Sparkler Exit Instructions
To print the instructions select: PDF Instructions
When leaving a wedding with Sparklers,
coordinating the guests, lighting of the sparklers,
and the bride and groom exiting must be carefully choreographed for the photographer to
create the best images and keep everyone safe at the same time. If the sparklers are lit too
soon, they will burn out before the bride and groom make their way through the exit line. If the guests
are standing too close to the bride and groom, the sparklers could burn the bride’s dress. Also, be
sure to tell the guests what to do with their sparklers (they are very hot) once they’re burned out.
After photographing numerous sparkler exits and seeing how to do it right and wrong, I decided
to create an instruction manual.
In order to allow enough time for everyone’s sparkler to be lit, and have them all burning
simultaneously, the best size is 36 inches long. “Sparkle” time is about 4 minutes. The eight,
ten and twenty inch sparklers generally don’t burn long enough.
"Morning Glory" sparklers are made differently than common sparklers. Various types of
compositions are charged into long thin-wall paper tube and fitted with a bamboo handle. The
tube is decorated with bright colored wrappings. Morning Glories are easy to light but burn with
a more vigorous effect than common sparklers. They tend to be smokier and are more likely to
drop small glowing particles, therefore their use indoors is not recommended. Even outdoors
they should be used with care.
In order to avoid sparkler surprises on the day of your wedding, always test out your chosen
sparkler a few weeks beforehand. If children will be present, decide how the sparklers will be
handed out so that there won’t be any possibility of unsupervised use.
1 LIGHTING THE SPARKLERS
1. Pick a location out of the wind to do the lighting
2. Never attempt to light more that one sparkler at a time. Even one sparkler can be rather
surprising if it bursts to life in a halo of sparks. Trying to light a bundle of sparklers at one
time can be unsafe.
The "instant on," push-button type propane torches are the quickest and best lighting method.
3. Line up everyone in two rows, each with sparkler in hand. The rows should be 10 to 15 feet
across from each other depending on the Sparkler size.
4. Hold the sparkler horizontally or with the tip slightly lowered when lighting. The wedding
couple must be ready to walk through the sparkler line before the sparklers are lit.
5. Appoint four people as lighters. They will each light one sparkler and use that lit sparkler
to ignite the remaining sparklers. The lighters shouldn’t start lighting before the photographer
gives the OK. Once the wedding couple sees that all sparklers are lit they should start their exit,
or the photographer can appoint someone to give them the ok.
TIP
The best method when lighting multiple sparklers at one time is to ignite just one sparkler using
the "instant on," push-button type propane torch and then using that sparkler to light other
sparklers in turn. Have four people be the "designated lighter". Two people with lighters should be
at the beginning of the line and two people halfway down the line. These four people will quickly
move down the line lighting the guest sparklers simultaneously when the photographer gives the ok.
The designated lighters should light sparklers moving toward the photographer or limo.
SPARKLER SAFETY TIPS
1. Always keep lit sparklers at arm's length, away from the face, body, or clothing of yourself
or people nearby.
2. A sparkler can safely be waved about in front of the person holding it, as long as there is adequate
room to avoid contact with other people or objects. Lit sparklers should never be held in close
proximity to the face or eyes. Young children should be monitored so that they do not throw
sparklers, or run into a sparkler being waved by another person.
3. As with anything involving fire, such as cigarettes, matches, or lighters, sparklers are very hot
when burning, especially at the point where the composition is adhered to the wire. Never bring the
burning sparkler in close contact with any other material, as it will leave scorch marks or possibly
ignite the material. Be especially aware of highly flammable materials, such a gasoline, hair spray,
nail polish or alcohol that may be in the vicinity. Do not attempt to use sparklers in proximity to
these types of substances.
DISPOSING OF SPENT SPARKLERS
Sparklers will remain hot for a length of time after they have stopped burning. Users should be
cautioned never to grab or touch the burned portion of a sparkler after it has completed its effect,
as the residue will be unpleasantly hot. Have a bucket filled with water or sand, or a metal tray
available as a place for people to dispose of the burned out sparkler wires.
and the bride and groom exiting must be carefully choreographed for the photographer to
create the best images and keep everyone safe at the same time. If the sparklers are lit too
soon, they will burn out before the bride and groom make their way through the exit line. If the guests
are standing too close to the bride and groom, the sparklers could burn the bride’s dress. Also, be
sure to tell the guests what to do with their sparklers (they are very hot) once they’re burned out.
