Where to Buy Wedding Sparklers in Kentucky

Kentucky is one of those states that are often overlooked by couples looking to get married, but Kentucky certainly has a lot to offer anyone looking for a beautiful outdoor wedding. Not only are there an abundance of great places to get married outside in Kentucky, but the prices are much lower when compared to the national average. You see, the cost of living is rather low in Kentucky so by having your wedding there, even if it’s a destination wedding, can save you thousands on your entire wedding budget while still providing an unforgettable experience.

Best of all, Kentucky has very loose fireworks laws which means that couples are free to use sparklers during their wedding; provided of course that the venue allows them to be used on their property. Since the biggest draw to Kentucky is for outdoor weddings, almost all of the popular wedding venues allow you to use wedding sparklers as part of your ceremony or reception. This combination of fireworks laws and acceptance by the venue means that there are a lot of couples wondering where to buy wedding sparklers in Kentucky.

Which Sparklers to Choose

Since your Kentucky wedding is likely going to be outside, it opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for you. Most wedding sparklers are made for indoors use, but some of the best ones have too much color pigment to be considered smokeless and safe to use inside a reception hall. However, this isn’t at all a concern when you are outside so you’re free to use any type of sparklers you wish!

With that said the most popular choice for outdoor weddings are #36 wedding sparklers. Also known as 36 inch wedding sparklers, they are the longest-lasting and most enjoyable for the user. They are rarely used indoors because they are way too long if there are low ceilings, but overall they are the best quality and the best value.

Local Fireworks Laws

In general, almost everything is legal under the Kentucky fireworks laws unless it contains over 200 grams of powder. Things like sparklers, bottle rockets, and even firecrackers are totally legal to use and are available all year long. Each city and county, however, does have the right to enact their own regulations regarding the use of sparklers and other small fireworks. Though this is rare and likely not the case in your area, it’s always best to check with your local fire department or city hall to find out the regulations just to be safe.

Origin of Kentucky’s State Name

Kentucky was named from the Kentucky River. While some sources say the etymology is uncertain, most agree on a meaning of "(on) the meadow" or "(on) the prairie". Like most states, the some of the borders of Kentucky are defined by natural water barriers; the Ohio River to the north and the Mississippi River to the west. Kentucky also border seven different US states; West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Only Missouri and Tennessee touch more states (each border 8).

Surprising Global Wedding Traditions

Odds are your wedding day will be filled with traditional elements, from the bouquet and garter toss to “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. Weddings are all about tradition--in fact, having a wedding ceremony at all instead of just going to the Justice of the Peace is down to tradition. Here are some lesser-known traditions from cultures around the world. These practices may not be as familiar as a ring and a kiss, but they’re all part of the rich global heritage of wedding tradition. Which one will you add to your big day?

Italy: A different kind of confetti

In Italy, the term “confetti” referred to a little bag of candied nuts and other sweets that the couple would provide to each of the guests. Like paper confetti, the candies used to be thrown at the bride and groom--ouch!--but today, the confections are more likely to be eaten than used as a projectile.

Japan: A Sake-Sharing Ceremony

In Japan, family is important. The bride and groom’s parents become family just as the bride and groom join together. To symbolize that, the bride and groom share sips of sake from the same cup, after which the in-laws on both sides do the same. Nothing brings a family together like a little good booze, after all.

Korea: Goose the Mother of the Bride

If you hear that someone got goosed at an American ceremony, that most likely means the groom pinched the bride’s behind as they walked down the aisle. In Korea, though a goose is the traditional gift a groom gives to his new mother-in-law. The custom was that it was a live goose, but these days an ornamental wooden one (that doesn’t require feeding and doesn’t poop all over the front lawn) is used as a token of the old custom.

Mexico: Two Bouquets

And you thought American brides had their hands full! In Mexico, Catholic brides carry two bouquets. One is for the bride, and the other is a tribute to the Virgin Mary. Only the bride’s bouquet gets tossed for the bridesmaids to fight over, though.

