9 Practical Ways to Pull Off Those Color Smoke Bombs in Your Wedding Photos

One of the most awesomely unexpected trends of the year has been the use of colored smoke bombs in photography. These beautiful pyrotechnics are popping up in wedding snapshots all around the world, and we're kind of obsessed...

Originally made for military and recreational use as ground cover, these totally safe grenades emit a non-toxic colored smoke that fills the air and creates breathtaking photos. Like this bold wedding photography trend? Here are ten practical ways to pull it off.

Before committing to this trend, make sure your photographer feels comfortable using the smoke bombs on your big day. Shooting photos with colored smoke bombs requires special skills when it comes to lighting and shutter speed, so make sure your photographer is prepared.

You might need a couple of practice smoke bombs to ensure the shot is perfect before your photographer can start snapping. You'd hate to run out of color bombs mid-shoot.

While the bombs shouldn't stain the ground, they might leave a residue that will wash away over time. It's always best to consult your venue before using them on the property.

If it's hot and extremely dry, lighting a smoke bomb could be dangerous. We'd advise against using them in super dry heat unless you go with a cool burning, flameless smoke bomb.

To avoid stains or inhalation of too much smoke, use these outside exclusively.

Check which way the wind is blowing before starting the smoke bomb. While you want the colors to be vibrant, you don't want the smoke covering your faces.

Try placing the bombs behind the couple for an interesting effect. This way, you'll ensure that the colored particles don't land on the bride's white dress.

Another cool effect is achieved when someone is moving the smoke bomb around the couple. Just be careful not to get too close! Be conscious of burn time. Most smoke bombs are active for 1 – 1.5 minutes, so you'll need to act quickly!

Never aim the color smoke bomb directly at someone. (They aren't color smoke grenades after all). If the smoke bomb is a reasonable distance away from the couple, it shouldn't stain clothing.