Fireworks aren’t only useful for 4th of July celebrations. On your wedding day, you can use them to re-enact the sparks you experienced when you first met your significant other. The dazzling effects can make an already special day even more glorious.
First, let’s cover off on how much it costs to have fireworks are your wedding. Then we’ll talk about how to pull it off.
How Much Does It Cost to Have Fireworks At a Wedding?
It typically costs between $2,000 and $10,000 to have fireworks at a wedding. You can expect to spend at least $2,000 for a show lasting five or ten minutes. Some larger displays can cost $10,000 or more.
Settle on a budget to make your planning smoother. A budget can also give you a standpoint for bargaining with vendors.
You can check out my free budget guide if you sign up for my newsletter. It automatically calculates what you should spend where based on your budget and guest count and helps you stay on track. It’s like the fairy godmother of numbers.
Here’s how to have fireworks at your wedding:
- Check state and local laws.
- Get all required permits and insurance.
- Pay attention to the season.
- Check with the venue.
- Set aside a budget.
- Choose your fireworks options.
- Hire a professional.
- Talk to your photographer.
- Add the fireworks display to the order of the day.
- Clean up after the show.
A fireworks display at your wedding is a significant addition that requires careful planning. In the rest of the article, I’ll cover each of the above steps in more detail.
1. Check State and Local Laws
Most states allow fireworks on the 4th of July, but the allowance shrinks for a wedding display. Some states only allow small wedding sparklers, and they have strict control over where you can use large fireworks. Be sure to check the rules in your area to find out if a display at your wedding is practical.
2. Get All Required Permits and Insurance
Even for states that allow fireworks, you may need some permits to display them. You’ll also need insurance to obtain the permits where required. So, include the permits and insurance into your list of checks. Fireworks companies generally have all the information you need in this regard, so call a few of them and see what they say.
3. Pay Attention to the Season
In the winter months, night falls earlier in the evening compared to the height of summer. Therefore, you can hold your wedding fireworks earlier if you have a winter wedding—a great way to make sure everyone will appreciate the display.
In some locations, your fireworks display will need to wait till around 10 pm for the darkness during a summer wedding. At this point, some of the guests have long retired for the day, while any others still around are probably too deep into the Champagne and dancing. How will you get them outside for the show?
Similarly, there’s the likelihood of rainfall in the winter and autumn months. With fireworks displays so weather dependent, it’s important to choose a date that ticks all the right boxes.
4. Check With the Venue
You can only hold wedding fireworks displays outdoors, so you need to check out a few outdoor venues. When you find a venue, be sure to find out if they indeed allow fireworks. Some don’t mind having pyrotechnic parties on their property, while others will insist on only sparklers.
Large displays are best in open areas such as grassy clearings, over lakes, golf courses, and other similar venues. A fireworks display in a cabin in the woods isn’t the greatest idea.
Securing a venue before planning and investing in the display is important to avoid wasting money on a display that can’t take place. Additionally, the venue owners can recommend trustworthy fireworks display organizers and offer tips to make the day picture perfect.
5. Set Aside a Budget
A wedding day fireworks display is a big-ticket expenditure. Like all such expenses, you need to plan well ahead of time. You can make the budget as small as you want (while remaining realistic), or as big as 25% of the wedding cost. The choice is yours. It’s your day!
Not sure if fireworks are in the budget or where to start? Check out my free wedding budget guide.
6. Choose Your Fireworks Options
There are tons of options you can choose from when it comes to fireworks. Some of the top choices include:
- Palm tree. The appearance is a rising comet flaring into trailing stars.
- Salute. These fireworks let out a loud bang and a bright burst.
- Strobe. The fireworks have a flashing star appearance.
- Roman candle. They leave a dramatic upward stream of sparks.
- Crossette. They are the fireworks to choose for loud crackling sounds and crisscrossing sparks.
- Peony. This option gives you that colorful, classic effect.
Go over the options and choose what works best for you. You can also mix and match complementing fireworks styles.
7. Hire a Professional
It may feel like a good idea to save money and have a friend control your fireworks display. However, that’s a huge risk to take for the money involved. It’s best to talk to a professional to handle the fireworks on your big day. If your wedding isn’t taking place on New Year’s Eve or on the 4th of July, you shouldn’t have any problems finding an affordable professional for the event.
Platforms like Fireworks Express and Fireworks America have all the information you need. A professional can offer guidance on fireworks styles, permits, insurance, and more. They can also offer advice on how you can save money for the day.
8. Talk to Your Photographer
After securing the venue and finding a professional to take charge of the process, the next step is to speak with your photographer. Some photographers only stay for the first dance, so you need to check out the package and what it covers. If you want professional shots of the fireworks display, you should consider negotiating a coverage extension with the photographer.
9. Add the Wedding Fireworks Display to the Order of the Day
Your guests need to know what to expect throughout the wedding. Therefore, you should include the fireworks display on the order list. This way, they’ll know to wait and enjoy the spectacle instead of leaving too early and missing out on some magical moments.
When it’s time for the show, cuddle up with your partner and guests to enjoy the moment and revel in the feeling of being newly married.
If you need help planning your day of timeline to fit in the fireworks display, I have an article on how to create a wedding timeline here.
10. Clean Up After the Show
Fireworks displays leave plenty of debris around the area. You have to clean up after the event to keep the area clean. Some venues make cleanups mandatory.
If you hire a professional, you won’t have to worry about cleanups as many of them include cleaning as a part of the fee.
Final Thoughts
Wedding fireworks displays are a fantastic way to cap a memorable day. With careful planning, you can use the fireworks to create magnificent memories.
Wedding fireworks displays are typically not a DIY project. Speak to a professional to get it right.
If you’re looking for other unique ideas for your wedding, I have an article on how much it costs to serve lobster at your wedding and one on steak to add some additional special touches to your big day. Or maybe pizza and fireworks at the after-party?
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