Creating Wedding Confetti: A Guide To Diy Magic

Wedding confetti is a fun and celebratory part of a wedding, creating joyful images and cementing the fact that the couple is officially married. It's important to first check with your venue if they allow confetti, and if they have any specific requirements. If you have the go-ahead, it's time to choose your confetti type and get creative! You can buy or make your own biodegradable confetti, with options ranging from dried flower petals to glitter, bubbles, and even edible cake sprinkles! Making your own confetti can be a fun and inexpensive DIY project, but it's essential to plan ahead and start collecting and drying materials beforehand.

Dried vs. Fresh Flower Petals

Dried petals are a great option for wedding confetti as they are lightweight, hold their colour well, and are biodegradable. They are also a more eco-friendly option than fresh petals as they can be stored and reused.

Fresh petals, on the other hand, are more delicate and may not last as long, especially if they are already a little tired. They also need to be carefully collected and dried to avoid them turning into compost. However, fresh petals can be a more cost-effective option if you have access to flowers from your own or your friends' and family's gardens.

Dried Petals

Dried petals are a good choice if you want a romantic and classic look for your wedding. Rose petals, for example, come in a variety of colours and can usually be matched to your wedding theme. Other options include lavender, marigold, chrysanthemum, and carnation petals, each with its unique fragrance, colour, and shape. Dried petals are also easy to store and can be purchased or made in advance, reducing last-minute stress.

Fresh Petals

Fresh petals can be a beautiful and natural option for wedding confetti, especially if you use flowers like roses, delphiniums, or hydrangeas. However, it is important to choose fresh flowers in full bloom and avoid those with brown edges as they will turn very brown when dried. Fresh petals are more delicate and may not last as long, so they need to be carefully collected and dried. If you are short on time, this option may be more challenging.

A Combination of Both

You can also mix dried and fresh petals to create a unique blend that suits your preferences and budget. This option allows you to combine the benefits of both types of petals and create a bespoke confetti mix.

Ultimately, the choice between dried and fresh petals depends on your personal preference, budget, and the amount of time you have to prepare. Both options can create a memorable and festive wedding celebration.

DIY Confetti

Making your own confetti for your wedding is a fun and easy way to save some money and add a personal touch to your special day. Here are some tips and ideas to create your own unique confetti:

Choosing Your Materials

First, decide on the type of confetti you want to make. Popular choices include dried flower petals, leaves, lavender seeds, glitter, and paper. If you're looking for something eco-friendly and biodegradable, dried flowers, leaves, and lavender seeds are great options.

Collecting and Preparing Materials

• Dried Flower Petals: Start collecting flowers from your garden or shop-bought bouquets. Roses are an excellent choice due to their colour range and scent. Remove the petals before they turn brown, and lay them flat to dry in a sunny spot or an airing cupboard. Once dried, store them in a dark, dry place to preserve their colour. You can also dry flowers in the oven at 95 degrees Celsius for about 10 minutes or hang them upside down in a bunch.
• Leaves: Collect fresh leaves such as olive, oak, eucalyptus, or autumn leaves like beech, ash, and maple. You can use them fresh or dry them for a crunchier texture. To dry leaves, place them between paper towels and press them with a warm iron.
• Lavender Seeds: Source lavender seeds from local lavender farms or dry your own homegrown lavender.
• Glitter: Choose biodegradable and eco-friendly glitter to ensure you don't harm the environment.
• Paper: Opt for biodegradable tissue paper or coloured paper in your wedding colours. Cut the paper into small circles, or use a paper stamp in your desired shape.

Storing and Packaging Confetti

Once your confetti is ready, store it in a dry place until your wedding day. You can divide it into small envelopes, paper cones, or baskets for your guests to grab a handful.

Confetti Display Ideas

• Baskets: A simple wicker basket filled with confetti is an easy and eco-friendly option for guests to grab a handful.
• Paper Cones: Create your own paper cones using coloured or patterned paper, secured with a custom sticker.
• Glassine Envelopes: These soft and inexpensive envelopes are a stylish way to package your confetti.
• Test Tubes: For a unique touch, use test tubes to hold your confetti, and don't forget to reuse them afterward!
• Drawstring Bags: Make or buy drawstring bags that can double as wedding favours for your guests.

Remember to check with your venue if they allow confetti and if there are any specific types or locations permitted. With a bit of creativity and planning, you can make your own wedding confetti that will add a memorable touch to your celebration!

Biodegradable Options

Most venues require the use of biodegradable confetti, and with good reason. There are plenty of eco-friendly options to choose from, many of which are inexpensive and easy to make at home.

Dried Flowers and Leaves

Dried flower petals are a popular choice for biodegradable confetti. You can buy these online, ask your florist to source them, or make your own by drying out flowers in the months leading up to the wedding. Flowers like roses, delphiniums, daisies, and baby's breath work well. You can also use dried leaves, such as olive, oak, eucalyptus, beech, ash, and maple.

