Creating Magical Lantern Centerpieces For Your Wedding

Lanterns are a great way to enhance the ambiance of your wedding day while also reinforcing your overall wedding theme and aesthetic. Lanterns come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, textures, and colors, so you can select the best option that fits your style and aesthetic. For example, iron lights are ideal for rustic soirées, while glass and metallic square casings complement a more modern bash. You can also fill your lanterns with flowers or fairy lights instead of the traditional candle.

Use flowers, candles, or fairy lights to fill the lanterns

Flowers, candles, and fairy lights are all excellent choices to fill lanterns for wedding centrepieces. Here are some ideas on how to use them:

Flowers

• Opt for a simple yet elegant look by placing a small bouquet of flowers atop the lantern.
• For a rustic vibe, intersperse wicker baskets of blooms with the lanterns.
• Fill the lanterns with flowers instead of candles for an overflowing, vibrant design.
• For a vintage-inspired event, decorate antique lanterns with eucalyptus.
• For a bold statement, place a trio of wooden lanterns with dried foliage and prolific greens on white linens.

Candles

• For a modern twist, opt for sleek gold lanterns with minimalist greenery.
• Create a magical atmosphere by filling the lanterns with fairy lights and gold-painted rocks.
• For a vintage flair, use tall, slender lanterns with taper candles.
• Add a romantic touch with soft candlelight and elegant gold lanterns surrounded by fresh roses and hydrangeas.
• For a rustic look, pair gold lanterns with greenery.

Combining Elements

• Combine flowers and lanterns by placing vibrant floral arrangements and effervescent taper candles alongside the lanterns.
• For a unique twist, suspend lanterns filled with fairy lights and greenery from the ceiling.
• Create a unified look by matching the colour of the lanterns to the rest of the tabletop accents, such as table numbers, taper candles, and napkins.

Choose a lantern style that matches your wedding aesthetic

When it comes to choosing a lantern style for your wedding, there are many factors to consider. Firstly, the shape and size of the lantern can make a big difference in the overall aesthetic. For example, rectangular lanterns with sharp angles are a more traditional option, while spherical or orb-shaped lanterns can add a touch of whimsy and elegance. The size of the lantern should be proportional to the size of the tables and the overall venue. Smaller, more intimate weddings may call for delicate, petite lanterns, while larger, grander affairs can accommodate oversized or statement lanterns.

The material and colour of the lantern are also important considerations. Metal lanterns, such as iron or brass, lend themselves well to rustic or bohemian themes, while glass and metallic lanterns are better suited for modern or contemporary weddings. Wooden lanterns are versatile and can be painted to match any colour palette, making them a popular choice for outdoor or rustic-chic weddings. For a glamorous or luxurious event, gold or rose gold lanterns add a touch of opulence, especially when paired with complementary candle holders or disco balls.

The type of light source used in the lantern can also impact the overall aesthetic. Candles, especially tall taper candles, create a romantic and elegant atmosphere, while fairy lights or twinkle lights inside the lanterns can add a magical or whimsical touch. For a unique spin on the traditional lantern, consider using flowers or plants as the light source, or even filling the lantern with colourful fruit or decorative objects that match your wedding theme.

Finally, don't be afraid to mix and match different lantern styles to create a unique and personalised look. Combining modern elements with romantic touches, such as black-rimmed lanterns adorned with soft pink roses, can make your wedding one-of-a-kind. Lanterns can also be embellished with ribbons, greenery, or flowers to tie in with the surrounding table décor and fine-tune your vision.

Opt for a hanging lantern as a unique centrepiece

Lantern centrepieces are a great way to enhance the ambiance of your wedding while reinforcing your overall theme and aesthetic. Opting for a hanging lantern is a unique way to decorate your wedding reception and a great alternative to a table centrepiece.

Sarah Khan Event Styling designed a unique hanging lantern centrepiece using an ornate oval-shaped lantern wrapped in eucalyptus and flowers in purple tones. This design is a great way to add a luxurious and elegant feel to your wedding reception. When designing a hanging lantern centrepiece, it is important to ensure that it is not obstructing your guests' field of view.

