From flower petals to leaves: eco friendly confetti options for your wedding
Whenever, I’m talking to couples about photographing their wedding, I always ask if they’re having confetti. Apart from being a tradition, it’s also one of the wedding photo opps where you’re guaranteed some lovely natural reactions.
I’d say around eighty percent of my brides and grooms do have confetti. When they’re not having confetti, it’s usually because they’re getting married at a location that doesn’t allow confetti.
The case for eco friendly confetti
While confetti may seem harmless, the reality is that traditional wedding confetti can have a negative impact on the environment.
Even today, the confetti we see at weddings is often made from tiny pieces of paper, plastic, or metallic foil that’s not biodegradable. This means it can take years to decompose, leaving behind a trail of litter and posing a threat to the natural environment in the process.
Perhaps the most significant impact of traditional wedding confetti, is the harm it can cause to wildlife. The small pieces of confetti can be ingested by animals, blocking their digestive systems and leading to illness or death. Even if the confetti doesn’t end up in an animal’s stomach, it can still cause harm. Birds may use confetti to build nests, where it can become entangled in their feathers or harm their young.
As if that wasn’t enough, the environmental impact of traditional confetti is also significant. The manufacturing process for confetti requires resources such as paper, ink, and plastic, which contribute to deforestation, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
And even when you choose biodegradable confetti, unless it’s completely natural, it still requires manufacturing resources to produce it.
Natural confetti – a sustainable alternative to traditional confetti
Fortunately, there are sustainable alternatives to traditional confetti that are just as beautiful and meaningful, without the negative impact on the planet. In this section, I’ll be sharing some of my favourite natural confetti alternatives to help you make your wedding celebration eco-friendlier.
Flower Petals
Flower petals have long been used as a symbol of love and celebration. In recent years, they’ve also become a popular alternative to traditional wedding confetti. Not only do they provide eco friendly confetti, they also add a touch of natural beauty to the ceremony. Here are some of the different types of flower petals you can use as an alternative to traditional confetti at your wedding:
Rose Petals
Rose petals are perhaps the most popular natural choice for biodegradable wedding confetti. They come in a variety of colours, including red, pink, and white, and their soft texture and delicate fragrance make them a beautiful addition to any wedding celebration. They’re also easy to source and can be purchased in bulk from most florists and online retailers.
Lavender
Lavender is another popular choice eco friendly confetti, thanks to its soothing fragrance and delicate purple hue. It’s a versatile flower that can be used in a variety of ways, from lining the aisle to being tossed during the ceremony. Lavender is also easy to grow, making it a great choice for DIY weddings.
Daisy Petals
Daisy petals are also a good natural wedding confetti, thanks to their bright colours and cheerful appearance. They’re easy to find and can be purchased in bulk from most florists or online retailers. Daisies are a great option for couples who want to add a touch of whimsy to their celebration.
Marigold Petals
Marigold petals (mixed with rice) are a favourite at Indian weddings. They come in a variety of colours, including yellow, orange, and red, and their vibrant hue adds a pop of colour to any celebration. Marigolds are also considered to be a symbol of light, happiness and positivity and are often used in traditional Indian wedding ceremonies.
Wildflowers
For couples that want a more rustic, natural look, wildflowers are a great alternative confetti. They come in a variety of colours and textures, from delicate wild roses to bright sunflowers. Wildflowers are also easy to source, as they can be found growing in fields and meadows. Couples can gather them themselves or purchase them from a local farmer or florist.
Rice
Rice is another sustainable confetti alternative that has been used for hundreds of years; guests would throw rice at the newlyweds to symbolize fertility and prosperity. Rice is readily available, inexpensive, and breaks down quickly, making it an ideal choice for an eco friendly wedding.
Leaves
Leaves are another natural confetti alternative that can be used for your wedding. Whether you choose to use freshly picked leaves or preserved ones, they make for a beautiful and unique confetti option. Leaves come in different shapes, sizes, and colours, giving you plenty of options to choose from to suit your wedding theme.
Eco Friendly Paper
If you prefer the look of traditional confetti, there are eco friendly paper options available. These are made from recycled paper and are often cut into fun shapes and designs. Eco friendly paper confetti is an excellent option for couples who want to add a pop of colour to their wedding while still being mindful of the environment.
Birdseed
Here’s an option I’ve yet to see in action, birdseed. Use this in the same way as other natural confetti products then, after the wedding, scatter the leftover birdseed in your garden or a nearby park, giving back to nature while also making the environment a little greener. While I can see it would be a sustainable (also bird-friendly), it may be difficult to remove from your hair.
If you are planning to have confetti at your wedding, hopefully, this blog will give some you food for thought and demonstrate that there are many eco friendly confetti alternatives to traditional wedding confetti.
Natural confetti can add a touch of magic to your special day without harming the environment. By choosing eco friendly confetti options, you’ll not only create a beautiful celebration, but you’ll also be making a positive impact on the planet.
As a wedding photographer, I’m passionate about capturing beautiful moments, and I’m excited to see more couples choose sustainable options that help protect the planet.
Alternative confetti suppliers in the UK
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anyone locally in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire or Berkshire that specialises in eco friendly confetti products. But, here’s a list of suppliers of natural confetti products in other parts of the UK.
These suppliers offer a range of sustainable confetti options, including flower petals, dried leaves, and biodegradable paper confetti. They are committed to providing sustainable and eco friendly confetti options for couples who want to celebrate their love while also protecting the environment.
The Real Flower Petal Confetti Company (Worcestershire)
Shropshire Petals (Shropshire)
The Confetti Cone Company (Barnsley)
Petal & Bird (Chichester)
Adamapple Confetti (Blackpool)
Ecofetti UK (Bedfordshire)
Wildflower Favours (Kent)
For more information on natural confetti and alternative confetti options in the UK, please take a look at the suppliers above.
You can find information on sustainable wedding rings in my recent blog on eco rings.
One of my favourite eco friendly wedding venues is Sheepdrove Organic Farm in Lambourn, Berkshire.
If you haven’t booked your wedding photographer yet, I’d love to hear from you. I cover weddings in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire. You can see examples of my work by viewing my wedding gallery.
Buckinghamshire wedding photographer
Berkshire wedding photographer