Ensuring that the confetti used at the weddings here at River Cottage HQ is suitable for our venue is so important to our couples as well as ourselves. There are a few different eco-friendly confetti options out there but homemade confetti is a great way to ensure you have the confetti you want for a fraction of the price.
Dried Leaves:
All you need is:
Leaves & a Hole punch – standard or shaped
In the approach to your big day, go on a walk, and take the kids along if you can. Collect leaves as you go and bring them home with you. Make sure you don’t take lots of leaves from one area – remember they are an important part of the eco system in that area. Alternatively you can use leaves from yours and your family’s gardens. Simply dry them out and then use a hole punch to create circular confetti or a heart stamp to create heart shapes! These don’t last forever but will last for a week at least.
We made these using holly from a Christmas garland!
Herbs:
Lavender, thyme, sage and rosemary all make for beautiful and fragrant confetti. Pluck the leaves from the sprigs and place in paper cones or baskets/bowls for guests to take handfuls of.
Petal confetti:
Alternatively, you can make your own. If stored in a cool, dry place your dried petals will last for up to a year, so you can make it over a period of time using flowers gifted to you in the run up to your wedding. Some petals work better than others, so experiment in the run up to your wedding and see what you like the look of!
• Use fresh flowers in full bloom, roses are a good option but many others work well too.
• Pluck the petals from the stem, try and avoid using petals that are starting to turn brown at the edges as these will lose their colour even more throughout the process.
• You can now dry your petals in your chosen fashion
Microwave:
• Place a piece of paper towel on a microwave safe plate.
• Place one layer of petals onto the paper towel. Any petals that are over-lapping will stick together so try to give them some space.
• Cover the layer of petals with a second piece of paper towel.
• Place the plate in the microwave and heat on high until the petals are no longer damp to touch – the amount of time that this takes will vary depending on your microwave. It could take anywhere between 1-2 minutes to dry your petals but try your first batches in short bursts of 20-30 seconds
• Once your petals are dry, store them in a sealed container and keep them in a dark cool place until your wedding day!
Oven:
If you have an aga or an oven that operates at a low temperature then place baking paper on a tray and as before spread the petals out, in one layer, not touching each other. Place the tray in either the warming draw of your aga or on the lowest shelf in your oven on the lowest possible temperate. Check on the petals after 10 minutes and then every 5 minutes after this.
Air-drying:
This method takes a few days but is just as good as the others. Simply lay tissue or paper towel on a baking tray and place the petals in one layer. Place the tray somewhere warm, such as an airing cupboard and check after 3 days.
Share this with your friends and family.
