---
title: "Wedding Decor Rules in NYC: Candles, Petals and Confetti"
description: "Learn what NYC venues and parks allow for candles, petals, confetti, bubbles and hanging decor, why sparklers are illegal, and what cleanup fees to expect."
url: "https://getmarriedinnyc.com/guides/wedding-decor-rules-petals-candles-nyc/"
lang: "en"
published: "2026-10-21"
image: "https://getmarriedinnyc.com/og/guides-wedding-decor-rules-petals-candles-nyc.jpg"
alternates:
  es: "https://getmarriedinnyc.com/es/guias/normas-de-decoracion-velas-petalos-y-confeti-en-bodas.md"
---

9 min read · Checked November 5, 2026

# Wedding Decor Rules in NYC: Candles, Petals and Confetti

![A woman and a man in their thirties, both with golden brown skin and Latin American features, at a long table in a brick event venue laying out a tin of tealight candles in glass holders, a basket of white petals, a bottle of bubbles and two ribbon wands for an events manager in a dark blazer seen from behind](https://getmarriedinnyc.com/images/guide-wedding-decor-rules-petals-candles-nyc/couple-showing-wedding-decor-items-to-a-venue-events-manager-at-a-brick-nyc-venu.jpg)

Your venue's written policy decides most decor questions, and it can be stricter than the city's fire or park rules. Consumer sparklers and fireworks are illegal in New York City, so a sparkler exit is off the table inside the five boroughs.

Real candles may need enclosed holders, written approval from the venue and, in some settings, an [FDNY open-flame permit](https://www.nyc.gov/site/fdny/business/all-certifications/per-openflames.page). Many venues and parks ask for no loose glitter, confetti, rice, birdseed or artificial petals. Some allow limited real petals or bubbles.

The one move that saves the most trouble is simple: ask the venue to approve each item separately, in writing, before you buy it.

## Key takeaways

- The venue's written policy usually decides, and it can be stricter than the city.
- Consumer sparklers are illegal in NYC, whatever a venue's photos show.
- Real candles often need an enclosure, a stable holder and written approval.
- Biodegradable confetti is not automatically allowed; parks can ban all of it.
- Fees for glitter, confetti and petals run from $100 to $500 at the venues below.
- Send your decor list to the venue and get approval for each item in writing.

## What can you use for candles?

Candles are where the fire code and the venue's own rules meet, so it helps to sort them by type. Open flame, enclosed candles, tapers, tea lights, unity candles, oil lamps and battery LEDs are all treated differently, and a venue that says "no open flame" may or may not mean a candle inside glass.

The [FDNY Fire Code](https://www.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/codes/fire-code-local-law.pdf) generally prohibits open flames in assembly spaces and public gathering places, with exceptions that include compliant candles, decorative devices and ceremonial or religious uses. Candles must be attended while lit, secured against tipping, set on a noncombustible surface and kept at least three feet from anything combustible. Lighted candles cannot be where people stand in an aisle or exit.

[FDNY rules](https://www.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/about/fdny-rules.pdf) add that candleholders cannot be cardboard, paper or flammable plastic, and table candles cannot sit more than 24 inches above the table unless the Department approves. FDNY lists the open-flame permit at $210 per setup or vendor.

Venues add their own limits. LOFT39 and Dobbin St allow candles only inside votives. The Refinery asks for an enclosed flame in a container taller than the flame. Waveny House requires a three-inch chimney above the flame, and Vista View allows tapers only in glass chimneys. Rosa prohibits candles altogether.

If a real flame is not allowed, battery-powered candles are the usual substitute, and [FDNY's own safety notice](https://www.nyc.gov/site/fdny/news/FS0926/fdny-reminds-new-yorkers-important-safety-tips-lunar-new-year-celebrations) suggests them in place of open flame. Look for a warm color, a stable base and a timer. Ask the venue to approve each candle type in writing, and ask whether an FDNY permit applies to your setup.

## Are petals, rice, birdseed, confetti, glitter and bubbles allowed?

It depends on the property, and two NYC parks show how different the answers can be. A park permit also does not give you the place to yourself; both parks below say the public keeps access.

