Sparkler exits are super fun and can add a fabulous flare to the end of your party! It is a great way to get people moving toward the exit, instead of the music just being shut off. It also helps to get the exhausted bride and groom out the door without feeling like they have to hug every guest or help clean up! :)
Sparklers can be a breathtaking finish to your day or can go terribly wrong! I’ve compiled the following tips, some of which I learned the hard way from my own wedding exit, on how to ensure an incredible sparkler exit on your wedding day! Below, my face says it all. I feared getting burned or even having my wedding dress catching on fire!
Here are a few pointers to consider when setting up your picture perfect sparkler exit!
(1) Think through the number of people that you want to hold sparklers as you exit. At some weddings, guests trickle out after dinner and only the wedding party and family stay till the end. At other weddings, every guest stays until the very end and are even planning the location of the after party. :) Some ways to have a bigger crowd are to leave 30 mins before the end so that guests don’t sneak out before they realize a sparkler line is organizing. For big party weddings that end late, consider doing a fake sparkler exit. This is when you do a sparkler exit an hour or more before the actual end, but come back in and dance some more, so guests don’t feel pressured to stay till the end (grandma will thank you). If there are fewer people then you expected when sparklers begin, just give people a sparkler for each hand! The more people, the more sparklers, the more excitement for y’all and magic for the photos.
(2) Consider how much space you have. It is important for the row of people to be long and wide; instead of short and narrow. A wide aisle will allow freedom to enjoy your walk side by side instead of one in front of the other. Also, safety first, sparklers are fire and can burn you. This was the lesson I learned at my own wedding.
(3) Choose the right size sparkler. There are many sparklers sizes: 10 inch, 20 inch, and even 36 inch. I would suggest buying the 36 inch sparklers, which last about 4-5 minutes. Bigger is better in this situation because they photograph stronger and it always takes longer then expected to get all sparklers lit, people in a row, and the crowd ready to cheer. Make sure to order an extra box or two so that you don’t run out on the wedding day.
(4)I know this one may sound silly, but unwrap the sparklers ahead of time. Heck, put them in a couple cute containers to make them easier to hand out and a fun detail to photograph. :)
(5) Have a plan. Even if you have a wedding coordinator, it will be helpful to have more hands on deck so that it all goes smoothly. Put your bridesmaids or a few responsible people on sparkler handout and lighting duty. They should start lighting sparklers on all 4 ends of the exit row and let people know to light each other’s. Already lit sparklers will light sparklers faster then lighters do.
(6) Make sure SEVERAL people know where the sparklers are located!
(5) Lastly, the bride and groom should be ready to go and waiting to run out when all the sparklers are lit. Remember this is the EXIT, so take your time, do a little happy dance, stop and spin your bride, kiss each other passionately, and soak up these final moments with the people you love so dearly! One of my couples even went back and ran through the row of sparklers again! I mean, why not! :)
I hope these tips are helpful! Feel free to leave a comment below, letting me know of other things you have learned from your experience with sparklers!
