Confetti - so beautiful, so simple… so why do I get asked so many questions..?
Ok - here’s the thing - like many aspects of your wedding day - this will be a first - the first time you’ve been in the centre of a confetti throw, and you’d think it’s straight forward right? Well - you’d be surprised…
I’m asked by many couples - we’d like to do a ‘confetti shot’ ~ how do we organise it? There are two ways confetti can go… organically - everyone just throws ad-hoc throughout the day - its fun, guests love it, it goes everywhere and can provide some lovely ‘in the moment’ photographs. Then there’s the coordinated confetti throw - organised to photograph - this is a very different beast and takes a little more thought…
What we need to think about:
1. Venue rules
Yeah, this is a biggie! Many venues have strict rules about throwing confetti - so if you have your hearts set on it - be sure to ask before you begin that six month mission to gather and dry all those rose petals. Sometimes there are specific locations where confetti is allowed and not in others, sometimes it has to be biodegradable, and other times - anything goes…
2. Helpful hands
Help from your wedding party to hand out confetti is very useful - because they can also tell guests if they need to hang onto it for a specific time i.e. for a photograph or not. Alternatively you can leave an individual bag on each guest's chair - and ask a vocal usher or bridesmaid to announce when to throw it.
3. Coordination
If you’re anticipating an awesome confetti photograph - don’t assume your guests will bring their own confetti - you’ll need enough to go around. And if you’re drying your own petals, be aware they get smaller as they dry - smaller and smaller... until your huge petal pile looks pretty small - so if in doubt, it’s better to go on the side of lots!
The wind will try to whisk it away, any chance it can get so a covered basket or individual bags can be a good idea.
And if you do use bags - ask your photographer how your guests can throw it for best effect, without it getting stuck in the bags… we know all the tricks ;)
Confetti cones work beautifully, but they're tricky in the breeze... they'll try to escape from any container you put them in.
Confetti cones work beautifully, but they're tricky in the breeze... they'll try to escape from any container you put them in.
4. What looks best
Everyone around you, everyone behind you, everyone forming a tunnel, through which you walk... these are all options that work and are best suited depending on the location, wind and light direction - it’s best to stay flexible and ask your photographer for advice
5. Location
If you’re aiming for a great photograph - ask your photographer where the best location is on the day - it’s surprisingly tricky to pick a good spot; a good composition, allowance for the wind and light all make choosing the perfect spot a challenge.
If it rains - it might even be possible to opt for an indoor area...
But someone always has to clean it up ;)
6. Timing
There’s a good chance your confetti will go everywhere - in your hair, down your dress - so often it’s good to save the confetti until after the rest of the group photographs... but then you need to get all your guests back again - and they'll probably have wondered away... don’t worry, again, your photographer knows how to get them back...
7. Cautions
Most confetti is coloured and often that colour runs when it gets wet… and it can transfer that colour to your dress, this is especially likely if we’re caught outside in light rain... rain drops on your dress + confetti = speckled dress... if this is a concern, plan accordingly, all white is best.
8. Alternatives
If you can’t throw confetti, because your venue doesn’t allow it - there are plenty of alternatives - gather Autumn leaves to throw - but they need to be dry and yes, this only works in Autumn. Or how about bubbles - these work well, but... bubble liquid can also leave marks on your dress, so careful planning is needed - keep upwind of those bubbles if this is a concern.
9. Biodegradable is best
Those little petals of love go everywhere - so keeping it biodegradable is always good karma for your day.
Have an wonderful day - and with these simple recommendations - you'll have a beautiful confetti photograph...
Have an wonderful day - and with these simple recommendations - you'll have a beautiful confetti photograph...
About: I'm Duncan Ireland, a wedding photographer based in Scotland, covering the UK and the World : www.duncanirelandphotography.com