Two park permits, two different answers on toss items

| Item | Central Park Conservatory Garden | Brooklyn Bridge Park |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rice and birdseed | Not allowed | Not on its list of named items; confirm with the park |
| Real or artificial petals | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Confetti | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Glitter and powders | Not on its list of named items; confirm with the park | Not allowed |
| Bubbles | Allowed | Confirm with the park |
| Candles | Confirm with the park | Not allowed |
| Public access | The public keeps access | Permit does not give exclusive access |

Sources: the [Conservatory Garden wedding permit application](https://assets.centralparknyc.org/pdfs/forms-and-applications/Wedding_Permit_Application.pdf) and the [Brooklyn Bridge Park wedding permit page](https://brooklynbridgepark.org/plan-your-visit/get-a-permit/wedding-permits/), both read on November 5, 2026.

![A wooden crate on a green slatted park bench holding a row of small paper cones filled with dried white petals and lavender, beside a basket of ribbon wands in blush and sage, with hexagonal pavers and plane trees behind](https://getmarriedinnyc.com/images/guide-wedding-decor-rules-petals-candles-nyc/paper-cones-of-dried-petals-and-ribbon-wands-in-a-crate-on-an-nyc-park-bench.jpg)

Biodegradable does not mean permitted. A park or venue can prohibit all confetti whatever it is made of, so ask about the exact product. Van Cortlandt Park also [prohibits tossing](https://vancortlandt.org/permits/) rice, birdseed, flowers and confetti.

Private venues vary too. Atmosfera allows petals temporarily during a ceremony if they are then removed, and Bradley Hall allows standard-size real or faux petals during the ceremony with cleanup. LOFT39, Waveny House and Vista View do not. For permits, deadlines and what a park ceremony involves, see our guide to [park wedding permits in NYC](https://getmarriedinnyc.com/guides/park-wedding-permits-nyc/).

## Are sparklers legal for a wedding send-off?

No. [NYC311](https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-02249) says all consumer fireworks, including sparklers, are illegal to use, buy, sell or transport in New York City. A venue inside the five boroughs cannot give you permission to light them.

![A person in their thirties in everyday clothes seen from behind at a desk by a window in a prewar apartment, reading a laptop whose back faces the camera, with a thin bundle of unlit sparkler sticks tied with a ribbon on the desk beside a mug](https://getmarriedinnyc.com/images/guide-wedding-decor-rules-petals-candles-nyc/unlit-sparkler-bundle-on-a-desk-beside-a-person-reading-in-an-nyc-apartment.jpg)

The state picture is different, which is where some of the confusion starts. A [New York State bulletin](https://www.dhses.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2021/12/sparklers.pdf) explains that certain sparkling devices may be legal in counties that have not passed a local ban, but all consumer fireworks remain fully prohibited in New York City.

Outside the city, a venue may still say no. Vista View prohibits sparklers because of its wooded location, while Bradley Hall permits them outside with an extinguishing container. The Refinery charges at least $300 if its sparkler guidelines are not signed and filed before the event.

## What can you hang or attach?

Anything that touches a wall, ceiling, railing or floor needs the venue's approval of the exact product and the exact surface. Tape, command strips, hooks, wire, nails, arches, chuppahs, draping and hanging florals can all be fine in one room and banned in the next.

Here is how the policies differ. 1212 Intimate lists painter's tape or command strips as its wall options. Waveny House allows S-hooks, picture-molding wires and bannisters within fire code, but no tape and no holes. Dobbin St prohibits nails, wall mountings that peel paint and floor tape. The Refinery requires approval for hanging items, which carry charges, and for any temporary adhesive.

Park rules can be stricter still. The Conservatory Garden prohibits floral pieces, balloons, signs, ribbons, ropes, banners and draping around trees or shrubs, and chairs, tents, tables, rugs and runners are not allowed. Brooklyn Bridge Park requires authorization for decorations and installations as part of an approved permit.

Ask who installs and who removes the piece. For design and florist choices, see [wedding flowers in NYC](https://getmarriedinnyc.com/guides/wedding-flowers-nyc/).

## What can cleanup and damage fees look like?

Cleanup is where a small decor choice turns into a line on the final bill. The amounts below are what these venues say for themselves, offered as examples to show the range; your venue's fee may be higher, lower or set at its discretion.

