Your guests may expect to shower you with birdseed or blow bubbles in your direction, but now there are far more creative ways to decorate your departure. We’ve collected some of the hottest new trends; from traditional to extravagant to eco-friendly; to make your exit even more exciting, not to mention gorgeous.

Heather Baird Loya, owner of Le Papertique (201-232-4502; lepapertique.com) in Hoboken, Bernardsville, and Clinton suggests pretty paper cones filled with fresh rose petals. “Most of my brides choose bright, colorful rose petals to match their wedding color scheme,” says Loya, who offers the handcrafted paper cones on her site. “While most sites have rules about what can be tossed on their grounds, it’s rare that the petals pose a problem for cleanup because they’re biodegradable.” Your site might charge you a nominal fee for cleanup, but the effect is so pretty you won’t mind.

Loya also says that a butterfly release is still a very popular option for the grand exit, “as is candlelight for a nighttime wedding, with each guest being given a candle to hold.” At night, sparklers are another popular trend (provided you keep your veil far from them), and the ethereal effect in your photos is breathtaking. “One of my brides and grooms departed their ceremony by boat, sailing into the sunset, and they had candles floating in the water all around them. With the right setting, candles can decorate your exit in an unforgettable way.”

And of course there are fireworks, one of the grandest exit scenes possible, but also a source of much legwork. You’ll need to talk with the area fire marshall to get permits and permissions, have the site assessed (if it’s a dry season with nearby woods, you’ll be denied permission), and hire a reputable fireworks company. Even with the hassles, many brides and grooms want that fireworks display, and they may even time and locate their weddings to take advantage of nearby Fourth of July fireworks displays…all free for them!

Wedding coordinator Samantha Goldberg, owner of Gold Events in Chester (908-450-9766; goldeventsplanning.com) has arranged for some of the most extravagant exits in the world. “At a wedding held in an open field with a horse barn nearby, my bride and groom rode off on a pair of white horses,” says Goldberg. “I’ve had couples make their exits by golf cart at a country club, by skis at a mountain resort, and even by helicopter to take them to their wedding night suite in New York City. This is a new program at Newark Airport’s helioport. Continental Airlines offers a car service to bring the bride and groom to the helicopter, where they board and have those precious moments alone for a champagne toast during the eight-minute, scenic tour and ride into the city.” Going ‘onward and upward’ also presents the opportunity of a hot air balloon ride, which is always popular in New Jersey’s wine and farm regions.

While today’s weddings offer everything but the space shuttle to take you off into your future, at all range of budgets, there will always be a fondness for the sweet and traditional exit from your ceremony. In addition to throwing rose petals, Goldberg says to think about bright and beautiful daisy heads or fall leaves.