Services / Special FX
Cold Sparklers
Indoor spark fountains that throw a wall of light without flame, heat or smoke, so venues that ban fireworks will usually still say yes.
What it is
Cold sparklers are machines that fire a fountain of sparks upward on cue. They look like traditional pyrotechnics but they are not. Instead of burning a chemical charge, they heat a fine metal granulate, which throws sparks that cool within a very short distance.
That difference is the whole point. There is no flame, almost no smoke, no falling ash and no burn risk at normal distances. It is why venues with heritage ceilings, drapes or strict fire policies will usually permit cold sparklers when they would never allow a real firework indoors.
Visually you get a bright wall of light that frames whatever is in front of it. On camera it is dramatic without blowing out the shot, and unlike confetti there is nothing to clean up afterwards.
How it works
01
We check the space first
Each unit needs clear space around it and nothing flammable directly overhead. Low drapes, dried florals and paper decorations are the things we look for. If the spot does not work, we reposition rather than reduce the effect.
02
Units are placed and hidden
They sit either side of a couple, in a line across the front of a stage, or in an arch. Once positioned they are unobtrusive, and guests rarely notice them until they fire.
03
Fired by remote on the cue
Tell us the minute of the song you want them and that is when they fire. Most couples pick the climax, or the choruses. Your DJ or an operator triggers them live, timed against the run sheet agreed in advance.
04
Five to thirty seconds per burst
You choose how long each burst runs. A first dance normally uses two or three bursts fired on the choruses, which is enough to punctuate the song without the effect losing its impact.
Layouts and heights
We run four units. How many we use is about the width you want to fill rather than the size of the room, and the height is adjustable on the night.
Four units in the fleet
We run four FOS cold spark machines. Enough for a full line across a stage or a wide dancefloor, and more than enough for a first dance.
Two units
One either side of the couple or the podium. The standard first dance and speeches setup, and the most popular choice.
All four together
A line across the front of a stage, an entrance walkway or a wide outdoor stage. Used for corporate reveals and larger venues.
Adjustable height, 1.5 to 5 metres
Set on the night to suit the room. Lower for intimate spaces and lower ceilings, higher where the ceiling allows and you want the full effect.
A few minutes to warm up
The units need around five minutes to heat up before the first cue, so we have them ready well ahead of the moment rather than switching on once you are already on the floor.
Where it works best
Good to know
Are they really safe indoors?
Yes. There is no flame and the sparks are cool within a short distance, which is what makes them different from pyrotechnics. We keep a safe working distance to guests as standard and the units are operated by our team, never left unattended.
Will my venue allow them?
In our experience most do, including venues that refuse traditional fireworks. If yours asks, we send the manufacturer safety documentation directly to them. It is worth raising it early rather than on the day.
Do they set off smoke alarms?
They produce very little smoke, far less than a smoke machine. We still confirm with the venue beforehand as a matter of course.
Is there anything to clean up?
No. Unlike confetti or traditional pyro there is no ash, no paper and no residue on the floor.
Can we use them more than once in the night?
Yes. A first dance typically uses two or three bursts on the choruses, and the same setup covers an entrance earlier or another moment later in the night.
Works well with
Add cold sparklers to your event
Tell us your date and venue and we will come back with what works in your space, what it costs and what it looks like on the night.