When you’re planning your wedding exit, choosing the right sparklers is important for the perfect performance. However, there dozens of shapes, sizes, colors to choose from so it can be difficult to decide what’s right for you. Luckily, most weddings only need to compare two different length options; 20 inch or 36 inch versions. To help settle this question, we have compared 20 inch vs 36 inch sparklers to simplify the process. Here is a breakdown of what considerations you need to make.
Wedding Attendance
The biggest factor to pay attention to is how many people will be attending your event. Weddings can vary greatly in size, so there’s no “magic” answer to figuring out which size you need until the attendance has been determined. Here is some advice for common guest list sizes to point you in the right direction.
Under 50 Guests
Small or intimate weddings offer you by far the most flexibility in your sparkler choice. In fact, for weddings under 25 guests, you may be able to use a version under 20 inches long. However, you can run the risk of them lasting too long if you choose the longest sparklers at 36 inches. My suggestion is to choose a size that is either 10 inches or 20 inches for this size of event.
Between 50 and 150 Guests
Most weddings have an average guest list of around 150 people. Since it’s the most common size, it’s also the easiest to pick the right size. As long as you have a good system in place for distributing and lighting them, choosing medium-sized sparklers that are 20 inches long is a perfect fit. They should last long enough for your entire wedding exit. Additionally, they won’t last awkwardly long; which can be just as annoying as having them fizzle out too quickly.
Between 150 and 250 Guests
Most experts would call anything over 150 guests a “large wedding”. Fortunately, they are still common enough that there is a perfect solution for your wedding exit. 36 inch sparklers are very long, and they last plenty of time for exits with up to 250 people. However, it is still vitally important to organize everyone properly and have a good plan in place to get them lit quickly. Even though they last up to 4 minutes each, you can still run into problems when coordinating that many humans.
Over 250 Guests
If you have a massive guest list over 250 people, coordinating a send-off line can be a nightmare. In this situation, comparing 20 inch vs. 36 inch sparklers is almost pointless. However, you still have some options. First, you can limit the number of guests at your wedding who get to participate to immediate family only. To downsize even more, you could limit it to the bridal party only. Lastly, you could use you sparkler for another purpose like centerpiece decorations or party favors. If you are creative, I’m sure you can find some interesting things to do at your event.
Amount of Space Available
Unfortunately, there are other factors to consider beyond the size of your guest list. Certain locations can limit the size of sparklers that you’re able to use. For instance, if there are low hanging trees over your exit aisle, using 36 inch sparklers can be dangerous. Here are a few examples of things to watch out for.
- Low hanging trees.
- Ceilings or light fixtures.
- Cramped spaces such as hallways.
- Areas around dry leaves or other combustible materials.
If you have any concerns that you may run into space issues, I advise you to use a maximum sparkler length of 20 inches. In certain circumstances, you may need to scrap the idea all together. You should never use sparklers in a situation that could be dangerous, so make sure you have the right amount of available space.
Budget Size
Another factor that some couples need to consider is their budget. If you have a strict budget to adhere to, that can sometimes make the decision for you. Unfortunately, the difference in price of 20 inch vs 36 inch sparklers is a pretty large margin; sometimes almost double the cost! Additionally, there are several popular accessories such as larger sparkler buckets that will cost more, too. If you are having a normal 150 person wedding, you can get by on a budget of around $120 if you choose the 20 inch version. However, if you choose 36 inch sparklers instead, it will easily be over $200. If you can’t afford the larger option, you’ll want to make do with what you can afford.
Should I Choose 20 Inch vs 36 Inch Sparklers?
Hopefully, I covered all of the angles to guide you through the decision making process. Overall, I try to stick to the basics and base the decision off of your event attendance. However, it’s impossible to make the correct choice without all of the information. That’s why it’s so important to cover all of the factors that I’ve outlined in this comparison of 20 inch vs 36 inch sparklers. If you look over everything carefully at your venue and in your wedding planning details, you can easily figure out which size is the right choice for your needs.
