If you're wondering what type of confetti looks best in wedding photos, my favourite is
biodegradable rice paper confetti.
After photographing more than 400 weddings, I think it creates some of the best confetti photos. It floats beautifully, creates incredible movement and colour, and adds so much fun and energy to the moment.
It's also accepted at many venues that don't allow traditional paper confetti.
If you're looking for a supplier, I recommend rice paper confetti from The Whole Bride, an Australian supplier I've seen lots of couples use over the years..
Use the code PHOTOGERSON to save 15%
THE BEST CONFETTI FOR WEDDING PHOTOS
Is confetti worth having?
You don’t actually need to have confetti, but it looks incredible and it’s such a fun way to end your ceremony.
It can be one of the happiest moments of the day - with your family and friends are cheering and laughing as you’re walking back up the aisle as newlyweds.
From a photographer’s perspective, I love the celebration, the joy and the colour of this moment.
If you want something a bit extra, then this is how you want your ceremony to end.
Rice paper confetti stays in the air longer
This is the biggest difference.
Rice paper confetti floats and drifts rather than dropping straight to the ground. This gives your guests more time to throw it, and it gives me more chances to capture those epic confetti photos.
You don't need perfect timing from every guest because the confetti floats around you for those few extra seconds.
It’s biodegradable
Rice paper confetti is made from starch and food colouring, so it breaks down naturally after your wedding.
It’s one of the reasons it works so well for outdoor venues like beaches and wineries.
It’s always worth checking with your venue first, as some have their own preferences around confetti.
The only thing to be aware of is that, like any coloured confetti, it’s best suited to dry weather. If it gets wet, the colours can sometimes bleed or transfer onto fabrics as the confetti starts to break down.
What about flower petals?
Flower petals look beautiful too.
If your venue only allows fresh or dried petals, don't stress. You'll still get lovely photos.
The main difference is that petals tend to fall much more quickly, so you usually need a bit more of them to create the same effect.
My recommended supplier
If you're in Australia, I recommend The Whole Bride
Lots of my couples have ordered their confetti from them over the years, and it's consistently photographed really well.
They also stock dried flower petals if your venue doesn't allow rice paper confetti.
If you order through them, you can save 15% with the code PHOTOGERSON
How to get the best confetti photo as you walk up the aisle
Cool, so you’ve got your confetti sorted. Now it’s time for the actual walking up the aisle bit.
You know those amazing photos you see of a newly married couple being showered with confetti?
Some of these tips might be obvious, but here’s some tricks to nail that shot.
Get heaps of confetti
It doesn’t matter what type of confetti you get - the secret it to have lots of it.
Get way more than you think you’ll need and you won’t regret it.
Buy an extra bag or two.
Have someone hand out your confetti when you are signing your marriage certifcate
There’s no need to hand out confetti at the start of the ceremony.
It means everyone is awkwardly holding confetti all ceremony and it makes it tricky for them to clap and cheer for you.
I think it works better to stash the confetti under a chair at the front of the ceremony.
When you are signing your wedding certificate at the end of the ceremony, ask a couple of bridespeople / sisters / friends to walk up the aisle and hand it out to everyone.
Cones v Handfuls
So, you need somewhere to store all of this confetti!
The cones look great, and they’re pretty handy, but when it comes to the actual throwing, you want people to have a big handful of confetti.
You can have some cones, or you can have a couple of baskets of confetti and tell everyone to grab heaps of it.
Don’t have the confetti in little bags. People try and shake them out of the bag and it never really works well.
It’s nice when your celebrant says a few quick things
Once you’re ready to walk up the aisle, usually your wedding celebrant will give your guests a few quick tips:
Pour the confetti out of any cones and into their hands
Throw it up high in the air, not at your faces. We want it to float down in front of you
It’s always heaps better if people are standing up and ready to throw before you start walking up the aisle. If your guests are seated the confetti thing doesn’t work as well
Look up!
Once everyone starts throwing stuff in the air, your natural instinct might be to look down at your feet.
Sometimes brides will hold their bouquet in front of their face like a shield. It just means you won’t get that photo you were hoping for.
Smile, look up, look at each other, laugh your head off.
Bonus points if you stop halfway up the aisle for a kiss or a dip
I really like this - it looks cool AF.
Someone should be handing you a glass of champagne any second now, music will be pumping, go and hug your friends and family and get the party started!
Where to buy wedding confetti
In Australia, I recommend The Whole Bride. They sell rice paper confetti and dried flower petals.
If you use the discount code PHOTOGERSON you’ll save 15% across their entire store.
