Before ordering sparklers for your wedding, there are many things that you want to consider carefully. Though wedding sparklers may seem like a small and insignificant purchase overall, every little detail matters on your wedding day. Between checking with your venue, deciding how you want to use them, and knowing which wedding sparklers to buy, the list of details is quite long. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ordering sparklers for your wedding to make the process as simple as possible.
Checking With Your Venue
Before you make your purchase, you first need to discuss things with your venue to make sure that you’re all on the same page. There are several questions that you need to ask before you even think about ordering sparklers for your wedding, and many couples find out too late that they are either prohibited or require permits or special fees to use. Here’s a list of questions to ask your wedding venue before you start shopping.
Are Wedding Sparklers Allowed?
The most important question to ask your venue ahead of time is if wedding sparklers are allowed at all. Some venues consider them to be too high risk to allow near their reception hall; especially if the building is historic in any way. Sometimes venues are prohibited by states laws or insurance policies as well. If the venue doesn’t allow them, ordering sparklers for your wedding is a complete waste of time and money.
Where Can I Use my Wedding Sparklers?
Assuming they are allowed at your venue, knowing where the approved areas that you can use your sparklers important too. Some venues will allow you to use them indoors, while others require them to be used in an open area like the parking lot or a nearby field. By knowing where you can use them, you can decide how you want to use your sparklers; or if you still want to include them at all.
Do I Need a Permit or Special Insurance?
It’s possible that you may need to acquire a special permit from your city or county in order to use sparklers at your wedding venue. Additionally, some venues require that you purchase extra insurance if you plan to use them. This question is good to ask before ordering sparklers for your wedding so you know all of the expenses involved.
Are There Any Other Special Conditions?
Lastly, you need to ask about special conditions surrounding the use of sparklers at your wedding venue. Perhaps they have a “curfew” when you need to be finished using them by a certain time. In some cases, you are required to have a member of the fire department on hand to supervise their use. Though it’s rare, you may be required to provide safety equipment like first aid kits and fire extinguishers. Before ordering sparklers for your wedding, you want to know exactly what you’re getting into.
Deciding How to Use Your Wedding Sparklers
Once you’ve determined that wedding sparklers are allowed at your venue, you can then decide how you want to use them in your celebration. Although there are many different ways to use them, these are the five most popular options.
Send-Off Line
The most popular way to use sparklers at a wedding is in place of rice or confetti during your send-off line or grand wedding exit. Use them as you make your way from the chapel or reception hall to your getaway car. Have your guests would hold lit wedding sparklers in the air instead of tossing birdseed, rice, or confetti. It can make for some truly remarkable wedding photos!
In Your Photos
Wedding sparklers can be used to enhance your photos in a variety of ways. The most popular is to use them to write shapes or words in the air to create cool visual effects. You’ll want to discuss this with your photographer ahead of time to make sure they have experience taking pictures of sparklers.
As Wedding Favors
One of the simplest options is to hand out sparklers as your wedding favors. You can just put them at each place setting so your guests can use them at their leisure. It also eliminates the need to coordinate guests like you do with send-off lines, so you can just relax and enjoy your day!
In Your Centerpieces
Similar to handing them out as wedding favors, you can mix sparklers into your centerpieces for a unique look. This works well if you want your guests to be able to use them at their own leisure. Or, you can still use them as part of a coordinated event. Also, you should provide special instructions about when and where to use the wedding sparklers. Just create a small card or table tent to place next to each centerpiece.
During the Ceremony
Though it’s not as common as some of the other methods mentioned above, some couples use sparklers during their wedding ceremony. The most popular time is to have your guests light them just before the “first kiss”. If done correctly, it can create a sparkling effect in the foreground or background of photos. You can also replace the sand in a “sand ceremony” or candles in a “unity candle ceremony”. For either substitution, the couple lights one wedding sparkler together as a couple. Lastly, you could ask your guests to light them as you begin your recessional to act as an alternative to a send-off line or grand exit.
Ordering Sparklers for your Wedding
Once you know how you plan to use them, you can move onto the process of ordering sparklers for your wedding. There are certain types of sparklers that work best for each of the activities discussed above, and you want to order the right ones for the best results. There are also other things to consider before you make your order, so make sure to consider the following information carefully.
10 Inch Sparklers for Weddings
10 inch wedding sparklers are the most economic choice which makes them ideal for couples on a budget. They work very well for wedding favors and centerpieces, but due to their shorter burn time they are not practical use in photos or send-off lines.
