Alternatives to Throwing Rice - Wedding Ceremony Exit Ideas - Northern Virginia Barn Wedding Venue

Make your first kiss a fun and memorable moment for your guests! As you might know, wedding guests used to throw rice on the happy couple, which was said to symbolize prosperity and fertility. This tradition got a bad rap from a rumor that rice would make birds’ stomachs explode (it doesn’t). But if you’re looking for creative alternatives to throwing rice, here are some of our favorite ceremony exit ideas! These ideas are from real weddings at 48 Fields in Northern Virginia.

CREPE PAPER STREAMERS

A college tradition inspired Brittany and Jason’s ceremony exit. At their alma mater, James Madison University, fans threw streamers in the school colors to celebrate a big play at football games. So in their own take on this idea, the couple gave their guests crepe paper streamers to toss as they walked up the aisle at the end of their ceremony! See the rest of Brittany and Jason’s Dusty Blue and Gold Summer Wedding.

AMERICAN FLAG REVEAL

Lynn and Steve’s ceremony ended with a big reveal! This patriotic couple hid an American flag in their ceremony backdrop, which an attendant unfurled at the moment of their first kiss. It was such a fun surprise for their guests! See more photos from Lynn and Steve’s all-American wedding.

STANDING OVATION

As a way to get their guests involved, Shannon and Taylor’s playful wedding ceremony incorporated signs held up by members of their wedding party. So of course their best man held up a sign that said “Standing Ovation” when their officiant pronounced them married! View more photos from Shannon and Taylor’s casual navy and peach spring wedding.

BUBBLES

Nancy and Tom had the most impressive bubble exit we’ve ever seen. Want to know their secret? In addition to giving their guests bubble wands, they had a bubble machine! Check out the rest of the photos from Nancy and Tom’s fall micro wedding.

LEAVES FOR AN ECO-FRIENDLY CELEBRATION

At the end of Nadine and Sam’s ceremony, their guests threw colorful autumn leaves as a fun seasonal touch for their fall wedding. This approach also has the benefit of being eco-friendly and not requiring any cleanup! See more of Nadine and Sam’s Polish and Persian Fall Wedding.

MILITARY SWORD ARCH EXIT

Are you or your partner in the military? Consider a traditional military sword arch exit, like Sarah and Michael did at their fall wedding. Learn more about saber exits, or see more photos from Sarah and Michael’s burgundy and blush vintage fall wedding.

Photos by Krysta Norman Photography, Larkin & Trevor, Mackenzie Leigh Photography, Natural Bliss Photo, Erin Tetterton Photography, and Candice Adelle Photography

We hope these alternatives to throwing rice at your wedding have inspired your own unique ceremony exit! For ideas for your grand exit at the end of the night, check out our list of 5 Fun Alternatives to Sparklers for Your Wedding Sendoff.

48 Fields Farm is a Leesburg VA barn wedding venue for celebrations of all sizes.
Our countryside barn and vast fields are peacefully set in the heart of Northern Virginia wine country.

Alternatives to Throwing Rice – Wedding Ceremony Exit Ideas