Cleanup and decor charges venues state, read on November 5, 2026

| Venue | What triggers the charge | Stated amount |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [1212 Intimate](https://www.1212eventspace.com/faqs-1) | Rose petals, rice, birdseed or sparklers used inside | $100 cleaning fee |
| [Santa Maria Goretti Centre](https://santamariagoretticentre.com/faq/) | Unauthorized glitter | $150 |
| [Santa Maria Goretti Centre](https://santamariagoretticentre.com/faq/) | Misuse of rice, confetti or fresh flower petals | $500 |
| [Rosa, Brooklyn](https://rosa-newyork.com/reservation1069) | Glitter or confetti | $250 to $500 cleaning fee |
| [The Refinery](https://therefineryevents.com/faqs.html) | Sparkler guidelines not signed and filed before the event | At least $300 |
| [The Cool Venue](https://thecoolvenue.com/frequently-asked-questions) | Cleaning package required for weddings | $250 |
| [Atmosfera](https://atmosfera.nyc/event-faq) | Additional setup time | $125 per hour weekday, $150 per hour weekend |

Some venues set the rule without a figure. LOFT39 requires you to remove decor unless you arrange otherwise, and [The Citizen Hotel's wedding document](https://www.thecitizenhotel.com/site/assets/files/1/the_citizen_hotel_wedding_experience.pdf) says fresh petals carry a cleaning fee at the hotel's discretion. In both cases, ask for the amount before you sign.

![A venue staff member in a grey work shirt, seen from behind, sweeping scattered white petals off a stone terrace with a wide push broom, a dustpan and a bin beside him, stacked chairs along the balustrade and the string lights switched off](https://getmarriedinnyc.com/images/guide-wedding-decor-rules-petals-candles-nyc/venue-staff-member-sweeping-white-petals-off-a-stone-terrace-after-a-wedding-in.jpg)

## What can replace a sparkler or confetti exit?

You can keep the moment and change the prop. Options include bubbles, ribbon wands, bells, LED wands, a cheering tunnel and paper confetti poppers. FDNY's safety notice itself suggests paper confetti poppers as an alternative to fireworks, but the venue still has to approve them.

![Two people in their forties in dressy clothes, whose clothing and presentation do not follow gender lines, one with pale skin and one with golden brown skin, walking out of a brick courtyard between two lines of about fourteen guests waving blush and sage ribbon wands, with soap bubbles drifting and warm lit windows behind](https://getmarriedinnyc.com/images/guide-wedding-decor-rules-petals-candles-nyc/couple-leaving-a-brick-courtyard-between-guests-waving-ribbon-wands-in-nyc.jpg)

Each choice has its own catch. Bubbles can leave liquid on floors or paving, so ask about slip risk and who mops. Ribbon wands and bells can be reused but still need someone to collect them. LED wands avoid flame, but a venue that limits loose objects or batteries may say no.

At the Conservatory Garden, bubbles are the one toss-style item the permit allows. For a nighttime exit, a professionally run cold-spark effect is another idea, but it needs approval from the venue, the operator and any authority that applies.

**Quiz: Quick check: decor rules**

1. Are consumer sparklers legal for a send-off inside New York City?
   - Yes, if the venue allows them
   - No, all consumer fireworks including sparklers are illegal **(correct answer)**
   - Only outdoors
2. What does FDNY list as the cost of an open-flame permit?
   - $25
   - $210 per setup or vendor **(correct answer)**
   - $500
3. Which toss-style item does the Conservatory Garden permit allow?
   - Bubbles **(correct answer)**
   - Confetti
   - Rice
4. Is biodegradable confetti automatically allowed?
   - Yes
   - No, a park or venue can prohibit all confetti **(correct answer)**

## What should you ask before signing the venue contract?

Ask these in writing and get the answers into the [contract](https://getmarriedinnyc.com/guides/wedding-contract-deposit-cancellation-nyc/) or the written event order. If a rule comes with a fee, ask for the amount.

