Should You Have Confetti at Your Wedding?

For many, the classic bride and groom confetti shot is the most iconic image of a wedding. A picture of you both beaming with joy, showered in a deluge of confetti, is the stuff wedding dreams are made of.

But is confetti actually a good idea? What about the mess it makes? What if your wedding venue doesn't allow it? And what about the environmental considerations?

On the one hand, confetti is a perfect way to involve your guests in your nuptials. Plus, it looks stunning in photos! On the other hand, it can be a pain to clean up, some guests may not be thrilled about being covered in it, and some may object to some forms of confetti on environmental grounds.

So, what's a bride or groom to do?

Should I Have Confetti at My Wedding?

Ultimately, the choice will rest on your own personal preference and wedding style. Confetti may be a nice touch if you're planning a traditional affair. If you're envisioning a more laid-back celebration or a small elopement, you may want to forego the confetti altogether. However, rules set by your venue and budget will also play a role in your decision.

Many churches, castles, and other historic wedding venues flat out prohibit confetti due to the mess it makes. Others have stipulations that require you to use only biodegradable confetti or provide your own clean-up crew. Before making any decisions, be sure to check with your venue to see what the policies are surrounding confetti.

Finally, you'll need to consider your budget. Confetti can be costly, particularly if you're using real flower petals or other speciality materials. Confetti may not be the best place to splurge if you're on a tight budget.

How Much Does Confetti Cost?

The price of confetti will vary depending on the material you use and how much you need. On average, you can expect to spend anywhere from £/€50 to £/€200 on confetti for your wedding. Your final total will depend heavily on how many guests you have and whether you plan to provide plenty of confetti for each guest or just use it for a single confetti shot.

If you're looking to save money, you can always DIY your confetti. Using tissue paper or recycled materials, you can make your own confetti for a fraction of the cost. Real flowers (which quickly biodegrade) will cost more, but they'll be more environmentally friendly than plastic or paper confetti (which still biodegrades, but at a much slower rate than flowers).

Which Type of Confetti Should I Use for My Wedding?

There's no right or wrong answer here. But it's advisable to go for biodegradable paper or flower petals rather than plastic alternatives. For most people, the classic rice confetti is a bit old-fashioned. And no one wants to be picking bits out of their hair for days after the wedding!

If you do opt for paper confetti, make sure it's eco-friendly and biodegradable. Tissue paper or recycled paper confetti are excellent options as these materials will quickly break down, making them much better for the environment than other less environmentally-friendly counterparts.

However, flower petals are the most popular choice, despite their added expense, as they look lovely, natural, and biodegrade much faster than paper since they're organic matter. If you go this route, it's worth trying to source your petals from a reputable supplier who uses organic, pesticide-free blooms.

Should I Provide My Own Wedding Confetti?

Yes! There are several reasons why you should supply your own confetti. First, it ensures that you'll have enough confetti for all of your guests and simultaneously prevents them from bringing too much of their own. Remember, too much confetti can quickly turn from festive to overwhelming.

It'll also help you abide by any confetti stipulations imposed by your venue, such as using biodegradable confetti. By supplying the confetti yourself, you can be sure that everyone is using approved materials.

Finally, providing confetti allows you to be more selective about the type of confetti used. Regardless of any specific venue restrictions, you can still choose eco-friendly, biodegradable options that won't have a lasting impact.

When is the Best Time to Do a Wedding Confetti Shot?

The best time for a confetti shot is right after the ceremony, when you and your spouse are walking out of the church or wedding venue for the first time as a married couple. This incredibly emotional moment makes it the perfect time to capture some beautiful photos with confetti.

However, since some ceremony venues are strictly no-confetti zones, you may have to move locations and potentially do the confetti shot as you arrive at your reception venue, during your cocktail hour, or even as you leave the reception venue.

For pro-confetti ceremony venues, you may also want to consider having your guests shower you in confetti as you make your way back down the aisle after being pronounced husband and wife. This incredibly joyful moment is often overlooked but can make for some stunning photos.

Wherever you plan on doing a confetti shot, it's essential to let your photographer know in advance so they can be prepared. These shots are carefully choreographed and take a bit of time to set up, so your photographer will need to be aware of your plans beforehand.

How Should Wedding Guests Throw Confetti?

In almost all cases, marrying couples only get one shot at a confetti photo, so it's important to ensure your guests know how to throw the confetti correctly. It's important to advise them to throw the confetti up and slightly in front of the couple, not at them.

By giving the confetti plenty of height, it'll float down in front of the couple and create a beautiful, romantic effect in the photo. If your guests throw the confetti directly at you, it will drop instantly or get stuck in your clothes or hair, resulting in a less than perfect confetti photo.

Do I Have to Use Confetti at My Wedding?

No, there is no requirement to use confetti at your wedding. Whether or not to have confetti at your wedding is entirely up to you and should be based on your personal preference. A confetti shot might not be practical or necessary for smaller, more intimate affairs or elopements.

Additionally, if you're worried about the environmental impact of confetti or the potential for a messy clean-up, you might want to forego confetti altogether. There are plenty of alternatives to confetti, too. For instance, you could use sparklers (great at winter weddings) or lavender (a lovely option for summer nuptials) instead.

At the end of the day, there is no right or wrong answer, and deciding whether to have confetti at your wedding is entirely up to you and should be based on what will make you and your spouse the happiest.