If you’ve been following my wedding photography blog, you already know that I’m all for adding a bit of extra magic to your wedding day.

Now, we’ve already talked about how to elevate your wedding experience – and get some breathtaking wedding photos too – with a champagne tower and a sparkler exit.

But there are so many options left to add just a bit more fairy dust to your fairytale day.

So now it’s time to talk about how to plan your confetti shower to create an unforgettable experience for both you and your guests. And what you need to consider to ensure you get the most epic photos of this spectacular experience.

Just picture it… You and the love of your life, walking down the aisle hand in hand. Suddenly, thousands of little pieces of confetti start falling gracefully from the sky. Surrounded by your nearest & dearest, the celebration of your love has begun. And you’re having the time of your lives.

As a wedding photographer who has had the honour of capturing countless heartwarming moments, I’m here to help you plan your perfect confetti shower for your wedding. So, follow these 5 simple tips to ensure you’ll get the most breathtaking confetti photos – and have a blast while you’re at it too.

1. Plan the location & timing of your confetti shot

Before you get too excited and buy a truckload of confetti for your wedding, it’s worth checking in with your elopement location or wedding venue beforehand – just to be aware of any restrictions they might have.

Some places don’t even allow confetti shots. Others have designated areas (usually outside) for couples who don’t want to miss out on this special experience. And then there are venues and elopement locations that only allow the use of biodegradable confetti.

But let’s say you already have permission to have confetti at your wedding. Well then, it’s time to decide when & where you want confetti at your wedding. You don’t even have to settle on a single time and place – confetti is cheap, easy to store, and hard to get bored of.
So why not have it whenever and wherever you want?

Lining up your guests in 2 lines at the exit of your chapel to have a confetti exit not long after you’re officially husband & wife is a spectacular way to celebrate your love, and is truly an eternal classic.

But you can also have confetti when you arrive at your reception to get the party started. Just play your favorite song and get everyone up and dancing with you under your shower of awesomeness.

Use confetti in your photo booth (if you have one), or have confetti raining on you while you’re enjoying your champagne tower. Alternatively, you can have the cannons go off when you have your first kiss as a married couple.

With all these options, it might be hard to choose when and where you want confetti – but again, you don’t really have to choose if you don’t want to. Still, there are a few things to consider before choosing when & where to use confetti at your wedding.

One of the key factors is safety.

Confetti is – by definition – small and light. And this can lead to a choking hazard, if left in the wrong hands. Confetti also tends to make hard dance floors slippery – which might make moonwalking easier, but it’s still not worth the risk. And finally, confetti can burst through the cannons with tremendous force, so it might not be a good idea to fire it at people – not even from a distance.

While confetti doesn’t seem like a dangerous thing, you definitely don’t want Baby Charlie choking on some confetti. Or Grandma Nancy breaking her hip while breakdancing on confetti. Or drunk Uncle Joe shooting your inlaws with a confetti cannon.

Secondly, you also need to consider the weather if you’re planning to use confetti outside.

Soggy confetti isn’t a vibe, so make sure to have a plan B in case it rains. Also, try to find a place that’s at least somewhat blocked from wind. You want the confetti to fall on you – and not fly away into the abyss.

2. Choose the type & style of your confetti

Did you know that confetti can technically be anything?

Sure, you can choose to have actual confetti, and buy it from one of my recommended vendors, like Poppies for Grace (for boutique and unique styles) or The Whole Bride (to give yourselves limitless options in shape and size).

But you can also choose to have flower petals, paper airplanes (especially if one of you is a pilot or flight attendant), or even balloons as your “confetti”. The world is your oyster, and you can choose whatever you want as your “confetti” – the purpose is all the same.

So, make sure you agree on the type of confetti (or confetti-alternative) that you can actually picture yourselves using on your wedding day. Again, check in with your venue first, as that might narrow down your options a bit.

