Calling All Brides, LLC
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Throwing Rice and Alternatives
Where did the custom of 'throwing' rice at the bride and groom originate?' We patiently answer that this custom dates a long time back and is thought to have originated to wish the couple with fertility and prosperity by throwing food grains at them. Couples later modified it to suit their wishes. Some wished for fragrant petals and some others wished for greener alternatives like birdseed at their weddings.
Alternatives to Throwing Rice
1. Blowing Bubbles - Note that the soap water may cause stains on dresses. Bubbles are available cheaply to suit every color scheme or theme.2. Releasing Balloons - If you are having an outdoor ceremony, tie balloons loosely to the guests' chairs. Balloons can be personalized by getting them printed and are available in every color to match your wedding colors. They look beautiful when released together.
3. Ringing Bells - Give guests little bells engraved or tied with personalized ribbon to ring as the couple leaves. Bells can be taken home as a keepsake.
4. Releasing Butterflies - If you are not averse to using live creatures, give guests a live butterfly, each packaged and ask for them to be released as you leave. Releasing Butterflies can be a beautiful alternative.
Caution: Make sure the butterflies come from a good source and are in good health. Some of them fall to the ground as soon as released which is very depressing and cruel. Skip doing this if you are not sure.
5. Sparklers - Give adults sparklers or light sticks to wave as you leave. They make a great alternative to wedding rice thrown at a wedding, and are a chic way to greet the wedding couple as they first start their lives as husband and wife. At some creative weddings, sparklers are held by guests to form either a passageway or tunnel for the married couple to pass.
