The practice of throwing grains at the newly married is an old one—from the ancient Romans to the Celts. A symbol of prosperity, fertility, and growth, guests of the celebration would toss rice as a way of wishing the happy couple luck beyond their wedding day. Except…ouch? We can’t imagine anything less romantic than being pelted with uncooked kernels at our happiest moment. Instead, we’re in favor of these four modern-day twists on the tradition, from feathery slips of paper to a straight-up bubble bath. —Caite Hamilton
Confetti
Whether it’s popped out of a cannon or just stored in a cute bag until it’s go-time, confetti is an easy option, and fully customizable to your color palette. Just be sure to use biodegradable paper—your love may be forever, but Earth certainly isn’t.
Ribbon wands
Subtle and celebratory, ribbon wands are like pom-poms, but less aggressive. They say, “2, 4, 6, 8, we wish you luck with your new mate!” but in an understated, classy way. We especially like the elegant choice one couple made (wedding white!), but could see these going glam in gold, or whimsical in a shimmery iridescent.
Flower petals
Your florist will be able to hold back a few blooms from your bouquets for this one. Pre-fill sachets or, like this couple, a rolled piece of your song’s sheet music. Hot tip: Check with your venue before committing to this idea; some don’t like leaving petals on the ground to get slippery or stain.
Bubbles
You’ve walked down the aisle, you’ve said your “I do,” you’re finally married. Now the fun begins, and nothing says fun like bubbles. Playful and silly, they float through the air (maybe they’re even scented? Are we crazy?) then POP! right on your nose. Time to get this party started.
