The Grand Exit: After the Wedding Ceremony is Over

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Traditionally, the guests at a wedding would throw rice at a newly married couple as they exited the church.  However, rice can become very slippery when wet, and it isn’t good for hapless pigeons who eat it.  Confetti and rose petal tissues are biodegradable, but they can make a mess.  They are also a waste of paper.  Blowing bubbles can be a nice choice unless there is a chance that the bubbles can damage foliage.  Guests can also throw cereal, birdseed, or grass seed.  Cereal is biodegradable and won’t harm birds or other small animals who eat it.  Birdseed is also biodegradable and harmless.  If there is a nearby lawn, grass seed is especially nice because it will only make the world greener.  Instead of throwing something at the couple, the guests can ring bells as the couple exits the church.  To avoid disrupting the ceremony with premature bell ringing, the bells should be distributed to the guests after the ceremony before they exit the church.  You can include a note on the program advising guest to collect their bells after the ceremony.  Alternatively, guests may be instructed to applaud and whistle as the couple exits the church.

If you do decide to have rice, confetti, or rose petals thrown at you, make sure you hire someone to clean up afterwards.  It’s the responsible thing to do.

Recently, there has been a trend of releasing butterflies as the couple exits the ceremony site.  It is being marketed as an environmentally friendly alternative to throwing rice, confetti, or rose petals.  Arguments can be made for and against this practice.  It is a beautiful sight, like flying flowers or stained glass, but some vegans oppose using living creatures as entertainment.