Updated: 4th March 2025
WEDDING PLANNING: 5 Tips For AMAZING Confetti Photos
planning a confetti shot for your wedding day?
In this handy guide, I’ll help you plan the most amazing and fun filled confetti moment.
Confetti photos are one of my most requested photos, and I absolutely LOVE capturing them! There’s nothing quite like the pure joy on couples’ and guests’ faces as the confetti flies—it’s such a vibrant, celebratory moment that always looks incredible in photos.
Fun fact: The word “confetti” actually comes from Italy, where sweets or plaster imitations were traditionally thrown at carnivals. Over time, flowers and rice became the go-to option for weddings, with rice symbolising fertility. However, since getting pelted with hard grains wasn’t exactly pleasant, paper confetti became popular—especially after France banned the use of plaster confetti.
These days, most couples opt for biodegradable petals or natural confetti for an eco-friendly touch.
Getting the perfect confetti shot takes a little planning to make it look truly epic.
If you’re including confetti in your day, let me know in advance so I can be ready for the big moment! A little bit of organisation goes a long way, and I’ve got plenty of tips to make sure your confetti moment is nothing short of spectacular.
Keep reading for my top confetti tips!
1. When to have your confetti photo
The best time for your confetti photo is when all your guests are gathered together, ensuring as many people as possible can join in the fun! A well-planned confetti moment not only looks stunning in your wedding gallery but also creates a joyful, celebratory atmosphere. There are a few tried-and-tested options that work brilliantly to give you the best experience and the most magical photos.
Walking Back Up the Aisle
One of the easiest and most natural ways to capture a confetti moment is as you walk back up the aisle together at the end of your ceremony. Provide your guests with confetti on their chairs in advance, and ask your officiant or wedding planner to encourage everyone to move in closer and throw it as you pass. This option works beautifully for both indoor and outdoor ceremonies, and since your guests are already in place, it requires minimal organisation. Plus, it keeps things moving seamlessly, allowing you to head straight into your drinks reception or couple photos afterward.
have a Confetti Tunnel
Another fantastic option is setting up a confetti tunnel just after your ceremony. This works especially well for outdoor weddings or if you want a more structured confetti shot. After you say your “I dos,” take a moment to hide away while your guests make their way outside. Your wedding party can hand out the confetti as I line everyone up in two rows, forming a fun tunnel for you to walk through. When everything is set, you’ll walk down the centre, showered in confetti and surrounded by cheers. If you’d like a big group photo with all your guests, this is a perfect time to do it—everyone is already gathered together!
Top tip: stop for a kiss or a romantic dip kiss for an iconic photo
Confetti during Your First Dance
If your venue has restrictions on outdoor confetti, don’t worry—you can still create a wow moment by incorporating confetti into your first dance! Confetti cannons are a great alternative and can add a magical touch to your dance floor photos.
Give a few to your wedding party, and plan a key moment in your song for them to release them. Let me know in advance so I can be in the perfect position to capture the moment as it happens! This option works especially well in the evening when dramatic lighting can make the confetti pop even more in photos.
No matter how you choose to include confetti in your day, a little planning goes a long way in creating those joyful, unforgettable shots!
micro -wedding or elopement ideas
If you’re having a smaller wedding or an elopement, you can still have an incredible confetti moment—just with a more relaxed, intimate vibe! With fewer guests, there’s no need for strict organisation, making it easy to have a spontaneous confetti photo with everyone gathered around you.
One of the best ways to do this is to have your guests (or even just your witnesses) throw confetti as you celebrate together after the ceremony. Since there are fewer people, we can get creative with angles and movement, capturing you laughing, twirling, or even throwing some confetti yourselves! If it’s just the two of you, consider bringing a handful of biodegradable petals or dried flowers to toss in the air for a romantic, carefree feel.
For an even more relaxed take, why not swap confetti with a champagne pop? Popping a bottle of bubbly creates a fun, celebratory atmosphere and makes for some epic, joyful photos. The beauty of a micro wedding or elopement is that everything feels more personal—so embrace the moment, enjoy the confetti, and let’s capture some unforgettable memories together!
2. Provide your guests with confetti
Gone are the days when guests would simply show up with a box of confetti—if you want those epic, picture-perfect confetti shots, it’s best to provide it for them!
Make it easy and fun by offering confetti in cones, pouches, or a big basket for guests to grab handfuls from. Your wedding party can help pass it around to make sure everyone gets involved. Whether you go for biodegradable petals, rice paper, or something a bit more unique, choosing the right confetti ensures a vibrant, joyful moment that looks incredible in photos!
3 . Bring way more confetti than you think you need
When it comes to confetti, more is always better! Whatever amount you think you need—double it. A generous handful creates a stunning, full effect in photos, making the moment even more magical. And if you really want to go all out, confetti cannons are a fantastic addition, ensuring a spectacular shower of colour and celebration!
4 . How to throw the confetti for the best photos
If you’re using confetti cones or pouches, ask your guests to take the confetti out and hold it in their hands before throwing—it makes for a much better effect in photos.
When it’s time for the big moment, encourage everyone to stand close together to create a more dramatic, immersive shot. The best technique? Throw the confetti up into the air rather than directly at your faces.
This allows it to float down beautifully, creating that dreamy, celebratory effect. Of course, a few cheeky face-fulls can make for some hilarious and spontaneous images too!
5. Make sure you have permission to throw it
Most importantly, soak in the moment! Confetti shots are pure joy—one of those unforgettable wedding day moments filled with laughter, cheers, and celebration. Don’t be afraid to really lean into it—hold hands, throw your arms up in the air, or even go in for a fun dip kiss as the confetti rains down around you. It adds a playful, romantic touch and makes for an absolutely stunning photo!
And don’t worry if you’re still finding bits of confetti for weeks afterward (I always end up with some in my camera bag!). That’s just part of the magic—a little reminder of the love and happiness that filled your day!
6. Enjoy the moment
Be sure to check with your venue about their confetti policy—most are happy with it but often require biodegradable confetti for environmental reasons. If confetti isn’t allowed, don’t worry! There are plenty of fun alternatives, like bubble guns for a whimsical touch or colourful ribbon wands for guests to wave as you walk past.
“Loraine did an amazing job photographing our wedding. Neither of us are that comfortable in front of the camera but Loraine made it feel very easy and at times, like during the speeches, I forgot she was even there! She captured exactly what we were looking for from the day and our photos really reflect the happiness of the day. Would not hesitate to recommend her!”
– KIRKNEWTON STABLES WEDDING
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EDINBURGH WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
Based in Edinburgh, Scotland. I capture wedding and elopement photography worldwide.
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