The 'confetti shot' is one that's asked for at nearly all weddings, and normally involves some element of management and setup by the photographer and the wedding party. For example, the bride and groom may exit the church yard to the car though a 'confetti corridor' of guests; or perhaps the confetti may be thrown as they exit the church itself, although this involves changing around the order of the traditional processional, so that the guests may exit first.
However, my favourite and by far the best confetti shot is one that was not part of a staged confetti throwing moment at all - and as such, is all the better for it, as the moment was a natural and unmanaged one. In addition, unusually, it's not the bride and groom who are the subject of the confetti shot, but the guest who is throwing the confetti. So, as the shot is not one, but two steps away from the 'norm' when it comes to confetti shot photography, it's even better by my book.
I've literally edited this shot today, from a beautiful and informal countryside wedding in Exmoor which was held a couple of weeks ago, and immediately it's become my favourite confetti shot. It's often the case that when you edit a shot, you just KNOW that it's something special for you, and this was certainly the case. At this wedding, the couple provided confetti at the church entrance, but didn't ask for a managed confetti corridor, instead preferring a more impromptu approach - and the guests certainly obliged!
I love this shot. I love the strength of the connection with the guest's eyes, as she is intent upon showering the groom with confetti, and I love the drama that the black and white affords to an already dramatically lit shot - which was an unusual gift on what was generally an overcast day with very flat light. A shot like this is a gift, and also requires equal amounts of luck and super quick reactions, in order to frame quickly and get the focus upon the eyes before the moment has passed.
Are you planning a confetti corridor, or any kind of confetti throw - or are you aiming for a more informal approach, too? My best advice is to ensure your photographer knows exactly what the plans are, in order that they can be in position at the right time; and also, to ensure your wedding party are fully briefed to hand out the confetti and help arrange the guests! Finally, if you are having a 'confetti walk', then please, please, don't walk too fast. You don't want your poor photographer, who has to walk backwards whilst shooting, to either stand on your guests' toes, or even worse, to fall over backwards!
