Armenia
At traditional Armenian weddings, a godmother may collect money for the couple from guests, and in turn distribute gifts of dried fruit and nuts.
China
On the wedding day, traditional Chinese couples hold tea cermonies with their parents. Today, some Chinese-American couples give out delicate teacups or fragrant tea bags in a nod to tradition.
Elizabethan England
Guests were often presented with tiny flower corsages held together with knotted ribbons. These corsage favors were handed out at the church and worn throughout the celebration.
France
Each guest is traditionally given a small bag of sugar-coated almonds, called dragees.
Greece
A bag containing an odd number of koufetta -- sugar-coated almonds -- is often distributed to guests. The odd number symbolizes the couple's unity, since unequal numbers cannot be divided evenly.
Groom's Cake
In the past, the groom's cake was often sliced and placed in boxes to be sent home with guests as they left the reception. This tradition is still alive and well in many Southern states.
Holland
At traditional Dutch weddings, a silver bowl filled with raisins and brandy may be passed among the guests.
Italy
Bomboniere -- little baskets in imaginative shapes filled with confetti (sugar-coated almonds) -- are often distributed to guests.
Japan
Guests are highly respected in Japan, where a bride and groom may spend $50 or more per guest on gifts, called hikidemono. Less pricey are the kohaku manjyu, round steamed buns with bean paste filling, which are often presented in pairs to guests, one red bun and one white bun.
Japan - 1,000 Paper Cranes
One wedding custom that has evolved out of Japanese legend is the construction of 1,000 paper cranes. Cranes were thought to live a long life and the construction of 1,000 paper cranes symbolized good fortune, fidelity and longevity. Brides often constructed the paper cranes and displayed them at the wedding, sometimes giving them away as favors.
Jordan Almonds
Sugar-coated almonds are a traditional wedding favor in many cultures. These treats, which are thought to symbolize the bitter and the sweet in marriage, are often present in combinations of three or five. Three almonds are said to represent the husband, wife and hoped-for child. Five almonds stand for health, wealth, happiness, longevity and fertility.
Malaysia
At a traditional Malaysian wedding, guests may be presented with fertility symbols in the form of decorated hard-boiled eggs.
Russia
Russian wedding guests generally receive thank you gifts, which may range in extravagance from candy to bud vases.
Scandinavia
At traditional Scandinavian weddings, guests often contribute to the reception feast and are given gifts in return for their generosity.
Switzerland
In some regions of Switzerland, a godmother will distribute red handkerchiefs to guests, who donate coins for the couple in return.