Sparkler Send-off

Hello! So, I interned with a wedding planner this summer. And after a bad experience, I would not recommend sparkler send offs. Especially if you have an open bar. The wedding planner actually got burned while we lit the sparklers because of a bunch of drunk guests. So, if you're going to do it, definitely keep the safety of your guests and vendors in mind as well as the alcohol.

Omg that sounds so crazy! Yes we have an open bar.. Did not put those two thoughts together! Thanks for the advice!

This is what we are doing too! We have to be out by 10pm due to historic district noise ordinance so we thought we would due send off at 9:45. My venue coordinator mentioned the wedding sparklers on Amazon were the best ones.

We're not doing a send off. My venue is at the beach and its sea turtle season so anything that gets thrown is not allowed (can't/shouldn't litter) and they don't allow sparklers. We're also planning on hitting the bar afterwards for an after party so no send off!

Make sure you get long-burning ones and pass out plenty of matches! I participated in a sparkler send-off once where half of the sparklers were burnt out before the other half even got lit.

Oh wow, I was considering this too, especially since I found some really adorable heart shaped sparklers. But the alcohol thing...yikes!

Totally hittin up the nearby bars after too! 10pm is pretty early We're not having a "formal" after party though, just thinking of meeting people at the bars later if they are there. Orrr just going back to the hotel

Good point about the long sparkers.. That would be soo disappointing if the first half burnt out

Lots of asthmatics in our family, so we couldn't participate. My Mom is so very reactive to anything that burns, that she couldn't travel in the same car as me, if I was involved in a sparkler send-off.

I was in one send-off, my one and only, and I went back to the hotel room and put my dress in a plastic bag. Had to have it dry cleaned. Had to shower and wash my hair, too. Don't know if they were of the smoke-free variety, or not; they still smelled.

My sisters friend bought sparklers, for her daughter's wedding. Afterward she told everyone it wasn't her brightest idea - "a bunch of drunks running around the parking lot, with fire."

P.S. I went to a wedding that had a sparkler send-off, that was in a geographic area prone to wildfires. The week before the wedding a wildfire took-out an cul de sac of homes, in the next town over. Why the veue allowed sparklers, I don't know? It was all over the news, so we didn't participate.

We were thinking about doing a bubble send off instead. Just heard horror stories about sparklers with drunk guests. Bubbles seem safer even when intoxicated lol

We're having both

balloons with led lights in them and Lanterns send offs.

I wouldn't even be bothered with booze and fire, that's yelling disaster already

A sparkler send off requires a lot of coordination and cooperation. Does your photographer have any experience shooting a sparkler send off? Show him/her what you envision and let him/ her be fully aware of your planning. The photographer will need time to set up.

From my experience you'll need :

Long 24"-36" sparklers and store them in a cool/dry place. No moisture.

Get enough for each person to hold 2

Have a bucket of water/sand at both ends of each line

Use lighters, not matches and start lighting in the middle of the row and at the ends. At least 4 people needed just to light. Do not start lighting until the bride and groom are visually ready/ standing and waiting

Once lit have couple WALK through the sparkler arch. Please don't run with your heads down

At the end of the walk, stop and have your guests gather around you for a shot

The gathering of guests is like herding kittens. You'll need at least 15 minutes to gather line up and distribute sparklers. You'll need another 5-10 minutes to light. The bride and groom need to STAY in place and be ready. It REALLY sucks when all that time goes into getting everything ready and they leave "just for a second" to say goodbye to a guest. By the time they come back guests are pissed or running through the line themselves .... Or worse the sparklers go out.

OK ... That's a lot of opinion but truly, this is how it usually goes. Everyone has the best of intentions but this one photo does take ALOT of time, patience, and it's still not a guarantee. The other posts referring to the dangers and drunk guests is very true. Sorry to be a Debbie Downer but it can't be guaranteed.

Omg! I had no idea how much it took to get a sparkler send off going.. I like the idea of bubbles! Sounds much safer and easier to coordinate. Has anyone seen nice send-off photos with bubbles? Or maybe I can just have a shot with the wedding party holding sparklers.. but dont want other guests to feel like they didn't get sparklers. I just love those sparklers shots, but it might not be worth all the trouble! I'll talk to my photographer and see if she has any thoughts/experience with sparklers. Thanks for all of your advice everyone!!

WaffleBread, I LOVE your idea of it being the bridal party (or family) and have them gather around you. The smaller the number the better. Just have each person hold 2 sparklers. This scenario would be much more manageable.