What kind of confetti is best?

As a wedding photographer with over 10 years experience I thought it would be great to start a blog about useful tips on the day. But with so many options available, choosing the right confetti can feel overwhelming. If you ever have any questions about all things planning, do not hesitate to contact me! It’s 2025 and venues are banning confetti more often than not… or have clean up charges. Usually, confetti is banned inside so I have compiled a list of outdoor options that you may have not considered until now! 

• White paper disks: These are the best for photos as they are clean and chic. When purchasing the best type to order for your venue are ones that melt when water is thrown on them. This should help you avoid a clean up charge as rather than having to sweep them up it should melt. 

• Want to make it yourself? Go for a walk and collect fallen orange leaves and collect them in a plastic bag. Leave them to dry out or help speed up the process with a hairdryer. Hold the bag around the hairdryer and make sure it is on the cold setting so it does not melt. Making sure to do this in short bursts and shaking the bag up. Once dried you can use a pair of scissors and cut the leaves up to your desired size. Or you can go to Hobbycraft and pick up a heart shaped hole puncher or circle to make some lovely shapes! This is a great activity to do with kids that gets them involved in the wedding planning prior to the day. 

• Birdseed: Some venues do not allow even biodegradable material to be left, a great option is to throw birdseed as it will be eaten and also help the animals in the local environment. 

• Large white petals: Eco-friendly, classic and photogenic. Using whole petals means they will show up better on camera. 

• Dried flowers: Dried flowers are a great eco-friendly option, but be sure not to choose dyed ones. I had a bride who purchased the bright pink ones from Amazon and it stained her dress! 

• Bubbles: A great option when confetti is not allowed, you can also add in the bubble machines for more fun! 

• Think about seasonal options: For spring or summer you can match the colour of the confetti to the natural flowers in the surroundings. For autumn dried leaves or sunflower petals are great to match the warm colours of the trees. For winter weddings the confetti that looks like snow gives an amazing wintery look that melts when water is thrown on it. You could even make your own wintry confetti with a snowflake hole puncher, to add to the festive feel. 

• Confetti cannons: These are my least favourite option as the bang can startle people, they are hard to open and often contain shiny plastic which is harmful to animals. 

Bubble wands.

Dried flowers

Confetti that dissolves in water

Bubble wands and machines.

Paper hearts.

Paper disks.