How to do a Sparkler Exit at Your Wedding

Sparkler Exit Tips to Light Up Your Vancouver Wedding or Elopement

Next to champagne pops, doing a sparkler exit at your wedding is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to spice up your celebration — and snag some seriously Pinterest-worthy photos.

Whether you’re planning a Vancouver wedding, Victoria wedding, or an intimate Vancouver elopement, sparklers are a great way to add that magical “wow” factor. Your Vancouver wedding photographer should know how to execute a sparkler exit safely and beautifully, but if you want to be in the loop too, here are my top tips for getting the best photos, avoiding chaos, and incorporating sparklers into your day in creative ways.

Not Everyone Needs to Be Included

This is especially true if you’re having a large Vancouver wedding. For smaller celebrations or elopements, you might include everyone. But with larger guest lists, I recommend keeping the sparkler crew smaller — think your wedding party, close family, or a select group of guests.

Too many people with sparklers can turn into a chaotic situation. I usually recommend using about 20 sparklers total (always choose the long ones). Keeping it smaller and more intentional also makes the moment more personal and meaningful for you as a couple.

Light the Sparklers All at Once

This one is a game-changer. If you light the sparklers one by one, some will burn out before you’re even ready to walk through. Instead, have several guests with lighters or candles ready so they can all be lit at the same time.

As soon as they’re lit — go! Know what you’re doing ahead of time so you’re not wasting those precious sparkler seconds. I always give my couples a quick rundown beforehand to keep things flowing smoothly and to make sure we get those magical shots.

Do Your Sparkler Exit During Blue Hour

While sparklers are traditionally saved for the very end of the night, the best photos often come during blue hour — the hour just after sunset. There’s still enough natural light to illuminate your surroundings, but the sparklers still shine beautifully.

And let’s be real — no one needs to know it wasn’t your actual exit. This works especially well for Vancouver weddings or Victoria weddings with scenic outdoor venues where the blue hour glow enhances the entire vibe.

Other Ways to Include Sparklers in Your Vancouver Wedding or Elopement

Sparklers don’t have to be reserved just for the send-off. There are so many fun and creative ways to work them into your wedding or elopement:

• ✨ Bring them out during couples portraits — either at blue hour or for a night shot.
• ✨ Light them during the cake cutting for a fun surprise.
• ✨ Ask your bridal party to light sparklers during your first kiss at the altar.
• ✨ Have guests in aisle seats light sparklers as you walk back down the aisle — and stop halfway for a kiss!
• ✨ Swap out a flower girl for a sparkler girl (yes, it’s a thing!).
• ✨ Use sparklers for your grand entrance into the reception.
• ✨ Have your family or wedding party surround you with sparklers during your first dance.

No matter how you incorporate them, sparklers add a little extra glow and magic to your day. From mountaintop Vancouver elopements to full-scale Victoria weddings, they never fail to impress guests and elevate your wedding gallery.

Sparklers are simple, affordable, and always a crowd favourite — just like champagne pops. Want to pair the two? Check out my champagne pop photo tips here!

Still have questions about executing a sparkler exit?

1. How to do a sparkler exit wedding?
To pull off a successful sparkler exit at your Vancouver wedding or elopement, organization is key. Choose long sparklers (at least 20 inches), hand them out to a small group of guests (usually 20–30), and have multiple lighters ready to get them going all at once. Once they’re lit, you and your partner walk (or dance!) through the sparkler tunnel while your Vancouver wedding photographer captures the magic. Pro tip: do it during blue hour for the most dreamy light!

2. What is the best exit song for a wedding?
The best exit song is one that matches your vibe as a couple. Think upbeat, celebratory, and full of love! A few popular sparkler exit songs

• “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” – Natalie Cole
• “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” – Whitney Houston
• “You Make My Dreams” – Hall & Oates
• “On Top of the World” – Imagine Dragons
• “Marry You” – Bruno Mars
  Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something that’ll make you want to run through that sparkler tunnel with a huge smile!

3. How many sparklers do you need for 100 guests?
You don’t need a sparkler for every guest. For a group of 100, around 20–30 sparklers is plenty. Focus on having your wedding party or close family hold them — too many can be overwhelming and make it hard for your wedding photographer to get a clean, focused shot. The rest of your guests can cheer you on from the sidelines!

4. What is the sparkler wedding farewell?
A sparkler wedding farewell (or sparkler exit) is a fun, glowing send-off where guests line up holding lit sparklers as the couple makes their exit. It’s a popular moment at Vancouver weddings, Victoria weddings, and elopements alike — not just for the magical vibe, but also for the iconic photos it creates. It’s the perfect blend of celebration and photo op!

5. What is an alternative to a sparkler exit?
Not into sparklers or your venue doesn’t allow them? Here are a few fun alternatives:

• Glow sticks or LED wands
• Confetti or biodegradable flower petals
• Bubbles (especially fun for daylight exits)
• Ribbon wands
• Cold spark machines (venue-permitting)
• Handheld bells or tambourines for a joyful noise send-off
  Each of these options can bring personality and fun to your wedding exit photos — just make sure your photographer is ready!

6. What size sparklers for a wedding exit?
The best sparklers for weddings are 20 to 36 inches long. Shorter sparklers burn out too quickly, often before the couple even starts walking through. The longer ones give you more time for multiple photo angles and ensure everyone is still sparkling as you pass by.

7. Are 20 inch sparklers good for weddings?
Yes! 20-inch sparklers are the most popular size for wedding exits. They burn for about 2 minutes — long enough for your photographer to get several great shots without rushing. They’re a solid choice if you want good photos without the bulk of 36-inch ones.

8. What are the best sparklers to use for a wedding?
Look for wedding-specific sparklers that are labeled smokeless and made with metal sticks (not wood). These produce less smoke, which means clearer photos. Longer sparklers (20 to 36 inches) are ideal. Some even come in gold or custom packaging to match your wedding theme.

9. What is the difference between wedding sparklers and regular sparklers?
Wedding sparklers are typically longer, burn brighter, and are made to be smokeless — ideal for photography. Regular sparklers, like the ones sold for Canada Day or fireworks events, are often shorter, smokier, and made with wooden sticks that can flake or drop embers. Always opt for the wedding-safe kind to keep things clean, safe, and photo-ready.

10. How long does a 12 inch sparkler last?
A 12-inch sparkler burns for about 45 seconds to 1 minute. That’s often not long enough for a full exit unless your group is tiny and very well coordinated. For most Vancouver weddings, I recommend at least 20-inch sparklers to give your photographer more time and flexibility to capture the moment.