There are SO many ways to plan a grand wedding exit. After a little research and years of photographing weddings, I’ve compiled a list of send-off & exit ideas to help you get creative with the way you leave your party!

Considering When You Want Your Send-off to Happen

Your send-off may be dependent on what your day looks like.

If you are eloping - you may have a handful of guests, or it could be just the two of you.

If you are having an intimate wedding - you may have a reception following the ceremony, or you may be departing from your guests following the ceremony.

If you are having a big wedding - chances are that you will probably have a reception following the ceremony with a large number of guests, but you may opt to have a grand exit after your ceremony rather than after the reception. Maybe you want to do both.

Venue/Location Friendly

Before deciding on your send-off idea, check with whatever location or venue you are having your wedding/elopement at. They may have laws, restrictions, or guidelines in place. Some places won’t allow sparklers or fireworks due to fire hazard. Some places won’t allow tossing of flower petals or bird/plant seeds if they are an invasive species to the area. Some places won’t allow anything that is not bio-degradable/environmentally friendly. This will help you decide if you need to consider alternatives!

Environmentally Friendly

I did mention a little in the last paragraph that some venues/locations will not let you do a send-off with anything that is not environmentally friendly. But please remember that no matter what type of send-off you are permitted, to clean up after using it. I’ve been to several parks where other photographers & their clients have left remnants of flower petals, glitter, confetti, trash, etc.
LNT (leave no trace) is very important.

User Friendly

Any send-off ideas that involve fire - sky lanterns, oil lamps, sparklers, candles, fireworks, & color/smoke bombs - need to be handled with instruction & care.

Budget Friendly

Your send-off does not have to break the budget, friend.

Sendoff Ideas

Toss - bird seed, leaves, hole-punched leaves, confetti, herbs, flower petals, dried flowers, feathers, colored sprinkles, oversized-glitter, sequins, rice, pom poms

Pop - confetti pops, flower pops, streamer cannons, champagne

Wave/Shake - ribbon wands, flags, hankerchiefs, maracas, lace/ribbon tambourines

Release - sky lanterns, bubbles, fireworks, color/smoke bombs, doves, butterflies, paper airplanes, balloons

Hold - glow sticks, oil lamps, sparklers, light sabres, LED sticks, candles, fiber-optic wands, bells, palm fronds, cell phones

Blend - combine a couple of these ideas

Hang - origami, streamers, balloons/balloon garland

Nothing - Hey, there is not a thing wrong with just having your people lined up & victoriously cheering for you!