The Significance Of Wedding Confetti: A Symbol Of Joy And Celebration

Throwing confetti at weddings is a tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages in Italy. Originally, Italians threw various objects during parades, such as eggs, mud pellets, bits of bread, fruit, and coins. In the 1700s, these objects were replaced with candy-coated seeds, and later, with coloured paper discs. The Italian word for 'confetti' is 'coriandoli', which refers to these paper discs rather than the small sweets that the Italian confectionery is named after. The tradition of throwing confetti was adopted in the UK in the late 19th century, where it replaced the previous custom of throwing uncooked rice, wheat, or barley at weddings to symbolise fertility and bring luck to the couple when starting a family. Today, throwing confetti at weddings is a fun way to celebrate the union of the couple and creates a memorable moment for guests and the married couple alike, as well as providing a great photo opportunity.

Confetti is an Italian word for sweets

Confetti is the plural form of the Italian word 'confetto', which means 'sweetmeat'. The word 'confetti' is used to refer to the small pieces of coloured paper that are thrown during celebrations, especially at weddings. However, the Italian 'confetti' are sugar-coated almonds, which are handed out as favours at weddings, baptisms, and graduations. They are not thrown.

The tradition of throwing confetti at weddings dates back to the Middle Ages, when Italians would throw various objects during parades, such as eggs, mud pellets, bits of bread, fruit, and coins. In the 1700s, these objects were replaced with candy-coated seeds, such as coriander seeds. The Italian word for these seeds is 'coriandoli', from which we get the word 'confetti'. The seeds were expensive, so the lower classes often used small chalk balls called 'benis de gess' (chalk candy) instead.

In 1875, an Italian businessman from Milan, Enrico Mangili, began selling paper confetti for use in the upcoming Carnevale di Milano, the yearly parade held along the streets of the city. At that time, Milan was one of the main hubs of silk manufacturing, and Mangili collected the small punched paper discs that were left over from the production of the holed sheets used by silkworm breeders as cage bedding. The new paper confetti was well-received by customers as it was less harmful, cheaper, and more entertaining than the alternatives.

The British adapted the use of paper confetti to weddings, displacing the traditional grains or rice that symbolised sexual fertility. The first paper confetti was introduced to a wedding in the UK in 1875, and by the 1890s, it had become commonplace.

Confetti symbolises fertility and prosperity

Confetti is a time-honoured tradition at weddings, with a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The act of throwing confetti symbolises a showering of blessings upon the newlywed couple, wishing them a lifetime of luck, happiness, fertility, and prosperity. The tradition is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages in Italy, where rice or grains were tossed at the couple as a symbol of good luck, abundance, and fertility.

The use of different colours of confetti also holds significance. For instance, gold confetti is associated with wealth and prosperity, while pink confetti symbolises happiness and joy. Confetti made from natural petals or rice paper is considered more environmentally friendly and biodegradable, making it a preferred choice for eco-conscious couples.

The practice of throwing confetti at weddings has evolved over the years, with people using a variety of items such as rice, grains, flower petals, and sweets. The first paper confetti, introduced in 1875 in Milan, Italy, offered a wider range of colours and shapes, making it a festive and attractive option.

Today, confetti is an iconic part of wedding celebrations worldwide, adding joy, colour, and memorable photo opportunities to the special day. It is a fun and festive way for guests to celebrate the union of the couple and wish them a prosperous and fertile married life together.

Confetti makes for great wedding photos

Confetti is a colourful mess, but it makes for great wedding photos. The bright specs of vibrant colours bring a great visual element to your photos. The tradition of throwing confetti at weddings can be traced back to the middle ages. It is how wedding guests traditionally say 'congratulations' and wish the couple a lifetime of luck and happiness.

The throwing of confetti is laced in a rich history of taking inspiration from one culture and adapting it to a new one. Wedding traditions from various cultures have overlapped and intertwined to such a degree that it is not unheard of to see confetti at weddings around the world.

The first paper confetti was produced for the Carnivale di Milano with the intention of celebrating joyous occasions. The British then adapted this and introduced it to a wedding in 1875. The word 'confetti' comes from the Italian word for sugared almonds, which were handed out as favours to guests.

There are many different types of confetti, from the traditional pastel paper shapes of horseshoes to colourful plastics and glitter. However, dried flower petals are the best option for wedding photos. They are available in a large range of colours and are environmentally friendly. They are also biodegradable and unlikely to cause environmental problems.

If you want to capture the perfect confetti photo, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, you will need a lot of confetti. The more confetti you have, the better the visual impact. Secondly, it is important to get the timing right. The confetti photo doesn't always need to be taken during the exit from the venue. It can also be taken as the couple is entering or exiting a certain point during the day, adding a sense of movement to the images.

Another tip is to make sure that the guests are standing and ready to throw the confetti before the couple starts walking. It is also important to instruct the guests to throw the confetti up high in the air, not directly at the couple's faces. This will create a beautiful shower of colour as the couple walks through it.

Lastly, don't forget to capture the reactions of the couple. Ask them to smile, look up, laugh, and enjoy the moment. These candid moments will make for great confetti photos that the couple can treasure for years to come.

Confetti is not always made of plain paper

Today, there are many different types of confetti, from traditional pastel paper shapes to colourful plastics and glitter. However, due to environmental concerns, many people now opt for biodegradable alternatives such as dried flower petals, plantable seed paper, water-soluble pieces, lavender buds, mica flakes, or crushed flower petals.

Some other eco-friendly alternatives to paper confetti include:

• Blowing bubbles
• Balloons
• Birdseed
• Dried leaves
• Popcorn
• Fabric pompoms
• Artificial snow
• Ribbon wands

So, while plain paper confetti is a popular choice, there are plenty of other options to choose from, especially if you're looking for something more environmentally friendly.

Confetti is not eco-friendly

The throwing of confetti is a wedding tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages. Originally, Italians threw various objects during parades, such as eggs, mud pellets, bits of bread, fruit, and coins. In the 1700s, these objects were replaced with candy-coated seeds, and later, with paper confetti.

While it adds colour and fun to the celebration, traditional confetti is not environmentally friendly. Paper and plastic confetti, if thrown outdoors, can be eaten by wildlife, causing stomach blockages. Plastic confetti is not biodegradable and will remain on the ground until washed away, causing pollution. Paper confetti, although biodegradable, can take a long time to rot, leaving an unsightly mess.

Some venues ban the use of confetti due to the environmental damage it can cause, as well as the difficulty of cleaning it up. Paper confetti, especially, can be problematic as it sticks to floors and tables and is hard to vacuum or sweep up. If it gets wet, the dye can leech out, staining surfaces.

However, there are now many eco-friendly alternatives to traditional confetti, such as dried flower petals, biodegradable paper confetti, and seed paper confetti. These options are natural, compostable, or water-soluble, minimising their impact on the environment.

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