DIY confetti

The natural kind, and it pretty much ‘makes’ itself.  This is (of course) a summer thing to do.  I do it every year now, as there always seems to be someone we know or know of who wants to use it. (The first time I made this, I gave it to someone who went on Freegle asking for help in creating an eco, low-cost DIY wedding – it was a pleasure to be able to be able to offer it).

Recipe (not!):

Buy (or better still, grow and cut) a beautiful bunch of larkspur – in June I think.  These were from Chris Rich at Bath Farmers’ Market.  Chris has a wonderful smallholding* on the edge of Bath, and every Saturday brings his produce to market.  Including, when in season, cut flowers.

Take the flowers home, put them in vases in water, and enjoy looking at them.  Top up the water from time to time, but after a week or so, benign neglect is the way forward – forget the water, watch them fade gently, and as the petals drop gather them up and add them to a dish.

Leave them in the dish until they’re all good and dry.  If you happen to have some roses to hand, add some rose petals too.  Rose petals will give it a lovely scent.

Eventually you’ll hear of someone who’s getting married, and you can make a pretty bag for the confetti (because that what those petals have become by this point).

No chemicals, no packaging, no waste, no mess.

Throw it over the happy couple!

This weekend, oldest son and daughter-out-law are taking it to the wedding party of one of their oldest friends from school days.  Congratulations Alex and Laura!

 

*I know it’s wonderful, because for a while he had an open day each May.  Plus I went over there some years ago to buy all the flowers and salad things for our 25th wedding anniversary party, and he was kind enough to let me wander around enjoying the place while I was there (he also has an informal farm shop open there during the week).