Sending Off the Newlywed Couple in Style
When it is time for the bride and groom to leave the reception, there are several traditions for seeing the couple off. Over the years, the traditions and fads and varied, but one thing remains the same. Your wedding guests want to make sure that you get a fun and memorable send off.
In the past, small bags of confetti were the once the most popular way seeing the newlywed coupe off to wedded bliss. However, confetti was too messy and was hard to clean up off the church grounds. The idea was eventually replaced by rice, as it was figured to be biodegradable. It was soon apparent that rice was not getting wet enough when it rained, so it never really broke down. People quickly discovered that the birds were eating the raw rice and became sick. What was not eaten left a huge mess. Now, most churches or reception sites will give you specific guidelines about not using confetti or rice. That is okay, though, because there are many other great ideas.
Birdseed: Giving each wedding guest a small bag (perhaps wrapped in pretty tulle netting) is a very popular wedding send off idea. Birdseed works well. It is inexpensive and the seeds do not cause the area to become slippery. In addition, seeds are safe for the birds to eat and what is not eaten goes into the soil.
White doves: This meaning and beautiful gesture when seeing off the bride and groom It is relatively mess free, albeit perhaps some droppings. It would be best to watch your head when releasing these birds. There are places that rent these birds out and the prices do vary, so it is best to check around. Before deciding on this option, you should check with the church or reception site for approval.
Bubbles: Bubbles are the new trend in sending off a couple and is becoming very popular. You can easily purchase small bottles of wedding bubbles and hand them out to guests. In addition, it is quite inexpensive and hundreds of floating bubbles will captivate children and adults alike. You can also rent bubble machines to add to what the guests are creating to make a very romantic send off. The small bottles are inexpensive and you can use your creativity to dress the bottles to fit you wedding theme. In addition, bubbles are environmentally safe and require little clean up.
Rose petals: Real rose petals seem to be an ever-growing trend, however sometimes, messy. The petals are indeed biodegradable and will disperse quickly. This is a fun and absolutely elegant way to send off the new bride and her groom. This is sure to touch the heart of any hopeless romantic and may even incite a few renewing of vows because of it. You can use several colors or stick to one color. The church or reception site might require that all petals are swept up, so make sure you check into that.
Balloons: The releasing of balloons has taken off so to speak and is a colorful and fun way to send off the bride and groom.. However, you should be aware that latex balloons are not considered environmentally safe. What goes up, must come down and balloon can pose a choking risk to small animals and birds. In addition, the strings of balloons can easily become entangled in trees and power lines. If you love the idea of balloons, consider an indoor balloon drop. Fill hundreds of balloons with air (not helium) and tie them to the ceiling with netting. When you leaving, allow the balloons to drop to the floor.
Butterfly Release: What is more beautiful that hundreds of butterflies being released at the same time? You can order kits to “grow” your own butterflies or contact a vendor that can supply you with live butterflies, which are ready for release. For the best effect, you will need at least 200 butterflies. Also, think about the time of year you plan on releasing. Make sure that it is not too cold or rainy. This send off works best in spring and early summer.
Silly String: Silly string is not for everyone, however, if you are having a more causal wedding, cans of silly string can be fun. Also, clean up can be a nightmare, so only consider this if you have the man power to clean up afterwards!
Streamers: You can make pretty ribbon streamers for the guest to wave as you leave the reception area. Use a color that corresponds with your wedding colors, or use white. This looks very elegant, is inexpensive and there is no clean up involved.
Candles: If you are leaving your reception at night, consider a candlelight send off. You can provide each guest with a candle and a guard to protect hands from hot wax. Make sure that the open flames are acceptable to use in your area and make sure you have plenty of lighters to go around. This send off is a beautiful way to start off your new married life.
There are many meaningful ways to start your marriage out on the right foot. Find something you love and go with it. Your guest will have fun if you provide them with a fun and festive send off after your reception has ended. It will be a memorable experience for everyone.
