Planning a fireworks display is exciting — but timing is everything. Whether it’s for a wedding, corporate event, or public celebration, booking early is the key to securing the best company, products, and display design for your big day.
Why Booking Early Matters
Fireworks displays involve far more than just showing up on the night. The best companies:
- Get booked up months in advance — especially for peak dates
- Require time to design bespoke displays around your venue
- Handle safety documentation, site visits, and permissions
Booking early means:
- More availability and flexibility in scheduling
- Time to personalise your show
- Peace of mind that everything is in place well before the event
So How Early Should You Book?
Here’s a general guide based on event type:
Weddings: Book 5–6 months in advance if possible. Premium dates in summer get snapped up quickly, especially Saturdays.
Bonfire Night (5th November): Book 9–12 months ahead. This is the single busiest period for professional fireworks companies in the UK.
New Year’s Eve: 6–9 months ahead is ideal — many crews are booked solid by summer.
Corporate Events & Festivals: 3–6 months is usually enough, but larger or public-facing events benefit from more lead time.
Private Parties: 2–3 months is generally fine for smaller displays, although more time gives better design options.
What If You’re Booking Last-Minute?
It’s not impossible! Good companies can sometimes accommodate short-notice bookings if:
- They have availability
- Your venue is familiar or straightforward
- You’re flexible on timing and design
The shortest turnaround we have done for a fireworks display was just 7 hours from the initial phone call to firing the show. The client had been let down by another company last minute — and was over the moon with the result.
That said, last-minute usually means fewer options — and possibly higher costs.
Final Thoughts
The sooner you book, the better the result. Booking well in advance helps your fireworks company do what they do best: design and deliver a show that fits your event perfectly.
At Sonning Fireworks, we love helping clients plan ahead — but we’re also pros at turning things around quickly when needed. If you’ve got a date in mind, get in touch early and we’ll help bring your event to life with a spectacular show.