The Ultimate Confetti Guide
Few moments on your wedding day are as joyful as your confetti exit. It's one of the first moments you'll experience as newlyweds and often creates some of the most colourful, fun and memorable photographs of the entire day.
Check With Your Venue First
Before ordering your confetti, it's always worth checking with your venue.
- Is confetti allowed?
- Does it have to be biodegradable?
- Are petals allowed?
- Is paper confetti allowed?
- Can it be thrown inside?
- Is there a designated area?
- Are confetti cannons allowed?
Choosing Your Confetti
There are so many different types of wedding confetti to choose from.
Personally, I love biodegradable paper confetti. It gives you lots of colour, creates beautiful movement in the air and, most importantly, it looks amazing in photographs. You get that lovely burst of confetti around you as you walk through your guests, rather than lots of little pieces that have fallen straight to the floor.
That said, your venue's rules will always come first. Some venues don't allow paper confetti, even when it's fully biodegradable, and may only allow natural flower petals. If that's the case, dried petals are absolutely fine and we can still get some gorgeous photographs!
So, what should you choose?
If your venue allows it, I'd personally choose biodegradable paper confetti. Go for lightweight pieces in colours that work with your wedding rather than tiny, heavy pieces that don't move much.
If your venue only allows natural petals, don't worry! Choose petals with plenty of colour and avoid anything too heavy or bulky. And remember, you don't need to have the "perfect" confetti the photographs are really about the two of you, your guests and all the excitement of finally being married.
Always check with your venue before buying your confetti, as their rules can vary.
How Much Confetti Do You Need?
A good rule of thumb is to provide enough confetti for every guest. The more confetti in the air, the more dramatic and colourful your photographs will be.
Many couples choose to place individual confetti cones or packets on guests' chairs before the ceremony or have them handed out as guests leave. A good large handful for each guest is usually the best.
People throwing Rough amount
30 3 litres
50 5 litres
75 7–8 litres
100 10 litres
Don't Rush Through It.
Your confetti exit only lasts a few seconds, so take your time and soak it all in. You've just got married, your favourite people are celebrating around you, and it deserves to be enjoyed.
Some of the happiest photographs from a wedding day happen during the confetti exit, and with a little planning, it's a moment you'll remember forever.
How to get the best confetti photos
Confetti photos are some of my favourites because they're not really about posing. They're about movement, laughter and the people around you celebrating with you and honestly? You don't need to know what to do. That's my job!
Once you come out of the ceremony, keep walking through the confetti rather than stopping halfway. It gives me much more opportunity to capture the moment naturally, and you'll get a lovely variety of photographs as you make your way through your guests.
You don't need to look at the camera. In fact, please don't! 😂
Look at each other, laugh, smile, kiss or just enjoy the moment. Those little reactions between the two of you are what make the photographs feel like you.
Don't be stingy with it! A good handful gives you that lovely burst of colour and movement as you walk through.
If there are lots of people throwing confetti, even better. The more confetti floating through the air, the more opportunities there are for those fun, chaotic photographs.
And most importantly... enjoy it!
Your confetti throw isn't a photoshoot. It's a celebration.
You've just got married, your favourite people are cheering for you, and there are petals or confetti flying everywhere. Enjoy the chaos!
Laugh, kiss, pull silly faces, grab each other's hands whatever feels natural to you.
I'll be there to capture all of it, including the moments you probably didn't even realise were happening.
You just need to walk through and enjoy being newly married. I'll take care of the rest.
What if my venue doesn't allow confetti?
Don't panic! You absolutely don't need confetti to get amazing wedding photographs.
Some venues don't allow confetti at all, while others have very specific rules about what you can use and where you can have your confetti throw. Always check with your venue before buying anything especially if you're hoping to use biodegradable paper confetti.
If your venue doesn't allow confetti, there are still plenty of ways to create that same big, celebratory moment.
- Ask your venue if there are any alternatives
Sometimes a venue won't allow confetti outside the ceremony, but may have a particular area where it is permitted. Others may allow natural petals but not paper confetti.
It's always worth asking exactly what is and isn't allowed before ruling out the idea completely.
- Try bubbles
Bubbles can be a really fun alternative, especially for a relaxed, playful wedding. They catch the light beautifully and give your guests something to get involved with while you walk through.
- Have a big celebratory exit
You don't actually need anything for your guests to throw. Having everyone line up outside the ceremony, cheering, clapping and celebrating as you walk through can create just as much energy and some brilliant candid photographs.
- Use your surroundings
If your venue has a beautiful entrance, gardens, courtyard or staircase, we can use the space itself to create a gorgeous moment as you leave your ceremony.
And honestly, don't feel like you're missing out if confetti isn't an option. Some of my favourite photographs aren't the perfectly planned ones, they're the moments where everyone is laughing, cheering and genuinely caught up in the excitement of the day.
Your wedding doesn't need confetti to look amazing. You just need your favourite people, a bit of excitement and a reason to celebrate. ❤️
Wondering how much time to allow for your confetti throw and the rest of your wedding photographs? I've broken down exactly how much time you need in my →wedding photography timeline guide
