The tradition of tossing rice at a couple as they leave their wedding ceremony dates back to ancient times, but since realizing a few years ago that the rice is dangerous for birds, couples have opted for more environment-friendly options. Here are few fun ideas you may want to include in your wedding:
Paper Confetti
You can easily create your own tossing confetti by using craft punches. Pick any color paper—of course a hue that matches your wedding’s color palette—and a themed craft punch. Martha Stewart Crafts has a wide variety of themed punches including flowers, snowflakes, balloons and seahorse shapes. Place the punched pieces in glassine bags, sealed with a sticker and placed on each guest’s seat or hand them out as they leave the ceremony site. Most punches are priced at $12.99. You can view the entire line at marthastewartcrafts.com.
Flower Petals
While real flower petals can be purchased through your florist, ordering freeze-dried petals may be a better option since they won’t fade in color and you can assemble them in advance of the wedding. PetalToss.com sells freeze-dried rose petals by the bag (about 10 cups per bag) in more than a dozen colors. You can also use them on the aisle runner, in your flower girl basket and as a table decoration. Pricing depends on how many bags ordered.
Sparklers
If your getaway will be at night, why not have guests light your way by holding sparklers overhead. The online site SparklersOnline.com carries three lengths (36-inch, 20-inch and 10-inch sparklers) and their online photo gallery is filled with creative ways for you to package and display them. Prices vary on the size ordered:
36-inch, box of 48, $65 and lasts 4 minutes
20-inch, box of 48, $37 and lasts 2 minutes
10-inch box of 288, $45 and lasts 45 seconds
Silver Bells
Have your guests ring these small silver-plated bells as you make your way up the aisle and to the getaway car. Beware that if these bells are at your reception guests may ring them to force the newlyweds to share a kiss. If this wedding tradition isn’t for you, then wait to hand them out till the end of the night. Pricing based on quantity ordered ranging from $1.35-$1.75 each, beau-coup.com.
Bubbles
A bubble send off will be fun for your wedding guests and look great in your photos. Make sure your guests start blowing bubbles a few minutes before you make your way out the door to ensure that each shot has bubbles in it. You can find bubbles at a variety of wedding supply companies but this Crown Bubblewand would be a great gift for key members of the bridal party and your parents. Solid pewter 4-inch bubblewand, $16, clay-company.com.
Anne Chertoff is the author of The Wedding Organizer available at russellandhazel.com.