20 Inch Sparklers for Weddings
20 inch wedding sparklers are one of the most popular choices because of their extended burn time and relatively low price. They are ideal for use in photos because they last a long time but are still small enough to handle easily in the air. They also work well for send-off lines with fewer than 100 guests participating, but if you expect more guests than that you should consider an extra-long sparkler instead.
36 Inch Sparklers for Weddings
36 inch wedding sparklers are by far the longest lasting option available, and that makes them ideal for send-off lines. You can also use them for photos, but they are a bit harder to control in the air than one of the smaller sizes available. If you are ordering sparklers for your wedding to use during a send-off or grand wedding exit, these extra-long sparklers will be your best choice.
Other Types of Sparklers
Beside the three standard sizes mentioned above, there are other types of sparklers that may be suitable for your wedding. For instance, there are heart shaped sparklers that are much more romantic than the regular stick types. Additionally, there are sparklers that attach to your champagne bottles to make your wedding toast a more spectacular event. Most of the other types of sparklers that are available have a specific use or should only be used as wedding favors; they aren’t very practical in photos or send-off lines.
How Many Should You Order?
The number of sparklers that you’ll need for your wedding is contingent on how many guests will be attending. Additionally, how they will be used plays a large role. For instance, maybe you plan to use sparklers for your send-off line. You’ll need them to burn long enough to have everyone light their sparkler, get into position, and have you make your exit. Each size sparkler has a specific burn duration, and that should guide you to what is right for you. Before ordering sparklers for your wedding, make sure you come up with a realistic calculation for how long they need to last. Then, order one sparkler for each guest.
When to Order and Shipping Time
When ordering sparklers for your wedding, it’s imperative that you place your order I advance so they have plenty of time to arrive. You need to accommodate both shipping and handling time, and that can be a matter of days or weeks depending on where you order your wedding sparklers. If you order from us, most orders arrive within five business days. However, allowing at least two weeks for delivery when ordering sparklers for your wedding is highly advisable.
Other Considerations When Ordering Sparklers for your Wedding
There are other factors to consider when ordering sparklers for your wedding; most importantly is who will be using them. If you plan to include kids in your wedding, you may want to choose extra-long sparklers so they can hold the burning end far away from their hands and bodies. If you plan to have an open bar at your reception, you may want to use them before the drinking begins. Try to think of every facet of your wedding day and choose which option makes the most sense overall.
Planning, Timing, and Execution
Though timing, planning, and execution isn’t exactly crucial when ordering sparklers for your wedding, it can be helpful to know what you’re getting yourself into before you make a purchase. Here’s a quick rundown what to expect on your big day so you won’t be left feeling surprised.
When to Use Your Sparklers
Before you head out to your wedding venue, you want to have a plan in place. The most important part is knowing when you plan to use your sparklers. Decide ahead of time if you want to do it at the ceremony, at the reception, or in-between. Ideally, you don’t want to be making a split-second decision amidst the stresses of your big day.
Handing Out Your Sparklers
Handing out your sparklers to your guests is another thing to consider ahead of time. If you’re placing them at the tables as wedding favors or in your centerpieces, the job is already done for you. However, if you plan to use them in photos or a send-off line, it can be more complicated. Consider delegating a person to handle sparkler distribution to make things as simple as possible.
Informing Your Guests
Informing your guests about how and when they are to use their wedding sparklers is also very important. There are a number of ways to accomplish this. You can simply place a sign or card at the guestbook table or reception tables. Optionally, you could have an announcement made over the public address system by the DJ. No matter how you choose to do it, informing your guests right away is the best course of action.
Organizing Your Guests
Make sure you have a plan in place to organize your guests. If you are doing a send-off line, have them form into two equal sized rows. If you plan to use them in your photos, have them form into small groups. The last thing you want is chaos before you use your wedding sparklers, and organization goes a long way.
Basic Safety Guidelines
Before you ever consider ordering sparklers for your wedding, the safety of yourselves and your guests needs to be paramount. Make sure you have a safe way to light your sparklers and dispose of them. Make sure there are fire extinguishers, buckets of water, and first aid kits on hand. Lastly, makes sure someone you trust is supervising the behavior of your guests. The best way to keep everyone safe is to spot problems before they get out of control, and that requires human eyes.
We hope this step-by-step guide to ordering sparklers for your wedding has answered any and all questions that you had. If you follow each step, it can be a fun experience to add to your wedding. Make sure to check with your venue first. Also order the ideal sparkler size or type for how you intend to use them. By taking the time to plan things in advance, you can sit back at your wedding and enjoy the sparkling show!
