Crafting Wedding Rice Bags: A Step-By-Step Guide

Throwing rice at weddings is a long-standing tradition symbolising fertility and prosperity. If you're looking to make your own wedding rice bags, you'll need pre-cut mesh sheets, lavender, fragrant herbs, ribbons, rubber bands, spoons, a bowl, baskets, and white rice. Prepare the herbs and rice by removing the leaves and stems from the herbs, cutting them into smaller sizes, and mixing them with rice in a bowl. Fill the mesh sheets with two to three spoonfuls of the mixture, leaving an inch or two of space at the top. Tie the bags with rubber bands and ribbons, and display them in baskets near the doors of the wedding venue.

Choosing materials

Rice:

The type of rice you choose is important, as it will be the main component of your wedding rice bags. While you can purchase any type of rice, it is best to opt for white rice, which is traditionally associated with weddings. The amount of rice you need will depend on the number of guests you have, so be sure to buy enough.

Mesh Sheets:

Pre-cut mesh sheets are ideal for holding the rice. They are easily available and can be found in craft stores or online. Again, the number of mesh sheets you need will depend on the number of guests, so buy accordingly. Look for sheets that are slightly larger than you need so that you have enough room to fill them with rice and tie them off.

Herbs and Scents:

Adding fragrant herbs to your rice is a lovely way to make your wedding rice bags even more special. Lavender is a popular choice, as it has a beautiful scent that won't be overpowering. You can also use other herbs such as rosemary or thyme. Strip off the leaves and cut them into small pieces before mixing them with the rice. Potpourri is another option if you want to add a unique scent to your rice bags.

Ribbons and Rubber Bands:

You will need ribbons and rubber bands to secure and decorate your rice bags. Choose ribbons that match your wedding colors or theme. The rubber bands will be used to initially close off the mesh sheets, so opt for small, clear rubber bands that can be easily hidden by the ribbons.

Baskets and Display Items:

To display your rice bags, you will need a few large baskets. Place them near the doors of your wedding venue, and add some lace sheets or colored paper at the bottom to give them a festive touch. You can also decorate the baskets with ribbons or flowers that match your wedding colors.

Alternative Fillers:

If you want to add a bit of color or variety to your rice bags, consider using small colored beads, flower petals, or bird seeds. Bird seeds are a great alternative to rice, especially if your wedding venue is home to a lot of birds. Dried flowers or herbs are also environmentally friendly options that can add a nice touch to your rice bags.

Preparing herbs and rice

Preparing the herbs and rice is a simple but important step in making your own wedding rice bags. This step will ensure that the rice is fragrant and visually appealing, adding a special touch to your wedding celebration. Here is a detailed guide to preparing the herbs and rice:

Firstly, gather your materials. You will need a variety of fragrant herbs such as lavender, along with a bowl, spoons, and white rice. You can purchase the cheapest type of rice available as it will not be eaten. The amount of rice and herbs you need will depend on the number of guests you are expecting.

Next, take your herbs and begin stripping off any unscented leaves and stems. This will ensure that only the most fragrant parts of the herbs are used. Then, cut the herbs into smaller pieces so that they mix well with the rice. You can use a variety of herbs to create a beautiful scent that the happy couple won't mind having on their clothes.

Now, it's time to add the rice to the bowl. Pour in enough rice so that it covers the bottom of the bowl. Then, add your prepared herbs. The general rule is that you should be able to smell the rice over the scent of the herbs. Mix the rice and herbs together with your hands until they are well combined. If you wish, you can also add potpourri to the mixture for extra fragrance.

In some states, it is illegal to throw rice at weddings as it can harm native bird populations. If this is the case, or if your wedding venue is home to many birds, you can substitute the rice with birdseed. This will still allow you to participate in the ancient tradition of showering the newlyweds with rice, seed, or grains, which is said to symbolise fertility and prosperity.

Once your herb and rice mixture is ready, you can move on to filling and tying the bags. If you wish to add a touch of colour, you can include small coloured beads or flower petals that match your wedding colours.

