Nope, I’m not going anywhere. You can’t get rid of me that easily! What I’m referring to, of course, is our exit from the reception or, as our fabulous venue calls it, our “gala send off.” How fancy is that? It brings something like this to my mind:
 |
| Image via FoxNews.com |
I am definitely on board with anything that makes me feel like a princess (technically duchess, I suppose, but I’m sticking with princess), so a gala send-off it is!
We have a choice of using bubbles, rose petals, or sparklers. For those of you who are as impatient as I am, I won’t drag this out (because obviously wondering what item we are using at our send off would keep you up all night). For us, the choice was clear:
SPARKLERS. Before we get to the winner, let’s take a moment to appreciate the runner-ups.
First up: Bubbles.
 |
| Image via GrantIssacStudio.com / Photo by Grant Issac Studio |
I love how playful and fun bubbles are, and for me they immediately bring to mind fun childhood memories. A few concerns (and yes, these are totally crazy-bride-who-over-thinks-everything concerns): 1) Does the bubble juice get on your dress? I should probably be more concerned about spilling food on myself at dinner, but the thought of wearing my dress and purposely walking though any liquid, even when in tiny bubble form, makes me cringe a little bit. And 2) I wonder if the bubbles would work well outside after dark? I suppose there would be enough light around to provide some reflection, but I’m just not sure…
Next up: Rose Petals.
 |
| Image via LiveLaughCelebrate.com / Photo by Photography by Vanessa / Event by BZ Events |
A very classy, elegant option. Certainly not a bad thing, but not the first 2 words I would use to describe our wedding. I think rose petals could be beautiful in some situations, but they are a little too formal for us. Also, similar to the bubbles, I worry about how visible they would be outside in the dark. Hmm, what could possibly ease my concern and make a kick-butt statement outside in the dark? Oh, that’s right…
SPARKLERS!
Sparkler send-offs have become super popular, and we are SO jumping on that bandwagon. I love how they feel so celebratory and how they are so, well, sparkly! I have always been a huge fan of fireworks, and this seems like the perfect way to incorporate them into the wedding without paying for an actual fireworks display (speaking of cringing, I think Mr. D would have the big one if I added a fireworks show to the budget). If you have browsed similar sites as me, you have probably seen your fair share of sparkler exit inspiration pics, but here are a couple of my favs from our venue.
 |
| Image via EveryLastDetailBlog.com / Photo by The Collection / Event by Cedarwood Weddings |
 |
| Image via ILoveSWMag.com / Photo by Ulmer Studios / Event by Cedarwood Weddings |
And in case the sparkler exit is not arranged by your venue, here some tips on how to properly add some sparkle to your send off.
Are you having a gala goodbye? What are your thoughts on a sparkler send off? Any logistics to consider?
Love the sparklers!
We haven’t talk about the gala goodbye, to be honest this is the first time I’m heard of it. My FI will think it is stupid, but I’m digging it.
AH! I so want to jump on this bandwagon also…pictures of sparkler sendoffs are seriously amazing! I love them so much!
Sparklers weren’t an option for us with our location, but I would have been concerned about falling sparks hitting my dress!
We did a farewell circle to ‘Closing Time’ and then a spotlight dance with everyone standing around us in a circle to ‘Save the Last Dance for Me.’ My sister was standing in the part of the circle nearest the doors, and at the end of the song, she opened the circle and passed me my flowers as we ran out.
Unfortunately, we didn’t tell anyone in advance that we were going to do this, so there aren’t any pictures. Oops!
I love black and white sparkler photos, but our venue doesn’t allow them 
I Love Sparklers, I got married (the first time) in the 80′s and used rice, rice in July in not kind in the deep south. by the time we got to the hotel, the rice that had fallen into my dress was cooked! Sparklers are gorgeous and no ones going to throw one down your dress!!!
Wonderful choice!! I have a mini obsession with sparklers.. the thing is, I don’t know how we can incorporate them because, well, we’re not going anywhere. We’re staying at the venue that night so I guess people could just light them.. but really not as fun. Boo
Wish we could have done sparklers but our venue did not allow them – alot of pine straw around!
Similar to @christyhal we had a farewell circle to Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” – we chose this as our last song and our awesome DJ team set up the circle and had all the female guests run in and hug the groom, then all the male guests run in and hug me, then a huge group hug! Then my husband and I danced the rest of the song. It was one of my favorite moments of the night and I didn’t even know it was going to happen!
Our coordinator had everyone line up outside and handed out the 125 ribbon wands in blue and green (our wedding accent colors) I had made for our guests to wave at our departure. The pictures look great and I think it was my favorite solution to the no sparkers rule.
I would highly recommend the farewell circle and ribbon wands for brides who can’t do sparkers.
@Miss Fox:
I would recommend robbon wands as an alternative – we loved ours! see my post below and this picture:
I’m jealous of anyone that has sparklers at their wedding, they are just so magical!
Our sparkler send off was one of my favourite wedding day moments. You’ll love it!
@knvprincess143: Haha, Mr. D thinks probably wouldn’t have gone for it if it wasn’t included in the price!
@christyhal: Good point about the sparks – I will have to make sure the guests stand far enough away from me!
@pinkdiamonddolly: Oh no! I guess that would definitely be a con for rice, haha.
@Melissa: I love the ribbon wands! Those look awesome.
@Mrs. Jaguar: Ooh yay! I am so excited 
I do love the sparkler exit! We couldn’t do much at our venue so did water-soluble confetti, which worked just fine and wasn’t too $$ on etsy.
Regarding logistics, be careful using sparklers too close to a building. A friend of mine used sparklers near the hotel where she was had her reception and exited out the door. The smoke from the sparklers went inside the building and set off the fire alarms. Firetrucks were pulling up as the newlyweds were trying to pull away!
@Miss Fox: We aren’t leaving our venue either! However, I am using sparklers too! What I have decided is to have all the guest gather on the beach before the end of the night, and light their sparklers as we are lighting our wish lantern to send off. Maybe you can do that too? That way it won’t be strange cause you aren’t leaving, and you will still get your sparkler photos!
I love sparkler exits! Like some of the other commenters, though, my venue doesn’t allow them.
Mrs. Dalmatian, Nashville, TN Age and Occupation: 23, Pediatric Nurse Fiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Computer Engineer and Entrepreneur Engagement Date: April 13, 2011 Wedding Date: May 2012 Venue: Historic Cedarwood About Me: I am a Northern girl from Chicago who is planning a wedding filled with Southern charm in Nashville, Tennessee. I love dogs, the White Sox, Full House reruns, and anything with ruffles on it. Mr. Dalmatian is my computer-genius problem-solving fiance who is constantly teaching me new things and making me a better person. We live with our adopted pup Echo, who is very excited that his parents are getting married!
Latest Gallery Pics