Newer blog post
more in Blog
Older blog post
Newer blog post by Mrs. Snow Cone
more by Mrs. Snow Cone (oldest)
Older blog post by Mrs. Snow Cone
Mrs. Snow Cone's Picture
Mrs. Snow Cone, Pittsburgh/Johnstown, PA Age and Occupation: 23, Public Health Graduate Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Engineer Engagement Date: April 9, 2010 Wedding Date: August 2011 Venue: OMOS Church ceremony/Sunnehanna Country Club reception About Me: I’m one of the lucky ones---I met my future husband at the ripe old age of 13, started dating him as a mature woman of 15, and have been enjoying the ride ever since. Here we are, 8 years later, living in Pittsburgh, planning a "homestination" wedding in the place our school romance began---Johnstown, PA. I thrive on talking a mile a minute, eating my weight in chocolate, and internet shopping. I love a lengthy to-do list almost as much as I love a healthy amount of chaos in my life. Mr. Snow Cone and I watch countless episodes of Friends and The West Wing on repeat, root for rival college sports teams, and make each other laugh each and every day. We’re putting together a small-town wedding with a big personality and a classically modern (or modernly classic?) look for 250 of our closest family and friends. It’s been 8+ years in the making, and sometimes I still can’t believe I’m finally getting to marry my high school sweetheart!
About Mrs. Snow Cone

Sparklers Stink.

June 23rd, 2011 @ 6:05 pm by Mrs. Snow Cone

I’m pleased to report that the entire wedding planning process has gone pretty smoothly.  Minus a few stressful moments, I feel like things have fallen into place nicely, and usually without too much labor on anyone’s part.  We are well on our way to creating the event we’ve always wanted, and that, in and of itself, is a victory.  Despite all of our successes, one recent failure has me licking my bridal wounds.  I feel stupid complaining that one tiny detail isn’t going our way whenever we’ve nailed down a great photographer, a perfect dress, an awesome bridal party, dashing men’s attire, and the list goes on an on.  Nevertheless, hard as I try, I cannot shake this one source of heartache.  The culprit?  Sparklers.

Simply stated, sparklers were persona non grata in my home growing up. Parents Snow Cone agreed that giving a flaming stick to a child of any age was probably not the best decision in the history of parenting.

Despite my inexperience with these little fire-sticks, I was still enamored. I loved the way they looked in photos, and I pretty much made it my mission to use them for a grand wedding exit (never mind the fact that the grand wedding exit doesn’t even exist yet). I wasn’t sure how this idea would go over with the parentals or Mr. Snow Cone, so I decided to dream and scheme from afar before making my pitch to them. Well, I never even got to that point. Instead, my sparkler dreams got extinguished (haha, I made a funny) by our on-site coordinator. She summarily stated that handing fire-sticks to people after giving those same people hours of access to an open bar was probably not the best decision in the history of weddings. Sparklers officially were stricken from the Snow Cone wedding, before they were even officially included.

Rationally, I know that this idea posed a supreme fire hazard. I also know that you run the risk of singing your dress with sparklers, and I am not interested in that. Grumpily, I’m pouting that hundreds of other brides at hundreds of other venues gave the go-ahead for sparkler action at the conclusion of the reception. Now I’m confused if I even want or need a grand send-off. It’s almost as if now that sparklers aren’t a possibility, the send-off in its entirety goes right down the drain with the fire-sticks. I know that other possibilities exist, like ribbon wands and bubbles, but nothing really makes my eyes light up (haha, funny #2) like the thought of a sparkler send-off.

In order to be as masochistic as possible, I’ll leave you with a sampling of photos that made my heart go pitter-patter for months on end. Harrumph.

Sparklers Stink. :  wedding decor pittsburgh Sparkle sparkle

Image via Intimate Weddings / Photo by Swensen Photography

Sparklers Stink. :  wedding decor pittsburgh Sparkle01 sparkle01

Image via Intimate Weddings / Photo by Stephen Seward

Sparklers Stink. :  wedding decor pittsburgh Sparkle02 sparkle02

Image via Bridal Inquirer / Photo by Melanie Mauer

Sparklers Stink. :  wedding decor pittsburgh Wedding wedding

Image via and Photo by Luster Studios

Sparklers Stink. :  wedding decor pittsburgh Wedding01 wedding01

Image via Sparkle.com / Photo by Shannon Ho Photography

Sparklers Stink. :  wedding decor pittsburgh 112

Image via and Photo by David Wittig Photography

Sparklers Stink. :  wedding decor pittsburgh 35 Nash 35-Nash

Image via and Photo by Joshua Gill Photography

How do you handle wedding planning disappointment? Any super-awesome send-off ideas or photos out there? And, best of all, anyone have a miserable experience with a sparkler exit that could help me get over this heartache?

