Wedding Confetti: What Photographs Best (And What to Avoid)

If you’re planning your wedding and wondering what confetti to choose - this is for you.

As a wedding photographer, I can confidently say: confetti is one of the best moments of the entire day. It’s joyful, chaotic, full of movement… and it looks incredible in photos when it’s done well. I photograph weddings across Staffordshire and the West Midlands, and confetti is one of the moments couples tell me they’re most nervous - and most excited - about.

But not all confetti is created equal.

Here’s everything you need to know about choosing wedding confetti that photographs beautifully, plus a few common mistakes to avoid.

Why the Confetti Moment Is So Important

Your confetti walk is usually the first moment you’re officially married. Guests are excited, you’re smiling properly (not ceremony-nervous smiling), and everyone is genuinely celebrating you.

Photographically, it gives you:

• Movement

• Laughter

• Natural reactions

• Guests in the background

• A moment that feels alive

When couples skip confetti, they often don’t realise how much they’ll miss those high-energy, joy-filled images.

What Is the Best Confetti for Wedding Photos?

If you want confetti that looks amazing in photos, here’s what works best:

1. Real Flower Petals or paper Confetti

Big flower petals or (biodegradeable) paper discs are hands-down the best option.

Why?

• They’re larger, so they show up clearly in photos

• They float instead of dropping straight down

• They add colour and texture

• They’re biodegradable (most venues require this)

Those tiny dried flowers are harder to see in photos and get stuck in your hair!

If you’re choosing colours, go for:

• Light, bright shades (pinks, creams, yellows)

• Mixed colours for a fun look

• Avoid dark purple or brown tones unless they suit your theme

2. Go Bigger Than You Think

This is the mistake I see most often:

Couples order too little - guests take big handfuls and the confetti runs out before everyone gets to grab some.

For confetti to look full and dramatic in photos, you need:

• At least one large handful per guest

• Ideally two handfuls if possible

More confetti = better photos. Always.

3. The Confetti Line Matters as much as the Confetti

Even perfect confetti won’t look great if the setup isn’t right.

For the best photos:

• Guests should form two lines

• Close together (no gaps)

• Throw up high, not directly at your faces!

I always guide this on the day - but it helps if couples know in advance what makes it work.

What Confetti Should You Avoid?

Here’s what doesn’t photograph well:

❌ Tiny flowers

They drop quickly and get stuck in your hair/clothes/everywhere!

❌ Rice

Often not allowed by venues and doesn’t look great in pictures.

❌ Confetti Cannons (Usually)

They can look amazing in the right setting (the dancefloor!), but:

• They can be too forceful

• Often not biodegradeable

• Can block faces as they're very concentrated and have to be timed perfectly (I've seen so many groomsmen/bridesmaids unable to fire them and miss the moment)

If you’re considering these, I highly recommend saving them for the dancefloor for some epic first dance photos:

How to Get the Best Confetti Photos

Here are my top tips as a wedding photographer:

• Walk slowly - slower than feels natural

• Look at each other, not at the ground

• Don’t rush to the end

• Laugh, react, kiss halfway through

The Best Way to Hand Out Confetti (Skip the Cones)

This might surprise you, but the best confetti photos almost never come from individual cones or tiny bags - in fact, I often ask guests to empty the confetti into their hands.

They look cute in styling photos, but in real life:

• The confetti doesn't throw as nicely from a cone or bag

• The cones/bags end up all over the floor

• If they're plastic, this has an environmental impact

• There's always one guest that accidentally throws the cone/bag as well!

✔️ Use One Big Bucket or Basket of Confetti

A large bucket, basket, or bowl filled with loose petal confetti works so much better.

Why this works for photos:

• Guests naturally grab big handfuls (two if there's enough!)

• Confetti looks fuller and floats beautifully in the air

• Throws from hands look far more organic, joyful, and dramatic than anything coming out of cones or bags

• Quick, simple, and less faff for guests

You can place one basket at the ceremony exit, or two baskets (one on each side) if you have a lot of guests. Have a groomsman/bridesmaid ask people to grab a handful on their way out.

Your photos will thank you - nothing beats the movement, volume, and energy of confetti tossed from open hands.

When Should You Do Your Confetti Toss?

The best time is usually:

• Immediately after your ceremony

• While all your guests are together

• Before people disappear to the bar

This keeps the energy high and means no one wanders off.

If your venue has restrictions, we can always plan a confetti moment elsewhere.

Wedding Confetti Tips for Staffordshire Venues

Many Staffordshire wedding venues - from countryside barns to stately homes - require biodegradable confetti and have specific rules about where it can be used.

Popular Staffordshire venues often work best with:

• Petal confetti or biodegradeable paper

• A planned confetti spot with good natural light

• Confetti immediately after the ceremony while guests are still together

If you’re unsure what your venue allows, it’s always worth checking early - or asking your photographer, who may have experience there already.

Want Confetti Photos Like This at Your Wedding?

Every wedding is different - and confetti moments work best when they’re planned with the space, light, and timing in mind.

When I photograph weddings, I always:

• Check venue rules

• Organise guests quickly so you have more time to mingle

• Guide you through it calmly on the day (no shouting, no pressure)

It means you can relax, enjoy the moment, and trust that it’ll be captured beautifully.

If you’re getting married in Staffordshire and want natural, joyful wedding photos full of movement and real emotion, you can get in touch here to check availability and chat about your plans.

Final Thoughts: Is Confetti Worth It?

Absolutely.

It creates some of the most joyful, frame-worthy photos of the entire day. If you’re deciding whether to include it - I’d always say yes.

And if you’re planning your wedding and want natural, relaxed images full of movement and emotion, you can see more real wedding moments here:

Laid-back wedding at The Mill, Hoveringham

For more information on my wedding photography services: https://www.charlottemailphotography.co.uk/weddings

Say Hello!