If you are looking for a more understated design, consider a simple hanging lantern with a candle inside. Gold, black, and white lanterns are popular choices for weddings and can be easily found online. You can also get creative and decorate your hanging lantern with flowers, leaves, or fairy lights.

Hanging lanterns can also be used in conjunction with table centrepieces to create an overhead installation that extends your centrepiece. Suspending greenery and lanterns from the ceiling will create a floating centerpiece that adds a unique and elegant touch to your wedding reception.

Use a combination of rustic and refined elements

Lantern centrepieces are a great way to enhance the ambiance of your wedding while reinforcing your overall theme and aesthetic. Here are some ideas for creating a combination of rustic and refined elements for your lantern wedding centrepieces:

Use a Variety of Lantern Styles

Lanterns come in a wide range of styles, including wooden, metal, glass, and vintage varieties. Mixing and matching different styles can create a unique and eclectic look for your centrepieces. For example, you could pair elegant gold lanterns with rustic wooden lanterns, or mix metal lanterns with paper lanterns.

Incorporate Rustic Elements

To add a rustic touch to your centrepieces, consider using lanterns with antique finishes or rustic wooden elements. You could also incorporate natural elements such as eucalyptus leaves, candles, and flowers. For a country-inspired look, use mason jars as lanterns or decorate your lanterns with raffia and natural materials.

Combine with Refined Elements

To add a touch of refinement to your centrepieces, incorporate elegant white roses, peonies, or calla lilies. Gold or glass candle holders, lush greenery, and ornate details can also elevate your lantern centrepieces. For a modern twist, try using gold lanterns with black rims or metallic square casings.

Play with Scale

Don't be afraid to use oversized lanterns to make a statement. Large lanterns can be placed on the floor or used to decorate the ends of the table. For a more subtle look, small lanterns can be placed on a bed of ferns or surrounded by flowers.

Experiment with Lighting

Lantern centrepieces don't always have to include candles. For a unique twist, try filling your lanterns with fairy lights or flowers. If you do use candles, play with different types and sizes, such as votive candles, tea lights, or tall taper candles.

Add Personal Touches

Customise your lantern centrepieces to reflect your personality and style. For a sentimental touch, use lanterns to display pictures of your parents and grandparents on their wedding day. You could also incorporate meaningful herbs, such as dogwood and dandelions, which symbolise love and happiness.

Include a variety of textures and colours in your display

Lanterns come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, textures, and colours, so you can select the best option that fits your style and aesthetic. For instance, iron lights are ideal for rustic soirées, whereas glass and metallic square casings will complement a more modern bash.

• Highlight wooden pieces: Use wooden lanterns as the primary focus of attention, and infuse a grandiose flair with gold and glass candle holders, and a botanical edge with greenery.
• Combine modern with romance: Embellish lanterns with black rims, which are standard for modern affairs, with roses in pink and white tones to embed a bit of romance.
• Pull off a bohemian flair: Try wicker vessels in a spherical shape with a braided rope handle to help produce your natural and free-spirited event. Include warm colours and unique textures in your place settings with orange and yellow glassware and chargers featuring an abstract design.
• Layer with colourful fruit: Brass lanterns and a table runner composed of multicoloured flowers and colourful fruit accents, like papayas and grapefruit, will complement a bold and boisterous colour scheme.
• Incorporate juxtaposition: Add contrast to your wedding reception tables with black-rimmed rectangular vessels, which will bring a modern edge to an otherwise neutral-toned tablescape.
• Introduce an island-chic feel: Wicker lantern centrepieces, surrounded by citrus fruits, white linens, and neutral details, will channel a tropical feel and create a casual-yet-elegant ambiance.
• Match your glassware: Create a cohesive look by matching your lantern centrepieces with your glassware. For a modern affair, coordinate black lanterns with gold-rimmed black glassware, and use flowers and place settings to introduce other hues.
• Go with unexpected shapes and textures: Instead of rectangular lanterns with sharp angles, try orb lanterns that mimic coral to enact natural and elegant lantern centrepieces. Add a monstera leaf and individual flowers to complete the tablescape.

Frequently asked questions