Wedding Confetti – Which Type Is Best?

Confetti.

It lasts about 30 seconds, makes an enormous mess, gets everywhere… and somehow produces some of the best wedding photographs of the day!

If you’re planning your wedding, you’ve probably already discovered that there’s more choice than you might expect. Petals, rice, bubbles, ribbons, paper confetti or even bubbles… so which one should you go for?

Having photographed weddings for 19 years, I’ve seen pretty much all of them. Here’s my completely unofficial guide to the pros and cons of different types of wedding confetti.

🌸 Natural Petal Confetti

My favourite.

Natural dried flower petals look fantastic in photographs, particularly when there’s a mixture of colours. They also feel really natural and suit outdoor and countryside weddings brilliantly.

Advantages:

• Looks beautiful and natural
• Fantastic for photographs
• Biodegradable
• Lots of colours and flower choices
• Feels very traditional without looking old-fashioned

Disadvantages:

• Can be more expensive than paper confetti
• Some venues have restrictions on what petals they allow
• You may need quite a lot for a decent confetti shot

If you’re getting married in a garden, barn or Cotswold venue, natural petals are difficult to beat.

🫧 Bubbles

Bubbles are great fun and can look particularly magical when the light catches them.

They’re also a good option if your venue doesn’t allow traditional confetti.

Advantages:

• No petals or paper left all over the floor
• Fun for guests
• Great for photographs
• Particularly good in sunshine
• Can be used again later during the day

Disadvantages:

• They can be difficult to see in certain lighting
• Wind can send them absolutely everywhere
• You need quite a lot of bubbles for a good effect
• They don’t always show up particularly well in photographs

If the sun is shining, however, bubbles can look fantastic.

🌿 Lavender

Lavender is a brilliant alternative to traditional petals and works particularly well for relaxed countryside and outdoor weddings.

It looks lovely, smells great and gives your confetti shot something a little different.

Advantages:

• Natural and biodegradable
• Lovely colour and texture
• Smells amazing
• Perfect for rustic, outdoor and Cotswold weddings
• Looks great when thrown in handfuls

Disadvantages:

• Can be more expensive than rice
• You need plenty of it for a good photograph
• It doesn’t always travel as far as lighter petals
• Check your venue is happy with it

And there’s something rather nice about walking through a cloud of lavender as you leave the ceremony!

🌈 Non-Biodegradable Confetti

This is where I’d be a little more cautious.

Some traditional confetti is made from plastic or other materials that don’t break down naturally.

Advantages:

• Huge choice of colours and shapes
• Can create a really dramatic photograph
• Lightweight, so it floats nicely through the air

Disadvantages:

• Not environmentally friendly
• Can be difficult to clean up
• Some venues won’t allow it
• It can blow into gardens, fields and surrounding areas

Before buying it, check with your venue. There’s nothing worse than arriving at your wedding with a suitcase full of confetti only to discover your venue has a strict “absolutely not” policy!

📸 So Which Confetti Looks Best in Photographs?

Obviously, I’m going to say this…

Natural petal confetti wins for me.

But there’s more to a good confetti photograph than what you’re throwing.

The important thing is having enough confetti and enough people throwing it.

A tiny handful of petals from six people might look lovely in real life, but it won’t necessarily create that big, celebratory photograph you’re imagining.

I much prefer when guests are encouraged to really get involved.

Throw it high.

Throw loads of it.

Laugh.

Cheer.

And don’t worry about looking at the camera.

That’s when the magic happens.

My Quick Confetti Verdict

Whatever you choose, don’t overthink it.

Get your favourite people together, give them something to throw, walk through the middle and enjoy it.

I’ll worry about getting the photograph.

Natural, Storytelling Wedding Photography

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire or the Cotswolds, Ben Roberts from Blooming Photography takes a relaxed, natural and storytelling approach to every wedding he photographs.

Based in Cheltenham, Ben photographs weddings throughout Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds, as well as across the UK and further afield. He loves to travel and has photographed weddings as far away as Las Vegas.

With 19 years of experience, Ben focuses on capturing the real story of your wedding day — not just the big moments, but the laughs, hugs, reactions, family, friends and all the little things that make your wedding uniquely yours.

It’s your wedding day, not a photoshoot. Ben will simply blend into the day, allowing you to enjoy it while he gets on with telling your story through photographs.