and are given out in a clear top box so that people can see the design. For baby themed celebrations, I have seen a baby sugar decoration (they are so cute)! I will try and find a picture or link to who sells these so that you can purchase them if this is what you are interested in.

The post Koufeta Significance, Origins and Symbolism appeared first on Greek Weddings and Traditions.

For more ideas, styles and designs visit us at http://portara.com/Bomboniere-Boubounieres.html Bomboniere or Bomboniera or Boubounieres are favors for Weddings, Bridal Showers, Engagements or Christenings/Baptisms. Bomboniere is an Italian and Greek tradition, which is spreading across the world. Bomboniere are the traditional keepsakes given as gifts to guests in appreciation of their attendance. They can be incorporated on the table settings or distributed from a decorated basket during the celebration. While their most popular use is at weddings and christenings, they can also be given at First Communions, Birthdays, Silver/Gold Anniversaries, Dinner Parties, Christmas and many other social gatherings. Each bomboniere consists of at least 5 sugared almonds/koufeta which represent: Health, Wealth, Happiness, Prosperity and Long Life. We offer you elegant designs that may be coordinated with your occasions’ colors and filled with either plain almonds, heart-shaped almonds or Hersheys Kisses. We also have reception table ideas. You might also want to take a look at our unique Bridal Gifts that are guaranteed to please you with their high quality, timeless beauty and usefulness. We can customize your order to your style and imagination! www.portara.com The Number of Koufeta in Bomboniere Koufeta are the Jordan almonds that are traditionally used as wedding favors. The Italians refer to these sweet sugar almonds as bomboniere and the Greeks refer to these wedding favors as boubounieres. These are given to the guests at a Greek wedding. The Koumbaroi typically purchase the koufeta as part of their gift to the Bride and Groom on their wedding day. A common question that is asked is about the number of koufeta that should be used inside the boubounieres and why is the answer that it should only be an odd number. Here are some great points about the number of koufeta in boubounieres : Why is an odd number of Jordan almonds used for the koufeta? The Greeks use an odd number of koufeta in the boubounieres and on the wedding tray because an odd number is not divisible by 2. This represents the concept that the number cannot be divided as so, the new couple will never be divided or break up. Why should the number of koufeta be a prime number? The koufeta within the boubounieres should be a prime number, namely: 1,2,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17 because prime numbers are divisible only by unit -1 – by themselves and no other number. The unit -1 – symbolizes that only one thing, death, can separate the couple and the division of the numbers by themselves symbolizes the fact that the wife and husband themselves and their egos can bring their union into separation. How many koufeta should be used? The wedding bomboniere is traditionally composed of an odd number of koufeta 3-5-7-9-11. The most common number is 7, since these are the Divine Mysteries of the Church. Others say that the number of koufeta should just be 5, symbolizing health, joy, fertility, prosperity and longevity. Is Koufeta used for anything else apart from the wedding boubounieres? Koufeta is also […]

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