Wedding Services for the UK
Wedding Fireworks Advice
If you've thought of having a professionally fired Fireworks Display at your wedding, then you're not alone. Evening celebrations at many thousands of weddings a year are concluded with a Fireworks Display, and it's becoming more and more popular by the year.
Fireworks - The Law
The only real "Law" as regards to a professionally fired display is that the display must conclude before 11.00pm, except on Bonfire Night (Midnight), Diwali, New Year and Chinese New Year (1.00am) Fines are large for the Fireworks Company, so don't even consider asking them to fire any later than that!
The firework company you select adhere to their own strict guidelines regarding the storage and transportation of fireworks, but we don't need to cover that here.
Fireworks - The Law
The only real "Law" as regards to a professionally fired display is that the display must conclude before 11.00pm, except on Bonfire Night (Midnight), Diwali, New Year and Chinese New Year (1.00am) Fines are large for the Fireworks Company, so don't even consider asking them to fire any later than that!
The firework company you select adhere to their own strict guidelines regarding the storage and transportation of fireworks, but we don't need to cover that here.
Selecting a Fireworks Company
First of all, make sure you're wedding venue allows fireworks, many don't, and many have their own restrictions. This could be for a number of reasons.....
1. Sensitive Neighbours
2. Nearby animals (Animal Sanctuary)
3. Elderly Residents etc. etc.
Check on the Internet for Fireworks Companies in your area, however most companies operate nationwide, so if you like the look of the website then check them out, either by calling them direct or e-mailing them through their website.
First of all, make sure you're wedding venue allows fireworks, many don't, and many have their own restrictions. This could be for a number of reasons.....
1. Sensitive Neighbours
2. Nearby animals (Animal Sanctuary)
3. Elderly Residents etc. etc.
Check on the Internet for Fireworks Companies in your area, however most companies operate nationwide, so if you like the look of the website then check them out, either by calling them direct or e-mailing them through their website.
When talking to a fireworks company, they should tell YOU what they can do for YOU. Normally all you need to tell them is the budget you have, the venue location and the time you want your show fired, unless you have any specific requirements.
The total price quoted by any Fireworks Company should include all of the following....
. All Fireworks
. Full liaison with the venue
. Site Visit
. Comprehensive Risk Assessment
. Show Design
. Full Pyrotechnics crew to fire the show
. All crew expenses
. Public liability Insurance (usually a minimum of £5,000,000 cover)
. Full site clear up after the show
In a nutshell, if you have a £500 or £5,000 budget then the price should include all of the above regardless. If not, then go somewhere else.
The total price quoted by any Fireworks Company should include all of the following....
. All Fireworks
. Full liaison with the venue
. Site Visit
. Comprehensive Risk Assessment
. Show Design
. Full Pyrotechnics crew to fire the show
. All crew expenses
. Public liability Insurance (usually a minimum of £5,000,000 cover)
. Full site clear up after the show
In a nutshell, if you have a £500 or £5,000 budget then the price should include all of the above regardless. If not, then go somewhere else.
What happens Next?....
Once you have selected a company and agreed a budget, the Display Company should do everything else for you.
They should....
Arrange a site visit. This is when a representative of the display company visits your venue in person with the intention to see what type of fireworks can be fired there, the calibre / size of fireworks that can be used, the distance from any buildings, the distance from the crowd, noting all relevant information enabling them to complete a Full Risk Assessment. Once completed, the Risk Assessment should then be communicated to your event venue with a copy of their Public Liability Insurance. It is then the venues responsibility to review this document and either accept or reject it. The document can be reworked if necessary until all parties are in agreement. All this is done for you by the display company and the venue, so you can concentrate on the rest of your wedding plans.
Once you have selected a company and agreed a budget, the Display Company should do everything else for you.
They should....
Arrange a site visit. This is when a representative of the display company visits your venue in person with the intention to see what type of fireworks can be fired there, the calibre / size of fireworks that can be used, the distance from any buildings, the distance from the crowd, noting all relevant information enabling them to complete a Full Risk Assessment. Once completed, the Risk Assessment should then be communicated to your event venue with a copy of their Public Liability Insurance. It is then the venues responsibility to review this document and either accept or reject it. The document can be reworked if necessary until all parties are in agreement. All this is done for you by the display company and the venue, so you can concentrate on the rest of your wedding plans.
After this, the Display Company should contact you to say the venue has accepted the risk assessment and will then probably ask you for a deposit for the show. A typical deposit can be anywhere between 10% - 50% of the cost of your show depending on the time of the year. The balance is normally then paid anywhere between 1 and 2 weeks prior to your event, or sometimes can be paid on the night by prior arrangement.
They should also ask you if you have any special requirements, such as favourite colours. You'll be surprised how many brides want their fireworks display in keeping with their chosen colour scheme for their wedding. Fireworks companies can also create "Lancework Structures" These are basically in the form of Hearts with the Bride and Grooms initials in the centre which burn for about a minute.
You should expect contact from your chosen display company about a week before your event confirming all is well. Again, there is no need for you to meet with the display team on the day unless you want to, as any problems can be dealt with directly with the venue by the team.
They should also ask you if you have any special requirements, such as favourite colours. You'll be surprised how many brides want their fireworks display in keeping with their chosen colour scheme for their wedding. Fireworks companies can also create "Lancework Structures" These are basically in the form of Hearts with the Bride and Grooms initials in the centre which burn for about a minute.
You should expect contact from your chosen display company about a week before your event confirming all is well. Again, there is no need for you to meet with the display team on the day unless you want to, as any problems can be dealt with directly with the venue by the team.
The Display company will arrange with the venue and / or your wedding organiser the time they will be on site to setup the display. The setup time will range from between an hour to anything up to 5-6 hours depending on the site, the size of the budget, access to the firing area etc.
If your display is a surprise for your "other half" then ask the company if they can setup discretely, most companies will do this as long as the venues geographical layout allows it eg. the firing site is hidden away behind trees or bushes etc.
On the day.....
Any Display company should at this point be able to turn up to your venue and be able to setup unaided. If any problems are encountered, then these can normally be dealt with between the display company and the venue.
If your display is a surprise for your "other half" then ask the company if they can setup discretely, most companies will do this as long as the venues geographical layout allows it eg. the firing site is hidden away behind trees or bushes etc.
On the day.....
Any Display company should at this point be able to turn up to your venue and be able to setup unaided. If any problems are encountered, then these can normally be dealt with between the display company and the venue.
This means you can enjoy your special day and look forward to a spectacular ending to your wedding day.
This article was written and kindly donated by Glen Pearson Shockwave Pyrotechnics Ltd
This article was written and kindly donated by Glen Pearson Shockwave Pyrotechnics Ltd