According to old tradition the wedding guests tossed rice on the newlywed with wishes for fertility and prosperity. Find out great alternatives to the traditional things to throw at a wedding.

Throwing Rice
It's a tradition for the guests to throw rice at the couple after the ceremony as the rice is a symbol of fertility. Commonly the rice is supplied by the bride and groom. Still, we follow this tradition to a great extent. Now and then, we hear that birds die when the rice swells in their bodies. Probably, it is not such a big problem as one earlier believed. However, if you make sure that the church stairs are swept after the rice tossing, you minimize the risk. Contact the church intended (or other site for the ceremony) to find out if rice tossing is allowed.

Alternatives to rice tossing
Here are some alternatives if you want to give the happy couple a great send off but you don't want to throw rice:

• Blowing bubbles
  It is very beautiful with soap bubbles up in the sky, glimmering in all rainbow colours. Make sure to take some photos while the bubbles are surrounding the wedding couple.
• Balloons
  Why not send heart shaped balloons up in the sky. Label the balloons with the bridal couple’s names, dates and wedding site. It will be such a nice surprise for the person who catches the balloon, perhaps several miles away.
• Rose petals
  Rose petals thrown over the newlywed is very romantic.
• Serpentines and confetti
  Throw colourful serpentines and confetti. With the help of a perforator you can make your own confetti. Remember to sweep the church stairs afterwards!