Ashley Guice Photography
We’ve all seen those stunning sparkler-saturated send-off images, or the shots of newlyweds riding off in a vintage vehicle toward the sunset...but you may not have realized that so much more goes into executing a wedding send off than just waving goodbye and calling it a night. From ensuring your guests are in the right position to capturing the perfect lighting, if you’re planning on ending your reception with a wedding send off, there are countless details to consider. We’re breaking down pro tips for ensuring your goodbye moment is as Kodak-worthy as it is memorable.
Consider lighting
Turns out, capturing the perfect wedding send off requires giving some serious thought to lighting. Most photographers will do there best with what they are given. However, we love when our photographers bring a little extra light to get the perfect shot. Also, consider where you decide to do your send-off? At each of our properties we have more than one options on where you can complete the send-off. Make sure to ask your venue the pro and cons of each area and ask about additional lighting options.
Devon Stoebe Photography
Benjamin Clifford Photography
Goodeye Photography
StepOn Me Photo
Know what your venue permits
Some venues won’t allow for anything that could be considered a fire hazard (like sparklers), or decor items that are likely to leave behind a mess for them to clean up (like streamers or confetti). Make sure your wedding planner talks to the venue ahead of time to get a feel for what’s kosher (and what’s not) when it comes to the send off. Had your heart set on sparklers but turns out they’re not permitted? Not to worry! Stafford says, “If your venue doesn't allow sparklers or streamers, I love a last dance wedding send off. Have your DJ announce that all remaining guests should circle up around you and your boo, make the song something special, but something that everyone can belt out the lines to. Once the dance is done, have someone pop on the lights and, gently, kick everyone out to the after party!”
One of our favorite DJ’s - Travis, always pumps up a send-off song, such as New York New York while doing a sparkler exit. Talk about the “feels” your guest will get with this combo!
Ashtyn Nicole Photo
Ashtyn Nicole Photo
Cindy Maiyer Photo
Jonathan Allison Photography
Kammie Maschue Photography
Use excitement to keep your guests engaged
By the time you’re ready to execute your wedding send off, everyone may be a bit—shall we say?—boozed up. It’s important to keep their attention, and the best way to do so is by harnessing all of that playfulness and excitement that’s already in the room. Usually, DJs will continuing to get everyone excited about the send off by keeping the energy of the room high and help when it come to getting guest lined up. When doing a send-off you want everyone to think they don’t want the party to end yet, that means ending your party a little earlier than you thought making sure you have everyone excited and still present to do a sen-off. Trust us, we love when the send-off is with a large guest group still present to cheer and jump with excitement for the couple.
Jonathan Allison Photography
Shannon Worley Photography
Andrea Brewster Photography
Ashtyn Nicole Photography
Obviously, the most popular send-off for the pass couple of years has been sparklers. You can see why the sparkling lights are so popular for photos. However, we are seeing more brides doing other send-off options, such as out of the box idea like balloons, to the traditional bubble send-off but one of my personal favorite romantic ideas, is rose pedals tossed in the air as you walk by. Either way, the most important part of the send-off is being surrounded by family and friends as you say your goodbyes to the perfect night you’ll never forget!
Enjoy
XOXO
Emerald AZ Photography