So you’ve just said your I do’s, you’re walking back down the aisle and you are about to do your confetti shot. It might seem pretty straight forward, it but there are a few ways this could go. Hopefully these tips will help you get the exact shot you are picturing in your wedding video.
There are two styles you could go for. I’m calling them the ‘crowd around’ style and the ‘walk through’ style. Here are some examples of how they look on video.
Pros:
Most of your guest’s faces will appear when you pass them
It is shot with a stabilising gimbal so there will be an extra bit of smooth movement and style in your video
Because it is a longer shot, there is more opportunity to get the perfect reaction
The longer take will be up to 10 seconds in your video.
Cons:
It takes a while to organise everyone into their queues
You have to ‘act’ for longer. You need to smile at each other, look at your guests, look up at the confetti, all the while trying not to look put off by the hurling bits of confetti.
It takes up more room. For example if the ceremony location has a skinny walkway, there won’t be room for the two rows.
Pros:
It is way faster to get people into position. It doesn’t need to be everyone either. It works with just the bridal party or family
It is easier for the couple because all they have to do is get into position (smile to camera, forehead to forehead, a kiss) and then they wait for the confetti bomb.
Cons:
It’s fast. Like 2-3 seconds. What if you make a weird face or the confetti drops really fast? There is no way to edit around it.
It is a less dynamic shot. Because it so quick the camera can’t zoom in or get it from a different angle. It is what it is.
It will not take up much space in your edit.
Universal Confetti Tips
Big bits of confetti. They look better on camera and little bitty bits of lavender get caught in your hair, veil and any lace you might have on your wedding dress. Not a good look for the rest of the day. Plus they drop really fast. We want something that is going to float a bit.
If your venue only allows biodegradable confetti, consider buying some roses a few weeks before the wedding and pulling off the petals and letting them dry. You get great colours, they are big enough to look fab and they don’t just drop straight away. If you have got too much on your plate to DIY it, consider getting in touch with Dollz Confetti https://dollzconfetti.co.uk/ who have loads of options including biodegradable paper and glitter. I’m just a big fan of theirs.
When it comes to distributing the confetti to your guests, putting it all in basket and asking everyone to take a handful is the best option. It eliminates cones or sachets from the shot which just looks nicer. But get more than you think you’d need, just in case. If you want everyone to have a little container of confetti I recommend cones over sachets. The confetti leaves the cone easier, allows for more height and there is no risk of your guests trying to shake the bits like they would with plastic sachets. Plus paper is the new plastic, am I right?
Confetti Cannon. If the venue allows it, commission some trustworthy bridal party members to fire the cannon. They get amazing height so we can get a wider shot and they add a bit more than just normal confetti. If it’s your style, a confetti canon during the first dance goes down a treat too.
Alternatives to Confetti like bubbles, paper air planes, twirling ribbons, and popcorn all add an extra bit of personality and will elevate your wedding film.
Thanks for reading. If you have any questions or want to chat things through with a videographer who has seen their fair share of confetti shots please get in touch. No matter what you decide I’m sure it will be lovely and you will have such a beautiful day. Happy planning!
ELLYN COOK
