A public Fourth of July display might last 15–30 minutes, but for weddings, shorter is better. Aim for a show under 10 minutes — long enough to wow your guests without taking attention away from the couple.

Because your audience will be close to the display area, you don’t need the fireworks to reach great heights. This makes consumer fireworks ideal for weddings. They’re easy to set up, visually impressive, and much more budget-friendly. A professional wedding show can cost $4,000 to $10,000 or more, while you can create an amazing display with consumer fireworks for a fraction of the price.

Before anything else, get permission from your venue or property owner. Then check your state and local regulations for fireworks use.

Private wedding displays are typically more intimate, but they also bring spectators closer to the action. You’ll need a wide, open space away from cars, buildings, tents, and guests. Hot sparks can damage paint, glass, fabric, and roofs — so plan your layout carefully.

Safety Guidelines:

• Allow at least 100 feet of distance per inch of your largest firework’s diameter.
• Example: A 3-inch shell needs a 300-foot safety circle in all directions.
• Watch for overhead obstacles like trees or power lines. Stay at least 25 feet away from anything above.
• Launch from a flat, stable surface, and keep spectators upwind whenever possible.

No one wants burn holes in formal clothes or ashes in the wedding photos — a bit of safety planning goes a long way!

Want to make setup even easier? The IGNITE Firing System takes your wedding fireworks to the next level.

With IGNITE, you can:

• Start your display right from your cell phone using the free IGNITE app.
• Fire individual cues or launch your entire show with a single tap.
• Pre-program your sequence to sync with music or coordinate with a photographer for perfect timing.
• Keep everyone a safe distance away — no manual lighting required!

It’s a fantastic option for weddings because the couple can literally “ignite” their celebration themselves, adding a fun and symbolic moment to the night. The system works with standard consumer fireworks and is easy to set up even for beginners.

Learn more about the IGNITE Firing System.

Fireworks traditionally mark the grand finale of the evening — often right before the bride and groom’s send-off.

If you plan more festivities after the show, be sure to let guests know. It’s easy for people to assume fireworks mean the event is over, and you don’t want everyone leaving before your last dance or dessert.

At Captain Boom Fireworks, we carry everything you need for a memorable wedding display, including:

• Artillery Shells and 500-gram cakes for big aerial bursts
• 200-gram cakes for smaller areas
• Colorful fountains for a quieter but elegant option
• Sparklers for romantic photos and send-offs
• The IGNITE Firing System for easy, wireless control

Browse our pre-selected fireworks show kit or effect based show segments, or create your own combination to match your theme and venue.

For step-by-step setup ideas, see our DIY Shows Article

If your venue doesn’t allow aerial fireworks, you can still add a magical touch with sparklers.

• #8 Gold Sparklers are great as wedding favors or table accents.
• #20 Gold Sparklers are perfect for forming a glowing pathway for the couple’s exit.

For lighting tips and safety advice, see our Wedding Sparklers page.

And remember — sparklers are for outdoor use only!