Do they HAVE to throw something? - The PASH Wedding Forums and Message Boards

danielsgirl · #1 12-15-2005, 05:06 AM

What's the point of having the guests throw something at the bride and groom as they leave anyway? The wedding is 6pm on a sunday night (after dark). We won't be "releasing" anything either. So what else would there be to do?

ljeagle · #2 12-15-2005, 05:13 AM

If it is going to be dark u can use sparklers. I have also seen those lighted sticks waved at a wedding. The sparklers are nice but make sure your guest are spaced out.

danielsgirl · #3 12-15-2005, 05:16 AM

I had thought of that but most of the "line" will be inside going down the hall leading outside. And I'm just worried that there are too many kids there for me to feel comfortable about using sparklers.

ljeagle · #4 12-15-2005, 05:23 AM

I under stand that. The kids might like the light sticks to wave. It is very nice at night. Candles are also nice but with a lot of kids that would be hard...

SuzyBride · #5 12-15-2005, 05:47 AM

You don't have to do anything. I really don't know why they do. Does anyone know where this tradition comes from?

555Ann555 · #6 12-15-2005, 11:51 AM

I'm not totaly sure but I've a funny feeling throwing grains of rice was suppposed to wish you fertility & the rest just carried on from there...

But there is no need for it. If it's not convenient for you or the time of day (or if the venue doesn't allow it) then just skip it! I don't remember the names but there were a few women on here who didn't have that part & none of their guests missed it at all. I'd not want to be waving sparklers near little ones and personally I'd not want glo sticks at my wedding either.

TheaterDiva1 · #7 12-15-2005, 02:36 PM

We didn't have guests throw anything either. Since we had the ceremony and reception in the same location, we din't have that grand "church exit." I was going to have bubbles, but the location coordinator told me right before the wedding bubbles aren't allowed on the dance floor. I had them left outside on the cocktail hour tables and guests took them, but it became more of a side favor than a mass bubble-bowing moment.

danielsgirl · #8 12-15-2005, 02:54 PM

I think I'll just skip it then. Though someone has mentioned to me possibly having people ring bells as we leave?

cru5h · #9 12-15-2005, 02:57 PM

Nobody's throwing ANYTHING at or on me. They can smile, wave, cheer or flip me the bird for all I care. Just don't throw things at me!

feb-bride · #10 12-15-2005, 03:09 PM

We didn't have people throw anything. No one missed it, either.

Marge129 · #11 12-15-2005, 04:01 PM

I'd say just don't have them throw anything.

Sparklers would be pretty, but it'd suck to have burn holes on your dress!

Jennifer · #12 12-15-2005, 04:32 PM

I decided to not have anything either. Instead...when we make our big exit...I decided to make that the time to throw my bouquet. We weren't going to do the garter toss anyways. So I'll have everyone go outside for our exit and then before I get into the "get away car" I will toss my bouquet into the crowd.

That will help the facility anyways b/c they would like to see everyone leave before midnight. Then that gets everyone out of the way so the clean up can take place as well.

CupieJen · #13 12-15-2005, 05:03 PM

No one threw anything at us either. It was just one of those things that I didn't really think about and kinda just slipped through.

Everyone was just clapping and taking photos of us. Not missed at all, IMO.

wembley · #14 12-15-2005, 05:50 PM

We're having our ceremony in the chapel. Once that's done, we'll be outside to have a receiving line and greet guests. They will then go across the sidewalk to the reception and hang out there. We're not even leaving to take pictures because those will be taken beforehand so once the guests go through, we might take a moment for any quick pictures and a moment to ourselves but then we'll join the party too. That doesn't leave a very good moment to throw or blow or wave anything at us.

I don't think we're going to bother with that tradition.

Complicated Woman · #15 12-15-2005, 05:53 PM

We'll do bubbles I think...though now I'm thinking about whether it will be too dark to bother! ::shrugs:: At any rate, I like bubbles for that. No real cleanup, pretty in pictures, fun for little ones to goof off with. Just don't let anyone spill on your dress....

syringa · #16 12-15-2005, 05:59 PM

There is no need to have anyone toss anything, but you should have a plan for what you are going to do when the ceremony ends. Some couples immediately exit to a waiting car then take a ride to have some time alone beore going on to the reception. Others exit to a car and go to the reception so that they are there first to greet guests as they arrive. And there are those that like to have a grand exit from the church and have the guests line up.

If you are doing pictures after the ceremony, then exit to a room or around a corner out of sight of the guests as they leave the building. Do whatever works best with your overall plan for the day.

Be aware that if you stop in the church foyer, you will be mobbed and you will end up having an impromptu receiving line, whether you planned it or not, and that can delay your reception plans. That's why you need to decide on a plan for your exit before the day of the wedding.

wedbyjean · #17 12-16-2005, 05:54 AM

Quote:

I've a funny feeling throwing grains of rice was suppposed to wish you fertility

Yep. (The original symbolism of the wedding cake is fertility, too).

Anyway, a lot of venues don't allow rice or birdseed because of the mess. And it hurts to get hit by the stuff -- some people throw it too darned hard.

Flower petals are a lovely alternative (but check on the mess factor first to see if it's allowed).

Ringing little bells is also a great alternative (and they can double as favors!)