Confetti clean up is one of those things that ceremony venues have written into contracts, whether it is a church or an outdoor park, restaurant or your all in one venue. Yes, it is traditional, and some couples still want to incorporate confetti into their wedding. It looks so good in the wedding photos! Clean up is a concern though. Some venues will have an additional cost for the clean up of it, and others will say, “No way!”
“The origin of throwing confetti over the newlyweds goes back to the Pagan rite of showering the couple with grain, as a symbol of fruitfulness. Pagans held the simple belief that the fertility of the seeds would be transferred to the couple.”
A really nice alternative that I found in my search were satchels of spices. Not only do they smell great, but it looks great and doesn’t hurt the enviroment. Vanilla, cloves, coconut, cardamom and even coffee beans would work. I would avoid dried berries or anything that the colour might rub off, so it doesn’t ruin the Bride’s dress.
Paper airplanes are a sweet and simple alternative to confetti. They also avoids a messy clean-up.
Upon entering the ceremony site, have the guests write a message or wish for the couple on the paper airplane they will then throw after the ceremony.
*Disclaimer –My only concern to warn the couple about would be the nose of the plane may be sharp. Hopefully the couple will not get hit in the face.
Simple steps to making paper airplanes (for those of us who cannot remember the skills of our youth.)
Other Alternatives:
- Freeze-dried rose petals are always an alternative (freeze-dried because staining can occur)
- Popcorn is fun and easy to clean up
- Lavender buds
- Sunflower seeds
- Birdseed
- Dried herbs
- For a destination wedding, why not use shredded coconut? It smells great and is perfect for the beach. It’s bio-degradable, too!
Recap:
- Avoid anything that may hurt children in attendance or animals (ie. rice expands when digested, balloons are a chking hazard)
- Avoid messy things that may stain the Bride’s dress (dried berries)
- Avoid bubbles. If they get in the couples eyes, it stings. Bubbles can also stain the Bride’s wedding dress.
- Avoid things that may hurt the couple (ie. stones, beads, shells, etc). Seriously!