After photographing numerous sparkler exits and seeing how to do it right and wrong, I decided
to create an instruction manual.
In order to allow enough time for everyone’s sparkler to be lit, and have them all burning
simultaneously, the best size is 36 inches long. “Sparkle” time is about 4 minutes. The eight,
ten and twenty inch sparklers generally don’t burn long enough.
"Morning Glory" sparklers are made differently than common sparklers. Various types of
compositions are charged into long thin-wall paper tube and fitted with a bamboo handle. The
tube is decorated with bright colored wrappings. Morning Glories are easy to light but burn with
a more vigorous effect than common sparklers. They tend to be smokier and are more likely to
drop small glowing particles, therefore their use indoors is not recommended. Even outdoors
they should be used with care.
In order to avoid sparkler surprises on the day of your wedding, always test out your chosen
sparkler a few weeks beforehand. If children will be present, decide how the sparklers will be
handed out so that there won’t be any possibility of unsupervised use.
1 LIGHTING THE SPARKLERS
1. Pick a location out of the wind to do the lighting
2. Never attempt to light more that one sparkler at a time. Even one sparkler can be rather
surprising if it bursts to life in a halo of sparks. Trying to light a bundle of sparklers at one
time can be unsafe.
The "instant on," push-button type propane torches are the quickest and best lighting method.
3. Line up everyone in two rows, each with sparkler in hand. The rows should be 10 to 15 feet
across from each other depending on the Sparkler size.
4. Hold the sparkler horizontally or with the tip slightly lowered when lighting. The wedding
couple must be ready to walk through the sparkler line before the sparklers are lit.
5. Appoint four people as lighters. They will each light one sparkler and use that lit sparkler
to ignite the remaining sparklers. The lighters shouldn’t start lighting before the photographer
gives the OK. Once the wedding couple sees that all sparklers are lit they should start their exit,
or the photographer can appoint someone to give them the ok.
TIP
The best method when lighting multiple sparklers at one time is to ignite just one sparkler using
the "instant on," push-button type propane torch and then using that sparkler to light other
sparklers in turn. Have four people be the "designated lighter". Two people with lighters should be
at the beginning of the line and two people halfway down the line. These four people will quickly
move down the line lighting the guest sparklers simultaneously when the photographer gives the ok.
The designated lighters should light sparklers moving toward the photographer or limo.
SPARKLER SAFETY TIPS
1. Always keep lit sparklers at arm's length, away from the face, body, or clothing of yourself
or people nearby.
2. A sparkler can safely be waved about in front of the person holding it, as long as there is adequate
room to avoid contact with other people or objects. Lit sparklers should never be held in close
proximity to the face or eyes. Young children should be monitored so that they do not throw
sparklers, or run into a sparkler being waved by another person.
3. As with anything involving fire, such as cigarettes, matches, or lighters, sparklers are very hot
when burning, especially at the point where the composition is adhered to the wire. Never bring the
burning sparkler in close contact with any other material, as it will leave scorch marks or possibly
ignite the material. Be especially aware of highly flammable materials, such a gasoline, hair spray,
nail polish or alcohol that may be in the vicinity. Do not attempt to use sparklers in proximity to
these types of substances.
DISPOSING OF SPENT SPARKLERS
Sparklers will remain hot for a length of time after they have stopped burning. Users should be
cautioned never to grab or touch the burned portion of a sparkler after it has completed its effect,
as the residue will be unpleasantly hot. Have a bucket filled with water or sand, or a metal tray
available as a place for people to dispose of the burned out sparkler wires.
If you have any questions or
would like to hire Imagine Studios
for your Wedding or Event please call
469.232.0121
for your Wedding or Event please call
469.232.0121
Wedding Resources
Antoinette's Garden - flowers
972.239.7111
Ambiance Entertainment
214.914.2306
Ambiance Entertainment DJ
A Very Special Day
DJ's & Videography
Richard McClure
214.331.3333
www.avsday.com
The Toney Walsh Band
972.342.6012
www.carolmarksmusic.com
Antoinette's Garden - flowers
972.239.7111
Ambiance Entertainment
214.914.2306
Ambiance Entertainment DJ
A Very Special Day
DJ's & Videography
Richard McClure
214.331.3333
www.avsday.com
The Toney Walsh Band
972.342.6012
www.carolmarksmusic.com