So, you MUST have seen a few wedding photos by now with confetti, bubbles, petals, sparklers – basically, all that fun stuff that happens in 0.5 seconds flat. We’re totally down for whatever you want to have in your photos, so let’s go through some of those additive things that can make your photography stand out even more.

Planning a Confetti Exit and More for Your Wedding Photography

Be sure to check with your venue first if you plan to have confetti, petals, etc. as some venues have strict rules about what you can and cannot do. There are also plenty of no-mess wedding send off ideas that may be worth checking out lower on our list. As New York wedding photographers, we love creative ideas for grand exits and aisle wedding exits on the big day.

Why Do a Confetti Exit on Your Wedding Day?

Confetti exits are a great way to get your wedding guests involved in your ceremony. It makes them feel like a part of it, given that an exit like this is a collaborative group effort. Plus, confetti exits and petal tosses make for some stunning wedding photos. We absolutely love when people plan grand exits on their wedding days. Whether you’re planning for a wedding ceremony moment or a finale to the night, here are some suggestions for a beautiful exit toss.

Regular Confetti Poppers for a Confetti Exit

Indoors and outdoors, these regular confetti poppers are a delight. If you’re planning on an outdoor celebration, be sure to purchase biodegradable confetti! Look into confetti cannons in particular – these REALLY spread confetti way more than handing your guests a small packet. It will also keep your guests’ hands clean when they are doing this.

• 

• 

Flower Petal Exits in Wedding Photos

Ask your florist for spare petals to toss as you proceed down the aisle. Save some extra for an additional shot with your loved ones after the ceremony! Alternatively, you can also find flower petal cannons that really let them fly. Rose petal exits are so pretty and can make for timeless photos. Plus, they’re environmentally friendly, as opposed to many confetti exits.

• 

• 

No-Mess String Confetti Poppers

A great idea for couples whose venues are a little more strict about cleanup. The confetti doesn’t actually leave the cannon – perfect for a no-mess exit! Have your guests in aisle seats shoot these as you make your way down the aisle together. That being said, make sure to read reviews of the products before buying them. You won’t want to end up with an accidental confetti exit.

Bubble Exits at Weddings

A great no-mess alternative, bubble guns are fairly inexpensive and easy to find on Amazon. On sunny days/evenings, they also catch light really well! We love bubble exits as opposed to confetti exits because they are super fun with zero cleanup required. When it comes to a grand exit, especially for daytime weddings, this is a good one to consider.

• 

• 

• 

Waving Ribbons While You Walk the Aisle

Another no-mess alternative, give your guests ribbons to wave as you make your exit. This is a super fun, easy, and safe way to add a little extra flair to your exit photos. Ribbon wands are low cost and available to order online, perfect for a low-maintenance wedding exit. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly wedding exit moment, this could be a good one.

Bird Seed or Rice Exit

SKIP THIS. If you’re having an outdoor ceremony, it’s best to skip this altogether. It’s best not to attract a bunch of pigeons to your ceremony site. These can introduce unknown seeds into an environment or unexpectedly make the local wildlife ill.

Sparkler Exit

Exciting, beautiful, and dangerous. 100% an outdoor prop, sparklers are great for magical photos. That being said, let’s skip the traditional “sparkler exit” and opt for a “sparkler moment” earlier in the evening. Why, you may ask? Well, most weddings do have alcohol involved… and alcohol + guests with pyrotechnics near your hair and fancy clothes? Let’s have a moment earlier in the evening when things are a little less blurry – for everyone’s safety.

• 

• 

• 

Smoke Bomb Photos for Weddings

While we’re pretty sure these aren’t permitted for use in NYC directly, we have seen them used. These can be used during your portraits, but be warned about the possibility of colorful smoke bombs staining your clothing.

When Should You Use Props on Your Wedding Day?

Props like these are typically used during the ceremony recessional as you make your way down the aisle together. That being said, it’s important to communicate this with your guests. They may get the wrong impression and start popping while you’re having your first kiss – super fun, but won’t really show in your photos.

Communicating to Your Guests

Having your guests successfully use your props can be easily achieved with communication. Have your coordinator explain to people when to use them, or have your officiant announce it at the beginning of the ceremony. It’s important that they know when to use the props so they don’t fire off the confetti exit or petal toss too early.

Signage for Guests for Your Confetti Exit

You can also let them know via signage on the cannons or on their seats. Either way, strong communication is essential to be able to pull this offf. In fact, we had confetti cannons at our own wedding and wish we’d had signage telling people how to use the cannons ahead of time. It would have made for a smoother exit.

Planning a Confetti Exit with Your NYC Wedding Photographer

One of the most important considerations is to let your photographer know the plan ahead of time. Always keep your New York wedding photographers in the loop when you’re planning something spectacular. We want to make sure we’re absolutely ready to capture the moment. Let us know if you want to plan a petal toss or confetti exit for your wedding ceremony – we’ll help you make it a beautiful memory.