Look Out! What to Throw at Your Wedding

Have you ever thrown something during a wedding recessional? If you have, you’ve been taking part in a tradition that dates back to ancient Roman and Egyptian times. Back then, things were thrown at weddings as a way of wishing the newlywed couple good luck, fertility and abundance. In recent years, the habit of throwing things has evolved into fun, modern objects such as bird seed, bubbles, ribbon wands and flower petals to name a few. (Did you know the reason rice isn’t thrown anymore is because it’s bad for birds?) Do you have a question about what to have your guests throw at your wedding? I was able to catch up with our own newlywed bride Michelle, to hear all about her experience of using ribbon wands during her wedding!

How did you make the decision to use ribbon wands as opposed to other options?
I knew I wanted to incorporate a lot of ribbons and lace into my wedding, so the ribbon wands seemed like a relatively unique way to incorporate it. I’d actually never been to a wedding where ribbon wands were used, so mine was the first!

What are some things brides need to be aware of when deciding what to throw at their wedding?
Flower petals are a popular choice, but at some places you’re not allowed to throw fake petals (i.e. somewhere outdoors) and others you can’t throw real petals (i.e. a church). You also normally can’t throw confetti. The best thing to do is to check with your venue!

What are the benefits of having your guests throw something at the wedding?
It gives your guests something to get involved with — it gets them invested in your send off/recession. It also looks really pretty in pictures and great on video.

What was it like to be a bride and see all the ribbon wands being waved at you?
It was really awesome to see it come to fruition. To see the scene you’ve been imagining for months really happen was amazing.

Did you make or buy your ribbon wands?
We decided to buy them. I was going to make them myself, but after I started thinking about the materials and time, I was able to find someone on Etsy to make them. Money-wise it would have been cheaper to do myself, but I didn’t have the time. (If you are interested in making them yourself, here’s a great tutorial from Offbeat Bride!)

What would you recommend to others wanting to use ribbon wands?
To use one pale ribbon and one dark ribbon so you can see contrast. Another great thing about ribbon wands is kids have a lot of fun with them. I’ve also gotten two pictures where my friends are continuing to use their wands at home! One was playing with her dog, and the other was using them to cheer during the World Cup!

Do you think you’ll be able to reuse your ribbon wants?
I actually still have them saved for future parties — you never know.

Bride-to-be’s: Are you planning on having your guests throw or wave something during your send off or recessional? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments below, connect with us on Facebook or Twitter, or send us a pin on Pinterest!