Filling the bags

Prepare the Herbs and Rice:

Start by preparing your herbs. Strip off any unscented leaves and stems, and cut the larger chunks into smaller pieces. You can use a variety of fragrant herbs, such as lavender, to create a pleasant scent that the happy couple won't mind having on their clothes. Combine the herbs with the rice in a bowl, using your hands to mix them together. You'll know you have enough herbs when you can smell the fragrance coming from the rice. If you want to add extra scent, you can include some potpourri in the mixture.

Now it's time to fill the mesh bags with your rice and herb mixture. Take a spoon and place around two to three spoonfuls of the mixture into each mesh sheet. Leave an inch or two of space at the top of each bag to make tying them easier. You can also add a few small coloured beads to the bags to add a touch of colour, or even flower petals that match the wedding colour scheme. If your wedding venue is home to a lot of birds, you may want to substitute the rice with birdseed.

Tying and Displaying the Bags:

Once the bags are filled, it's time to close them off. Use rubber bands to secure the tops of the bags, but be sure not to tie them too tightly, as you want the bags to be easy to open when the couple leaves the ceremony venue. After securing the bags with rubber bands, use a piece of ribbon to create delicate bows. To display the rice bags, place them in large baskets near the doors of the wedding venue. Tie ribbons on the baskets, and consider adding lace sheets at the bottom for a touch of colour.

Tying and displaying

Now that your rice bags are ready, it's time to close off the mesh sheets using rubber bands. Ensure that the rubber bands are not too tight, as you want the bags to be easy to open when you leave the ceremony venue. After securing the rice bags with rubber bands, it's time to add a decorative touch. Take a piece of ribbon and create delicate bows on each bag. This adds a touch of elegance to your rice bags.

To display the rice bags, you'll need at least two large baskets, which you will place near the doors of your wedding venue. Fill these baskets with the rice bags and tie ribbons on the handles or along the sides of the baskets. You can also add lace sheets or colourful fabric at the bottom of the baskets to enhance their visual appeal. Another idea is to place a small sign next to the baskets, inviting guests to take a rice bag and explaining the tradition and significance of the rice toss.

If your wedding venue permits, you may also consider placing the rice bags on each guest's chair, especially if you have a designated area for the rice toss during the ceremony. This way, your guests will have easy access to the rice bags when it's time for the toss. Alternatively, you can have a greeter hand out the rice bags to guests as they arrive, or include the rice bags in the wedding programs, ensuring each guest has one.

Remember to check with your venue beforehand, as some may have specific rules or restrictions regarding rice tosses. By following these steps, you'll be able to beautifully display your DIY wedding rice bags and involve your guests in this meaningful tradition.

Rice alternatives

Birdseed: One of the most obvious alternatives to rice is birdseed. It is environmentally friendly and self-cleaning. You can wrap spoonfuls of birdseed in cheesecloth, tie it with a ribbon, and distribute these to your guests.

Flower petals: Flower petals are beautiful, romantic, and naturally biodegradable. You can ask your florist to provide pretty flower petals in paper bags for your guests to throw during your departure. Alternatively, you can make little cones out of paper and fill them with flower petals for your guests to toss.

Dried herbs and flowers: You can use dried lavender bits or other dried herbs and flowers such as rosemary, thyme, mint, or sage. These options create a sweet-smelling exit for the couple and can be given to guests in glassine envelopes or paper cones.

Biodegradable confetti: Biodegradable confetti is a modern and environmentally friendly alternative to rice. You can find creative options such as eco-friendly "natural" confetti made from daisies, rose petals, ivy, and lavender, each symbolizing purity, fidelity, devotion, and luck, respectively.

Bubbles: Bubbles are a fun, inexpensive, and mess-free option that brings out the delight in both children and adults. They create a magical effect without the cleanup and make for amazing photographs.

Streamers: These provide a stylish pop of color without the mess. Guests can hold onto one end of the streamer and then deposit the other end in a recycling bin.

Paper airplanes: For a fun and casual wedding, provide paper for your guests to fold their own paper airplanes. They can fly these over you as you make your exit, providing entertainment for both young and old.

Bells: Bells create a joyful and celebratory send-off without any tossing. You can provide bicycle bells, tiny regular bells, or jingle bells for your guests to ring as you depart.

Noisemakers: Noisemakers such as kazoos or shakers allow your guests to express their joy without throwing anything. These can be customized with the wedding date and the couple's names, as guests will likely keep them as souvenirs.

Frequently asked questions