3. Choose your colours wisely

In our day and age, confetti comes in every color of the rainbow – and almost every colour too.
But that doesn’t mean you have to make your confetti shot look like a unicorn fart…

Instead there are two rules of thumbs that I’d recommend you follow to make sure you get the absolute most of your confetti shots, with stunning photos.

First of all, try picking a color theme that goes well with your wedding theme.

For example, gold & silver are both elegant options for a glam wedding. But if you’re aiming for a modern wedding vibe, go with white confetti, with maybe one other color in the mix. And if you’re just ready to party, go as colourful as you want! I’ve also seen some couples who were expecting a baby take this opportunity for a gender-reveal confetti shot in front of all their favorite people in the world.

Secondly, when choosing your colour theme, make sure you consider your venue and the timing of your confetti shower. Aim for colors that create a stark contrast with your background. This will ensure that they’ll really POP in all your photos, leading to that rare jaw dropping confetti effect that you might already be obsessing over on Instagram or Pinterest.

So, for light backgrounds – like an open field, the beach, or under a clear blue sky – I’d recommend choosing rich colours, such as royal blues, deep purples, or bright pinks. And the exact opposite is true for dark backgrounds: if you’re doing your confetti shot in the shades of a lush forest, or if you’re having it at sunset, try choosing either light pastel colours or confetti that’s sparkly & glittery. If you aren’t opting for biodegradable just make sure your location or venue allows it. Always worth asking.

4. Get your confetti in the air

The longer the confetti is in the air, the more (and better) photos I can capture of your whole experience.
So let’s get it all up there – and keep it there for as long as possible.

Now, there are countless ways you can get the confetti in the air. Most couples choose to have their guests throw handfuls of loose confetti up in the air, to create a magnificent confetti shower for the two of you to walk under. (And don’t worry: I’ll actually ask your guests to throw it UP – and not in your faces)

This is a great option, because it gets everyone involved – which in turn will lead to your guests having more fun and you getting better photos. It’s also the cheapest option, since confetti cannons usually cost a bit more than regular old confetti.

You can also choose to have confetti cannons (and again: I’ll have your guests shoot it UP in the air). Although it doesn’t involve your guests the same way, it does tend to get the confetti higher up in the air, giving you more time to enjoy the experience. Plus, it also ensures – quite literally – that you’ll start your celebrations with a bang.

Whichever option you end up choosing, you’ll want to make sure that your confetti shower lasts as long as possible. This will give you more time to enjoy the experience. And it will give me – your wedding photographer – more time to capture a few breathtaking moments of the two of you having fun together.

A great way to do this is by having your guests keep on throwing confetti in the air multiple times. Now, if your budget is tight or you don’t have a lot of confetti, you can always just ask the people on the edges of the line closest to you to keep on throwing confetti after the initial throw. Trust me: this will still give off that lush look on your photos!

5. Have fun

Finally, don’t forget to have fun.

I mean, if you’re not enjoying yourselves during one of the highlights of your beautiful day – then what’s the point?

So, embrace every second of this unique experience. Hug each other, or do a dip-kiss, or high-five your guests. Pick your favourite song, strike a pose, or do a little dance. Be goofy or be romantic – your choice. Just be yourselves.

And while you’re having the time of your lives, make sure to walk slowly – for your photographer’s sake.

Because while you’re making your way through your guests, getting showered with confetti, I’ll be walking backwards capturing every second of your epic moment. And I really – really – don’t want your wedding to be “the wedding where I fell on my ass”.

So walk slowly. Be yourselves. And keep the good vibes going.

And there you have it, my top 5 tips on what to consider when planning your confetti shower at your wedding. While confetti is always fun, implementing these tips will ensure that you’ll not only have a blast with confetti – but also get the perfect confetti photos that we all dream of.

And if you’re still looking for the perfect photographer in the Albury-Melbourne area to capture your magical day, feel free to reach out! Your date just might be available – in which case I’d be honored to be your wedding photographer and help you document the happiest day of your lives.