Wedding sparklers are a wonderful way to add drama and an extra level of festivity to an evening wedding, yet the practicalities can be confusing. When and how you incorporate them can help to set your wedding apart and create memories that you will never forget. Whatever decision you make, be sure to provide plenty of matches and a sand pail or other safe location for your guests to dispose of them. Here are 5 ways to use wedding sparklers to light up your night.
1. Grand Exit
The most traditional way to use wedding sparklers is for your grand exit from the reception. At the designated time, your guests will form a double line outside the venue door, leaving enough space for you and your new spouse to walk through. Holding brightly shining sparkers aloft, they will give you a spectacular send-off as you begin your new life together.
If you choose to make a sparkler-lit grand exit, make sure it is announced well ahead of time. Ask your DJ to repeat the time throughout the evening, print it in the wedding program, or write it on a chalkboard schedule at the reception.
2. First Kiss
Another fun alternative is to incorporate your wedding sparklers into your ceremony. Check with your venue first to be sure that they are allowed, as some places do not permit any form of open flames. If they are acceptable, this is a great way to involve your guests directly in your ceremony, for which they would otherwise be passive spectators.
Consider having your ushers pass out the sparklers shortly after everyone is seated, before the wedding party takes their places. This minimizes the traffic jam and confusion that could otherwise occur at the entrance, as people collect sparklers from a communal source. Have your ushers distribute matches as well, and make sure the wedding program states clearly when to light the sparklers.
You can incorporate sparkler lighting at any point during the ceremony, but the first kiss is a particularly nice option. This prevents any possible distractions during your vows and creates an excellent tribute to your first moment as a married couple. If the sparklers you choose burn long enough, they might even stay lit through part of your recessional.
3. Cake Presentation
If you prefer to keep the sparklers out of your guests’ hands, consider incorporating them into the cake design. Arrange for them to be lit just before the cake is rolled out at the reception, creating a stunning and unexpected display. Be sure to tell your cake designer your plan as soon as possible so that the sparklers will appear fully incorporated into the design rather than stuck on as an afterthought.
4. Grand Entrance
If you plan to take photos after the ceremony or otherwise delay your arrival at your reception, wedding sparklers are an excellent way to announce your grand entrance. Set up a formal processional order for the wedding party to enter the reception venue, and have each member of the party carry a lit wedding sparkler.
5. First Dance
Sparklers plus dance floor can equal disaster, especially if your guests have been drinking. Yet wedding sparklers can add another layer of festivity to the less-formal part of the evening. To introduce them safely to the dance floor, consider having your guests light them during your first dance. Be sure to have your DJ announce this plan well in advance, or write it on a chalkboard schedule.
No matter how you choose to incorporate them, wedding sparklers can dramatically light up your special night. If they will not be distributed by ushers or stuck into the cake, make sure that they are easily accessible, alongside plenty of matches. Create a safe disposal spot, such as a metal bucket filled halfway with sand, and clearly mark it as such. Make sure your guests know exactly when they are to light the sparklers and where to find them. With a bit of advance preparation, your wedding sparklers will create special memories that you and your guests will never forget.
At Dynamite Fireworks, we don’t only sell top-quality, name-brand fireworks. We also provide the information you need to know to use them responsibly, legally, and safely. If you have any questions or concerns, give us a call at (219) 937-4090. We look forward to becoming your one-stop shop for all your fireworks needs!