What in the world is the point of those mints and nuts at the wedding?

I've never been to a wedding without mints and nuts. I think its just something that people decided goes well with cake or something because they always have them near the cake at the ones i have been to. There are a few kinds that are not as nasty, but i think that either way, no one cares if they are there or not. If you have plenty of food it should be fine without them, but if she insists just set them out and forget they are there. The only purpose they have ever served for me is the starvation period before the cake at the weddings without any snacks.