Confetti has to be one of my favourite wedding moments. They create the loveliest of images, which are pretty, relaxed and usually full of smiles. Plus that moment of flutter really cements the fact, that you are officially married! Horray!
But, what wedding confetti ideas are there? How do you display your confetti and are there any confetti alternatives? No need to fret, I am here with all the answers and inspiration.
Photo: Angela Ward-Brown Photography via Portsmouth Wedding Confetti: Proper Confetti
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Throwing Wedding Confetti Ideas
When it comes to choosing confetti, many venues ask for biodegradable confetti to be used. This makes sense, it’s wildlife friendly and is more sustainable. So, when considering the throwing confetti ideas I am about to show you, it’s always a good idea to check if it’s biodegradable and safe for wildlife. If in doubt, you can always ask your venue!
Here are some different confetti types to consider.
1. Rice
Rice confetti is one of the older traditions and it still has its place. It’s cheap, and it’s natural, but be aware, it may be a little hard on your skin when it is thrown.
Photo: Flavia Eleonora Tullio via Natural Italy Villa Wedding
2. Dried Petals
Real dried petals are proving to be a popular choice for wedding confetti, with them being eco-friendly.
You can also DIY wedding confetti petals, this can be a time-consuming process but if you have the time can save you money. The results can be just stunning too. You could vary the flower type for different colours or sized petals.
Photo: Emily & Steve Photography via South Downs Barn Wedding
3. All One Colour
Choosing just one colour of confetti can have a beautiful impact on your photos.
Photo: The Kindred Collective via Kindred Barn Wedding
4. Wool Pom Poms
Wool pom poms look amazing in images. Wool pom poms are easy to make, are soft and look fab in photos. Be sure to collect up the wool pom poms after the throw so they don’t litter your outdoor space.
You can keep and use the pom poms in a future craft project too.
Photo: Nicki Shea Photography via Alternative Rainbow Woodland Wedding Ideas
5. Leaves
Collect leaves or herbs in woodland or in gardens. They can be dried or fresh. A free, sustainable and beautiful confetti option.
Photo: Lorena Erre via Mountain Wedding Spain
6. Glitter
Glitter confetti creates a really sparkly effect in your wedding photos. But be sure to use biodegradable and eco-friendly glitter to save any damage to the environment.
Photo: Irene Yap Photography via Bell Ticehurst Wedding
7. Sprinkles
Or how about using cake sprinkles? Dainty, pretty and edible, what’s not to love?
8. Paper Hearts
Paper confetti is perhaps the most popular choice, with biodegradable options available to buy easily. However, you can also DIY your wedding confetti pretty simply. Get a paper stamp in the shape of your choice and get crafty.
Photo: Rebecca Wedding Photography via Lavender Farm Tipi Wedding
9. Cannon
For a full-on confetti moment, consider a confetti cannon. Biodegradable cannons are readily available too. The cannon really helps with the full confetti look in your photos.
Photo: Three Flowers Photography via Pink Red Wedding
10. Pop
Or a smaller version is the sweet confetti pop!
Photo: Eva Photography via Wimborne House Wedding Confetti: Calypso Did It
11. Lavender
Lavender seeds are a beautiful confetti idea as they will smell amazing. But are also biodegradable and look stunning.
Photo: Bloom Weddings via Saltmarshe Hall Quirky Stylish Wedding
12. Fresh Flower Petals
Rather than using dried flower petals, how about fresh flower petals and mini blooms? These will flutter gently, have vivid colour and smell wonderful. Be sure to pick them as close to your ceremony as possible to avoid any wilting.
Photo: L’Ordine della Giarrettiera via Villa Del Grumello Wedding
13. DIY Tissue Paper Confetti
The beauty of making your own confetti is being able to customise your colours and shapes. Biodegradable tissue paper is a good option and you can go wild with colour and shape.
Photo: Rachel Kenyon via Bashall Barn Wedding
14. Seeds
Does it get any more environmentally friendly than wildflower seed, or even birdseed confetti?
