Planning a Sparkler Exit

Tips & Tricks

Feb 23

Have you been dreaming of a glowing exit at your wedding reception? If sparklers are something you're considering, here are a couple of tips to pull it off.

1. Find the l o n g e s t sparklers you can. If you use the regular sized ones, they'll burn out pretty quick and the last thing you want is for those little fire sticks to go out before you even walk by.

2. Provide a way for guests to light them. Have several lighters (or whatever you'd like guests to use) on hand. People will be able to use the sparkler next to them to light their own, but it helps if everyone can get them lit around the same time. More lighters = better.
Tip: You may not want to have these laying out in the open during the reception, so it might be a good idea to have someone in charge of holding on to these or who knows where they're hidden. That person can distribute the lighters when it's time to light the sparklers.

3. Don't be afraid of the sparks! Yes, there are little fire balls jumping out at you (so do be careful) but don't hide your face too much. I love catching the bride and groom's reactions and seeing their happy, laughing faces as they make their way through a glowing tunnel of sparklers. I like to catch my couples before they do the exit and tell them where I'll be and where would be a good place to stop and kiss. If your photographer doesn't get the chance to do that, go ahead and give the crowd what they want - a big ol' smooch right in the middle of those sparklers!

4. Have a place to safely dispose the sparklers. A bucket with sand or water works great. Before the exit (or even better, before your wedding day), delegate someone to be in charge of having this bucket ready and who can let guests know to put their used sparklers in it when they're done.
Tip: Use containers to hold the sparklers before the sendoff that can double as disposal buckets when its done. Metal buckets like these pictured below work great.