Why can't I throw rice at a wedding?

Question

My sister is getting married this Spring in an outdoor, garden wedding. Being a very traditional family, we wanted the guests to throw rice as the newly wedded couple exit the garden. We were told that we could not throw rice but had to use rose petals or bird seed.

What in the world is wrong with throwing rice? It has been done for hundreds of years.

Answer 1

assalam o alikum
y dont u spread a carpet on the exit portion or plastic or similar kinda thing so that later rice can b picked up without hassle.

if u throw rice on grass then obviously the cleaning will not b easy.

congrates on ur sis wedding. may Allah bless the couple, ameen

Answer 2

Throwing rice is becoming less and less of a tradition because no one will allow it. In the past 5 years I have yet to find a facility that will allow rice. The rice is harder to pick up (if there is any wetness on the ground the rice sticks to the pavement and never comes off) even if it's a garden, there is probably some pavement or stepping stones. I do NOT recommend bird seed-- it looks awful in photos! Rose petals are much less expensive than you would think and are my favorite for a day-time wedding. If your facility allows, sparklers create a dramatic photo for evening weddings. Bubbles are great for either time. (By the way, rice really hurts when it's thrown on you... I know that from a high school play!) :)

Answer 3

Throwing rice and the birds eating would later cause the birds to hang out around the church then crap on everything. NOT pretty. But since they are allowing bird seed then the bird doodie issue isn't what they are trying to avoid. Rice does have slip issue....but so does bird seed. I personally like bubbles.

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

Answer 4

Who exactly told you that you can't? Bird seed would be as hard to clean up as rice, neither is particularly bad or good for the environment. Now you know why rice is thrown don't you? It represents fertility, the ancient Romans used to throw wheat. I would think birdseed has the same meaning. So I can't see where the couple has requested one over the other (as in avoiding the fertility blessing).

Now there is an urban legend that says if you throw rice at an outdoor wedding it will harm birds that eat it....completely false...see the link below to the most reputable Snope Urban Legend site which debunks this myth.

I'd throw rice anyway myself...

and for the ninnies above who say it draws rodents--rodents are just as likely to eat birdseed--ever watch a squirrel chow down at a birdfeeder or a rat?

Answer 5

Birds will not die from eating rice. That is a urban myth.
And its not exactly because its hard to clean up.

The reason why the ban on throwing rice began is because it can cause people to slip on the rice. Like little marbles. When they are rushing down the steps. Hard rice, hard steps, hard shoes, hard landing.

But another part of the original problem is that the rice attracted pigeons. Now its all twisted and they say throw bird seed.
Nonsense...... Make them tell you the "real reason" why they don't want you throwing rice.

Its a funny thing how these myths get going and next thing you know the people who are making the rules don't even know why they are saying what they are saying.

Purple monkey dishwasher if you know what I mean.

Answer 6

Most places don't like rice because they have to clean it up. With bridseed, it's cleaned up by animals. I've never heard of throwing rose petals, sounds a bit expensive to me. Also heard of rice being dangerous for birds, altough I'm not sure if that's exactly true. Last I heard the old wives tale about birds not being able to digest it is untrue for the most part, but I believe I saw on TV that it can make some birds sick.

Answer 7

I am not throwing rice at my wedding because of making the birds sick. But I found this wedding rice on the internet that sounds really neat to use instead. Designer Wedding Rice is made into heart-shapes that is water soluble and won't roll when stepped on and is bird, animal and enviornmentally safe.

Answer 8

there is the myth that if birds eat the rice it will swell in their stomcahs and make them explode. This is not true, but many people still think it is.

The other issue with rice is that it can be a slip hazard. It is small and round, so it has the same effect as a cartoon banana. It also does not decompose easily, so it will be around tripping people for a while.

I also recommend blowing bubbles. It still has the traditonal feel, no clean-up, no one has to pick things out of their hair and kids love it!

Answer 9

You can use rice, it is a myth. Although after weddings I've been to and been in, I think things like bird seed, rice, or other things like that are somewhat of a hassle. They tend to get stuck in your hair, and go down your dress. My sister in law experienced this at hers. She used some sort of heart shaped thing she got at Michaels. They dissolve with water.

I personally used bubbles at that looked awesome in pictures. If you want to use rice it is fine- although I think that petals would look good and you wouldn't have to worry about clean up if you're outside in a garden.

Answer 10

Rice is difficult to clean up afterwards. It doesn't bio-degrade like rose petals or bird seed. Rice is slippery and someone could fall on a ricey surface. Rice isn't good for birds to eat and rice will draw rodents to the area. Enough reasons? Go with the bird seed or rose petals. It's environmentally better, and just as much fun.