Wedding confetti guide: biodegradable options and venue rules

By Wedding Offshore Team

Confetti makes a lively photograph, but it is also the part of a wedding most likely to be restricted by a venue. Before you buy, you need to know what your venue allows, what the confetti is made from and how it will be cleared. This guide explains the main types, what biodegradable can and cannot tell you, and the questions to ask first.

Ask your venue before anything else

Many venues, places of worship and register offices have their own rules about confetti, and those rules vary. Some allow only certain types, some only outside, and some do not allow it at all. Ask:

Whether any confetti is allowed, and in which areas, such as the entrance, the grounds or inside the building
Whether there are restrictions on type, such as only dried petals, only paper or nothing with metallic parts
Who clears it up, and whether there is a charge or a condition for leaving it
Whether there are concerns about animals, plants or water in the grounds
Whether there is anywhere guests can throw it safely, such as a sheltered spot

If your ceremony is at a place of worship or register office, ask them separately from your reception venue. Get the answers in writing where you can, and tell your guests what is allowed. If you are also decorating the walkway, our guide to aisle decoration ideas for church and civil ceremonies covers what else to ask.

The main types of confetti

Dried petals. Natural, soft to look at and widely used. Colours are limited and some may stain light surfaces, so test a few on a hidden patch of fabric.
Paper confetti. Comes in shapes and colours, and is often lightweight. Ask the supplier what the paper is made from.
Pressed leaves or flowers. Delicate and quite particular. They suit a smaller number of guests.
Seed or plant-based confetti. Often sold for scattering on soil. Ask the supplier what is in it and where it should and should not be used.
Metallic or plastic confetti. Eye-catching, but it can be harder to clear, and some venues restrict it, so check before you buy.
Alternatives to throwing. Ribbon wands, bubbles or streamers give movement without anything landing on the floor. Check the venue rules for these too.

You can see a range of colours and materials in our confetti category. Read each product description for what it is made from, and ask us if it does not say.

What biodegradable can and cannot tell you

Biodegradable means a material can be broken down naturally. It does not mean it disappears at once, and it does not mean a venue will allow it. How quickly something breaks down depends on the material and on where it ends up, such as soil, water or a bin. A venue may still ask you not to use it, because it can be slippery, stain surfaces or be left on a path.

When you compare products:

Look for a clear description of what the confetti is made from
Ask the supplier how it should be disposed of
Check that any claim is described in plain terms, and ask if it is not
Do not assume that biodegradable confetti can be thrown anywhere

If a listing does not say what the product is made from, ask the supplier before you buy.

Plan how it will be thrown

A planned moment looks better in photographs and causes less mess.

Choose the moment. Often it is as the couple leaves the ceremony or arrives at the reception.
Choose the place. A sheltered spot away from doors, paths and vehicles is easier to clear.
Hand it out in advance. Small cones, bags or boxes help guests throw a small amount at once. Our favour bags can hold a portion each.
Brief your photographer. They may want guests to throw at a particular moment or from a certain direction.
Tell guests the rules. A short sign or a word from the person leading the ceremony stops guests throwing at the wrong time or place.

Think about guests and safety

Not everyone will want to take part, and some people may have reasons to avoid it. Consider:

Guests with allergies or asthma, who may prefer to stand back
Children, who may put things in their mouths
Guests who use wheelchairs or walking aids, because loose confetti on the floor can be slippery or catch in wheels
Anyone who is not happy being close, who should have somewhere comfortable to stand

Ask guests to throw gently and not at faces. If you are having a long dress or train, think about whether confetti would cling to it.

Clearing up

Agree who clears the confetti before the day. If the venue clears it, ask whether they charge. If you or helpers do it, take a brush, a dustpan and bags, and plan when you will have time. Ask where waste should go, because some venues have separate bins for different types of waste.

Keep the cost down

Choose one colour or a simple mix rather than many.
Buy to a plan rather than guessing. Our guide to how much confetti you need shows you how.
Make a portion yourself from dried petals or paper, and test one.
Use cones or boxes you already have.
Check the full price, including delivery, before you commit.

Next steps

Ask your venue and your ceremony location what they allow. Then choose one type that fits the rules and order a small sample to test before you commit to a full amount.

Asked and answered

Can I throw confetti anywhere?

No. Rules differ between venues, places of worship and grounds, so ask each one in advance. Some allow it only outside and some only certain types.

Is biodegradable confetti always allowed?

No. Biodegradable describes the material, not the rules. A venue can still ask you not to use it, so check first.

Who should clear up the confetti?

Agree this with your venue before the day. It may be their team, your helpers or a charge, so ask what applies.

Are there alternatives to confetti?

Yes. Ribbon wands, bubbles and streamers give a similar moment with nothing left on the floor. Check that the venue allows them.