If you're involved with the wedding itself (eg. family, best man, bridegroom etc) you'll already have a lot on your plate. Are you sure you want to worry about the fireworks AND guest's safety as well? Can you spare the time in the afternoon to set things up (it can take a few hours)?

If you're inexperienced or this will be your first big display, forget it. This is not the time to find your feet!

Many reception venues do not allow fireworks. Check first. If there are any problems they are more likely to agree to a display if a professional company is acting.

You wouldn't need to worry about setting up, firing, or clearing up. Having someone else clear up is a major bonus, especially if you're involved with any other duties on the night. It also leaves you free after the display to join the celebrations, something you couldn't do if you're firing.

If you're also a guest at the wedding or reception bear in mind you and your firers will not be able to drink until after the display. This would not be an issue if someone else was doing the fireworks for you.

Unless you're a very experienced amateur, a professional display is potentially more spectacular and fitting to the occasion.

A professional display will be fully insured - important when firing on someone else's property!

Check the venue is suitable for fireworks. In addition to checking that the actual venue is safe for fireworks (no overhead obstructions, space for the fireworks, fall out and spectators etc) you will need to ensure the land owner agrees to you using fireworks. We recommend that you get this agreement in writing.

Insurance is strongly recommended for an event like this bearing in mind you will be displaying on someone else's land.

Speak to the bride and groom to see if they have any particular requests for the display (some might like a quieter display etc.) and check what time they want the display to start - check with the land owner that this is OK, especially if it is a late display.

Make sure you will have access to the venue well in advance, so find out where to get the keys for any locked gates or entrances etc. Pick a site where you can drive your car/van to the fireworks area too.

Who will provide rope or tape for any spectator barriers and who will be marshalling the crowd? If the venue cannot provide this, you'll need to.

It's worth informing the local police and fire brigade of your display.

Get contact details and phone numbers for the venue, the land owner, and someone in the bride or groom's party.

The guests: A mixed audience of young and old are best suited to a mixed display of noise and colour rather than all-out noise.

The venue: Your fireworks must be appropriate for the venue. Avoid large display rockets if you do not have a big fall out area. For big and open venues you'll need to concentrate on bigger cakes with bigger effects, fan cakes and SIBs can be very effective in big venues as can 30mm candle fans.

The bride and groom: The display is for them. Ask them if they would like a particular theme or any other consideration (eg. more or less noise).

You and your firers: The fewer the firers, the more work on the night. Compensate for this by using fewer, bigger fireworks (such as large cakes or displays in a box). Don't over stretch your capacity.

The time and date: Late night, out of season displays need to be either quieter, or shorter, to prevent problems (unless the venue is remote).

Fountains can create a magical wall of fire. Large silver conic fountains offer a cheap way to do this. A line of half a dozen or more, fired together, looks bright and pretty.

Aim to keep the display short, for maximum impact. We recommend five minutes. It doesn't sound a lot but for the same number of fireworks, a display over five minutes looks twice as saturated as a display over ten minutes.

Double up big cakes and candles. Have one either side of the display fired together (planning and coordination between firers important here!)

Keep effects rotating well, eg. quiet and pretty, then noise, and repeat. Avoid long sections of just noise (save for the end) and don't have fountains then wheels back to back, for example.

Consider investing in some "firewriting" such as a heart with the bride and groom's initials either side.

We normally recommend starting with sparklers for audience participation. Don't bother here. People will be in smart attire and, by the time of the display, more than likely under the influence of drink. Sparklers would be a liability. Keep the audience away from the fireworks.