Tags: , |
advertisement below
Newer blog post
more in Blog
Older blog post
Newer blog post by Mrs. Snow Cone
more by Mrs. Snow Cone (oldest)
Older blog post by Mrs. Snow Cone

34 Responses to “Sparklers Stink.”

1 2 

1.
Guest Icon
Guest
MySunshine

Our sites (both ceremony and reception) have nixed any and ALL forms of send off showering (sparklers . Bubbles. Rice. Confetti. Bird seed…etc)… It’s very very frustrating and I am currently debating paying fines for breaking the rules to be perfectly honest… Hehe…

Good luck!

 
2.
KnisleyToBee
Member
KnisleyToBee (message)  844 posts, Busy bee

I wanted a sparkler-send-off, too!

They are so mesmerizing and magical! But, I’m not sure I want it due to possible accidents, burns, etc. And I really hate the zing of getting some sparks on my skin. I’ve also heard of mishaps where some sparklers don’t work.

I am sorry–if you haven’t already, maybe I can suggest driving away in a luxurious dream car (if its in your budget)…? Your guests can even release FIREFLY BUGS in the air! Well, I don’t even know if that’s even possible but I thought I’d give it a try. Maybe it would be something worth researching?

~Best wishes. Sparklers or not, I’m sure love will be making sparks in the air! :)

 
3.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Macarons (message)  235 posts, Helper bee

I really REALLY wanted a sparklers but they’re not allowed at our venue either. We can sulk together!

 
4.
Member Icon
Member
Taurus_17 (message)  40 posts, Newbee

Hey guys! The 3rd last picture only shows a few people holding sparklers…how hard would it be to grab a few people at the end of the evening and sneak out somewhere nearby to recreate the shot?

Or, even add it to the dress trashing photo shoot?

 
5.
ladyliath
Member
ladyliath (message)  37 posts, Newbee

I am a bad bride and I am probably going to be kicking myself later for this but I totally did not check with our wedding venue about sparklers and ordered them anyways! They are the super long burning kind too. I pretty much plan on throwing a epic bridezilla tantrum if the Event Coordinator says anything. There is a public beach right next to the venue so I figure we can go down there if its REALLY a problem with the college. Crossing my fingers though that everything works out!

 
6.
cr6zy
Member
cr6zy (message)  1,187 posts, Bumble bee

we wanted sparklers too but it wasnt the site that killed our dream it was the state lol. az is in a high fire danger till basically the end of time so we couldnt have sparklers even if we wanted :-(

 
7.
Mrs. Jaguar
Bee
Mrs. Jaguar (message)  4,656 posts, Honey bee

Aw SC I’m sorry! I. Refused to compromise o n sparklers and even though we couldn’t do them at the church, I made sure we did them at the venue at night. If they had said no, I would have literally dragged my guests outside the grounds and onto the sidewalk to have our big exit!!! Hehe

 
8.
xtatic1
Member
xtatic1 (message)  778 posts, Busy bee

I soooo want sparklers too! I haven’t asked yet but we are getting married at a winery and I know if I owned a winery I wouldn’t want drunk wedding-goers burning down my vineyard, so I am assuming it is a no. I already made ribbon wand and will throw in some bubbles as well and just try not to think about the pretty sparklers.

 
9.
Guest Icon
Guest
jj

i went to a wedding with sparklers and everyone lit them…BUT the bride and groom didn’t come out right away so half of the sparklers were already burnt out by the time they exited….so i don’t know how the pictures turned out but they were fun to light, at least.

 
10.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Pony (message)  4,174 posts, Honey bee

I love the pictures, and it sucks that you can’t have sparklers. We can’t do them either, so I let that dream die a long time ago. Try not to be too sad and buy yourself something pretty, that always works for me ;)

 
11.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Hyena (message)  1,882 posts, Buzzing bee

So I was going to help brainstorm, but then I saw your first inspiration picture and my first thought was “ROMAN CANDLES!” except that is even MORE super dangerous than sparklers, so don’t listen to a word I say. :)

 
12.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Pain au Chocolat (message)  1,698 posts, Bumble bee

One of our guests singed her hair with (her own) sparkler. I haven’t inspected my gown yet, but I think we escaped unscathed.

 
13.
Mrs. Elephant
Bee
Mrs. Elephant (message)  6,182 posts, Bee Keeper

Boo :( I’m sorry you don’t get to use them. I was a big fan of the sparkler send offs!

