What do sogni d’oro and bomboniere have in common? If you’re a bride-to-be, you’re probably having sogni d’oro--sweet dreams–-right now! And if you haven’t decided on a wedding theme, why not let the birthplace of bomboniere-beautiful, romantic Italy-be the inspiration for the most important moment in your life?
You don’t have to be Italian to surround family and friends with the romance, spirit and rich, incomparable cuisine of the country that brought you wedding bomboniere. Here are a few ideas for un matrimonio magnifico–a magnificent wedding!
Locations
Besides its colorful history and many contributions to Western civilisation, Italy is known for her wonderful wines and universally loved cuisine. You might choose an Italian restaurant with a banquet hall for your reception venue, or you can go with the flow-of wine! There are several vineyards throughout the UK, and the largest one (with 265 acres) is Denbies Wine Estate in Surrey. Denbies offers a range of wedding packages, and they have several lovely locations on the premises, including a conservatory with an al fresco-style Garden Room and Cloisters Courtyard large enough for 500-700 guests.
Invitations
Your save-the-date cards and invitations could have a graceful grape-vine motif, giving invited guests just a glimmer of what they can expect when you and your groom-to-be tie the knot.
Decorations
With a gorgeous vineyard or Italian restaurant setting, you won’t need much in the way of decorations. Centerpieces can include a combination of flowers and bunches of grapes surrounding pillar candles. Consider hiring a strolling violinist to play during your reception. Instead of using numbers on escort cards and table cards to guide guests to their seats, use images of Italy–the Coliseum, the canals of Venice, the Pompei ruins, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Mona Lisa. Later, you’ll see how wedding bomboniere can add to your table decor.
The Feast and Libations
Your menu? Just thinking about it will make you hungry! Start with hors d’oeuvres like antipasto, toasted ravioli, bruschetta, spinach arancini, fried calamari and sausage tarts. Imagine a tantalising buffet that includes lasagna, chicken parmesan, manicotti, cannelloni, veal piccata, shrimp scampi and any other Italian favorites you’ve enjoyed all your life! A bottle or two of fine wine on each table–buon appetito!
Thank-You Presentations
And now, the bomboniere! The Italian tradition of five white Jordan almonds wrapped in tulle is a favorite in many parts of the world. Jordan Almonds, sometimes called “confetti,” are sugared or candy-coated almonds that are usually produced in bright, pastel colors.
The bittersweet taste of fresh almonds symbolises life. The sweet candy coating represents hope that the newlyweds will enjoy more sweetness than bitterness. The five almonds represent wishes of happiness, health, wealth, fertility and longevity.
Other wedding bomboniere include olive oil dispenser favours, small, personalised bottles of extra-virgin olive oil, an elegant, baroque-style photo frame, chocolate-dipped biscotti, a torte bomboniere (a wedding favour “cake”)–the list goes on!
Oh, and the icing on the torte bomboniere? After all that, it would be a shame not to spend your honeymoon in Italy! There’s nothing more romantic than a gondola ride in Venice! Arriverderci!