Because nothing says celebration quite like a corneal abrasion...
Real documentary purists tend to get a bit snooty about these because they’re technically a co-ordinated photo op, but my opinion is that they’d probably happen to some extent whether or not I was there. Might as well make the most of it, right?
In case you’re totally new to the wedding scene, this is traditionally done as the couple exit the ceremony venue. They walk down the aisle and out the door, then go and hide somewhere for a few minutes whilst everyone else leaves. Occasionally couples will double back and greet everyone on their way out. Once everyone’s outside wedding party and/or co-ordinators help waft everyone into two lines either side of the exit and distribute confetti, then when everyone’s ready, out come the couple.
You can do whatever you like, this is just the most common/traditional way of doing it. If having a large mob of formally dressed adults and children throwing things at you sounds like your idea of fun, here’s a few things to consider while you’re planning:
OPTIONS
- So first off, there’s nothing saying you HAVE to do it straight after the ceremony or even outside. I’ve seen a good number of couples distribute confetti before the service and then have the officiant invite people to throw stuff as they exit up the aisle. If your ceremony venue has draconian restrictions about confetti or bans it outright, you could do it on arrival to your reception venue. This option’s pretty common anyway and it works well because much like the above option, it cuts out the weird doubling back bit.
- There’s a mansion venue near Newmarket which likes to recommend the guests line the grand staircase whilst everyone throws the confetti down at the couple on the ground floor below. It looks pretty cool. You could steal that if you like, but you didn’t hear it from me.
- If you’re doing the throwing things bit the traditional way, you could use that time where everyone’s getting ready to take a minute just the two of you.
TIPS
- Some venues have very strict restrictions on what type of confetti can be used and where, so make sure you speak to them first before you get too carried away with planning.
- If you want to do a confetti throw, I’d suggest supplying the confetti yourself because relying on guests to bring their own is risky. They might forget, not bring enough, not want to spare the expense (seriously), not get round to it, or bring stuff that will get you in trouble with the venue.
- Dried petals and paper cones are a really affordable environmentally friendly and biodegradable option. You can get both pretty cheap on eBay or Etsy or make them yourself if you have a ludicrous amount of free time.
- I’d recommend you appoint a few people to help distribute organise. I’m happy to help waft a bit, but honestly my time would be better spent taking photos of people.
- There's no such thing as too much confetti.