 
14.
mariewest
Member
mariewest (message)  271 posts, Helper bee

I’ve only been to one wedding with sparklers and it wasn’t even for the send off (there wasn’t a grand exit). By the time the sparklers came out, everyone had already gone back to their rooms and changed into jeans and out of formal wear (the wedding was in a lodge where the guests were all standing). It was neat, but nothing crazy.

I like the idea of doing a recreation with sparklers if you can’t do them at the venue.

 
15.
lisaelanna
Member
lisaelanna (message)  315 posts, Helper bee

So maybe you’ll think this is dumb but i’m just trying to brainstorm a little on this…i remember when i was a kid, that my mom would give these flashlight things that had a topper with a bunch of optic fiber strands at the top out as party favors at bday parties etc. the optic fibers spread out into a dome shape and when u turn it on they almost sparkle bec of how the light travels to.the end of the strand. You can get them in all different colors too. Definitely not as cool as sparklers (I’m banned from them too) but i bet they would still make for some cool pics and have a similar look and feel. Pretty sure Oriental Trading Company sells some. Id get u a link but im on my phone and im having a difficult time searching with my phones finicky signal. Good luck!

 
16.
Member Icon
Member
Missbliss (message)  784 posts, Busy bee

I love the look of sparklers, but I can see the danger too! However the possiblity of just a couple sparklers sounds like a clever solution! I also think you should be sure that you are allowed to have them in your wedding location! State laws can totally ruin your plans! Last year, I realized that the state that I vacation in has a no sparkler no fireworks law!

 
17.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Funnel Cake (message)  690 posts, Busy bee

Ahhh sparklers. I wanted them too SC. :( My father is an eye doctor so there is always a big resounding NO accompanying them. They just don’t do them…

 
18.
Member Icon
Member
solsticedark (message)  92 posts, Worker bee

I love sparklers, to this day when I light one I get all giddy and start spinning aorund in circles giggling like a five year old.
But there are horror stories attaced to them. I have a scar on my leg from a sparkler, have burnt my hair more then once, ect. Plus sense the burn at such a high temp, if the embers land on your dess you could end up being a flaming bride.

 
19.
Mrs. Tartlet
Bee
Mrs. Tartlet (message)  3,207 posts, Sugar bee

I drooled over many of the same photos, but alas–a sparkler send-off was not for me, either. I’m sorry your venue won’t permit it! :(

 
20.
Guest Icon
Guest
Courtney

Our venue was a historic house, so sparklers were banned. Instead, we used these at our wedding three weeks ago:

http://www.virginiatoy.com/White-Fiber-Wand-p/12fb6w.htm

Haven’t gotten the pictures back, but they looked good in person! I’ll try to remember to post a link when they’re up, but in case I forget, here is our photogs’ blog: http://paperlilyphotography.com/blog/

 
1 2 

Leave a Reply


You can also just...

Newer blog post
more in Blog
Older blog post
Newer blog post by Mrs. Snow Cone
more by Mrs. Snow Cone (oldest)
Older blog post by Mrs. Snow Cone

Visit our sister sites eHarmony
Online Dating
eHarmony Advice
Dating Advice
Project Wedding
Wedding Songs
JustMommies
Pregnancy Calendar

Copyright 2004-2012, Weddingbee.com
 

Find your vendors on Weddingbee

Real reviews from brides in your area!

Favors by Weddingbee

  • Favors by season

Shop Now »

Mrs. Snow Cone
Mrs. Snow Cone

Mrs. Snow Cone, Pittsburgh/Johnstown, PA Age and Occupation: 23, Public Health Graduate Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Engineer Engagement Date: April 9, 2010 Wedding Date: August 2011 Venue: OMOS Church ceremony/Sunnehanna Country Club reception About Me: I’m one of the lucky ones---I met my future husband at the ripe old age of 13, started dating him as a mature woman of 15, and have been enjoying the ride ever since. Here we are, 8 years later, living in Pittsburgh, planning a "homestination" wedding in the place our school romance began---Johnstown, PA. I thrive on talking a mile a minute, eating my weight in chocolate, and internet shopping. I love a lengthy to-do list almost as much as I love a healthy amount of chaos in my life. Mr. Snow Cone and I watch countless episodes of Friends and The West Wing on repeat, root for rival college sports teams, and make each other laugh each and every day. We’re putting together a small-town wedding with a big personality and a classically modern (or modernly classic?) look for 250 of our closest family and friends. It’s been 8+ years in the making, and sometimes I still can’t believe I’m finally getting to marry my high school sweetheart!

Boards
Classifieds

Blog Calendar
February 2012
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
2930311234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
26272829

Weddingbee Bios
Wiki
More