For those who used sparklers....

No shorter than 20", I recommend 36" for weddings with over 50 guests (it takes a long time to get sparklers lit for 80 guests). I don't recommend giving them to anyone under the age of 10-12 though.

Buy long and get the kind that don't smoke, or you will have choking guests. Pay extra, if you have to.

As my sister's friend said "I never should have gotten them (sparklers). A bunch of drunks running around the parking lot, with fire."

Limit the # of people who get them (maybe just parents and bridal party?), and rehearse them in advance so they're not standing RIGHT up close to you - they can leave burn marks on your dress or the groom's rented suit/tux which costs serious money.

I recommend http://weddingdaysparklers.com/ and get the 36" sparklers. They cost a little more but will get a great effect. And remember to tell the guest hold them up not out! Burnt bride and groom is never fun!

I also recommend letting your wedding planner/coordinator and photographer handle the logistics of the exit. Both vendors should be able to give you really good direction about how to get fabulous pictures and have a blast doing it. Most photogs and planners have done a ton of them before. I recommend only buying sparklers for 1/3 (or less) of the confirmed guests. A GREAT sparkler exit can be accomplished with about 20 people!

Finally, have sand and buckets to extinguish and collect the burned sparklers. Check with your venue to make sure they allow them and how far from the building/premises, if the doors have to be closed, liability insurance requirements, etc.

We invited 120 people and we're going to get 36" sparklers. I read that the 20" ones only burn for about 1-1.5 minutes so I think it would just be rushed and might not turn out as great as it could.

Long ones!! My friend is a coordinator and her hair lit on fire trying to orchestrate it because they were too short (made the tunnel too small)

Thank you for the advice ladies! Definitely think I'll spring for the 36" ones. I am also definitely having my DOC handle all of the logistics. I wasn't even considering doing one since sparklers are illegal in most of Texas, but because our venue is a private area they are allowed and they do sparkler exits a lot. It was actually my venue DOC who suggested it, which makes me feel a lot better about the safety and logistics of it all!

@Dreamer, I seriously LOLed at your comment because that is what happened to one of my friend's weddings. All the guys were drunk and trying to light each other on fire.

To answer your question, my photographer recommended at least the 20" sparklers for the 85ish guests we'll have. If you have more guests, I'd opt for the 36".