Weddingbee Blog
I thought that I outgrew paper lanterns, and that they would serve no purpose post-college dorm decoration. However, when I went to visit my reception site, I paged through some picture books they had and saw a photo of lanterns that inspired me…
Then I started searching the internet and came across several other lantern pictures that solidified my decision to include lanterns as a decorative element. Now I need to find at least 10-15 cream lanterns to use for our wedding. Can you be a power buyer on eBay? Because I’m starting to think a lot of my purchases will be from there.
So, as I searched through eBay, I came across the craziest thing I have ever seen––hot air balloon lanterns. Excuse me? Yeah, it is some super invention in China. These lanterns have a little rocket fuel to propel them into the air where they float for about 10 minutes and then fall. I’m not sure America is ready for that.
And then I came across these glass lanterns for $3.50 each from CB2. So gorgeous!!
But I also love these as an idea to put next to the rows of chairs.
Are you incorporating lanterns into your wedding at all?
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Lovely Lanterns
I, too was shocked when I got into the world of weddings and realized those cheap lanterns we hung in our dorms were the hottest wedding trend!
Those Chinese lanterns are crazy! I laughed when I read “I’m not sure America is ready for that.”
We’re doing the tissue-paper-flower-covered paper lanterns for decor at our reception a la Pengy…they are Gorgeous!
I love paper lanterns! I have a really large venue with really high ceilings (+20 ft) and I really want to hang large paper lanterns to frame the space.
I don’t know if the “rocket lanterns” are that crazy or new - can’t you do the same thing with the right kind of paper or plastic bag and a candle? Like a model hot air balloon?
But I do love, love, love the glass lantern - that second picture reminds me of Hogwarts! Totally fun. 
I’ve done the floating lanterns. We set them off as part of a birthday I planned for a friend. They were so fun and pretty and surprisingly hard to light. I would totally do them for a wedding - though, they are no good for decorating.
We’re having a tented reception and I purchased almost 100 white paper lanterns from other brides here on WB. Check out the classifieds, there’s always tons on there! My fiance thinks I’m N-U-T-S but I’d rather have extra than not enough and I’ll just sell them after our wedding in July to another bride.
i was contemplating making tissue poms for the church pews until i saw a photo of 8 inch paper lanterns hung from the pew with ribbon- I ordered samples immediately! We’re also using giant lanterns hung in clusters in our reception venue (25 foot ceilings- awesome!)
@Jo: You are way more skilled than me if you can make them. I would inevitably set something on fire if I tried. @Gogo: Wow, I bet you have some amazing pictures!!
@LoriLori: Thanks for the info! I will definitely check out the classified section!!
We’re using paper lanterns over our dance floor! Those hot air balloon lanterns are awesome!
i love paper lanterns. we’re using them for our wedding NEXT sunday (eeee!) & I got them all through the classifieds here also.
I think paper lanterns look great and are pretty affordable. I don’t know if I’ll be using them because I haven’t figured out how to light them yet, I know its easy to find out but just haven’t gotten around to it.
We didn’t use paper lanterns with our decor, but I love the look! Very cool!
actually the “rocket lanterns” are not that difficult to make I swear! In Taiwan and China there made to celebrate Mid Autumn festival, sometimes called the Lantern Festival. When I lived there my students made them and wrote wishes and “goals” on the lantern and set them up to burn in the sky. Its really beautiful!! I bet there are easy tutorials.
I ♥ CB2!
The CB2s are my dream for the pergola where our cocktail hour will be! And I LOVE the lanterns and I hope to use them but it might be too much to set up on my own. So poms might be my best option!
Wow, floating lanterns for 10 minutes? Seems like a lot of work for a short reward! Thanks for sharing those, never seen them before!
