With possible origins in Rome and Egypt, throwing things at newly wedded couples is a multicultural tradition. Symbolizing good luck, this practice usually consists of having rice, seed, or grains for wedding favors to throw at the newlyweds. Items like seeds and nuts mean fertility i.e. the idea that the seed will grow once planted. Rice or grain wedding favors were often used for the bride and groom’s prosperity to grow crops.
The use of bird seed as a wedding favor came about due to an urban myth about rice in bird’s stomachs. It was told that the bird’s consumption of rice that was not cooked would kill them due to the rice expanding. This theory has been disproved, and both both rice and birdseed are often used as wedding favors.
The most widely used technique of using bird seed as a wedding favor can be easily made at home. For an inexpensive investment of a bag of wild bird seed, netting or fabric, and ribbon you have the makings for bird seed wedding favors. If you are having a winter wedding, consider red netting tied with white ribbon for an elegant favor. Of course, white is always a popular choice when discussing weddings so hand out white satchels of bird seed to your guests. Whatever the color, your guests will have the seed put to use in no time!
For a creative spin on using bird seed at your wedding, dip pine cones in honey or peanut butter and roll them in wild bird seed. Allow time for the seed to dry and stick to the pine cones and then wrap in cellophane and tie with ribbon. This is a great way to bring birds to your guests’ yards and provide nourishment and a source of entertainment for those who watch.
Naturesgiftsandmore.com has a great selection of unique bird seed wedding favors. Their site features hanging hearts covered in seed, as well as garden sticks. Other styles listed are flower, circle of love, and shamrock. These hanging treats are designed for branches or gardens and are intended to improve bird sightings. Some of the birds that these wedding favors attract are cardinals, finches, nuthatches, and woodpeckers.
Another great way of presenting bird seed as a wedding favor is to use wedding box favors. Wedding box favors are traditionally filled with sweet treats like candy or Jordan almonds, but can actually be used for many other things. Bird seed happens to work great. Your guests do not even have to untie the ribbon to cover you and your new spouse in seed!