How to Send Off the Bride and Groom in Style

There's more to the send-off than bubbles and birdseed. Today's bride and groom can leave the wedding ceremony with an unforgettable recessional.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Confettis
• Hot Air Balloons
• Streamers
• Bells
• Glitter
• Rose Petals
• Champagne
• Champagne Flutes
• Champagne Buckets
• Doves
• Horses
• Motorcycles
• Sleighs
• Balloons
• Sailboats
• Streamers

1. Consider returning to rice for a traditional wedding. There is even heart-shaped rice available that is bird-friendly.

2. Use rose or other flower petals, streamers, confetti or glitter for a modern ceremony. Want to really remember the moment? Release a flock of doves or dozens of balloons.

3. Have the guests ring keepsake bells if you don't want to deal with cleaning up the area - not to mention the bride's hair and dress.

4. Ditch the limo and horse-drawn carriage. Order up a pair of motorcycles - or better yet, a bike with a sidecar if the groom knows how to drive one. Try a sleigh, a classic car or a mode of transportation related to the wedding theme, such as a sailboat, hot-air balloon, horses, maybe even camels.

5. Remember that the best man's job is to arrange the transportation.

6. Include decorating the car in your plans if the bride and groom will be using their own car for their getaway. The bride and groom should be kept fully informed of what will be done to the car. Some may feel it will ruin the surprise, but the couple won't want to deal with a ticket for obstructed windows or mirrors - or a ruined paint job - on their wedding day.

7. Tie cans to the rear bumper. This too is traditionally the best man's job. The belief is that the noise scares away evil spirits.

8. Make sure a bottle of good Champagne and two glasses are available for the bride and groom.

Tips & Warnings

• Do away with bubbles - they can leave soap spots on a wedding dress.
• Don't plan to release butterflies at the wedding. While it sounds really beautiful, you'll be sorely disappointed if you open the box and find most of them dead.
• Be careful with balloons too, as they aren't biodegradable or safe for wildlife.

[carlystanton]

on 7/19/2007 Also, pay attention to what is & isn't allowed at your wedding site. For example, our site is owned by the local historical foundation, which doesn't allow bubbles or rice or birdseed, but does allow flower petals.

[partyonguide]

on 3/11/2007 There's lots of interesting traditions for this part of the wedding. There was a good article in Today's Groom Magazine about that (www.todaysgroomonline.com). Some traditions included dumping flour and even the groom throwing an egg.

[DjDennis]

on 10/9/2006 Doing it during the day on releasing Doves is ok - but try it at night and at midnight is a bad omen

remember they are usually asleep and can get lost and even die because of being awake for so long to be released

so be very careful on deciding when and what time you have a release...

on 8/26/2006 When I got married, in addition to bells and bubbles, we found white kazoos at a craft store. These were an absolute hit with the guests, who serenaded us instead of getting bird seed in my dress.

on 8/8/2006 For an evening wedding, glow sticks are pretty and safe.