Ever wonder why people throw rice or confetti at newlywed couples at weddings? This post-ceremony practice has been around since ancient Roman times and isn’t just a festive way of ending a wedding—it actually symbolises showering the bride and groom with abundance and fertility.
Don’t want to use rice (or maybe don’t want a baby right away)? Borrow other ideas from around the world. In France people throw wheat, a symbol of bounty, after the wedding ceremony. Italians rain candy and sugared nuts over couples, for sweetness in marriage. For something a little less traditional, give your guests flower petals or paper aeroplanes to toss, or choose biodegradable confetti, which is even easier to clean up.
If your venue won’t allow guests to throw anything, don’t fret! You can attach fabric or ribbons to long, thin sticks, for waving in the breeze. Guests can also blow bubbles, or serenade you with little bells or other noisemakers. For more ideas, get inspired by these….
Ask your guests to make up some simple paper aeroplanes whilst waiting for you to walk down the aisle. Not only are they fun to do and gives your wedding party an activity before you arrive, they also create some really unique wedding exit pictures!
Long live the newlyweds! The French say envelopes of lavender for guests to toss bring luck to the newly wedded couple (and they smell great!).
Not only will your guests clap but they will also ring their bells to your wedding. What a fun (and noisy) way to celebrate your ceremony.
Instead of paper confetti, why not have baskets of lavender, thyme, mint, and rosemary in paper cones. After the “I Dos” everyone could toss the fragrant herbs, showering you as you depart.
Guests could wave flags, either in your colours or your nationalities. A really unique and personalised way to celebrate the nuptials.
Massive amounts of rainbow confetti create fabulous pictures, especially if you keep it as a surprise from your bride or groom!
Bubbles and bubbly can be on hand for the celebration. You could even personalise the bubble containers for all to keep!
2nd September 2018