Photo: Bethany Stanley Photography via Bohemian Summer DIY Pub Garden Wedding
15. Rainbow Circles
Go bold with large rainbow circle confetti, the end result in photographs always look so epic!
Photo: Andy Gaines via Creative Crafty Village Hall Wedding
16. Snowy Confetti
For winter weddings or Christmas weddings, does it get any more romantic than a snow confetti effect? Choose all-white confetti to recreate this look.
Photo: Naomi Mills Photography via Christmas Wedding Theme
Alternative Wedding Confetti Ideas
There are also a lot of alternative confetti ideas around since the original rice confetti was born. These can be great if you don’t want confetti, but are still looking for a photographic opportunity. Or your venue doesn’t allow confetti at all.
17. Bubbles
Good old bubbles are fun for guests and can look fantastic in images.
Photo: Victoria Whiting Photography via La Mon Hotel Spa Wedding
18. Smoke Flares
Smoke flares have become a portrait statement in recent years. Use coloured smoke to add va-va-voom to your shots.
Photo: Brad Gommon Photography via Endeavour Woodland Weddings
19. Flags
Make and give out mini flags for guests to wave as you exit your ceremony.
Photo: Victoria JK Lamburn via Modern Rustic Ivory Barn Wedding
20. Pom Poms On Sticks
Add wool pom poms to sticks to celebrate that just-married moment.
Photo: Nicki Shea Photography via Alternative Rainbow Woodland Wedding Ideas
21. Wands
Everyone will love a wand to wave, add ribbons and bells for extra sound.
Photo: Amanda Sutton Photography via Adventure Woodland North Carolina Wedding
22. Sparklers
Or how about a sparkler exit in the evening instead?
Photo: Olegs Samsonovs Photography via Moon Stars Wedding Ideas
23. Paper Aeroplanes
Paper aeroplanes will be sure to have guests enjoying themselves. Be sure to pick up the paper planes when you’ve finished with them though.
Photo: Kristian Leven Photography via Royal Hospital Chelsea Wedding
Wedding Confetti Holder Ideas
So we’ve got all the confetti ideas nailed, but shall we take a look at confetti holder ideas as well as confetti table inspiration? I think so, let’s go!
24. Cellophane Packets
Pop your confetti in biodegradable cellophane packets so guests can easily see the contents. Don’t forget to add a sign.
Photo: Peter Hugo Photography via Low Osgoodby Grange Wedding
25. Glassine Envelopes
Glassine envelopes are a great option, they are softer, inexpensive and can be secured with a cute custom sticker.
Photo: Firewood Film via Warm Celestial Wedding
26. Toilet Rolls
Collect and remodel toilet roll tubes into cute confetti holders.
Photo: AD Photography via Nortonbury Farm Wedding
27. Confetti Cones
Use paper to create your own wedding confetti cones. There are so many personal and fun ways to pick paper for confetti cones. Here are some ideas:
- Maps
- Book Pages
- Music Sheets
- Patterned Paper
- Kraft Paper
- Seed Paper
- Photographs
- Newspaper/Magazines
- Posters
You can choose paper that has meaning and a story for you too. Such as a favourite book, song or place.
Photo: Bernadeta Kupiec via Dunbar Wedding
28. Cardboard Pouch
These card and twine pouches look so stylish!
Photo: Bloom Weddings via Granary On The Common Wedding
29. Paper Cups
Paper cups are such a cute idea, they are easy to hold and can be customised too.
Photo: Camilla J. Hards via Rustic Gate Street Barn Wedding
30. Basket
A simple basket where guests can grab a handful of confetti has to be the cheapest and easiest option for holding confetti.
Photo: Carn Patrick Photography via Newton Hall Wedding
31. Bucket
Or how about a beautiful metal bucket?
Photo: Kelly J Photography via Rustic Whimsical Woodland Floral Wedding
32. Tray
Add your confetti to trays and place them at your ceremony for a chic style. It doubles up as gorgeous aisle decor.
Photo: Mollie McAusland Photography via Yurt Village Wedding
33. Net Bags
Netting bags look soft and romantic. It’s a good way to control the ‘portion’ sizes for each guest too.
