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Confetti shots are some of our absolute favourites from a wedding day. They're high energy, super natural and so much fun! It's 100% worth the fact that we're constantly bringing pocketfuls of petals home with us and dumping them over the carpet by accident. We'll take the mess for the epic photos every single time.
When it comes to planning your wedding, you might not know where to even start with confetti and that's completely normal. We're here to talk you through your options and the best ways we've found to organise it.
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1. TYPES OF CONFETTI
Unfortunately, it's not as simple as typing 'confetti' into Amazon and ordering the first one you see. There are three main biodegradable types (as most venues require this) to choose from and they all give different results: dried petals, fresh petals and paper.
Personally, we think paper petals or discs, which are larger, are fantastic for photos as they linger in the air. Plus, you can get super creative with the colours, go for bright and bold, match your theme, or stick to classic white!
Dried petals can be quite small so don't tend to show up as well in photographs, but that can also result in super pretty, delicate images, where your faces are less likely to be obscured by the volume of confetti falling. This is usually a more budget-friendly option, too. Fresh petals can be more expensive and you're not able to store them for long before the big day, but it's such a nice touch to include fresh petals that match your bouquet.
Basically, there's no right answer - go with whichever option suits your vision best. Whatever you decide, it's best to remember that more is more when it comes to confetti, and get enough for a couple of handfuls per guest. Here are a couple of examples to give you an idea of the results:
PAPER CONFETTI
DRIED PETALS
PAPER CONFETTI - WHITE & PINK
2. WHAT TO DO
Now you've chosen your confetti, it's time to decide what you'd like to do with it... For the most part, there are two ways to throw those petals: in a tunnel, or from above.
We usually recommend a tunnel, because this lasts way longer than one huge throw from everyone and gives so many more photo opportunities. However, if there isn't much of a walkway anywhere in your venue where a tunnel (i.e. two paths of your guests facing each other for you and your partner to walk through) can take place, the alternative is to gather as many of your guests as possible in a couple of rows ideally somewhere slightly raised - on a balcony or using a staircase, for example - with you two standing beneath ready for a big cheer and the onslaught of gorgeous confetti. With this method, you can grab a quick group shot without needing to move much at all before your confetti which is a plus, and with the right backdrop the photos can look really epic. But like we said, this doesn't last as long as walking through a tunnel, so you'll usually get less images from it.
CONFETTI TUNNEL
CONFETTI FROM ABOVE
3. ALTERNATIVES
It's worth pointing out that some venues don't allow confetti (even the biodegradable stuff) at all, but don't worry, there are plenty of other cute options to take advantage of to make some fun memories.
Bubbles, ribbon streamers or sparklers can all look amazing and work around those pesky 'no confetti' rules.
5. WHEN SHOULD IT HAPPEN?
In our opinion, the best time for confetti is right after your ceremony. Your guests can head straight outside to your chosen location and you can grab a group shot of everyone, if you'd like one, either immediately before or after. After that, your guests will disperse and do their own thing, and getting them all back together in the same place is almost impossible. Plus, you've just gotten married! The excitement is almost overwhelming and going a bit crazy with confetti is a great way to let off a little steam!
Another option is to have your guests throw the confetti during your aisle exit, which often works great for outdoor ceremonies as your guests are already in place! If you're going with this plan, make sure the confetti is left on chairs or handed out to your guests before the ceremony, and ask whoever is conducting things to explain what's happening to your guests so you don't have half of them unleashing confetti and half unsure of what's going on!
It's worth mentioning that if you are giving your guests access to the confetti before the ceremony, but you want them to save it for a special confetti moment outside, you should also ask your registrar/ celebrant to ask them not to throw it as you exit the aisle - sometimes people get a little over-eager!
5. SHOULD WE BE POSING?
Confetti throws are all about joy. You've just gotten married, headed out of your ceremony and, usually, the next time you see your guests will be as you come back outside for confetti, so it's a big moment and one that's meant to be full of excitement and happiness and very much living in the moment.
