Wedding Rice?

Question

Is there a type of rice one can throw at their wedding that is not harmful to birds?

Answer 1

Rice and exploding birds is a MYTH. It always has been a myth, and it always will be a myth.

"You may have heard that, when birds eat rice thrown at a wedding, the rice swells so much inside their bellies that they pop. Sounds awful, doesn't it? But have you ever seen any exploding birds after a wedding? It never happens. In fact, birds are often big pests in rice fields. Some rice farmers may wish the pesky birds would explode, but they never do!" The National Wildlife Federation

Throw rice! Throw bird seed! Blow bubbles! Do what you like.

Answer 2

I think that you have to use birdseed. You could maybe think about doing something a little different. I didn't like the birdseed thing because it isn't as pretty as white rice. We did bubbles. They turned out awesome in the pics too. I was also at a wedding where they did a balloon launch instead of throwing rice.

Answer 3

We were told that we absolutely could not have rice of any kind thrown. Now, it was early 90's and the practice was being phased out, so whether that is true or not, it was certainly not encouraged and no one argued.

We decided to go the birdseed route and I can tell you from experience - THAT STUFF STINGS! We had quite a few guys who thought it was funny to be drunk and throw a fistful of birdseed with all their might. Also, it played hell vacuuming it out of my car when we returned from the honeymoon. Good for the birds, but not good for the eyes.

I wanted to opt for bubbles, but was discouraged from the lady who sold me my dress, as she said if I didn't get my dress cleaned right away, it could stain. Since I wanted it preserved, but couldn't do it right away, we stayed clear of the bubbles. Also, we had plenty of older people at the wedding/reception and didn't want any slips and falls due to careless children playing with bubbles in advance.

I recently attended a wedding where rose petals were thrown, and everyone seemed to enjoy this tremendously! (lots softer than birdseed, or even rice for that matter) Plus the sight and smell of brilliant colored rose petals flying through the air was breathtaking, and made wonderful photos - especially when enhanced to have the rest of the photo in b&w and only the rose petals colored.

You can also go with guests ringing bells, or playing kazoos.

Best of luck and congrats! I wish you well and a lifetime of happiness!

Answer 4

Check your books on birds. Everyone says it is a problem but reality is rice will not harm birds in any way. I watched a long show on Discovery Channel about birds & rice, the scientists say it is a old wives tale. It does make the sidewalks a hazard since it rolls under your shoes.

My daughters, one did small bells to ring not throw (haha), & one did sparklers - really cool in pictures. We looked at bubbles but they can stain dresses.

Answer 5

Rice is not harmful to birds. That is a myth. Birds eat rice all over the world.

Answer 6

I would look into the policies of where you are going to get married because many places will not allow you to throw bird seed or rice due to the mess it can make from it being on the ground and the birds eating it. So your best bet is to really check with the place you are getting married to see if it is even allowed.

Answer 7

You could always throw bird seed. That's not harmful to birds. Be careful, I would NOT use cooked rice. First because it smells bad and it will stick in your hair and dress and everywhere. Yup, bird seed is your best bet.

Answer 8

No rice, but there are a lot of fun alternatives now like you can check on releasing doves and butterflies depending on the time of year. Also your guests could throw birdseed (I like this one too) or blow bubbles or ring bells.

Answer 9

There are not good kinds of rice - bread crumbs are a better option.

Answer 10

Use birdseed or have the guests blow bubbles! you can get the small bottles of bubbles at the dollar stores or wedding supply stores.