Quick Answer
What is confetti at an Italian wedding?
At an Italian wedding, "confetti" refers specifically to sugar-coated almonds handed out to guests, traditionally five to a favor — not the paper confetti thrown in the air, which Italians call coriandoli. The word only migrated to mean paper confetti in English after Italian sugared-almond confetti were thrown at celebrations in the 19th century.
Last updated:
Last updated:
What is confetti at an Italian wedding?
Also called: Jordan almonds, confetti di Sulmona, sugared almonds.
This is one of the most useful translation traps in Italian wedding planning: if an Italian guest or vendor says "confetti," they mean the candy-coated almonds inside the favor, not the little paper circles you throw in the air. That second thing is coriandoli in Italian. The mix-up matters because ordering "confetti" from an Italian supplier will get you a box of almonds, not a bag of paper.
Where the word — and the tradition — comes from
The town of Sulmona in Abruzzo has produced confetti since at least the 15th century and is still one of Italy's best-known confetti-making centers, with shops selling elaborate flower-shaped arrangements built entirely out of the sugared almonds. The English word "confetti" for paper confetti actually descends from this Italian wedding custom: sugared almonds (and later cheap paper substitutes) were thrown at celebrations in Italy, and the paper-throwing sense of the word spread to English from there.
- •Traditional color is white for weddings; other colors are reserved for baptisms (blue/pink), graduations (red), and other milestones.
- •Almonds are usually given in odd numbers, most commonly five, for the reasons covered under bomboniere.
- •Sulmona-style confetti are sometimes arranged into elaborate sugar-flower bouquets as a display piece rather than individual favors.
Planning notes
- •When briefing an Italian supplier or translator, be explicit about which "confetti" you mean to avoid an almond order arriving when you wanted paper, or vice versa.
- •Check almond allergies on your guest list before finalizing favors — a straightforward substitute (chocolate-coated or sugar-free versions) is widely available from the same suppliers.
- •If ordering from Sulmona or another specialist region, build in shipping lead time, especially for international deliveries.
Track allergy notes alongside your guest list
Weddingkart's guest management tools let you attach dietary and allergy notes to individual guests, so favor and menu substitutions are easy to plan for.
See guest management tools →Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Italians call sugared almonds "confetti"?
It is simply the original meaning of the word in Italian — confetti are sugar-coated candies. The English sense of "confetti" (paper thrown at celebrations) actually derives from this Italian wedding tradition, not the other way around.
What do Italians call paper confetti?
Coriandoli — a different word entirely, used for the paper circles thrown at parties, carnivals, and celebrations.
Why is Sulmona associated with confetti?
Sulmona, in the Abruzzo region, has a documented confetti-making tradition dating back centuries and remains a well-known specialist production center, including elaborate sugar-flower arrangements made from the almonds.
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By Mayank JaiswalLast updated