Seeds and Herbs

If you want to add a little scent to your day, consider using dried herbs like rosemary, mint, or lavender. You can also use seeds, which can support biodiversity by aiding the growth of wildflowers.

Biodegradable Confetti

There are lots of biodegradable confetti options that offer the classic confetti feel. These are usually made from dried flowers or dye-free, compostable materials that are water-soluble. This means that if you're outdoors, you may not need to clean it up at all.

Bubbles

Bubbles are a cheap and environmentally-friendly alternative to confetti. They look pretty in photos and leave no trace. You can make your own bubble mixture or buy some from the store, but be aware that most bubble sets feature single-use plastic.

Rice

Rice is a traditional option for wedding confetti, but it can be painful to be thrown at and it gets into everything. It is also slippery to walk on and can be harmful if it gets in someone's eye, so it's best avoided.

Birdseed

Birdseed is another traditional option, dating back to ancient Rome. However, it can be harmful to birds, so it's best avoided.

Glitter

Glitter is not biodegradable and is very difficult to clean up. It can be harmful to birds and other animals if ingested, and it can be accidentally inhaled or get caught in people's eyes during the toss. If you want to use glitter, opt for a biodegradable brand, but be aware that even these may contain aluminum or plastic.

Creative Containers

Now that you've crafted your confetti, you'll need something to put it in. Here are some creative container ideas to elevate your wedding confetti and make it easily accessible for your guests:

Paper Cones

Paper cones are a classic and elegant choice for holding confetti. They can be easily made at home using craft paper and decorated with stamps, stickers, or ribbons to match your wedding theme. Place them in a basket at the entrance of your ceremony or on chairs for guests to pick up as they arrive. This way, your guests will be ready to shower you with confetti as you make your grand exit.

Small Paper Bags

Small paper bags are another eco-friendly option for holding your confetti. These bags can be customised with stamps or drawings, and they are the perfect size for guests to grab a handful of confetti. You can also assign a special role to a niece, nephew, or young relative by having them hand out the bags to guests before the ceremony.

Baskets or Buckets

For a rustic or natural look, opt for baskets or buckets to hold your confetti. Choose a style that fits your wedding theme, whether it's a woven basket for a bohemian vibe or a galvanized bucket for a rustic charm. Place a few baskets or buckets at the ceremony entrance or along the aisle, filled with confetti for guests to help themselves.

Transparent Balloons

For a whimsical and unique touch, fill transparent balloons with confetti before inflating them. This idea adds a decorative element to your wedding and creates a stunning visual display. When the time is right, your guests can pop the balloons, releasing a shower of confetti over the newlyweds.

Confetti Cannons

If you want to make a dramatic statement, provide your guests with confetti cannons. These can be purchased or DIYed using cardboard tubes and colourful tissue paper. Confetti cannons will add excitement to your exit and ensure that your guests are actively involved in the celebration.

Confetti Alternatives

If you're looking for alternatives to traditional confetti, there are plenty of fun and unique options to choose from. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Bubbles: Blowing bubbles is a fun, inexpensive, and environmentally-friendly alternative to confetti. You can find vintage bubble wands or use bubble guns for a more interactive experience. Just be aware that bubble liquid can stain delicate fabrics, so keep a safe distance from guests!
• Ribbons: Guests can wave colourful ribbons as you walk by, creating a beautiful, celebratory effect. You can even make ribbon wands with bells or pom-poms attached for added sound and visuals.
• Sparklers: For evening weddings, sparklers can add a magical touch to your exit. They create stunning visuals and are perfect for capturing memorable photos.
• Paper planes: This unique idea is sure to entertain guests of all ages. You can even write personalised messages on the paper planes for a special touch.
• Glitter: For a sparkly and shiny effect in your wedding photos, consider using biodegradable and eco-friendly glitter as an alternative to traditional confetti.
• Smoke bombs: Coloured smoke bombs can add a dramatic and creative touch to your wedding exit photos, creating a statement portrait.
• Bells: The chimes of tiny tinkling bells can be a cute and memorable alternative to confetti. Source vintage bells to make this option more sustainable, and invite guests to take them home as wedding favours.
• Birdseed: Birdseed is an eco-friendly option that supports biodiversity by aiding the growth of wildflowers. Just be sure to source genuine birdseed suitable for the birds in your area.
• Leaves: Fresh or dried leaves are a free and sustainable option, especially for autumn weddings. You can choose from a variety of leaves, such as olive, oak, eucalyptus, beech, ash, or maple, to create a natural confetti effect.
• Lavender: Lavender seeds or dried lavender buds make a beautiful and biodegradable confetti option. They will not only look stunning but also leave a lovely scent in the air.

Frequently asked questions