Are you looking for a way to add color and illumination to your wedding? Are you also hoping to make your reception very festive without spending a fortune? If so, you are in luck, because you can get all of that and more when you decorate your reception with Chinese lanterns.
Chinese lanterns are essentially wire frames covered in paper.
They are usually round, and are often lit from within for a colorful soft glow.
The fun thing about Chinese lanterns is that they come in every color imaginable, and can be used to enhance almost any type of wedding décor.
Outdoor weddings are a great place to use Chinese lanterns.
The festive globes will look fantastic suspended from the trees, especially for a reception that will be going into the evening hours.
You can hang them individually from branches of trees, or drape a long string of mini lanterns from tree to tree.
Another idea is to create a grid of clear wire over the tables at the reception, and to hang the lanterns over the seating area for an intimate glow.
The lanterns are also a great addition to an indoor wedding.
Naturally if you are having an Asian inspired wedding, you must have Chinese lanterns, but they are great for other themes as well.
The lanterns can be used as accents over the reception tables in lieu of renting costly chandeliers.
They will also give you a bright pop of color over each table, which means that you will not need to do as much with flowers and centerpieces.
Traditionally, Chinese lanterns come in white, but there is no need to limit yourself to a light color.
Many brides love to use the lanterns as a way to quickly add color throughout the entire reception area.
Paper lanterns will be a much more affordable way to do this than many of the alternatives.
They can give you a big look for a small price.
It often looks best to choose two or three colors for your lanterns.
Some of the best combinations are the boldest, such as orange and fuchsia.
Pink and green is another winning color combination, and it is perfect for the preppy bride.
If you are having a fall wedding, try using deep red, gold, and rust orange together.
For the most drama, you can't beat the pairing of red and black lanterns.
Because the Chinese lanterns will make such a strong impact on your reception venue, you want to make sure that the rest of your wedding ties in with them.
In other words, if you are using the lanterns as your main source of color, be sure to carry touches of those colors into the rest of your design.
You want to have a good balance.
For example, if you had white linens and white flowers, orange and hot pink Chinese lanterns would draw too much of the attention to the ceiling.
A better look would be to use the bright lanterns, and to layer in the orange and hot pink in the rest of the room.
You could lay orange napkins over the white tablecloths.
Add some pink flowers into the white centerpieces, and tie an orange and pink striped grosgrain ribbon around the vessel.
The bridal party can get in on the act, too.
Choose bridesmaid jewelry in hot pink crystals (the jewelry will also make a great bridesmaid gift).
The men in the wedding party can wear pocket squares in your chosen colors.
Now you have a wedding that looks unified.
You can't beat Chinese lanterns for an inexpensive way to brighten up your wedding.
Brides are finding that they are as versatile as they are festive.
They are a classic fun party idea that is sure to add a great look to your reception space.