How to do sparkler send off?

I don't know, since I haven't done it myself, but I would recruit the bridal party to help here. They can help disperse the sparklers throughout the crowd, direct people where to stand so they aren't in your way, and have a lighter to light them on time.

We did one for my SIL wedding. First make sure you get the long sparklers that last I think like 45 seconds to a minute. There more expensive buts its the only way I've seen it work. I helped coordinate it for her. Basically I went right outside the door before they made the announcement for the guest to leave. I handed everyone a sparkler and told them where to line up. Once everyone was lined up and the bride and groom where at the door ready to run through we had 5 lighters and had designated people to be at different areas of the line of people. Once one sparkler was lit then they continued to light the people next to them and use the lighters. The once everyones appeared to be lit I sent the bride and groom through. The photographer was already waiting at the end. We also did our best to make sure the people that the bride and groom would pass first started to light the sparklers first and the people at the end lit them last so they would still be lit when the bride and groom got there.

Theres turned out beautifully. But I have also seen it go horribly wrong. Its all about timing and having someone there that knows whats going on. Check with your venue because I know several around here that will not let you do them because of the fire hazard.

I was part of one one time and they handed them out, and then a couple people walked around with lighters. I don't remember ever seeing pictures so I don't know if it turned out well or not, though.

Make sure your venue allows them. I really wanted to do this but my venue has a ban on them

My venue doesn't allow sparklers or confetti. Definitely check with them before you buy them.

I'm pretty sure they allow it because they often post sparkler send off pictures on the venue's FB page. But I will for sure check with them anyways to make sure nothing has changed. Thanks ladies

You're not overthinking it at all. A sparkler sendoff needs to very well coordinated for it to be successful. A couple of things first; make sure the venue will allow this and just as important make sure you let your photographer know way in advance that you want it photographed. If he/she does not have experience with a sparkler sendoff, they will want to learn how and practice it.

What preparations need to be done :

- purchase the long 24" sparklers

- purchase enough so that each adult gets 2

- purchase 4 lighters. Do not try to light them with matches

- purchase 4 buckets and put sand or water in them

- designate one person to line everyone up 10 minutes prior to your exit

- designate 4 people to begin lighting the sparklers (they will get their signal from you. You will wait while they are being lit and then make sure you are ready once all lit)

- begin lighting in the middle of the 2 rows and at the end of each row. The guests will then help light people next to them.

- once a 24" sparkler is lit, the photographer has less than 2 minutes to get the shots!!!!

- Bride and Groom come down, walking casually, heads up.

- when at the end of the row, the guests gather around in a semi circle so the photographer can finish taking pics until the sparklers are out.

- those that have the lighters should also be responsible for letting the guests know that the sparklers are to be disposed of in the buckets of sand/water that are located at each end of both rows.

Sparkler send offs are gorgeous but planning and patience is needed. Best wishes!

AND make sure someone has patrolled the crowd to make sure they won't hold the sparklers too close. One venue manager told me they don't allow sparklers because at their first sparkler exit, the guests were tipsy and held them right above the newlyweds. Their clothes had holes burned in them and the groom ended up having to buy his rental tux!

One way to manage this is to have only the bridal party do it. That way you can also practice at the end of the rehearsal to help with coordinating it.