Sprinkle Them With…

It has become a wedding tradition for newlyweds to be showered with something as they exit the church or wedding ceremony venue. What is used differs based on country, religion or tradition. Common choices are confetti, rice or wheat. Usually these are placed in little sacks, pouches or packets which are distributed to all the guests.

Why do people do this anyway? The beliefs vary. The throwing of confetti or its equivalent is said to be symbolic of the hope for increased fertility; the hope that the union will be blessed with children. Another belief says that it represents the showering of blessings in all its forms including the monetary one. It expresses the hope that the couple will have a good future together.

While this has become a wedding tradition, it is one that is frequently overlooked, forgotten or often left to the last minute. Many a bride and groom forget to have these prepared since they usually already have their hands full with the other wedding preparations. So it is often a regret for the newlyweds - though it isn’t a big deal really.

If you are one of the couples that believe that the showering is an important tradition that must be done for your wedding, here are some things that you should do to make sure that it happens:

• Decide if you really want to have this tradition. While it has become popular, this tradition is by no means carved in stone. It is optional. Your personal beliefs should dictate whether or not you will make this tradition a part of your nuptials.
• Decide if you your budget can accommodate it. Keep in mind that the packets or pouches have an equivalent cost. While it may not seem like much if you’re thinking of just a few, multiply it by the total number of guests who have confirmed that they are attending your wedding and you get its real cost. You might find that you would rather spend the money on your reception or honeymoon, rather than having your guests just throw your money in the air.
• Decide what materials you want to use. Gone are the days when you had to use confetti, rice or wheat only. You can still have a showering using other items which are really great for those who want to be creative. For example, you might be someone who is environmentally conscious and want to save more trees. Instead of confetti, how about some bubbles instead? Bubbles are just soap and water. They’re pretty and they won’t harm the surroundings. They are also unique. The limit is really how much you are willing to spend and where your imagination takes you.
• Assign someone to handle this task. It goes without saying that you’ll be pretty busy getting married and won’t have time to distribute the packets yourself. Usually this task will go to someone in your entourage or to your wedding coordinator.
• Make sure that everyone knows what the packets or pouches are for. Sometimes people mistake this for the wedding favors, especially since they are usually attractively packaged. It helps to tell them what it is for so they’ll know what to do with it when the time is right.
• Make sure your guests know when to open and use the pouches or packets. This is the job of the person who distributed the pouches or packets. They need to make sure that everyone is standing in place before you step out of the ceremony venue and shower you as you step out and pass them.

[tags] wedding,wedding planning, confetti, rice, wheat, shower,showering [/tags]

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