Hearts of the Hanabi
Many weddings can go well into the dark of night. When there’s so much to get through, from the ceremony itself to the reception afterwards, your wedding is likely to take up the better half of the day— at least! But once the sun has set, the cake has been cut and speeches have wrapped up, you might be stuck on how to spice up the reception or close off this momentous day. What better way to celebrate in style than to add pyrotechnics to the mix? There’s a vast range of sensational options on offer, from bombastic fireworks to fantastic fountains. Invigorate your guests by adding an element of excitement to your big day, leaving impressions sure to last long after the wedding is well and truly over. Melbourne Wedding
+ Bride’s Robin Harper chats with Steve Lawrence, director and pyrotechnician at Geelong Fireworks, to discuss the process and execution of pyrotechnics at wedding ceremonies.
Images Courtesy of Geelong Fireworks
Believe it or not, there was once a time where you could legally buy fireworks at the local milk bar. This was Lawrence’s first introduction to the world of pyrotechnics. He had been working in chemistry for more than twenty years when he came across an
article discussing the legality of purchasing fireworks from milk bars back in the day. This would lead him down a path of getting his license in pyrotechnics and then – voila! Lawrence has been the director of Geelong Fireworks since its establishment in 2000, with one of his first jobs being the Geelong Show. From there, Geelong Fireworks has expanded to provide indoor and outdoor pyrotechnics for weddings.
Fires Blossoming In The Night Sky
Having been in the business for so long, Lawrence can walk you through the step-by-step process when it comes to incorporating fireworks into your wedding. “All of our clients deal directly with me at all times,” he says. “I know the layouts of the venues, so
this really helps our clients when I tell them what we can and can’t do at a venue due to space limitations, etc.,” he reveals. For venues that Lawrence is familiar with, there’s less preparation involved since he and the team know the area well. When it comes to venues that are new to Geelong Fireworks, he says that they “do a physical onsite inspection to ensure we have the safety distances.” There is a lot to consider long before the venue gets the go-ahead. “We check ceiling height, distance to tables, etc. If a client wants a waterfall effect, can it be safely done – including placement, firing and takedown,” says Lawrence.
It isn’t just the space that has be taken into account either. Once the venue is in the all-clear for pyrotechnics, the team are there before the reception party. “We always get to venues well before the guests even arrive. No dragging equipment through a foyer while guests are having drinks,” he reassures. There is also some presentational collaboration with some of the other entertainers at the wedding, as Lawrence explains, “We liaise with the MC, DJ and video/photographers and tell them what is happening and when.” If the pyrotechnics are set up outside, he says that they “set up around two hours before the show (can be longer for larger shows). And wait for the firing time.”
A Song Of Ice And Fire
Like many entertainers that cater to weddings, Geelong Fireworks offers a range of packages for you to choose from. An example of this is their “Fire and Ice Bridal Dance”, which involves fog and fountains on the dance floor. “That can be enhanced with entrance fountains, waterfalls and departure fountains down the driveway,” he says. “For indoor, we offer out CO2 guns, CO2 jets, confetti blasters from small amounts to over five kilograms in ten seconds. And then there is our outdoor displays.”
While it’s easy to get wrapped up in the magic of the experience, it is important to consider what to avoid when involving pyrotechnics. While the pretty lights are there to captivate your night, you must remember to remain responsible. For what Lawrence wouldn’t recommend, he says, “There are some colour indoor fireworks on the market – blue, red and green. However, they tend to have a really smoky, smelly effect.” Geelong Fireworks do not offer them for these reasons. Lawrence deals in fireworks made as theatrical fireworks that have been tested time and time again.
Lawrence’s last word of caution is for sparklers. While seemingly innocuous (after all, who didn’t play with sparklers as a kid?), there are dangers that he highlights: “Sparklers can burn at temperatures as high as 1000 degrees. If a child grabs the metal where the sparkler is burning, it’s going to cause damage … Hold them away from your body. Also never hold a baby in one hand and a sparkler in the other.”
The Sparks That Light The Fire
Continuing on the note of safety, Geelong Fireworks won’t need much from you on your special day – aside from showing up to the venue of course! For indoor entertainment, there will usually be two crew members there to ensure that everything goes smoothly – one to fire, the other to monitor the surrounding area. There is a more involved process for outdoor pyrotechnics, with one crew member doing the firing, and the others carefully watching the effects and at least one person on fire watch. With so much preparation and consideration, the only thing you need to do on the day is to have fun and enjoy the fireworks!
“Have a talk to us about what we can do for you,” Lawrence welcomes, and says, “We have the experience and the passion to make your reception really amazing with our effects.”