You don't need to pose or keep looking at the camera. Feel free to look at each other, laugh, dance, hold your bouquet in the air... Whatever comes naturally for you.
That being said, though we personally always ask your guests beforehand to throw the confetti up into the air rather than directly at your faces, sometimes they misjudge this and you end up with a mouthful of the stuff. It really does make for some hilarious photos, but we thought a little pre-warning might be best. If you can laugh off the mishaps and keep beaming, it's going to be epic, no matter what.
6. PAUSE HALFWAY
If you guys feel like it, we recommend stopping halfway down your tunnel (if that's the method you're going with) for a kiss! It's such a lovely moment to capture and gives you both a second to focus on the most important thing - each other. It usually gets a few cheers from your guests, too, which keeps those fun vibes going. And just look at the results...
7. HOW DO WE MAKE IT ENJOYABLE FOR OUR GUESTS?
Like we've said, we adore confetti shots, but we understand they have a bit of a bad wrap with some people. One thing that can cause this is if your guests are lined up outside waiting for you for ages, but don't panic, there are a couple of ways to avoid this...
First up, make sure to ask your registrar/ celebrant or whoever else is conducting your ceremony to inform your guests at the end of your ceremony that confetti is going to be happening next, and to head towards the location you and your photographer have chosen. This stops people from being unsure of where to go and floating around awkwardly.
Next, make sure you actually leave the room once you've walked back down the aisle as a married couple. If you stand off to the side, people will inevitably come over to speak to you and you'll end up with a queue to get through, while some guests have already exited and are waiting for you outside. Instead, head somewhere private for a quiet moment alone, just the two of you, while your photographer sets everything up.
It's worth asking a couple of people in your bridal party to make sure confetti is handed out at the right time (for example, collecting some as they head outside), or they can give it out to your guests directly.
Another sure-fire way to keep things moving is to hide your welcome drinks! Ask your venue not to set them up somewhere your guests will come across between leaving the ceremony and arriving outside for your photos & confetti throwing. If there is alcohol available somewhere on this route, your guests will undoubtedly stop to grab a drink before moving on, or at least stop to check with the venue staff whether they should be taking a glass, which causes a massive backlog for everyone. Plus, nobody wants confetti in their beer!
Now you've sped the process up to make sure your guests aren't restless, it's time for the confetti itself. Our biggest advice is that you ARE the vibe. Your photographer will move as quickly as you do, so bring the energy, don't dawdle, cheer away and have an absolute blast while you do it, and your guests will love it, too. You can also ask your venue to play some music while it's happening if you're feeling a bit extra!
8. ANYTHING ELSE WE SHOULD KNOW?
Confetti is messy, guys. It seems obvious, but bear in mind you'll be absolutely covered in it afterwards, so it's helpful to ask a bridesmaid/ groomsmen to come and help you remove it from your hair (and everywhere else) when you're finished.
It can also be a bit of a shock at first. Try to keep your eyes open and not grimace if you can help it - relax and enjoy the chaos. That's what it's all about!
Finally, have a rainy day plan. Whether it's that you'll ask everyone who's happy to get a bit wet to head out and pop their umbrellas down for a minute or two while it happens, or speaking to your venue about throwing confetti inside instead (sometimes they're totally okay with this, especially if they're going to be cleaning and re-setting the room you're planning to use anyway), or maybe you're fine with giving it a miss altogether or asking just a select few people to re-group and have a smaller confetti throw if the weather brightens up later on... Whatever you'd like to do, decide in advance and let your photographer and venue know the back-up plan, so there's no decision-making stress on the day.
9. WE'VE SAID IT BEFORE, BUT...
Enjoy it! Confetti is meant to be fun, and silly, and a little bit insane! And we'll be loving every crazy second along with you.
That being said, if you don't fancy doing confetti at all, that's totally fine... It's your wedding day, so focus on doing whatever makes you happy and you're golden!
Happy planning!
Amy & Ben x
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