Wedding Sparklers: How to Plan the Perfect Sparkler Send-Off

There’s something magical about ending your wedding night surrounded by the people you love while hundreds of tiny lights sparkle around you. A wedding sparkler send-off creates an unforgettable moment for you, your guests, and—when it’s planned correctly—your wedding photos.

At Ready Set Sparkle, we’ve been helping couples celebrate since 2003, so we know a thing or two about choosing the best sparklers for weddings, getting the timing right, and creating a sparkler exit that actually works.

Whether you’re planning a traditional wedding exit, looking for wedding photo ideas, or simply want to add a little extra sparkle to your reception, here’s what you need to know.

What Are the Best Sparklers for Weddings?

Not all sparklers are created equal.

For most weddings, long wedding sparklers are a better choice than the small sparklers you might remember from childhood. Longer sparklers provide more burn time, giving your guests enough time to light their sparklers and get into position before the bride and groom make their exit.

That extra burn time is especially important for larger weddings. If the first guests’ sparklers are already going out while the last guests are still trying to light theirs, your picture-perfect send-off can turn into a frantic race against the clock.

Choosing long-lasting wedding sparklers gives your photographer more time to capture the moment and gives you more time to actually enjoy it.

How Many Wedding Sparklers Do You Need?

A good starting point is one sparkler per guest for a traditional sparkler exit.

However, having extras is never a bad idea. Guests sometimes grab more than one, photographers may use extras for creative shots, and a few backups can save the day.

Your final number will depend on your guest count, the type of sparkler you choose, and how you plan to use them.

How Do You Plan a Wedding Sparkler Exit?

The best wedding sparkler exits look effortless in photographs, but a little planning makes a huge difference.

Choose an outdoor location with enough room for guests to form two lines. Have a designated person explain what everyone needs to do before lighting begins. Guests should be positioned first, then the sparklers should be lit shortly before the couple begins walking through.

It also helps to talk with your wedding photographer beforehand. An experienced photographer can recommend positioning, lighting, and timing to create gorgeous wedding sparkler photos.

And always check with your venue before making plans. Venue policies and local rules regarding sparklers can vary.

How Do You Light Wedding Sparklers?

Trying to individually light dozens—or hundreds—of sparklers can take too long.

For a large sparkler send-off, organization is everything. Have several responsible adults help with lighting so guests can get their sparklers burning within roughly the same window of time.

Once several sparklers are lit, guests can often use already-burning sparklers to help light others, depending on the sparkler and conditions.

Most importantly, plan ahead rather than figuring it out while 150 wedding guests are standing outside wondering what the hell they’re supposed to be doing.

Wedding Sparklers Aren’t Just for the Send-Off

A grand exit might be the most popular use, but there are plenty of other ways to incorporate sparklers into a celebration.

Couples use sparklers for wedding photography, outdoor reception moments, bridal-party photos, engagement celebrations, anniversary parties and other special occasions.

They’re also popular outside of weddings for graduation celebrations, birthdays, parties and other memorable events.

A little creativity can turn a simple sparkler into one of your favorite photographs from the entire day.

Create a Wedding Exit You’ll Never Forget

Your wedding day goes by ridiculously fast. The flowers get packed away, the cake disappears, and eventually someone has to take off those uncomfortable shoes.

The photographs—and the memories—stick around.

A beautifully planned wedding sparkler send-off gives you one final moment to celebrate with everyone you love while creating an incredible ending to your wedding night.

Ready to add a little sparkle to your celebration?

Shop Ready Set Sparkle’s wedding sparklers and find the perfect sparklers for your big day.