This is it. All the hard work you’ve put into your big day has paid off, and you’ve just had the wedding of your dreams! Arm and arm with your partner, you head to your dream wedding venue and head off into the night, after being sent off by all of your loved ones. You take a look at one another, take a deep breath, close your eyes and push open the double doors. You hear a thunderous applause and cheers as you open your eyes and see flying bits of….rice? Why?
Throwing rice at weddings dates back to ancient Rome when rice was a symbol of fertility. Guests would throw the rice at the couple to wish a good pregnancy on the couple. In some traditions, the rice was also eaten as a compliment to the bride. The tradition has become iconic and is depicted in film and TV still to this day, but in our modern day it is often a big NO-NO at venues. 
It’s messy, attracts bugs, and has been known to be bad for birds who often eat it after landing on the ground. It’s also a waste of food that could be put to much better use in other places. A bride may also not want to have rice down her expensive wedding dress or be picking it out of her hair at the end of the night. For that reason, couples have been coming up with some clever send off ideas that don’t involve rice or cause harm to the environment.
Sparklers
Light up the night with sparklers! Let your guests send you off as a married couple in a spark that is almost as bright as your love. Have guests line up at a specific time with enough space for the couple to walk safely between the two rows of people who light the sparklers a few seconds before the couple come through the door. And don’t forget to have the photographer ready! You won’t want to miss these incredible photos.
These have become a trend among Pinterest brides as they create a fun end to a wonderful night. Sparklers can often be purchased in bulk and are a perfect way to send off a couple after a night of dancing and partying with family. Be sure to provide guests with lighters to light them up. If you’d like to go the extra step, get them customized as a little take home from the wedding. 
Make sure that only adult guests are holding them and that if a child is using one they are under adult supervision.
Images via Rachel Ellen Events | Style Me Pretty | Lovelyfest Event Design
Bubbles
Here is a send off the kids can really get involved with! Bubbles have become another popular send off alternative to rice that venues have no problem with. Have guests send you off from either your ceremony or your reception with whimsical bubbles filling the sky! For children, weddings can be a bit boring and bubbles could be used as a treat at the end of long ceremony where they have to be quiet. As they say in The Little Mermaid, “Life is the bubbles!”
Images via Jen & Dayton Photography | Bubble favor Source Unknown | Elisa Bricker
Eco-Friendly Confetti
This is a send off that could possibly be banned from venues due to it being a bit messy, but Eco-friendly confetti is a trend popping up more and more. Eco-friendly confetti can be purchased at party stores and online in a multitude of places. Confetti could match your wedding colors, be one singular color, shimmering, or even rainbow! The most important part is that you purchase a biodegradable confetti that will decompose naturally.
Images via Thimble Press | NuMonday | Brides Village | Confetti Bulk via Ecofetti |
Leaves or Leaf Confetti
Another environmentally friendly send off would be for guests to throw leaves or DIY leaf confetti. Perfect for an outdoor or fall wedding, throwing leaves is simple because they will end up on the ground anyway! To create leaf confetti, all you need to do is grab a hole puncher and punch holes in the leaves to create little circles. You’ll need A LOT of them so it’s probably best to grab a friend to help you. Gather them into small baggies or pretty paper cones for each guest to send off into the wind!
Image via Deer Pearl Flowers | Deer Pearl Flowers | Make Zine |
Ribbon Wands
This send off is great for those who want to get a bang for their buck. Ribbon wands could be incorporated into decor in some way and then be used at the end of the night for guests to send off the happy couple. If the ribbons go with the theme of the wedding, they can be added to centerpieces or put at both sides of the DJ booth to dress it up a bit. The possibilities are endless with these and are also wonderful because they are 100% mess free! These can often be purchased in bulk and are a great source of entertainment for young guests who would enjoy dancing with them.
Image via Style Me Pretty | Deer Pearl Flowers | Jill Facer Photography |
How creative and special are these Send Off ideas! Are you thinking of incorporating any of these unique details on your Wedding day?
Top Images via Instagram | Beyond the Darkroom |
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