How to Get the Best Confetti Photos
Introduction
Before each wedding day we ask our couples what photo they’re most excited to see after the big day. The majority of the answers are ‘the confetti shots’, and we get why. They’re always colourful, exciting and fun photos to look back at. So, what can you do to make sure these photos are everything you imagined they’d be. We’ve written this blog to help you have the best confetti experience and to ensure you get the best photos.
Tip #1 - Enjoy every second of it
Confetti tunnels are as fun as they look but are over so quickly so its so important to take it all in and enjoy! Our top tips for getting the best photographs of YOU whilst your walking through a storm of confetti are;
Keep your heads up! It’s so easy to look at the floor to try and shield your eyes from a fistful of confetti but if you look down we won’t be able to see your beautiful faces!
Smile! We have seen some hilarious faces and expressions which only happen when you brace for something hurtling towards your face, just remember confetti won’t hurt you so be conscious of what your face is doing.
Take your time! There’s no need to run (unless you want to of course), but the longer you take to walk through all your guests the longer the moment lasts (and the more photos we get!).
Experience it together! Hold hands, maybe glance at one another and definitely share a kiss at the end of the tunnel!
Tip #2 - Choosing the right confetti
Confetti is a great way to celebrate your personality, whether you are an energetic couple that love a party atmosphere, or you are drawn to more natural vibes, looking for that serene moment surrounded by soft petals.
It’s easy to overlook the amount of thought required when picking confetti but there are a few aspects that you really want to get right!
Price - you’ll want to budget at least £10 plus £1-2 for each guest
Quantity - if in doubt, ask the supplier, but one litre per 10 guests is plenty. Top tip: Grab an extra litre or two to use as table decorations and keep a handful somewhere safe as a memento.
Style - bright colours versus pastels, natural petals versus paper hearts/circles
Responsibility - it may not be romantic or fun, but it’s super important to remember that confetti immediately becomes part of the local environment. Plastic/sequin confetti does not degrade and is impossible to sweep up! If petals aren’t your thing, biodegradable paper is a great option.
Our Favourites
Having searched extensively for our own confetti as well as weathering our fair share of petal storms in the heat of the moment, we have some favourite sites:
Giving out the Confetti
Displaying and handing out the confetti is another consideration and there are a number of ways you can approach this:
Wicker baskets - having a few baskets is a great way to distribute confetti; guests love taking a giant handful as the basket comes by, cradling it carefully until the perfect moment to throw it in the air
Individual paper packets - these are great as you just need one small pack per guest and they can be put on the seats prior to the ceremony so the guests are ready to go when the time comes.
Confetti cones - these look great and are easy to distribute (guests just grab a cone each on the way out). They are surprisingly effective as a method of throwing, though there is always one guest who’s goal for the day is to pour it down the backs of the newly-weds!
Make sure they are left in an obvious location and whoever is responsible for distribution (see section ‘Delegate Responsibility’) should know where they are and when to hand them out.
Alternatives
Want to try something different? Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
Bubbles - buy/rent a bubble machine or individual bubble pots for your guests with the added bonus of some funny faces as people blow them! They are also brilliant for keeping children occupied during the evening
Smoke/fog machine - the most satisfyingly dramatic way to stride into married life
Sparklers - we recommend getting them out later in the evening when the party is in full swing. This can also be done in addition to a more conventional confetti run earlier in the day for double the fun.
Confetti cannon - you get a heap of added drama and, as long as wind direction is taken into account, a wonderfully even spread!
Another environmentally-friendly consideration: balloon and paper lamp releases are both terrible for the environment and will clog up and damage our beautiful countryside and even affect unsuspecting animals living in urban areas; we do not recommend either of these options.
Tip #3 - Be Organised
Here’s some points to consider when planning your perfect confetti experience. Of course we will be there to make sure everything goes smoothly, but it really helps if you get organised before the wedding day. We can help organise your guests and make sure they all get a handful of confetti on the day.
When
Confetti is traditionally thrown straight after the ceremony while the happy tears are still fresh and emotions are at their highest. Remember that it’s your day and you can do the confetti whenever you like! If you want to involve your evening guests then go for it. It is increasingly common to have two confetti runs; one after the ceremony and one in the evening.
Where
Most venues have an obvious spot for the confetti, usually from the main door down a path or set of steps. Some venues allow confetti as you walk back down the aisle together. If your chosen venue does not have a clear run from the door they will usually have a favourite spot. Don’t be afraid to ask if you’d prefer it somewhere else. Check with your venue what they would recommend.
How
There are a couple of ways you can enjoy confetti;
The most traditional, confetti tunnel. This is where your guests will line up either side of a path and you walk through them.
Alternatively you could have them all gather around you in a circle or horseshoe shape and all throw the confetti at the same time while you share a kiss!
Delegate Responsibility
Identify a responsible friend or family member, ideally not one of the groom’s party or bridesmaids as they will most likely be at the front with you on the day. Guests feel a special kind of responsibility when asked by the couple to do something important so they become a confetti professional in a heartbeat. I’m sure I’ve seen someone truly consider becoming a full-time Confetti Distribution Specialist after a successful foray into the artform.
Confetti during an elopement
No guests, no problem? You can throw confetti at each other! It is less common to have confetti whilst eloping but it doesn’t have to be that way! Imagine pastel shades of rose petals swirling around you with the rugged mountains or serene Lochs of Scotland behind you. We will have already discussed your chosen moment and will hold on to the confetti during the day so you don’t need to worry about it. We can throw the confetti out for you or you can throw it around (or at) yourselves and get caught up in the moment while we capture the fun.
Are you ready for the confetti!?
Good! You’re now standing hand-in-hand, ready to take on the world, if only you can get through the next 10 metres unscathed! By this point, we have prepared the guests to ensure they throw the confetti high and over your heads (a face full may seem like fun but I wouldn’t recommend it!). We will be a few steps ahead of you, scooting backwards in a well-rehearsed, if slightly amusing, crab-like scuttle. You can really do it however you like; you can walk tall, you can duck and dive as if escaping a heavy rain, you can stop in the middle and do a twirl and share a kiss, just do whatever you feel like in the moment. Top tip: make sure to look up and smile as it is tempted to shield yourself from the onslaught! Our best advice is to take your time as it will all be in a blur, then when you get to the end, remember to stop in front of the camera so we can catch the happy faces, confetti covering your clothes and hair.