18 Alternatives to the Rice Toss

The rice toss originated as a way to wish the newlywed couple a good harvest, but there are so many other creative, fun, and bird-friendly ways to revamp the tradition. Here are 18 sweet, sentimental, and silly ideas for your guests to send you off after you and your new spouse say "I do." And share your own rice toss alternatives in the comments!

01
Bird Seed
Sweet Monday Photography

Bird Seed

Bird seed is very similar to rice, but it's a great alternative that is safe for birds.

02
Rose Petals
Anna Roussos

Rose Petals

Rose petals are a sweet and simple alternative to the rice toss.

03
Sequin Wands
100 Layer Cake
EP Love

Sequin Wands

Your guests will have a blast waving sequin wands as you walk down the aisle.

04
Sprinkles
Megan Robinson
Green Wedding Shoes

Sprinkles

Make your return down the aisle candy-coated with sweet sprinkles for tossing.

05
Poppers
Shane and Lauren Photography
Green Wedding Shoes

Poppers

Make poppers for your guests to break open when you enter the reception.

06
Flowers
Sarah Marie Photos

Flowers

A beachy wedding wouldn't be complete without sweet-smelling Plumeria flowers.

07
Glitter
Love Me Do Photography
100 Layer Cake

Glitter

Add a touch of sparkle with bags of glitter for your guests to toss down the aisle.

08
Confetti
Wedding Photography by Nigel Edgecombe

Confetti

Multicolored paper confetti says "congrats" and "it's time to party!"

09
Butterflies
Sabine Scherer Photography
Green Wedding Shoes

Butterflies

Releasing butterflies will be a memorable moment at your wedding.

10
Lavender
Géraldine Lentzy-Vilmain

Lavender

Tossing lavender, like at this wedding, is a sweet-smelling send-off.

11
Pom-Poms
He and She Photography
Carter and Cook Event Co.

Pom-Poms

Hang a paper cone full of pom-poms on all the seats for a colorful and easy-to-clean-up alternative to rice.

12
Cowbells
Paige Newton Photography
Green Wedding Shoes

Cowbells

This bride hung her late grandparents' collection of cowbells from the seats for guests to ring as the couple headed back down the aisle. Such a great way to honor her grandparents.

13
Kabuki Streamers
Project Wedding

Kabuki Streamers

I love these DIY crepe streamers — they are like paper fireworks!

15
Sparklers
White Crane Weddings

Sparklers

I love the romantic glow of sparklers. And for even more spunk, go with star- or heart-shaped ones!

16
Flags
Max Wanger
100 Layer Cake

Flags

These hand-stamped fabric flags won't harm the environment, and they double as a sweet keepsake for the guests.

17
Bubbles
Bonnallie Brodeur

Bubbles

Have a basket of small bubble bottles available for the guests to lightheartedly send you off. They make for great photos, too!

18
Oversized Confetti
Michèle M. Waite

Oversized Confetti

Big circular pieces of confetti are so whimsical and fun!