Hello kh22, thank you for your question and subsequent clarification.
The custom of throwing rice at weddings was first introduced in 1872
at the parish church of St Mary's in Swillington near Leeds. The
couple getting married were Job Lilley and Matilda Mason and the
presiding minister was the Rev Thomas Dealtry.
1872 ..... on this day, which was a Sunday, at the parish church of St
Mary's in Swillington, a 1,900-year-old custom brought to England by
the Romans in 54 BC, gave way to 19th century commercialism and market
forces, when rice, instead of a national cereal, was thrown over a
bridal couple for the FIRST time. The man responsible was the Rev
Thomas Dealtry who had arrived there from India, as the new rector
under the care of a local family, and he suggested that people who
wanted to perform the traditional 'crowning of the bride' ceremony,
should emulate the Hindus he had witnessed in India, and throw rice
instead. The young couple who were married were Job Lilley and Matilda
Mason.
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/m.gratton/December/December%201st.htm
Apparently the practice originates in the Hindu custom of the
bridegroom throwing 3 handfuls of rice over his bride and she doing
the same to him, as a symbol of fertility. That custom, which later
became confetti rather than rice, was introduced in Swillington by
Ven. Thomas Dealtry who was Rector here from 1872 to 1878. He had
previously spent his ministry in India, where he became Archdeacon of
Madras.
http://www.webart.co.uk/clients/swillingtonchurch/page4.html
When rice was first imported to Britain and Ireland, it was strictly
for the rich, only gaining popularity in Victorian times, when recipes
for curries were brought back from India.
http://www.business2000.ie/cases/cases_6th/case25.htm
Thank you for your question, and if you need any clarification of my
answer, do not hesitate to ask before rating my answer.
Very best regards
THX1138
Search strategy included:
"the tradition of throwing rice"
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