We're big fans of a confetti toss! It's a really fun, celebratory wedding moment that always puts a smile on our faces. But with so many couples now thinking about their wedding's impact on the environement, it's no surprise that they’re seeking sustainable, biodegradable alternatives to the traditional wedding confetti. The good news is that there are lots of great, eco-friendly confetti options to keep both you and mother nature happy! So we've rounded up 11 of our favourite sustainable confetti alternatives, with ideas to suit all tastes and budgets.
But First, A Note on Using Confetti at Your Wedding!
Before you decide on your sustainable confetti alternative, be sure to check whether it's permitted at your church and/or wedding venue. Some venues ban the use of confetti because of how difficult it can be to clear up! It's also a good idea to let your photographer know if you're having a confetti exit, so they can prepare to get those all-important photographs!
1. Dried Flower Petals
If you're looking for a sustainable confetti alternative to the classic wedding confetti, eco-friendly, freeze-dried flowers are the way to go! You can ask your florist to source dried petal confetti, buy freeze dried petals online (In Ireland, check out rosepetals.ie and in the UK, check out Shropshire Petals) or, you can even DIY your own confetti by drying out flowers in the months leading up to the wedding. It's one of our favourite, easy and inexpensive wedding DIYs, and Søstrene Grene has a brilliant video tutorial on how to make your very own eco-friendly confetti using dried flowers .
2. Leaves
Leaves can create a beautiful confetti effect when tossed at the newlyweds! You can choose fresh leaves such as olive, oak or eucalyptus, or, for an Autumn or Winter wedding, choose golden dried leaves such as beech, ash and maple. If you'd prefer a smaller-sized confetti, choose a strong leaf, and use a hole punch to punch out small circles (I Do Y'all has a handy tutorial) and voila, you've your very own natural confetti! One leaf will create plenty of confetti pieces which you can use fresh or dry out for your big day. Good for the environment, and your wedding budget!
3. Biodegradable Confetti
There are now lots of biodegradable confetti options that offer that classic confetti feel, but with a much better outcome for the environment. Made up of earth-friendly mixes, most biodegradable confetti products are natural, made from dried flowers or dye-free materials that are compostable or water-soluble. This means that you may not need to clean it up if the confetti toss is outdoors, although you should always check with your venue first.
4. Lavender
Who doesn’t love the smell of lavender? We love the idea of a lavender confetti toss acting as a signature scent for your wedding day! You can find lots of great options online, from local Lavender farms (in Ireland, check out LAVÓ Wicklow and Wexford Lavender Farm and if you're in the UK, check out Cotswold Lavender and Somerset Lavender), or make your own if you have your own home-grown dried lavender. A word of warning though, this one can be difficult to clear up!
5. Herbs
Dried herb send-offs are trending and we think it's an amazing sustainable confetti alternative! Just imagine a warm Summer's day with the scent of dried mint wafting through the air, or fresh rosemary leaves at a Winter celebration! Just make sure that you select herbs that aren't poisonous if ingested by animals. Pop them into personalised wedding cones or envelopes for guests to scatter at the end of the ceremony, or you could even set up a confetti station where guests can make their own herb blend!
6. Vintage Bells
Probably the cutest of all the wedding confetti alternatives, some couples choose the chimes of tiny tinkling bells over traditional confetti! We'd recommend sourcing vintage bells rather than buying new, to make this an even more sustainable option. You could invite guests to take them home as favours, if you like!
7. Fresh Flower Petals
If you have your heart set on being showered by flowers, a good option is to use fresh flowers such as rose petals for your wedding confetti toss. Much like dried petals and leaves, fresh flower petals biodegrade fast and add can lots colour. You can even add in some small fresh flower heads such as hydrangea, delphiniums or daisies to add extra colour and texture. This is one of the pricier options on our list but the effect really is lovely!
8. Birdseed
Birdseed at weddings actually pre-dates confetti - the tradition is said to date back to ancient Rome! It makes a gorgeous sustainable confetti alternative, as it can support biodiversity by aiding the growth of wildflowers. Just be sure to source genuine birdseed that's suitable for the birds in your area, as well as for a confetti toss - no dried insects, please!
9. Baby's Breath Confetti
The white, fluffy, dainty buds of Gypsophila (also known as baby's breath) lend themselves perfectly to confetti tosses. It’s easily sourced, and a fantastic universal flower, so whether you’re having a classic, modern or rustic wedding, baby’s breath can work perfectly. Simply pull or snip the buds from the stems to get yourself those natural, fluffy white pom poms!
10. Seed Paper Confetti
Seed paper confetti is a unique and visually interesting way to add a touch of sustainability to your wedding confetti toss. You can choose a neutral mix, or opt for a colourful blend to create a rainbow confetti shower!
11. Bubbles
Instead of confetti, why not blow bubbles? Blowing bubbles is a relatively cheap and environmentally-friendly alternative to confetti - they look pretty in photographs, and leave no trace. Just be aware that bubble sets usually feature single-use plastic, so, if you're keen to reduce waste, you could try using glass jars and/or making your own instead. BBC Good Food has a handy homemade bubble mixture recipe (we'd recommend using a clear dish soap to avoid dress stains!), and The Inspired Bride has a great wedding bubble favour DIY, which you could use with recycled glass jars! Just be sure to ask your boutique how your wedding dress will react to water, first - bubbles are a no-go for silk, for example, as they'll leave water marks.
Need more sustainable wedding ideas? You'll find them here!
