How To Get The Perfect Confetti shot | From a Wedding Photographer’s POV
The famous confetti shot at a wedding is literally my favourite photograph of the day! It’s my favourite moment, its by far the most colourful and celebratory moment! It also can make the most incredible wedding photographs ever, when it’s done right.
There are lots of ways that your confetti shot can go well, but there’s also things that can really make it a bit lacklustre. I’m going to list a few ways that can help ensure your confetti shot is going to be the best it can be:
1. BUY MORE CONFETTI
There is no such thing as too much confetti on your wedding day. If there is spare after your confetti throw, we can use that for your group shots with your family and friends, we can use it for more couple shots. There won’t be any that goes to waste, so if in doubt, just buy more!
2. GET THE MOST COLOURFUL CONFETTI
Sure white confetti is nice, and it does look great in a monochrome wedding, but to really make that confetti shot pop, go for the bright coloured confetti! You can even mix colours to match your wedding colour palette. I will put my confetti recommendations of where to buy the best confetti at the end of this blogpost.
3. GRAB TWO HANDFULS
This is related to point 1, because you need a lot of confetti for this. It is also really importatn for micro weddings as you will have less people throwing the confetti. Two handfuls really create more impact when thrown.
4. PUT IT IN A BIG BASKET
I would recommend avoiding putting confetti into little packets on the seats at your wedding. Same with cones, instead, just get a big basket or two, fill it with confetti. It makes it so much easier for your guests to grab after the ceremony. It also means you won’t have people waving little white bags around in the back of all your confetti photographs. Believe me, the number of times I see guests throwing the bag at the couple instead of the confetti is insane!
5. CONFETTI CANNONS
These can be amazing! Again, go for bright coloured cannons and buy big ones. The ones you can buy on Amazon most likely aren’t biodegradable and are filled with shiny foil strips – do not buy these. Buy form a reputable company (listed below). The bigger ones are the best and give them to people you trust will pop them at the right time!
Confetti cannons can be amazing, unless it’s windy! If it’s windy, save them for your first dance if the venue allows for it. If not, we can use for couple’s shots instead.
6. ELOPING? STILL GET CONFETTI
I have photographed so many tiny micro weddings and elopements, and you can still have an incredible confetti shot. I have even previously got a passerby to pop a cannon on a couple in York before. We can get the confetti shot of your dreams at every single wedding!
Finally, there are things you can do if your venue doesn’t allow confetti. These could include bubble guns – personally I don’t find these very environmentally friendly with all the little pots of bubbles that will inevitably get thrown away. You could use little felt coloured pompoms which looks really cute and very colourful! You could do smoke bombs if you’re in a safe space and away from other people. There’s usually always something you can do to add some colour to your wedding photography, I’m always up for new ideas too!
7. GET IT RIGHT
You only have one take at this, so it’s super important you’re aware of what your face and body is doing in these moments. When around 100 people are gearing up to throw stuff at your face, the instinct is to retreat and crease up your face – you must RESIST this! Chins up, smile and look forward and try really hard to not wince – confetti isn’t going to hurt you! Another thing, hold hands, stay together, get through the confetti line together!
8. ADD A LITTLE ROMANCE
Half way down the line, stop and have a kiss, maybe even a dip kiss! Not only does this look great, it’s also gives the photographer and videographer chance to get ahead of you walking. Believe me, there is nothing harder as a wedding photographer at a wedding, walking backwards in the confetti throw and trying to not trip and fall over in front of 100 people. If there’s steps too? Absolute chaos! Give us a chance, walk slow and kiss half way down 🙂
Finally, there are things you can do if your venue doesn’t allow confetti. These could include bubble guns – personally I don’t find these very environmentally friendly with all the little pots of bubbles that will inevitably get thrown away. You could use little felt coloured pompoms which looks really cute and very colourful! You could do smoke bombs if you’re in a safe space and away from other people. There’s usually always something you can do to add some colour to your wedding photography, I’m always up for new ideas too!
Here’s a few examples of confetti shots from the last year or so as inspiration! For more wedding tips and content from real weddings, check out more posts here.
The BEST Confetti you can buy is paper confetti and I recommend buying from the following companies:
