First, it is almost impossible to light sparklers with matches. Usually the wind either blows them out, rain puts them out, or they burn out before the sparkler lights. Instead use a windproof lighter to light the first one or two sparklers, and then use those first sparklers to light all the others. Sparklers burn at around 1800 F. and matches are about 600 degrees Fahrenheit. It jut takes a higher temperature than a match is capable of. Plus sparklers are notoriously hard to light.

Second, just to clarify something, you really cannot put sparklers out. They burn too hot. Some of them will even burn in water. You can put them down after they burn out, or you can put them in metal buckets, or pots of sand, or anything else that’s non-flammable while they are still burning. And as you said, having those buckets or pots around is a really good idea, particularly at that time of the party, when some folks or kids may even be bare footed.

Third, your comments on bad timing are the most common mistake that we see. What everyone wants is to have all of the guests’ sparklers lit up at the same time, and still have enough sparkler burn time left, for the bride and groom to be able to exit through the line of sparklers AND have time for the photographer to get the perfect shots–often the most memorable of the entire wedding. There are two good ways at WeddingSparklersDirect.com that we recommend you use. First, simply give everyone a windproof lighter instead of matches. Windproof flames will not blow out in the wind or rain, AND are hot enough and burn long enough to light sparklers very reliably.

Here’s a way you can literally get 100 or more peoples’ sparklers lit in 30-40 seconds. First, light 5 36-inch sparklers using a windproof lighter. Then each of those 5 people go and light 5 more people’s sparklers, then each of those people go and light 5 more people up. (5+25+125). A sparkler is the best way to light another sparkler. Since 36 inch sparklers burn for 3-4 minutes, you still have plenty of time for the guests to get lined up again, for the bride and groom to take a leisurely walk down the path, and pose for several pictures.

Last but not least: no, you do not NEED one sparkler per guest. By the time the sparklers happen, some guests will be passed out, gone home, too young, or simply afraid of sparklers. BUT, most wedding couples today also use sparklers for sparkler writing, creating patterns of sparklers in the ground or sand (such as a sparkling heart around the couple, or for practicing the exit). Since sparklers are just about the least expensive item in the wedding budget, it makes good sense to have some extras on hand. And the one per guest rule of thumb has proven over thousands of weddings, and more than 15 years in this business to be just about the right amount.