The grand exit is 90 seconds that can produce the most dramatic photo of the entire wedding day. Or it can be a total mess. I've experienced both extremes, sometimes at the same wedding.
At a wedding last October, the sparklers lit perfectly, the couple walked slowly, my shutter drag caught gorgeous light trails, and the image looked like it belonged in a magazine. Three weeks later at a different venue, the sparklers were the wrong length and burned out before the couple got halfway through the line. Half the guests had already gone inside. The couple was walking through a half-dark tunnel of sad, smoking sticks. The photos were unusable.
The difference between those two experiences wasn't luck. It was planning. Exit photography requires more advance coordination than almost any other moment of the wedding day. The lighting is challenging, the timing is unforgiving, and you only get one take. But when you nail it, the exit photo becomes the last image in the album, the one that closes the story, the image people comment on first when they see the gallery. It's worth getting right.
Why the Exit Shot Carries So Much Weight
Think about the arc of a wedding day through photographs. It starts with quiet getting-ready details. Builds through the ceremony. Peaks at the portraits and reception energy. And the exit? That's the closing shot. The credits rolling. It carries the emotional weight of an ending, and couples intuitively understand that the send-off photo should feel like a celebration, like a beginning, like the two of them heading into their future with everyone they love cheering them on.
On social media, exit photos generate some of the highest engagement of any wedding image. Sparkler tunnels, confetti showers, and vintage car departures are visually striking in a way that stops the scroll. They're also the images most likely to make the photographer's portfolio front page, because the technical skill required to nail them is immediately obvious to anyone who knows photography.
For couples still deciding if a planned exit is worth the effort: yes. Absolutely yes. An unplanned exit is the couple sneaking out the back door to an Uber while half the guests don't notice. A planned exit gives you a memory, a moment, and a photograph that captures the feeling of your entire night in one frame.
Sparkler Exits: The Most Requested (And Most Difficult) Shot
Let me be upfront: sparkler exits are technically demanding. They happen in near-darkness, involve live fire, unpredictable guest behavior, and a 60-90 second window where everything has to come together. But the result, when executed well, is spectacular. Two people walking through a corridor of golden light, their faces frozen by flash while sparkle trails streak around them. It's the number one most requested exit style, and there's a good reason.
Here's the camera setup I use. I shoot with two bodies: one on a wide-angle (35mm) for the tunnel shot from the end of the line, and one on a 50mm for tighter shots as the couple passes. The wide camera is my primary. Settings: f/2.0, 1/30th shutter speed, ISO 1600, rear-curtain sync flash. This combination does two things simultaneously. The 1/30th shutter is slow enough to record the sparkler trails as ambient light streaks. The rear-curtain flash fires at the very end of that 1/30th exposure, freezing the couple sharp while everything around them blurs slightly. The effect is a sharp couple surrounded by a dreamy haze of golden light.
Critical Tip
Tell the couple to walk SLOWLY. Like, half their normal walking speed. Most couples rush through the sparkler line because they're excited and nervous. Fast walking means less time in the light tunnel, and at 1/30th shutter speed, a fast-moving subject creates motion blur that the flash can't fully correct. Slow and steady gets the shot.
The sparkler specifications matter more than most people think. Use 36-inch sparklers. This is non-negotiable. They burn for 3-4 minutes, which is enough time to get the full line lit, have the couple walk through, and pause in the middle for a kiss. I've been at weddings with 10-inch sparklers (about one minute of burn time) and by the time half the line was lit, the first sparklers were already going out. You end up with a patchy, half-dark exit that looks nothing like the Pinterest images the couple was hoping for.
Lighting the sparklers is its own operation. You need 2-3 designated lighters at the front of the line with long-reach lighters or torches. They light the first few sparklers, and guests pass flame down the line. This takes about 90 seconds for a line of 40-60 people. Do NOT send the couple out until the entire line is lit. I coordinate with the DJ on this: "I'll give you a thumbs up when the line is fully lit, then you announce the couple." That communication prevents the premature exit that kills half of all sparkler photos.
One more thing about sparklers: they're hot. Falling sparks can burn skin and singe clothing. Have guests hold sparklers at arm's length, angled slightly outward, not inward toward the couple. And give everyone a bucket of sand or water at the end of the line to drop their spent sparklers in. Littered sparkler sticks on the ground are a tripping hazard in the dark.
Confetti Tosses and Flower Petal Showers
Confetti exits are pure joy in a photograph. Colorful paper or biodegradable confetti fills the air, the couple is laughing, guests are throwing with abandon, and the images look like a celebration exploded around them. Technically, confetti is much easier to shoot than sparklers because it happens in daylight or well-lit environments.
My settings for confetti: f/4.0, 1/500th shutter speed (to freeze the individual pieces in the air), ISO 400-800 depending on light. I position myself low, shooting slightly upward so the confetti fills the sky above and around the couple. This perspective makes the toss look massive and immersive. A straight-on angle at eye level tends to show confetti as a flat wall of paper. From below, each piece gets dimensionality and you can see the sky between them.
