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Long before I started actually planning a wedding, I decided that no matter what I would somehow incorporate fireflies into my nuptials. You see, ever since I was a little girl, one of my favorite things in the entire world has been fireflies. That first night of summer when the fireflies come out and light up the night is simply magical! Unfortunately, my wedding date is a little early for actual fireflies, so I have been on the lookout for other possible ways to get that magical feel.
And then there was Pinterest—the most amazing website EVER. (OK, I may be in my “obsessed with Pinterest” mode…) One of the first pictures that I saw on Pinterest was this gorgeous shot, and I thought, hmmmmm that kinda looks like fireflies caught in a jar on a warm summer’s night!
Image via Beauty in Everything / Photo by Kevin Coffey
Not only does it look gorgeous, but it looks easy enough to make (and cheap!). Mason jars at 69 cents each, a packet of tissue paper, and a bottle of Mod Podge and I was off experimenting.
(Personal photos ahead)
I ripped up the tissue paper and crumpled it a little to give it some dimension.
Mod Podging is SUPER easy—anyone can do it!
…and voila! In about five minutes it was complete! I wish I had used more colorful tissue paper like the inspiration shot, but unfortunately I only had pink lying around (from a baby shower).
I lit this one up with a candle, but I would use a flickering battery-operated light to get that firefly effect without worrying about maintaining a real flame.
I do like the way this came out, but I’m not sure if it’s worth it to make an army of these for the actual wedding. I’d only light these once it is actually dark out, and I know that the sun won’t set until later—when everyone is inside the ballroom eating dinner and dancing. Will enough people go out onto the porch to enjoy them? And are they too rustic for the more formal look I am going for? I’m not sure how I feel about them, but I have plenty of time to make up my mind.
Did you have a childhood dream for your wedding that you are trying to make come true?
These are so cute! I’ve seen them on Pinterest too, and am TOTALLY obsessed with that website. I have like 4 boards dedicated to parts of my wedding! 
No suggestions on the jars (though I think they are very cute), but as a fellow fire fly lover, I just wanted to be sure you knew about the synchronized fireflies of Elkmont in the Great Smokies. We went this summer and it was amazing.
Cute! I love fireflies! My FI made Firefly Jars for the proposal. He wrote a blog post about it here if you’re interested: http://diyweddingtn.blogspot.com/2011/10/engagement-fireflies-in-mason-jars.html
@bree72: I second this! We are planning on camping at the campground next summer because we couldn’t get in this year! I went last year and it was absolutely amazing!
I love fireflies as well but have the same issues as you in that my wedding is a bit more formal and by sunset everyone will be inside so I have been thinking about using little fairy lights over the fire place in our venue and touches like that. I have also been thinking about filling a jar with moss and putting little individual lights through the moss and using the jars as centrepieces but am a bit worried it will be too rustic.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/53685151/firefly-and-moss-reception-mason-jar
@bree72: that looks AWESOME! gotta get out there sometime for sure
@SunnyBunny: that looks like such a sweet proposal!
Maybe you could do the same thing with cheap candle holders for a less rustic look? I love them!
These are gorgeous, but I totally understand the time/cost/benefit analysis aspect. If they’ll make you happy and you have the time, I’d do them. Otherwise, save it for a future home project
We are on the same page! Check out this website I found: http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/lantern The effect might be perfect for your little more formal affair and they are so cheap to make! I haven’t attempted any yet but they also look to be ridiculously simple (a major draw for me). Looking through the LEDs they have available I would probably try the more yellow-y one, it’s a more muted tone than the bright white one.
I love fireflies! I don’t see them much where I’m at now, but get to watch them when I visit the mister during the summer in the Midwest.
That looks like a lovely project but I understand your reservations, especially since your guests will be indoors. I’m starting to wonder if I could pull this off…hmm. Thanks for the inspiration!
OH MY GOSH!!!! I’ve been running Google ragged trying to figure out how to do something similar–my “vision” was more like fireflies or stars in a blue glass jar. Mod Podge! What a brilliant idea. Hope you don’t mind if I steal this and put a twist on it. Seriously, seeing this made my night : )
Le sigh. I loooove fireflies.. my AIM screen name and email had to do with them for the longest time! And I just totally dig the Pinterest inspo pic.. I hope you can find a way to incorporate them! Or, you know, I’ll just borrow the idea bc I’m kinda in love with it. 
I love this. Like Aardvark, could you do maybe smaller versions with other candle holders? That way it is more formal than the jar, but still gives the same effect?
Maybe it wasn’t my childhood dream, but I am certainly doing some children’s art projects. One of them is the lunch bag flowers, have you seen them?
So fun, about half way down the page.
http://www.stylemepretty.com/2010/07/27/circus-wedding-inspirations-by-moira-events/
Pinterest is a horrible, life-consuming addiction. But you just can’t stop. And those look like fireflies. We used the flameless tea lights for sorority recruitment (because we were in our on-campus house), and they worked really well.
If you use the fire-safe ‘fake’ tea-lights, you could do flowers coming out the top, sort of like a unique vase. You could even get some really good fakes and glue them to the top of the mason jars, so they could just be attached or not. Sorry, I think I need to take a trip to Michael’s now and try this.
I don’t know what the deck is like at your venue, but would these work on the railings and/or tables? Since you would make them fire-safe, your venue might be more willing to let you place them all over. Also, fresh air is very nice when dancing up a storm, so I am sure guests will be going outside for a bit.
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Miss Elk, City: Syracuse/Long Island Age and Occupation: 25, Medical Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Computer Engineer Engagement Date: November 22, 2010 Wedding Date: May 2012 Venue: The Old Field Club About Me: I’m a Long Island girl finishing my last year of medical school in western NY, on the road to becoming a pediatrician. When I’m not studying or sleeping at the hospital, I spend my free time watching bad TV (Vampire Diaries anyone?), playing with my pooch, singing incredibly off-key (to the annoyance of Mr. Elk ), and reading Harry Potter for the zillionth time. Mr. Elk and I are planning a secular wedding infused with both Irish and cultural Jewish traditions. Only a week after I become an M.D., I will get my Mrs. degree, too!
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