This is an old tradition, which these days has a number of exciting alternatives. Instead of rice of confetti, the bride now can choose to have her guests throw rose-petals, flowers, or tinsel. One can even have the guests blow bubbles, or have several hundred white doves, or butterflies released. A country wedding could include, as the bride leaves the wedding chapel, a sudden herd of horses bursting out of the tree-line to gallop past the bridal party and guests.
The throwing of the rice or confetti can be done either as the bride and groom emerge from the church, or as they are about to depart for honeymoon after the reception.
