For years we've been told throwing rice over the bride and groom as they leave the church is a big no-no. It does bad things to birds, right?

As it turns out, birds eat rice all the time. According to snopes.com, the exploding bird epidemic is nothing but an urban legend. So why do so many churches ban rice? To keep everyone upright! On a hard surface, rice acts like tiny ball bearings. Can you imagine slipping and falling on the church steps due to a rice hazard? Not a good way to set out on your new life together!

Confetti is another controversial topic in the world of wedding tosses. Have you ever thrown confetti at New Years? I did this once, inside my house, and I was vaccuuming confetti for years afterward. Seriously, years. Many churches and venues don't allow confetti for this very reason - it never goes away!

So what is there left to toss? Birdseed was the grain of choice for a time. However, it has the same slip and fall problems that rice does. That might not be a problem if you are on the beach, but some brides say it's hard to get out of your hair!

Luckily, we live in a world of options, so there is no need to go without! Bubbles have become very popular in the past few years. You can buy them in little souvenir bottles shaped like wedding cakes, champagne glasses or cowboy boots. Or you can pick up a few packs at the dollar store. Bubbles can make hard surfaces slippery, so be sure to check with your venue to see if they are allowed.

Of course, everyone wants to go green where it's possible. Rose petals are a popular option, and they look beautiful in pictures. You can mix in lavender buds to make them go further and create a wonderful scent. Or consider freeze dried rose petals. You can order them ahead of time since they maintain their color for weeks.

Finally, I came across Ecofetti and something called "Designer Wedding Rice". Ecofetti is made of cornstarch and is completely biodegradable. It comes in all sorts of colors and is specifically allowed by some venues that don't allow other types of confetti because it can just be hosed off or it will dissolve with the next rain. Designer Wedding Rice is actual rice that has somehow been formed into the shape of a tiny heart so as to avoid the slip and fall hazard. They also say it's safe for birds, but we already knew that!

If you really want to wed outside the box, why not dispense with tossing altogether? Some people release balloons, but I would not recommend that here at the beach. They could way too easily end up in the water, looking like a tasty meal for an unsuspecting sea turtle. However, releasing butterflies would be a beautiful way to celebrate your new life together. And monarchs are supposed to be quite friendly and willing to pose for photos.

Or imagine this: walking down the aisle in an evening weddding on the beach with everyone waving sparklers. What a great photo that would make!

On the more kid-friendly side, ribbon wands are the latest craze to sweep the wedding world. The idea is that everyone waves them as you leave the church and they look great in the pictures. You can buy them by the dozen or make your own if you're on a budget. They could even be made with a bell that guests can "ring for a kiss" at the reception.

Well that is everything I can think of on the subject of wedding tosses. Have you been at a wedding that did something different? Leave your ideas in the comments!