For safety reasons. Eau Claire Photographics will no longer photograph wedding exits which end with sparklers and mule carriages unless precautionary measures are put in place. This will apply to weddings in the French Quarter and Downtown New Orleans.

This practice has been overlooked in New Orleans for quite some time. While exiting your reception with sparklers into a carriage is very romantic - it is dangerous for us. Not only are we dodging alcohol impaired guests with sparklers (we have been burned several times), but mules like all animals are afraid of fire. When they see the sparklers they jump, dart and run. It’s only a matter of time before a mule will dart into a crowd and serious injuries will occur.

It is unfair the the mules, the carriage riders, you, your guests, tourists and us vendors who run the risk of being trampled on by the spooked mules.

We are currently talking with city officials to bring attention to this matter and the mule carriage riders on some safety guidelines. One of the best things will to be having your carriage wait a block down from where you exit and to have the mule facing away from the fire. Someone will also have to be on hand to ask your guest not to go near the mule with sparklers in hand.

For the safety of all vendors and guests - we will be presenting these recommended guidelines to all wedding planners and hotel managers in the New Orleans area.

When using sparklers we recommend not using the mule carriage. A great alternative exit when using a mule carriage is a rose petal toss.