I love lanterns and they seem to go on sale around this time of year at Target and such to make room for all of the Halloween stuff! I think I am going to go with something on a shepherd’s hook though, but I’m not sure what…
oh i wish america was ready for those chinese lanterns! though i don’t think “tinder box” calilfornia would appreciate that. especially not during the summer
My FI just ordered some floating lanterns thinking it would potentially be cool to use for he wedding (he is in charge of throwies). I have only one concern, what is the environmental impact of them falling. I actually saw one floating over a building when I was out one night and I would guess it flew for more than 10 minutes but what happens when they come down? First of all, do they just fall from the sky and potentially hit people or land on a car windshield? Secondly, they travel off site so I don’t think you can follow and pick them up, what’s the impact on wild life and litter? I would love to hear if anyone has more info on the materials used or knows where I could find a good article on the environmental impact of releasing lanterns.
I saw those CB2 lanterns before and I was like “wow I need those” lol
I think your options are so cute, I am still not 100% sure if I’ll stick to my original idea because I made a trial last week that I totally love now - it’s so crazy how I change my mind on the process over so many things hehe
@Miss Poodle: I’m with you Miss Poodle, I see one picture and I start to rethink my old plans! At some point I need to stop looking for inspiration or my budget will spiral out of control!
We’ll almost definitely be having paper lanterns! They’re so beautiful.
I like those glass ones, too, but would live in terror of them breaking. (And I can’t imagine that they’re inexpensive.)
The mason jars on shepherd crooks are always a nice touch. =)
We’re using about eleventy-five billion types of lanterns for our outside decor. I love lanterns, and fully support this idea!
Wow, hot air balloon lanterns? That’s awesome, but what the hell do you do with them after the 10 minutes are up?? Great inspiration, Miss FroYo!
I recently saw an add in a wedding magazine (of course I can’t remember which) for the hot air balloon lanterns but theawesomest part of them uis that theay were 100% biodegradeable!!!
@ slicey19 re what effect Sky Lanterns have on the Enviroment.
Check out http://www.sky-hi-lanterns.com,and have a look at the “Enviroment” page.
I would not sell anything that would harm the enviroment or anything that would not break down and biodegrade.
This is not an advertisement for the site,just a heads up regarding the bad press ( unjustified and somewhat misguided) they have been getting lately.
Hot air balloon lanterns? I may need to purchase several of those and play a practical joke on someone (Chicken Little - the sky is falling)
Whaaaa!??! Hot air balloon lanterns? That is probably the coolest thing I’ve ever seen…but I can just imagine something catching on fire! Haha!
@ Katiebug
Go for Sky Lanterns launched along the boardwalk,or on the beach ( i had a butchers at your blog 
Each couple of guests lighting one after they have written on a message of good wishes.
About a 100 lanterns launched at the same time will be an amazing sight and not one to be forgotten.
Just a point if you decide on this,please notify the coastguard in that area.
Micky
@Micky: Wow - that is a really interesting idea!!!! I’ll have to keep that in mind to research; what a cool effect that would be
I still can’t believe they’re a huge trend either! The paper lanterns remind me of my college bf’s frat house. lol. Those hot air balloon lanterns are INSANE! I wouldn’t feel comfortable standing underneath a sky full of those… it looks amazing though.
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Miss Frozen Yogurt, Dallas Age and Occupation: 28, Special Projects Coordinator Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Equity Trader Engagement Date: March 19, 2009 Wedding Date: April 2010 Venue: Marie Gabrielle, Dallas About Me: I was born and raised in Texas, and have lived in several of the cities across the state, but I currently reside in Austin. I went to college in Boston and have a special place in my heart for the Northeast. I love reading, shopping, wine, reuniting with college friends that are scattered across the country, reality TV, trying out new recipes, and attempting all the DIY projects that come along with wedding planning. I'm a "bleeding heart, save the world type" and thankfully my job allows me to work on legislation and policy to help out those in need. I met Mr. Frozen Yogurt in a bar, though he doesn't even drink! And now we are planning a modern yet vintage wedding in Dallas while dealing with the trials and tribulations of first time homeownership.
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