How much confetti do you need for a wedding

By Wedding Offshore Team

The amount of confetti you need depends on how many guests will throw it, how much each person throws and what the confetti is made from. Instead of guessing, you can work it out with a quick test. This guide shows you how, with a worked example, and lists what changes the numbers so you can adjust for your own day.

Start with who will throw it

Confetti is thrown by guests, so begin with a headcount. Decide how many people you expect to take part:

Everyone at the ceremony, or only those at the front
Evening guests as well, if there is a second moment
Children, who may need smaller portions
Anyone who will not take part, such as guests who prefer to stand back

A realistic figure is the number of guests at the moment it is thrown, minus those who will not join in. If you are unsure, use the full guest list so you do not run short, and note it as the upper figure.

Decide how it will be thrown

The method changes how much each person uses:

A handful each, thrown at once, uses more per person but is over quickly.
A small pinch or pouch, such as one cone, gives each person a set portion.
Several passes, such as one at the ceremony and one at the reception, need a separate count for each.
A single sweep from one side, such as an exit line, uses less because fewer people throw.

Pick one method and plan around it. If you change your mind, you will have to start again.

Measure a portion with a simple test

The most reliable way to find out is to try it:

Order a small sample of the confetti you are considering, or use a similar material you already have.
Fill the container you plan to give each guest, such as a cone, a small bag or a handful in a cup.
Weigh or count the contents if you can, or note how many portions one pack makes.
Throw one portion in a safe place and see whether the amount looks right in a photograph.
Adjust the portion up or down until you are happy.

Different materials fill a container differently, so do the test with the real confetti, not a stand-in.

Work out the total

Multiply your portion by your headcount, then add spares. For example, if you have 60 guests throwing and one portion each fills a small cone, you need 60 portions. If a pack makes 20 portions, 60 portions is three packs. Add a few extra portions for guests who arrive late, children who want a second go, and spills. This is an example only, so use your own portion and your own pack size.

Write the sum in three lines:

Guests throwing: [number]
Portions each: [number]
Total portions, plus spares: [number]

Then divide by the number of portions in one pack to find out how many packs to order. Always round up.

What changes the amount

The type of confetti. Different materials fill a cone differently, so a portion of light paper and a portion of petals will not look or weigh the same. Test the one you plan to buy.
Wind and weather. Outdoors, some will blow away before it lands. Plan for a little extra and check the forecast.
The size of the area. A wide entrance or garden may need more to look full than a narrow doorway.
The number of moments. Each separate throw needs its own count.
Photographs. Ask your photographer whether they want a larger cloud for one picture. If so, plan a bigger portion for that moment.

Check the rules before you order

The amount you can use may be limited by your venue, so check what is allowed and where. Our guide to wedding confetti and venue rules lists what to ask. A venue may allow only a certain type, or only outside, which changes the choice and may change how much you need. If you are also using favour containers for the portions, our favour bags can hold one each.

Mistakes to avoid

Guessing the quantity instead of testing one portion
Forgetting the spares, so the last guests have nothing to throw
Testing with a different material from the one you order
Ordering before you know the venue rules, and then being unable to use it
Rounding down, which leaves you short on the day

Keep the cost down

Choose a lighter or fluffier material if it looks full in a smaller amount.
Give a small portion to each guest, rather than a bowl to share.
Make portions yourself from a bulk pack and use containers you already have.
Order the sample first so you only buy the quantity you need.
Check the full price, including delivery, before you commit.

Next steps

Order a small sample, fill one portion, and throw it. Then complete the three-line sum with your own numbers and decide how many packs to order, rounding up. See our confetti and table decorations ranges to compare materials and pack sizes.

Asked and answered

How much confetti is enough for one guest?

It depends on the material and the container, so test it. Fill the portion you plan to give each guest and throw it. If it looks right, that is your portion.

Should I order extra?

Yes, a few spare portions is sensible. Late arrivals, children and spills all use more than you expect. Round the number of packs up rather than down.

Do I need confetti for evening guests?

Only if you plan a second moment for them. Decide this when you count your guests throwing, and add a separate count for it.

Does outdoor confetti need more?

Often a little more, because some may blow away. Check the forecast, choose a sheltered spot and ask your venue about the area.