Words by:Eleanor Mollie
Every wedding is different so every gallery is different, but one thing I always recommend to my couples is a confetti shot. For me, the wedding confetti photo is the pinnacle of what your wedding is all about: there’s something about the crazy flurry that perfectly sums up the madness and the magic of the day.
There are three things you need for a confetti shot: a photographer, enthusiasm, and confetti. I’ll bring the photography element (hi!) and you’ll bring the enthusiasm – ok, fine, I’ll bring buckets of that too. All that’s left to sort, then is the confetti! Here are my top tips on how to get epic confetti photos at your wedding:
What kind of confetti are you thinking of using? There’s loads of different types out there, and each one will result in a slightly different wedding confetti photo.
The first thing to check is whether your venue has any restrictions on what you’re allowed. For example, a lot of eco-friendly venues nowadays have a biodegradable confetti only policy, and historic venues may specify that you can’t have confetti that’s been dyed in case it stains the building.
Next up, it’s time to think about your colour scheme. Are you going for a minimalist, chic, sleek style? In which case, an ‘all white everythang’ approach to confetti might be for you. You can see how it looks in Mary and Ben’s gorgeous confetti shot: sophisticated, but still fun (and you can see more of Mary and Ben’s wedding day here.)
Or maybe you want to go for big, bold colour! Elanor and Alex chose multicoloured circles for their wedding confetti photo, and I love the vibrancy of it all. Isn’t it joyful?
Then, it’s time to think about what type of confetti you’d like. For biodegradable paper confetti, I recommend Flutter Darling: you can pick and mix your own collection of colours to perfectly match your palette.
Alternatively, you could go for flower petals for your epic wedding confetti photo. They especially suit a boho wedding theme, and are a perfect tie-in if you have dried flowers in your bouquet(s) and decor. The confetti pieces from Flower Confetti are totally natural, biodegradable, eco-friendly and dye-free; and they look absolutely divine in photos!
If you’re asking yourself ‘how much wedding confetti should I buy?’, the answer is: probably more than you think! If you’re not sure, confetti makers usually have helpful guides on their website (because, let’s face it – it’s quite hard to visualise the weight or volume of confetti, isn’t it? It feels a bit like an impossible GCSE Maths question!)
For example, the people at Flower Confetti advises that 1 litre of confetti will yield 8-10 handfuls. So – and now this really is a maths question – just times that by however many guests you’re having! But remember: you can’t have too much confetti, especially not if you’re wanting an epic wedding confetti photo: it’s just one of those rules of life.*
So you’ve decided which one you want, you’ve done the maths, you’ve bought it and it’s ready to go: but when can you use confetti in your wedding?
Usually the confetti shot is done just after the ceremony, as you exit the venue. After you’ve said the I dos and walked back down the aisle, you’ll be whisked off to a side room where you can enjoy the first moments as a married couple just the two of you, whilst I’ll get your guests in position. When they’re all stood in formation (Beyoncé references always welcome), armed and ready with confetti, then you can walk into it all!
However, that’s not the only way to get a gorgeous wedding confetti photo. Why not incorporate confetti into your group shots? If you and your friends are better known for the nights you’ve spent laughing your heads off and being ridiculous, then a confetti shot might be a fun addition to the photos you get with them.
Or perhaps you want to go all out for the reception, and are looking for confetti to rain down on you whilst you do your first dance. Speak to your DJ or band about confetti cannons, as these have real gusto and can propel confetti right across the dancefloor! Or, maybe you’re getting married at a venue who’d be up for doing a confetti drop from the ceiling? Either way, you’re in the market for a maximum impact shot.
Ok, hypothetically, if there’s any confetti left over at the end, don’t worry! Why not transform it into a memento of the day? There are loads of ways you can turn confetti into a statement piece for your home: for example, you could get it set in resin coasters or jewellery trays (perfect for if you need to take your ring off when washing up or something), or fill a shadowbox with it and hang it up.
So, there you have it! My guide to getting an epic wedding confetti photo, from one confetti lover to another. TL;DR? Here’s the condensed version:
To book me as your wedding photographer, get in touch via my contact page!