Thinking About Purchasing Independence Day Sparklers for Your Wedding?

It’s the 4th of July, so I bet you are thinking about getting some sparklers for your wedding at a discounted price. Right? That’s definitely an idea worth considering, but I recommend thinking twice before you purchase them for your wedding day’s sparkler send-off.

Most Independence Day Sparklers Are Ten Inches Long

Because of its length, 10” sparklers burn for 45 seconds. In order for a 10” sparkler to work at your send-off, most of your wedding guests need to light their own sparklers. Since most of your guests have been drinking alcohol for the last few hours, giving them matches doesn’t sound like a good idea. I’ve seen some articles advising couples to get their groomsmen to light the sparklers for the couple. Again, I ask, “do you really want your drunk groomsmen lighting sparklers for you?”

Sparklers Created for Weddings Typically Burn with a Golden Glow

And, that golden glow is great for your wedding pictures! Of course, the top choices in wedding sparkler colors are silver or gold. But, if you want to show off your individuality, you can purchase sparklers in several different colors, such as red, green, blue, or even multi-color. Some sparklers have a distinct burning phase that changes color as they burn their way down the stick. It’s like a little firework show on a stick!

Golden Sparklers Tend to Produce Less Smoke

And, that is a good thing since no one wants to be smoked out at a wedding reception.

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After you decide on your sparklers, here are some recommendations to keep in mind.

Please Check the Rules With Your Venue First

Several wedding venues do not allow sparkler send-offs anymore. So, I highly recommend checking with your venue coordinator first before you plan or purchase anything.

Know Your Sparklers’ Burn Time

Burn time is directly related to the length of your sparkler. As I noted earlier, 10” sparklers burn for approximately 45 seconds; 20” sparklers burn for approximately two minutes; and 36” sparklers burn for 3 to 4 minutes. If capturing a great photo is important to you, get the 36” sparklers. That allows enough time for your guests to light their sparklers, get in place, and keep the sparklers lit during your grand exit.

How Are You Going to Light The Sparklers?

When lighting your sparklers, use the multi-purpose lighters that are typically used to light grills. That allows some distance between your hand and the actual sparkler. Sparklers typically light easier with other lit sparklers. So, my team and I will light a few sparklers, then we encourage the guests to use their lit sparkler to light the sparkler of a wedding guest standing next to them.

Know How to Extinguish the Fire

The sparklers will more than likely burn out by the end of the send-off. If you need to put one out, we recommend water first, then sand. Our team typically keeps a small bucket filled with sand and a small bucket filled with water nearby to help us put out sparklers that have yet to extinguish. Please do not stick the sparklers in the trash without making sure that they are COMPLETELY extinguished! That could result in a fire.

Have a Fire Extinguisher On Hand

Prayerfully, I have never had to use them, but we make sure that the venue has a fire extinguisher in-house. And, we keep a first aid kit, and the address of the closest hospital in our notes. Just in case.

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What to Know When Planning Your Sparkler Send-Off

When you are ready to plan your sparkler send-off or grand exit for your wedding, please check out my post titled, “5 Key Things to Know When Planning a Wedding Sparkler Exit.”

Love and Soul Always, Kawania

Photo: Leonard Poteat Photography