Long Wedding Sparklers: 20-Inch vs. 36-Inch for the Perfect Send-Off
There’s something pretty damn magical about ending your wedding night surrounded by the people you love while hundreds of tiny sparks light up the sky.
But if you’re planning a wedding sparkler send-off, there’s one question you need to answer before everyone starts lining up:
What size wedding sparklers should you use?
For most wedding exits, long wedding sparklers—especially 20-inch and 36-inch sparklers—are the way to go. They burn longer than the little sparklers you remember from childhood, giving your guests time to get them lit and giving your photographer a fighting chance to capture that perfect shot.
So, 20-inch or 36-inch? Here's how to choose.
Why Use Long Sparklers for a Wedding?
A wedding send-off takes longer than you might think.
Your guests have to get into position. Someone has to start lighting the sparklers. Then the flame has to make its way down the line while your photographer gets everyone situated and you two prepare to make your grand exit.
Short sparklers can burn out before the fun really gets started.
Long wedding sparklers give you more time to enjoy the moment—and more time to get the photos you actually want.
They also help keep the sparkling end farther away from guests' hands, clothing and each other while everyone is celebrating.
20-Inch Wedding Sparklers
20-inch wedding sparklers are a great all-around choice for many weddings.
They're long enough to provide a beautiful sparkling effect while still being easy for guests to hold and distribute. They can work especially well for smaller weddings or exits where everyone can get lined up and lit fairly quickly.
Choose 20-inch sparklers if you want:
A classic wedding sparkler send-off
An easy-to-handle option for guests
A beautiful effect without an extra-long sparkler
A good choice for smaller or efficiently organized exits
For many couples, 20-inch sparklers hit the sweet spot.
36-Inch Wedding Sparklers
Want more time?
36-inch wedding sparklers are made for the big moment.
Their extra length means a longer-lasting display, which gives larger groups more time to get everyone's sparklers lit before the bride and groom make their way through the send-off.
That extra time can also be incredibly helpful for wedding photographers. Instead of racing against sparklers that are disappearing by the second, there's more opportunity to capture multiple photographs as you walk through your sparkling tunnel.
Choose 36-inch sparklers if you have:
A larger guest list
A longer send-off line
A photographer who wants time for several shots
A dramatic sparkler exit in mind
If your priority is maximum sparkle and more time to capture the moment, 36-inch sparklers are hard to beat.
20-Inch vs. 36-Inch Wedding Sparklers: Which Should You Choose?
Here's the easy version:
Smaller wedding or shorter send-off?20-inch sparklers are probably all you need.
Big guest list or elaborate sparkler exit?Go with 36-inch.
Really care about getting great photographs?The additional burn time of a longer sparkler can give your photographer more breathing room.
There isn't one perfect size for every wedding. The best choice depends on your guest count, how you're organizing the exit and the kind of photographs you want.
How Many Wedding Sparklers Do You Need?
For a traditional sparkler send-off, plan on at least one sparkler for each participating guest.
It's also smart to have extras.
Some guests may want another, one might not light properly, and somebody will inevitably show up after you thought everyone was already outside. Because weddings. 😂
For larger weddings, planning the quantity ahead of time can make the entire send-off run much more smoothly.
Not sure how many to order? We're putting together a complete wedding sparkler guest-count guide to make that decision ridiculously easy.
A Few Tips for a Better Wedding Sparkler Send-Off
Before ordering, always make sure your venue allows sparklers and ask where they permit them to be used.
When it's time for the send-off, have someone organize guests into two lines with plenty of room for the couple to walk between them. Have a plan for lighting the sparklers efficiently rather than handing everyone a lighter and hoping for the best.
Coordinate with your photographer before the exit, too. They'll usually have preferences about positioning, timing and how quickly you should walk.
And finally, have a safe place ready for used sparklers once the celebration is over.
A little planning makes a huge difference.
Make Your Last Wedding Photo One Hell of a Good One
Your wedding send-off lasts only a few minutes, but the pictures can last a lifetime.
Whether you choose 20-inch wedding sparklers or 36-inch wedding sparklers, give yourself enough sparkle—and enough time—to enjoy the moment instead of sprinting through it before everything burns out.
At Ready Set Sparkle, wedding send-offs are kind of our thing.
So line up your favorite people, grab your new spouse, light those sparklers and go out sparkling. ✨
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