France: Charivari

Traditional weddings in France have more in common with New Year’s celebrations thanks to the custom of Charivari. The friends and family of the newlyweds gather outside the couple’s new home on their wedding night to make noise. They bang on pots and pans, stomp, shout, clap and sing. Traditionally they don’t stop until the wedding couple comes out and gives them some refreshments as a bribe.

Korea: Balaka

In Korea, the groom’s friends want to make absolutely sure he doesn’t waste time standing around on his wedding night. They expect him to spend the entire time in bed. To make sure that he does, they take off his shoes and socks and smack the soles of his feet with dead fish until they’re tender (and probably not-so-pleasant smelling). One would think that if the groom has to be incapacitated to want to spend time in bed with his new bride, the marriage is in trouble already, but the custom remains.

While we don’t expect anyone to line up to get hit with a fish any time soon, some of these traditions could definitely add some charm to your wedding day. And if your friends come Charivari at your house after your wedding, at least you can start planning on what you’ll do when it’s their turn.

5 Non-Traditional Bachelor Party Ideas

We all know the trappings of a traditional bachelor party: booze, strippers, and more booze. Whether it’s a private party with a girl jumping out of a cake or that strip club downtown, bachelor parties tend to be on the raunchy and debauched side of celebration. If nudity and alcohol don’t seem like the right way to celebrate your impending nuptials, though, you’re not alone. Here are some ideas for bachelor parties that keep it a little classier.

Brewery Tour

Yes, there’s still alcohol involved with a brewery tour, but the point is to taste a lot of delicious craft beer, not pound cheap shots until you pass out. Small breweries have been cropping up like crazy over the past decade, so odds are there are three or four near where you live. Grab your best buddies (and a designated driver) and tour through all of them. You’ll learn how beer is made, taste some one-of-a-kind brews, and even pick up a few growlers (that’s a 64-oz to-go bottle to drink later; preferably not all in one go).

Virtual Mayhem

Arcades have changed a lot since the 80’s and 90’s. Now instead of taking quarters for simple games, they take dollars--or fives--for cool, immersive experiences. Some arcades have massive machines designed to simulate the cockpit of a battle robot or a tank. Some have full virtual-reality options with goggles and 360-degree treadmills. Most of those machines are networked together so you can play against your friends. Presumably, your wedding signifies a step into maturity: what better way to mark it than by playing video games with your bros?

Poker Night

This one’s cheaper than a night on the town and easy to arrange. Just pick your buddy with the biggest living room to host, have a $20 buy-in to make it interesting, and make sure to have plenty of snacks and beer on hand. Green visors are not required, but they’re encouraged; ditto fancy cigars.

Rent a Cabin or Beach House

If you can get your buddies to buy into a weekend trip, vacation rentals divided enough ways are far cheaper than a bunch of hotel rooms. Most vacation homes have amenities hotels don’t, either, like private pools and hot tubs (you know, for male bonding). Make sure the rental you’re looking at has options for entertainment during the day--or pack your cards, video game consoles, board games and a whole lot of booze and plan on staying in. Even if you end up doing what your crew always does when you hang out together, it’s more fun in a different locale.

Go See a Game

Sure, you may occasionally go to a baseball, football, hockey, or basketball game, but this is an excuse to pony up a little more cash for good seats, or a sky box, or that third $10 hot dog. Maybe even pack up the grill and a couple of coolers and tailgate beforehand, so you get the most out of the day.

It’s About the Groom

The goal of a bachelor party should be for the groom to have a great time and for all of you to connect as friends. If the groom loves paintball, slap on your gear and go to war. If he’s really into nerdy board games, an entire uninterrupted evening playing Twilight: Imperium or Arkham Horror is better than a trip to a strip club. If he likes golf, make it a golfing trip. If you take something you all enjoy doing together and take it to the next level, the bachelor party can be a great bonding time without risking bodily injury or a jealous spouse.