Shell toss at beach

We did this at one of my friend's weddings. The wedding was on a pier over the ocean and asked everyone to make a wish for the couple and to throw it over the rail. They were the same pebbles on the beach (and no one was under or around the pier below).

I thought you were going to have them thrown at you. Thank goodness it's into the water

Hahahah I thought you were going to have them thrown at you too. I was like well that's a little barbaric....

Anyway! I think this is such a cute idea. I've never heard of it. I say do it!

I've never seen this at a wedding but I used to attend spiritual retreats that involved an element of attaching an idea to a stone and throwing it into the ocean. I like the idea for a wedding, but when I used to do it, the throwing into the ocean symbolized "letting go", so it was usually a negative idea. If the idea is for guests to make a wish for the couple, I would want to keep the shells.

Maybe have a basket of shells as guests enter, ask them to hold onto them for the ceremony and have the officiant say a prayer/blessing/give positive vibes while asking everyone to hold onto their shell, then on the way out they can be dropped into a pretty vase that you can take home and use as a candle holder or put on display. just an idea! It sort of reminds me of a ring warming.

Kelsey, I see your point but I thought of it like throwing a penny into a fountain...make a wish. I love both ideas...wish I would've seen this sooner. My wedding is also on the beach & either would be a lovely idea!!

I like it. It would be lovely and fit very well.

I did this twice. We handed out shells at the beginning and I asked the group, before they made their way to the reception, to go to the shore line and throw them in.

I can't say that I loved it. I might do it more like a unity ritual with you both throwing a shell with a wish into the ocean, but I think I like the idea of keeping the shells better.

I really like the idea of passing the shells out and then having them collected at the end for wishes. I see where you're going with the throwing into the ocean thing but as someone pointed out it does seem a little more like a negative thing. Ultimately, it's up to you and either idea would work well.

I also thought the shells were going to be thrown at you! Haha!

I love the idea of collecting the shells to put in a vase. Then you'll have a pretty decoration for your home that will remind you of your wedding.

It'll be just the two of us and the officiant (no guests). Echoing several of your comments, I was hoping it would be like making a wish. Something spiritual, beautiful, inspirational or uplifting. Any more suggestions for going that route?

My parents did this at their wedding. It was kinda cute, but didn't really flow with the ceremony.

I have done blessing shells and blessing stones tosses into the Gulf of Mexico. And at least one couple asked that the blessing stones be put in a jar that they kept.

You can write a blessing onto the shells or stones (love, peace, happiness, patience, etc.). Think how happy someone will be to find the stone or shell later.