Confetti History
What's the history of confetti? When did we start throwing paper shapes over the newlyweds?
The answer is "fairly recently", largely due to the need for large scale production. Cutting up all that tissue paper requires either technology or a lot of cheap labour.
Modern confetti appears to date back to the 19th century and, like so many things, was embraced and popularised by the Victorians. It probably originated from the earlier custom of throwing rice, leaves and flowers over the happy couple, a simple fertility rite. Today you can still buy luxury confetti in which the paper symbols are mixed with rose petals or other flora.
Why did paper confetti become so popular? At a guess I'd say because it seemed more "modern", something that appealed to the Victorians. And it was less likely to attract the pigeons than rice!
Modern Usage
Today the use of confetti outside the church is becoming less commonplace and some venues ban it completely because of the work involved in cleaning up. However it's now sometimes used at private parties to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, graduations etc. An increasingly common use is as a table decoration.
Confetti is also gaining in popularity at large
scale events and on TV quiz shows, where confetti guns are sometimes fired if the contestant hits the jackpot.