Forget bubbles or rice — these wedding exits will “wow” your guests and are a picture perfect opportunity

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What’s a wedding without a grand finale?

For years, we’ve seen guests send-off a newly married couple with confetti, rice or bubbles. Sparklers have also become a trendy hit for the last couple of years, but more and more venues are steering away from fireworks because they are potential fire hazards.

Here are some unique alternatives that make stunning photo opportunities for your grand exit.

Cell phones.

They’re free, they’re easy and — everyone has a cell phone. Have your guests turn on the flashlight feature on their cell phones, then create two parallel lines so that you can walk in between them. Your photographer can snap away as you walk passed your family and friends and their twinkling cell phone lights. Once you reach the end of the line your guests can surround you with their flashlights as you go in for a kiss. The right photographer will bring the lights to life in the editing process like the picture below.

LED balloons.

We’ve seen balloon releases, but have you ever experienced a gaggle of wedding guests holding glowing clear or white balloons?

LED balloons make for a beautiful backdrop for wedding photos. The balloons have a tiny light inside them that give a soft glow. It’s a unique alternative to plain balloons that we guarantee will have your guests oohing and aahing.

PRO TIP: While balloon releases are popular for send-offs, they also can be environmentally harmful or get stuck in power lines and spark a fire. Consider having your guests hold the balloons, and then bring them back inside for someone to get rid of properly.

Artificial snow.

We love an enchanting wedding winter wonderland even if it’s not winter. Falling fake snow as one last surprise of the night is not only memorable, but it’s one of the most unique wedding send-offs because it’s not as easy to execute as the other options. You’ll have to buy or rent a snowmaker.

Confetti Canons.

Instead of throwing confetti, purchase confetti canons for a more dramatic flair. The canons are air-powered so they “pop” when you release the confetti. Another plus, is that this canon has biodegradable confetti that can launch 25 feet into the air.

This wedding exit is not only a fun moment for the couple, but for guests as well.

Smoke bombs.

This is one of the most stunning send-off options we’ve ever seen. Smoke bombs come in all different colors so you can choose what fits your theme and style.

You and your spouse can choose to hold smoke bombs or just have your guests set them off around you. No matter what you choose — the effect will be dramatic.

Pro Tip: Smoke bombs can stain your clothes if you stand too close to them. Make sure to read the instructions carefully before use.

Glow sticks.

This is another easy and inexpensive option for a unique photo opportunity before you say “goodbye” to your guests.

You can buy glow sticks online or at your local dollar store. Have your guests activate the glow sticks just before your send-off and wave them around as your photographer takes pictures of you and your spouse. The effect of the glowing movements can be beautiful.