Secret Tips on How To Get Incredible Confetti Photos At Your Wedding
Confetti photos are one of the most joyful moments of any wedding day. They are colourful, chaotic, emotional and full of genuine laughter. All of your guests in one place celebrating with you as your first steps as a newly wed couple! As a wedding photographer it is one of my favourite moments to capture because it brings everyone together for a short burst of celebration. (And come on, who doesn't love a confetti shot?!)
The only downside is that confetti moments are usually very quick. The entire thing might last less than a minute, which means a little bit of planning can make a huge difference to the final photos.
After photographing weddings across Yorkshire and the UK I have seen hundreds of confetti moments and I have learned that a few simple things can completely transform how these photos look. If you are planning your wedding and want those epic confetti tunnel photos you often see online, these tips will help you make the most of the moment.
Why Confetti Wedding Photos Are So Special
There are certain moments during a wedding day that naturally create amazing photos but confetti is often the moment where the energy of the day really explodes. Guests are cheering, couples are laughing and colour is flying through the air everywhere. Unlike posed photos this moment is completely natural which is why confetti photos often end up being some of the most loved images from the entire day. For couples who want fun colourful relaxed weddings, confetti moments are perfect because they capture genuine emotion and excitement!
How Much Confetti Should You Get For Your Wedding?
(Probably alot more than you think…)
The biggest mistake I find that couples make when planning confetti photos is simply not having enough confetti. When there is only a small amount it disappears in photos very quickly and falls straight to the ground. The dramatic confetti tunnel effect you see in great wedding photos only happens when there is a lot of confetti filling the air. A good rule of thumb is to give each guest two big handfuls. This ensures there is enough confetti flying around to create that colourful atmosphere around you as you walk through your guests. More confetti means more colour, more movement and much more exciting photographs.Choose Confetti That Actually Floats
Not all confetti behaves the same way and this makes a huge difference to how it looks in photos.
Large paper confetti or proper petals float through the air for longer which gives your photographer more time to capture those amazing moments.
Tiny dried flowers might look beautiful displayed in cones but they fall very quickly and often do not show up very well in photos. (This isn’t always the case as you can see in some of the photos in this blog post but I’d say large paper confetti never fails!)
If you want the classic confetti tunnel look where colour is floating everywhere around you then choosing the right confetti really matters.
Here’s my quick guide in numbers.
1 to 20 guests
Two handfuls of confetti per guest
For smaller weddings this is usually more than enough to create a beautiful confetti moment with plenty of colour in the air.
20 to 40 guests
Two handfuls per guest
Plus two Danny confetti cannons
Adding a couple of confetti cannons helps boost the effect and creates a fuller confetti tunnel as you walk through your guests.
40 to 80 guests
Two and a half handfuls per guest
Plus four confetti cannons
With this number of guests the confetti moment can look incredible, especially when combined with a few confetti cannons to fill the space with colour.
80 to 120 guests
Three handfuls per guest
Plus four confetti cannons
Larger weddings benefit from a little extra confetti to make sure the moment still looks full and vibrant in photos.
120 guests or more
Three handfuls per guest
Plus a mix of confetti cannons
With bigger wedding celebrations the combination of lots of confetti and a few well timed confetti cannons creates a spectacular moment that looks amazing in photographs.
My Go To Confetti Recommendation
If couples ask me where to get confetti from I always recommend Proper Confetti. They have a great range of colours and styles including paper confetti, petal confetti, rose petals and even custom confetti options, so you can match it to the look and colours of your wedding day.
Their confetti floats for a long time which makes a huge difference when it comes to photos. Instead of dropping straight to the ground it stays in the air long enough to create that full confetti tunnel look. It also means your photographer has much more time to capture the moment. As well as being able to match the colour to your wedding colour theme or alternatively a pop of colour for the confetti shot if you’ve gone for a neutral wedding!
Another great thing is that their confetti is biodegradable, which means most wedding venues are perfectly happy for couples to use it. That way you can have an incredible confetti moment without worrying about venue restrictions or cleanup afterwards.
Walk Slowly And Enjoy The Moment
Most couples rush through the confetti moment because they feel like everyone is watching them or they simply just don’t want to be covered in confetti (Understandable after paying so much for your hair, makeup and outfits for the day) But the best thing you can do is slow down. Walk slowly through your guests, stay close together and enjoy the moment. Look at each other, laugh and soak it all in. The slower you move the more time your photographer has to capture those genuine reactions and natural smiles.
Ask Guests To Throw Confetti Upwards
Another simple trick that makes a big difference is asking your guests to throw the confetti upwards rather than directly at you. When confetti is thrown upwards it floats down around you and fills the frame with colour. When it is thrown straight at you it tends to just hit your face and fall straight to the floor which does not create the same visual impact. Another good tip if you don’t actually want to be covered in confetti is tell you guests to throw the confetti between you and the photographer. this way you still get the same confetti whirlwind tunnel effect without the aftermath of finding confetti in your clothes for the next 24 hours.
Stop For A Kiss Halfway Through
One of my favourite tricks for incredible confetti photos is asking couples to stop halfway through the confetti tunnel and go in for a quick kiss. At that point the confetti is usually flying everywhere and it often creates one of the most iconic photos of the whole day!
Have Fun With It!
The most important thing to remember during your confetti moment is simply to enjoy it. You will probably make some completely ridiculous laughing faces and that is perfectly fine. In fact those are often the photos couples love the most because they feel real and full of emotion. Weddings are not about looking perfect every second. They are about celebrating with the people you love and capturing those genuine moments. The more relaxed and joyful you are, the better your confetti photos will be.
Confetti Photos In My Opinion Are One Of The Best Moments Of Your Wedding Day
Confetti photos are a perfect example of why I love documentary style wedding photography. They capture real reactions, real laughter and genuine excitement. With the right confetti, a bit of planning and a willingness to just enjoy the moment you can create some incredible photos that you will look back on for years. If you are planning your wedding and want relaxed, natural wedding photography that captures moments like this then feel free to get in touch.
Love The Look Of Confetti Photos Like This?
If colourful, chaotic confetti moments like this are exactly the kind of wedding photos you love, you are definitely my kind of couple. My approach to wedding photography is all about capturing the real moments as they happen. The big laughs, the confetti explosions, the emotional hugs and the slightly ridiculous faces that come from genuinely enjoying the day. I always aim to blend in like a guest rather than turning your wedding into a photoshoot, so you can focus on celebrating with your favourite people while I capture your wedding as it unfolds. If you are planning a wedding in Yorkshire or anywhere in the UK and love the idea of relaxed fun style photography that captures moments like this, I would love to hear more about your plans. You can get in touch here to check my availability and chat about your wedding day.