The key to great confetti photos is a coordinated simultaneous toss. If guests toss at random, the confetti is sparse in every frame. Have the DJ count "3, 2, 1, THROW!" so everyone releases at the same moment. One massive burst looks a hundred times better than a scattered sprinkle over 15 seconds. If you have a second shooter, position them behind the couple for the reverse angle showing confetti from the couple's perspective with guests cheering behind.
Flower petal tosses create a completely different mood. Softer, more romantic, with petals floating rather than paper flying. Rose petals work best because they have enough weight to arc gracefully but are light enough to linger in the air. Dried lavender is popular but almost invisible in photos because the buds are too small. If the couple wants lavender for the scent, mix it with rose petals for visual impact.
A word of caution on venue rules: many indoor venues prohibit confetti because of cleanup. Outdoor venues are generally more flexible, especially with biodegradable options. Flower petals are typically the most venue-friendly choice since they decompose naturally. Always confirm exit materials with the venue coordinator before the wedding. I've seen couples show up with bags of confetti only to be told by the venue manager that they can't use it, leaving them scrambling for an alternative at the last minute.
Bubbles, Ribbon Wands, and Glow Sticks
Bubble exits look ethereal when you backlight them with an off-camera flash. Without backlighting, bubbles are nearly invisible in photos. With a single speedlight positioned behind and to the side of the exit line, each bubble becomes a glowing orb that catches the light. I set my flash to about 1/4 power, placed on a stand at the end of the bubble line, aimed back toward the couple. Exposure: f/2.8, 1/200th, ISO 800. The bubbles glow, the couple is lit, and the background falls dark. The effect is almost magical.
The practical challenge with bubbles is getting enough of them in the air at once. Those tiny wedding favor bubble bottles produce about three bubbles each. You need bubble guns, the battery-powered kind that produce streams of bubbles. Give 4-6 guests bubble guns positioned throughout the line, and you'll get enough density for a visually full frame. Without the guns, your exit photo will have the couple walking through six sad bubbles. I'm not exaggerating.
Ribbon wands are underappreciated. They're cheap (about $1 each), venue-friendly, reusable, and they create gorgeous flowing motion in photos. When guests wave them, the ribbons create colorful streaks and curves around the couple. I shoot these at 1/125th to 1/250th, fast enough to see the shape of the ribbon but slow enough that the ends show a hint of motion. They work at any time of day, indoor or outdoor, and there are zero fire or safety concerns.
Glow sticks work for nighttime exits when sparklers aren't allowed. Distribute them 10 minutes before the exit so guests can activate them. They produce a softer, more colorful light than sparklers. Neon greens, blues, and pinks create a rave-like energy that works well for couples who want something fun and modern. Camera settings are similar to sparklers but with less ambient light: f/2.0, 1/60th, ISO 3200, with flash to freeze the couple. The glow stick colors register as background ambiance while the flash does the heavy lifting on the subjects.
Smoke Bombs and Vintage Car Departures
Smoke bomb exits are dramatic and visually stunning, but they come with significant caveats. I use cool-burning photography smoke grenades (Enola Gaye is the most reliable brand). They produce thick, colored smoke for 60-90 seconds and don't generate significant heat. But they can stain light clothing, trigger fire alarms indoors, and many venues ban them outright.
If the venue approves smoke bombs and you're outdoors on a calm evening, the shots can be extraordinary. I position the couple with the smoke behind them, backlighting the smoke with a flash or using the setting sun. The smoke glows with color, the couple is silhouetted or front-lit, and the image has a density and mood that nothing else replicates. Settings: f/2.8, 1/200th, ISO 400 with flash. Shoot within the first 20 seconds of the smoke bomb deploying, when the plume is thick and concentrated. After that, it disperses and looks thin.
Fire safety is paramount. Only deploy smoke bombs on non-flammable surfaces (concrete, gravel, wet grass). Keep them away from the couple's clothing. Have a bucket of water nearby. And never use them in enclosed spaces or areas with dry brush. I carry a fire extinguisher in my car on wedding days when smoke bombs are planned. Better to have it and not need it.
Vintage car departures are some of my favorite exit moments to photograph because they give you three distinct shots: the car alone (before the couple gets in), the couple by the car, and the car driving away. I always shoot the car alone first as a detail image. Then the couple getting in, which is often full of laughter as the bride figures out how to fit her dress into a 1965 Mustang. Then a final shot of the car pulling away, ideally with a "Just Married" sign or trailing cans.
For the driving-away shot, I'll stand in the road about 100 feet ahead of the car (after confirming the route and ensuring it's safe), use a 70-200mm lens at f/2.8, and shoot continuously as the car approaches and passes. The compression of a telephoto lens makes the background feel close and intimate, and at f/2.8 the car and couple are sharp while everything behind blurs into a creamy wash of color. If it's twilight, the car's headlights and taillights add warm pools of light that look incredible in the final image.
