Alternative Send-Offs

It's tradition for newlyweds to leave their wedding in a shower of rice, but nowadays there are many fabulous alternatives…

Toss coloured confetti

A cascade of confetti can look beautiful. Unlike rice, confetti comes in many different colours and styles, such as snowflake confetti, word confetti and heart-shaped confetti.

Throw rose petals

Put petals in pretty little envelopes or paper cones and have labels made saying "Please toss". Have your bridesmaids hand them out to guests as you leave.

Blow bubbles

Blowing bubbles, instead of tossing tiny rice missiles, has become a popular send-off modern bridal couple. Decorate the bottles with you names and wedding date so they can double as wedding favours

Release balloons

Have each guest release a helium balloon as you exit your wedding. Attach a card to the balloons with your wedding email address. Include a note asking the finder to let you know where the balloon ended up.

Ring bells

Give your guests engraved silver bells to ring for the departure. Attach a poem to the bells to let everyone know what to do with them. You could write: "Ring this shiny wedding bell, to wish the happy couple well. And when the newlyweds depart, ringing echoes the joy in your heart.

Pop party-poppers

Not only can you leave your wedding with a bang, but these gadgets also shoot out streamers, confetti or glitter. Get your guests to give the cord a yank as you hit the honeymoon trail and watch whatever's inside fly out.

Wave handkerchiefs

Do a classic bon voyage with everyone waving their handkerchiefs at you. Have handkerchiefs made with your names and wedding date embroidered on them.

Remember to check with the ceremony venue as to what they allow.