Savory Favors For Your Guests -- Cavallucci (o morsetti) di Siena

Photo courtesy of: http://www.academiabarilla.com/

 
As your wedding winds down you'll want to send your guests home with a traditional Italian wedding favor.  If your wedding is Tuscan-inspired biscotti are a good choice.  Make or purchase favor bags with a grape vine pattern or stencil the pattern on bags yourself, and fill them with coffee flavored biscotti or cavallucci, a honey flavored rustic biscotti.  
 
Cavallucci are not beautiful cookies so package them in an eyecatching box or bag.  But ah! the taste with some strong coffee will make your guests feel like they've taken a weekend trip to Tuscany. 

I wasn't familiar with cavallucci, but these delicious cookies are easy to make using acacia honey and melted sugar mixed with flour, chopped, toasted almonds, minced candied citron and orange, anise, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander powder and a pinch of baking soda. The trickiest part was finding the right kind of honey, although you might be able to sub regular honey for acacia honey. 

For a recipe to make your own cavalucci go to  http://italianfood.about.com/.  I tested out this recipe, and believe me, if I can manage it, it's perfect for a bride who isn't looking for a complex DIY favor for her wedding.

Decorate your favor table with a grape and vine motif and your guests will love taking these cookies home for a late night snack.  You could consider pairing them with a favor-size packet of espresso for your guests to take home with them or some chocolate nut truffles or jordan almonds. 

Italian Favors For Your Wedding

Photo and website for purchase courtesy of: http://www.efavors.com/

These elegant glass wine charms favors were inspired by the glass artisans of Murano Italy, they are handcrafted Murano like glass wine charms and they will wow your guests with their elegance and style. Each wine charm is attached to a chrome ring with delicate bead accents and will be enjoyed by the wine enthusiasts in the crowd. The perfect favors for the Italian bride and groom or someone who is planning a reception at their local winery.  These favors are sure to impress with their elegance and the sophistication of their designs. They come packaged 4 per set.  The site also offers other assorted designs in Murano style glass for your guests.

Florentina Oval Favor Box

Photos courtesy of http://www.confettiflowers.com/

Exquisite fleur-de-lis embossed design decorate this beautiful box for the Italian wedding. Inside, sugared almonds are added and personalization for each guest.  Tie each box with a pretty ribbon or one with your names and wedding date on it.
 

  

Rachetti Branch Five Part Trees for Traditional Italian Wedding Favors

Photo and design courtesy of ConfettiFlowers.com

Rachetti-Branch Five-Part Trees are a traditional Italian wedding favor made up of five almond holders bound together on a single stem to save you a step. The bride's family places a sugared Jordan Almond in the center of each petal and wrap it in place in half or by thirds, as shown.  Decorate stem with pretty ribbon and small decorative flowers.  You can also purchase each stem seperately so you have more control over the design.  Your guests will appreciate the time and effort you put in to each small gift. 

Make Confetti, and Not the Kind You Throw!

(Photo courtesy of http://www.ilbelloitalianfavors.com/)

Confetti are ribbons filled with Jordan almonds that are typically given at Italian weddings.  These pretty gifts have been adopted by brides of all nationalities.  You can either make your own confetti or buy them ready made.  It's possible to make your own for under $1.25, premade confetti start at $3.50 with some of the more complex designs costing $7.50.

(Photo courtesy of http://www.ilbelloitalianfavors.com/)

(Photo courtesy of http://www.ilbelloitalianfavors.com/)

 

(Photo courtesy of http://www.ilbelloitalianfavors.com/)

(Photo courtesy of http://www.ilbelloitalianfavors.com/)

If you are making your own be sure to read the descriptions carefully since different roles of ribbon make different numbers of confetti. 

Below are some ready made confetti for the bride who lacks the patience or doesn't want to make the favors herself. 

(Photo courtesy of http://www.ilbelloitalianfavors.com/)

(Photo courtesy of http://www.ilbelloitalianfavors.com/)

 

(Photo courtesy of http://www.ilbelloitalianfavors.com/)

Below is a centerpiece made from multiple confetti.  It would be a great decoration for your placecard table.

(Photo courtesy of http://www.ilbelloitalianfavors.com/)