Katy Perry said it best…Baby you’re a firework!  Yes, we all love watching the colors burst and letting out ooh’s and ah’s as they create beautiful colors that light up the night sky and create magical moments for people to share.

There are many occasions where fireworks and sparklers are used, not just for the Fourth of July anymore. You may have a bride and groom inform you that they want their guests to have sparklers as favors and light them up all together at the end of the night. Or maybe your clients want to have a grand wedding exit with the guests creating a tunnel of sparklers. While this is a great idea and can definitely make for easy entertainment and amazing pictures, it can also lead to unnecessary accidents if not used properly.

Here are a few tips to follow if you plan to use sparklers, fireworks, or similar products during your events:

• Make sure the venue allows sparklers and has enough space to light them outdoors. Having a large crowd of people close together with flaming sticks is never a good combination.

• Purchase quality sparklers. The cheap ones cause a lot of smoke which will be unwanted in pictures and creates a fog that is unpleasant.

• Have many water buckets or a hose nearby, ready to put out sparklers at the end of the night or in case of an accident.

• Announce when the lighting will take place (your wedding DJ or band can help with this). Get guests lined up and ready, make sure that the photographer and videographer are ready, and that the bride and groom are ready before you start lighting.

• Recruit help from sober bridal party members and the venue/catering staff to help organize guests and help put out sparklers after being used. To avoid injury or fire, do not leave any lit or used sparklers laying around.

Have you used sparklers with success at your events? Please share your advice and experience in the comments!

photo credit: Jason+Gina Photography

This is a guest post from Christine Bochniak. Christine resides in Galena, IL where she works as an Author Account Manager for Kendall Hunt Publishing. She also works as a wedding coordinator part-time for her own business Rise Events Planning.