Opening Ceremonies, Edmonton & Calgary, Alberta
What Do You Need for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony?
The physical items: a ribbon in company colours (5–7 cm wide), ceremonial scissors (available for rent or purchase for $50–$150), stanchions to hold the ribbon taut, and someone positioned at each end. Beyond the props: a photographer correctly positioned, a brief speaking program, and a plan for what happens immediately after the cut.
The ceremonial scissors matter more than most organizers expect. Standard household scissors look small in photographs and are difficult for multiple people to use simultaneously. Oversized ceremonial scissors — specifically made for ribbon cuttings — produce better photographs and are widely available for under $150 to purchase or rent.
Position the photographer at ribbon height or slightly below, facing the building or signage rather than the sky or a neutral background. The ideal shot has the ribbon in the foreground, the scissors at the moment of cut, and the building or signage visible behind the participants. Brief the photographer on this framing before the event begins.
Common questions
Long enough to span the entrance or symbolic doorway with 1–1.5 metres of slack on each side to allow stanchions to hold it taut. A ribbon that sags looks flat in photographs — use stanchions at a height that keeps the ribbon level across its full length.
Plan your what do you need for a ribbon cutting ceremony?
Tell us the date, the headcount, and what you are trying to accomplish. We will come back with an honest assessment.