Planning and Positioning the Exit Line
The exit doesn't just happen. It needs to be built. Here's the sequence I follow at every wedding with a planned grand exit, refined over years of trial and error.
Thirty minutes before the exit: I meet with the DJ and the coordinator. We confirm the exit style, the timing, and the logistics. I walk the exit path and identify my shooting positions. If it's a sparkler exit, I confirm that the sparklers, lighters, and disposal buckets are staged and ready. If there's a getaway vehicle, I confirm it's in position.
Fifteen minutes before: The DJ begins transitioning the energy. They might announce "last song" or start encouraging guests to gather near the exit. Designated helpers start distributing sparklers, confetti bags, or whatever the exit material is. I set up my camera with the correct settings and do test shots to confirm exposure.
Five minutes before: Guests are lined up in two parallel rows, 6-8 feet apart. That width is important. Too narrow and the couple feels crowded, too wide and the sparklers don't create an overhead canopy effect. If it's sparklers, the lighting crew starts from the end nearest to where I'm standing (the far end from the door), so by the time they work back to the door, the entire line is blazing.
The exit: I confirm the line is ready, give the DJ the signal, the couple is announced, and they walk out. I'm at the far end shooting toward them as they approach. If I have a second shooter, they're near the door getting the couple's entry into the line from behind.
The biggest mistake I see is the couple walking out before everything is ready. Sparklers not fully lit. Guests still shuffling into position. The photographer not in place yet. This ruins the shot because you can't restart it. I tell every couple: wait for my signal. Don't walk until I say go. That single instruction, communicated clearly during the timeline meeting, has saved more exit photos than any camera setting ever has.
Wedding Exit Photography FAQs
What camera settings work for sparkler exit photos?
f/2.0, 1/30th shutter (for sparkle trails), ISO 1600, with rear-curtain sync flash to freeze the couple while dragging the sparkler light.
The sparkler exit is a two-light problem: ambient sparkler light and flash on the couple. Use rear-curtain sync so the flash fires at the end of the exposure, freezing the couple sharp while the 1/30th shutter drags the sparkler light into streaks. Set your flash to TTL minus 1 stop to avoid blowing out the couple. Practice this setup before the wedding because getting the balance right between ambient sparkler glow and flash power takes experimentation.
How long should sparklers be for wedding exits?
36-inch sparklers that burn for 3-4 minutes. Shorter sparklers die before the couple makes it through the line, and that kills the shot.
36-inch sparklers are the standard for wedding exits. They burn approximately 3-4 minutes, which gives the couple time to walk the full line plus allows for a brief pause in the middle for photos. 20-inch sparklers burn only about 2 minutes, and 10-inch sparklers last roughly 1 minute. Anything shorter than 36 inches risks dying before the moment is over. Buy extra sparklers and light them in waves if the line is very long.
Are smoke bombs safe to use at wedding venues?
Only in open outdoor areas with no fire restrictions. Never use them indoors, near dry grass, or at venues that prohibit open flame or pyrotechnics.
Smoke bombs (specifically cool-burning photography smoke grenades from brands like Enola Gaye) are generally safe outdoors on concrete, gravel, or well-watered grass. They can stain light-colored clothing and surfaces, so warn the couple. Never use them indoors as the smoke triggers fire alarms and is a respiratory hazard. Many venues explicitly ban them, and some have fire restrictions that prohibit any smoke-producing device. Always get written venue permission first.
How do I position guests for the exit line?
Two parallel lines about 6-8 feet apart, close enough for sparkler light to reach the couple but wide enough to walk through comfortably.
Position guests in two facing lines, 6-8 feet apart, starting from the venue door and extending 30-50 feet toward the couple's exit point (car, pathway, etc.). Have the DJ instruct guests to hold sparklers up and away from the center, not pointed inward. Designate 2-3 people at the front to light sparklers and pass flame down the line. The photographer should be at the far end looking back toward the door so the couple walks toward the camera through the tunnel of light.
What are the best alternatives to sparkler exits?
Confetti tosses, bubble exits, ribbon wands, glow sticks, and flower petal tosses all photograph beautifully without fire safety concerns.
Confetti tosses (shot from below at f/4, 1/500th to freeze the pieces) create colorful, joyful images. Bubble exits need backlighting from flash to make bubbles glow. Ribbon wands create flowing motion when guests wave them. Glow sticks work at night for a colorful alternative to sparklers. Flower petal tosses give a romantic, soft look. Each has a different photographic approach and mood. Match the exit to the couple's style and venue restrictions.
How do I coordinate the exit timing with the DJ and venue?
Meet with the DJ 30 minutes before the exit, confirm the announcement, have someone distributing exit materials to guests, and position yourself before the couple walks out.
Coordinate the exit in advance: the DJ announces the exit and instructs guests to line up, a designated person distributes sparklers/confetti/etc., the photographer positions at the end of the line, a second shooter or assistant stays near the door for the opposite angle. Don't rush. Let the line form and light fully before sending the couple out. The biggest exit photography mistake is the couple walking out before the sparklers are fully lit.
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