Photo: Amy B Photography via Unique Outdoorsy Tipi Wedding
34. Boxes
Confetti boxes can look so cute! Pop them in a wire basket for a modern feel.
Photo: HBA Photography via Rose Gold Dove Grey Wedding
35. Stationery
To make things seamless, add confetti pouches inside your ceremony booklets. That way each guest will have some and it saves your wedding party from another role.
Photo: Tiree Dawson via Askham Hall Wedding
36. Paper Bags
Paper bags can work really well. You can customise bags with hand lettering, stickers and even cute pegs.
Photo: Milkbottle Photography via Hessian Lace Wedding
37. Test Tubes
Test tubes are a fun way to hold confetti, be sure to keep and reuse them after the day too.
Photo: Christopher Ian Photography via Felin Newydd House Wedding Confetti: Shropshire Petals
38. Drawstring Bags
Make or buy drawstring bags that can double up as a cute wedding favour.
Photo: Sowing Clover via Bohemian Outdoor Greenery Wedding Georgia
39. Wax Seals
Wax seals create a touch of luxe to these lovely confetti cones.
Photo: Katherine Ashdown Photography via Chaucer Barn Wedding
Wedding Confetti Table Ideas
So you have your confetti vessels decided now, but just how to display your lovely confetti?
40. Wooden Pallet Stand
How about pegging your confetti packets to a wooden pallet? Guests certainly won’t miss them.
Photo: Terri & Lori Photo and Film via Boho Rustic Barn Wedding
41. Hamper
Why not put your confetti cones in a hamper or basket?
Photo: Wild Tide Weddings via Summer Boho Wedding
42. Suitcase
A vintage suitcase can be perfect for displaying your confetti to guests.
Photo: Simon Murray Images via Crug Glas Country House Wedding
43. Pick-n-Mix Confetti Bar
Make your confetti interactive with a cute pick-n-mix confetti bar.
Photo: Darina Stoda Photography via Stubton Hall Wedding
44. On Chairs
Tie confetti cones to guests’ chairs to ensure each guest gets their cone.
Photo: Ilaria Petrucci via Indie Folk Hand Made Outdoor Wedding
45. Wooden Box
Pop confetti in a wooden box and scatter some petals on your table (or barrel) to decorate.
Photo: Joe Mather Photography via Colourful DIY Floral Luxe Barn Wedding
46. Confetti Role
Or for some fun, ask a member of your wedding party to be a confetti person.
Photo: Olegs Samsonovs Photography via Moon Stars Wedding Ideas
Do We Need To Organise Wedding Confetti?
Of course, you could not prepare any confetti and let your guests bring their own. But I do love the idea of preparing pretty packaging for your confetti, your guests will adore that personal touch. And there will always be guests that forget to bring some.
So to guarantee a momentous confetti shot, it’s best to prepare yourself.
Do You Have To Have Wedding Confetti?
There are no rules when it comes to wedding details and decor. There is no requirement to have confetti if it isn’t for you.
Who Throws Confetti At A Wedding?
Ideally, every guest can join in and throw wedding confetti. But if your budget is tight, why not ask your key wedding party members to join in with the moment?
Do I Need Confetti For Every Guest?
It’s unlikely every single guest will join in with the confetti throw, so don’t worry if you don’t have enough for every single one of your guests. Aim for 60-80% confetti distribution between your guests. That being said if you are happy with a lighter confetti throw, you could opt for less.
Where To Display Wedding Confetti?
Confetti is generally thrown after the ceremony, so you’ll want it available at your ceremony. If you wish for it to be thrown as you get to your reception, have it set up there.
There are some different options for how to go about it:
- Set up a confetti table or bar
- Add confetti to stationery
- Pop confetti on ceremony chairs
- Ask a helper to give out confetti
If you aren’t asking a helper to distribute your confetti, ensure it’s placed in a prominent place so guests spot it.
And that’s a wrap! All the wedding confetti ideas you’ll ever need to nail your confetti moment. Yay!