When one thinks of weddings, a whole array of vibrant and precious images come to mind – such as the bridal march, the first kiss, the first dance, cutting the cake, and the ever-famous confetti throw.  Rarely does a wedding go without these traditions – they are forever synonymous with tying the knot. 

 

Yet, has one ever wondered about the significance of these celebratory gestures and the deep-rooted history behind them

 

Let’s take confetti, for instance, a tradition that dates back to ancient Rome and whose significance has changed and evolved throughout time. The word confetti comes from the Italian word “confetto” which means “sweet meat” or “small sweet”, but the tradition dates back much further.

 

In ancient civilizations, throwing small items like grains, seeds, and petals was a common way to celebrate weddings and other joyous occasions. In ancient Rome and Greece, people threw wheat, rice, and barley at newlyweds to bless them with an abundance of fertility and prosperity. 

 

During the Middle Ages, the tradition evolved to include more natural materials such as flowers, herbs, and spices. In Europe, guests threw lavender, rose petals, and thyme at the newlyweds to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. Later, in 19th century Europe, the use of confetti became more widespread and paper confetti became the norm as paper manufacturers took hold of the industry and began producing colorful paper confetti often shaped in the image of doves and hearts.

 

It wasn’t until the 20th century that confetti throwing tradition crossed over to North America and gained popularity which still exists today.

 

In recent times, there has been growing consciousness around what constitutes safe and environmentally friendly confetti options. Rice confetti is now banned in most places for its negative impact on wildlife, birds in particular, ingesting it and getting sick.  Environmentalists now recommend that paper confetti now be replaced by more eco-friendly options such as natural biodegradable rose and lavender flower petals, which, in a sense, is back to the more practical time of the middle ages, who got it right!!

 

Hockwold Hall is an environmentally conscious venue that respects the beauty of its natural surroundings.  We are surrounded by wildlife that we have a duty to nurture and keep safe.  Although we value the tradition of confetti throwing, we have a policy in place that guarantees our bird and animal population stays safe.  All Confetti must be made of biodegradable natural materials such as dried flower petals.