One of the coolest wedding trends this year is the grand wedding sparkler send off: give each of your guests a sparkler to light as you make your procession — like your own personal fireworks! It’s fun, it’s memorable, and it looks amazing in pictures.
However, finding quality wedding sparklers might not be as straightforward as it seems. As more people jump on this trend, more companies are trying to sell discount products to entice those wedding planners on a budget (i.e., all of us!), but sometimes those products can be shoddy. One thing you do not want to skimp on for your wedding is the pyrotechnics!
The first thing you’ll notice when you start shopping for sparklers is that there are two principal types: bamboo and wire sparklers. What’s the difference, and which one should you choose? Here’s the breakdown of what you need to know:
- Cost: Bamboo sparklers are definitely more affordable than wire. Bear in mind your budget and how many guests you have attending: the average list is 136 guests, but if you order sparklers for just 75% of your party, you should have more than enough.
- Burn time: The amount of time each sparkler lasts really depends more on the length than the build. Wedding sparklers typically have three options: both 10 and 20-inch sparklers have a burn time of 2.5 minutes, and 36-inchers can last up to four minutes each. Bamboo or wire doesn’t necessarily make a difference.
- Safety: Now, this is the big one. Bamboo sparklers are known to smolder and produce more smoke than wire sparklers. That may not be what you want to have around your expensive wedding dress. Additionally, bamboo falls apart more easily when waved around — which is precisely what people instinctively do when handed a sparkler. Wire is the best option in the safety category, hands down.
If cost is really your main concern or reason for choosing bamboo, you may want to reconsider wedding sparklers altogether. Particularly if you have young guests, wire sparklers offer more peace of mind and safety for everyone. Don’t play with fire on your wedding day!
