Everyone loves a sparkler exit. Until they don’t. That Instagram-worthy moment can turn into a five-figure nightmare faster than you can say “perfect shot.”
The Real Risks
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One wedding venue learned this lesson when a dropped sparkler ignited pine straw, causing $47,000 in landscaping damage. Another faced a $25,000 claim when a guest’s dress caught a spark. Both venues had “sparkler policies.” They just weren’t good enough.
Your Six Must-Have Rules
1. Age Restrictions
Never let anyone under 18 handle sparklers. Period. That cute flower girl with a sparkler? Not worth the risk.
2. Staff Control
Only your trained staff should light sparklers. Not the wedding party. Not the enthusiastic groomsman. Your people, your control.
3. Fire Safety Setup
Before any sparkler touches flame:
- Working fire extinguisher within 10 feet
- Water source ready and tested
- Sand buckets placed and visible
- All nearby trash cans removed
4. Ground Control
- Wet down any dry areas
- Clear pine straw and leaves
- Remove decorative materials
- Create a clear exit path
5. Count Everything
- Number of sparklers out
- Number of sparklers lit
- Number returned to sand If these numbers don’t match, you keep searching.
6. Clean Sweep
After the exit:
- Double-check every sparkler is out
- Inspect the entire area
- Document the all-clear
- Remove all materials
The Smart Way Forward
Want to keep sparkler exits? Fine. But protect yourself:
- Write these rules into your contract
- Train your staff regularly
- Document every exit
- Take before/after photos
- Keep solid records
Bottom Line
Sparkler exits can be magical. Just make sure the magic doesn’t disappear your profits. Build these protections into your policy now, or risk watching your money go up in smoke.
Ready to review your sparkler policy? We can help make it airtight.
