The tradition of throwing confetti over newlyweds originates from the Pagan rite of showering the happy couple with grain or rice to wish them a fruitful union as they believed that the fertility of the seeds would be transferred to the couple on whom they fell.
Over the years, the custom of throwing sweets (‘confetti’ in Italian) over the married couple as they left the church became popular together with raisins, nuts or flower petals. The use of real fragrant flowers as confetti stems form a time when we were not quite such a sweet smelling human race as we are today.
Throughout its lifespan, confetti has evolved to include rice, pasta, and little paper and metallic shapes, (which can be bought to match any wedding theme.)
The tradition of rice is thought to have come from the Orient, where rice is a household symbol that signifies a full pantry.
The tradition of paper confetti could be coming to an end, as more and more register offices, churches and venues are banning it, because of the mess it makes.
Paper and foil confetti can be more difficult to clear up and lack the environmental credentials of real petals. But the confetti ritual is almost an instinct at weddings, and there would be something very special missing if this ancient tradition were to disappear.
The recent advent of real petals, biodegradable and pretty, have revitalised the tradition as it was meant to be. Now brides can have real petal confetti, officials can have their tidy venues and we all can have a lot more fun. Keep on the good side of the vicar or verger and check with them and use biodegradable!
More and more people are using freeze-dried rose petals as confetti as it is natural and biodegradable, most venues will accept its use (check to be sure) . The most common types of confetti in use today are either real petal confetti made from roses or other flowers such a delphiniums, hydrangeas or peonies. The only time it is probably not advisable to use real petals is in heavy rain. As with any natural product there is a chance that if a piece of wet petal attaches itself to a garment , some of the colour could transfer. Also as you find with wet leaves on footpaths in the autumn, a petal path is not going to be such a good idea in the pouring rain as they could create a slippery walking surface.
Rose petals laid on a carpet for the newly-weds to walk down (which can then be rolled up and disposed of, thus eliminating unwanted mess) or blowing bubbles at the happy couple make lovely alternatives if the weather forecast is stormy. Petal confetti can be thrown indoors as clean up is easy, the petals will just vacuum up easily. It can be fired from confetti canons or released from overhead pyrotechnic balloons for very dramatic effects.
From the grain showering days to today, confetti throwing is a wonderful tradition, and captures the happiness of the whole day. Showering the happy couple with real petals says 'Well done!’ We are so happy for you!' and 'Let the party begin!'
We feel by providing nature's prettiest confetti, we are doing our bit to keep the tradition alive. On the day of the wedding (or before), fill cones with petals from our freeze-dried roses. Stand the cones in a tissue paper-lined box or basket, and hand them out to guests just after the ceremony. A good tip is to give the job to one of the ushers to ensure that everyone has a cone at the right moment. The petals won’t wilt or go brown and if you allow them some time to absorb moisture from the atmosphere they will soften to the touch. The best tip is to take one or two petals from the box once you receive them and have a trial run to determine the texture you prefer . When the petals arrive they feel very dry and sending them this way ensures they have an excellent shelf life. Once they are exposed to the air they will slowly and naturally reabsorb moisture by a process called osmosis. you will also find that once they soften the petals will be easier to put into the cones.
A good tip for the special day is also to use cling film over the cones or baskets to transport them. As the petals are so light they are more easily contained with the light film over them until needed. Then the film can be quickly removed as the flower girls start to scatter their petals or the cones are passed to the guests for the confetti toss.
The other option is to use petals picked from actual fresh garden roses. However it is the most expensive option needing about 24 full size blooms, unless you are fortunate enough to have access to a mature rose bed. They will also only last for up to about 48 hours possibly less, so will need to be prepared near the wedding and then kept a little moist with a gentle spray, possibly in the fridge. Perhaps you will have lots of other things to consider as the wedding approaches so although fresh rose confetti is a nice idea, unless you have lots of help, is it worth it? Freeze dried petals look exactly the same! Of course we think they are fantastic and we feel sure you will too.
Dex Whiteley
Pollen Petals
www.pollenpetals.co.uk
