It's a Toss Up

A creative toss as the couple makes their way up the aisle is a fun way to kick off the celebration. But, the origin of this custom goes back to the ancient Romans, who originally threw wheat (the tradition later evolved to use rice) as a wish for fertility for the new couple. Nowadays, the toss has become a celebratory moment with much applause and cheering while the couple is showered in everything from lavender to flower petals. The key is to make it personal, says wedding planner Deborah James of the Los Angeles–based Bella Vita Events. “If the couple loves gardening, incorporate greenery,” she says. “Or if they are into wine, maybe it’s passing out mini shots to cheer the couple on their way out. Salute!” Kick-start your imagination with these four ideas.

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1. Celebrate the newly anointed Mr. and Mrs. by popping Beau-coup’s wedding confetti crackers. Stamped with “Hooray!” in gold foil, each cracker is filled with a burst of confetti, a riddle, a hat and a temporary tattoo. $23.95 for a set of six, Beau-coup, beau-coup.com.

2. Perfect for toes-in-the-sand weddings, these miniature inflatable tie-dyed beach balls in assorted patterns of yellow, pink, blue and green make the walk down the aisle a playful moment. No dodgeball allowed! $9.35, Amazon, amazon.com.

3. Take your DIY skills to new heights and craft a cool set of paper airplanes to soar over the couple. Paper Source’s decorative paper packs feature handmade silk-screened papers in a variety of colors and patterns. $7.95 for a set of 10, from Paper Source, multiple locations, papersource.com.

4. Shake up things up at the wedding with personalized maracas. Adorned with hand painted gold hibiscus flowers and the wedding date, the Alhambra-based Fiesta Fancies offers a variety of design options and colors as well as matching favor tags. $5 each, from Fiesta Fancies, etsy.com.