- **Location:** Do the ceremony, reception and send-off areas each have their own rules, and does anything change indoors versus outdoors?
- **Product:** Which exact candleholders, toss materials and bubble solutions are approved?
- **Installation:** Which tape, strips, hooks, wires or hanging points are allowed, and who may install them?
- **Approval:** Will the venue sign off on your decor list in writing, and does your florist or decorator need separate approval?
- **Permit:** Is an FDNY open-flame permit or a NYC Parks permit needed, who files it, and how far ahead? NYC Parks asks for applications at least 21 days before the event, with a $25 non-refundable processing fee, for events with more than 20 attendees.
- **Cleanup:** Who collects petals, bubbles, wands and props, and what is charged if it is not done?
- **Damage:** Is there a deposit, and what counts as damage?
- **Setup time:** How much time do you have, and what does extra time cost?
- **Vendor access:** When can your vendors [load in and take down](https://getmarriedinnyc.com/guides/wedding-vendor-load-in-setup-cleanup-nyc/)? Our guide to [outside vendor rules at NYC venues](https://getmarriedinnyc.com/guides/outside-vendor-rules-nyc-wedding-venues/) covers that side.
- **Weather changes:** If the ceremony moves indoors, does the same decor still get approved?

## Questions about wedding decor rules in NYC

### Are sparklers legal at a wedding in New York City?

No. NYC311 says all consumer fireworks, including sparklers, are illegal to use, buy, sell or transport in the city. Choose bubbles, bells, ribbon wands or LED wands instead, and have the venue confirm them.

### Can a NYC venue allow real candles?

Possibly. FDNY rules allow compliant candle use in set circumstances, but the venue can ban real flames or require enclosed holders and written approval. Ask about the holder, the placement and whether a permit applies.

### Is biodegradable confetti automatically allowed?

No. A park or venue can prohibit all confetti, whatever it is made of. Brooklyn Bridge Park lists confetti among its prohibited items, and so does the Conservatory Garden permit.

### Can decor be taped to venue walls?

Only if the venue approves the exact adhesive and the surface. Some venues name painter's tape or command strips as the option, while others prohibit tape, glue and stickers.

### Who cleans up petals or confetti?

The contract or venue policy controls. Some places require you or your vendors to remove everything, and others charge a stated or discretionary cleaning fee.

## Your next step

Make a short list of every decor item you want: candles, petals, send-off props, anything you plan to hang or tape. Send it to the venue and ask for approval of each item in writing, along with any permit and fee. Buy only after you have the answer, and keep the approvals in one folder with your contract.

### Terms in this guide

**Open-flame permit.** An FDNY permit that some candle setups may need; FDNY lists it at $210 per setup or vendor.

**Consumer fireworks.** Fireworks sold to the public, including sparklers, which NYC311 says are illegal to use, buy, sell or transport in New York City.

**Battery-powered candles.** The usual substitute when a real flame is not allowed; look for a warm color, a stable base and a timer.

**Cold-spark effect.** A professionally run effect for a nighttime exit that needs approval from the venue, the operator and any authority that applies.

## Find vendors for the day

[Browse wedding vendors](https://getmarriedinnyc.com/vendors/)

More guides

[All guides](https://getmarriedinnyc.com/guides/)

- [Wedding Dress Alterations in New York City](https://getmarriedinnyc.com/guides/wedding-dress-alterations-nyc/): How many fittings to expect, when to start, what to bring, what NYC shops charge and what to ask before you book your wedding dress alterations.
- [Wedding Dress Shopping in New York City](https://getmarriedinnyc.com/guides/wedding-dress-shopping-nyc/): Compare NYC bridal salons, off the rack shops and sample sales, with appointment fees, gown prices and timelines to plan your dress shopping trip.
- [The Best Time of Year to Get Married in NYC](https://getmarriedinnyc.com/guides/best-time-to-get-married-in-nyc/): Compare NYC months by weather, daylight, venue prices and guest travel, plus the 2027 city dates to check, so you can pick a wedding date that fits you.
- [North Jersey Wedding Venues with Manhattan Views](https://getmarriedinnyc.com/guides/north-jersey-wedding-venues-manhattan-views/): Compare Jersey City, Hoboken and Weehawken venues with Manhattan views by capacity and price, plus the $28 New Jersey license, 72-hour wait and officiant rules.