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Paper Planes — Not only are they easy to make — this is a unique way for the happy couple to be sent off into wedded bliss. Herbs — Environmentally friendly and a cute way to honor a couple who loves to cook together. Fireworks — It doesn’t have to be the 4th of July to celebrate your special day with a firework display. End the night with a bang! Lanterns — Releasing lanterns at the end of the night is ro- mantic as well as a way to incorporate your guests into a meaningful moment. Beach balls — Perfect for a beach or casual wedding. Who says the bride and groom can’t have a little fun? Sprinkles — We know it’s never a good idea to throw food, but sprinkles make everything better. Bells — Getting married around Christmas? Bells are a great way to send the couple off - plus your guests will have a keepsake from your big day. You could even personalize them with your name and wedding date. Sequins — While this may be a headache to clean up it will definitely be a sparkly exit for the couple. n Wedding Exits Around the World FRANCE Dating back to the ancient Roman tradition, the French opt for showering the bride and groom with wheat as they depart their reception. Similar to the tradition of rice used in the United States, tossing wheat is a symbol of bounty and prosperity. ITALY Want to incorporate a touch of Italy into your wedding send off? A popular Italian wedding tradition is to toss sweet candies and sugared nuts at the newlyweds as they make their escape to symbolize the sweetness of marriage. KENYA As the bride and groom exit their village following the wedding, it is a Kenyan tradition for the father of the bride to spit on the bride’s chest and head so that he will not jinx their good luck. FRENCH POLYNESIA At the end of weddings on the French Polynesian Marquesa Is- lands, it is traditional for the bride’s family to lie down next to each other side by side for the bride and groom to walk over as they exit! PHILIPPINES A tradition sometimes seen in wedding send offs in the United States, it is traditional for newlyweds in the Philippines to release two doves during their reception, a representation of a long and harmonious life of matrimony. VENEZUELA The opposite of a grand wedding exit is a popular tradition in Venezuela, with the bride and groom typically trying to sneak out of the reception without anyone noticing. The guests are on high alert, as it is considered to be good luck if you are the first guest to realize that the newlyweds have departed. n 54 AL/ Metro 360 www.almetro360.com