Confetti

Image © iStockphoto/LyleGregg

The throwing of confetti is one of the most well-known of wedding traditons - although the custom has been in decline recently, largely because many churches and other venues don't like the mess!

What Is Confetti?

The word confetti originates from the Italian word referring to edible favours and candies given to wedding guests. Rather confusingly the Italian word for what is known in English as confetti is coriandoli whilst the original Italian sweets are known in the US as Jordan almonds. Nobody ever said weddings were simple!

"Confetti" in English is small, thin pieces of paper - usually shaped and coloured - that are thrown over the bride and groom after the wedding. Although you can make your own most people buy the inexpensive commercial variety available at most party and wedding stores. As well as standard designs such as hearts, bells and snowflakes, confetti is available in all manner of specialised shapes or even personalised.

It used to be the accepted custom to shower the happy couple with confetti as they were leaving the church. After a busy day of weddings the chruch and surrounding streets would have been a complete mess, so many wedding venues today ask guests to refrain from the custom.

History

Modern paper confetti is a relatively new invention, first documented in the 1890s. It quickly became popular at society weddings and soon went into mass production.

The origin of the confetti tradition probably goes back to pagan fertility traditions and is connected with the similar custom of throwing rice. Before the invention of modern paper confetti, the newlyweds were showered with leaves and petals from flowers and trees. The connection with nature was believed to lead to a happy life and many children. Even today luxury confetti is still sometimes mixed with floral additions such as rose petals.

Whilst confetti may be less common than it was at weddings, it's become more popular on a large scale for sporting events, parties, game shows etc. You can even buy specialised confetti launcher cannons - large "guns" capable of firing a huge amount of paper pieces over a wide area.

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