Crafting Paper Round Luminaries For A Dream Wedding

Paper luminaries are a fun, easy, and cost-effective way to add a festive touch to your wedding. You can make them in various colours and textures, and they can be used as centrepieces or treat bags for your guests. While you can make them with a knife, a cutting machine like a Cricut or Silhouette is recommended. You can use different materials such as cardstock, vellum, glue, tape, and LED lights to create your desired design. They are a great way to spend quality time with friends and family and get everyone involved in crafting something special for your big day.

Choosing the paper

When it comes to choosing the paper for your wedding luminaries, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll want to select a type of paper that is safe to use with a light source. While real candles create a beautiful effect, they pose a fire hazard, so it's best to opt for LED tealights or fairy lights to illuminate your luminaries. As such, you should choose a paper that won't easily catch fire.

Cardstock is a popular choice for luminaries as it comes in a wide variety of colours and textures, and its thickness makes it more durable than regular paper. If you're creating an intricate design, a non-textured cardstock with a coloured core is recommended to minimise fraying and create a clean finish. There are several brands that offer assorted colour packs, such as the Assorted Starter Pack, Cricut Joy Insert Card Packs, and the Poptone Assorted Variety Pack. If you're looking for individual colours, the Cardstock Warehouse brand on Amazon is a good option for matte cardstock. For a metallic finish, the Stardream Metallics Line is a popular choice.

If you want to add an extra layer of opacity to your luminaries, you can line the inside of the design with vellum paper. This will help diffuse the light and create a softer glow.

When assembling your luminaries, you can use glue or tape to join the seams. Tape tends to create a cleaner look and is easier to work with, especially when using cardstock, as the paper can break free before the glue dries.

Cutting the paper

Firstly, prepare your paper. Cardstock paper is a good option as it comes in a variety of colours and textures. If you are going for a more intricate design, choose a non-textured cardstock with a coloured core to minimise fraying and create a clean finish.

Next, you will need to cut out your design. You can do this by hand with a craft knife, but it is recommended to use a cutting machine like a Cricut or Silhouette for a more precise cut. If using a machine, upload your design to the corresponding software. If you are not welding the panels together, you will only need to cut out the individual-sized panels.

If you want to add a layer of vellum to your luminary for a more opaque look, cut out your design on the vellum as well. You can add colour to your vellum before cutting it with alcohol inks or water-based markers.

If you are cutting by hand, having an exact knife will make it easier to cut out your design, especially if it is intricate. You can also use craft cutters to cut out shapes like stars.

Finally, if you are making paper bag luminaries, you can cut the bags to different heights to add visual interest when grouping them together.

Joining the paper

Preparing the Cardstock Paper:

Start by choosing a piece of cardstock paper in your desired colour and texture. Cardstock with a coloured core or a non-textured finish is recommended to minimize fraying and create a clean look. Place the paper on a flat surface and draw your chosen pattern in the middle with a pencil. To make it easier to pop holes in the paper, place a piece of styrofoam underneath. You can use a thumb pin or any sharp, pointy tool to create the holes along your design. Try to maintain an even distance between the holes for a neat finish.

Gluing and Joining:

Once you have finished popping holes, apply glue along the edge of the paper. Take two sides of the cardstock and carefully join them to form a cylinder, ensuring the shape is uniform. This step requires precision as cardstock paper can be hard, and it may break free before the glue dries. You can use clothespins or similar tools to hold the sides together while the glue dries, creating a secure join.

Assembly:

At this stage, your paper luminary should be taking shape. Depending on your cardstock and template, you may be able to weld the panels together to create a continuous piece. Tape is often used to create clean edges and a seamless finish. You can also use glue or a glue gun, but be mindful that it may create a mess or affect the overall appearance.

Final Touches:

With the main structure complete, it's time to add the finishing touches. If you prefer a more opaque look, consider adding a layer of vellum to line the inside of the luminary. Cut the vellum to size, apply glue to the cutout design, and place the vellum on top. This will soften the light effect and enhance the overall appearance.

Adding a light source

Choosing the Right Light Source

It is essential to opt for a flameless light source to ensure safety and avoid the risk of fire. LED lights are an excellent choice as they consume less power, generate less heat, and reduce the likelihood of overheating your luminaries. Battery-powered candles are also a safer option than real candles.

Number of Lights

The number of lights you use will depend on the size and style of your luminaries. For paper bag luminaries, 3-4 flameless tea lights per bag is usually sufficient to create a cosy glow. If you're using LED string lights, ensure you have enough to fill the bottom of each luminary and create a soft illumination.

Placing the Lights

Before placing the lights, ensure your luminaries are securely assembled and placed on a stable surface. For paper bag luminaries, fill the bottom of each bag with sand or another weighted material to prevent them from toppling over. Then, carefully place your chosen light source inside each luminary.

Lighting the Luminaries

If you're using LED lights, turn them on and adjust the settings to achieve the desired brightness and lighting effect. For tea lights or candles, use a long lighter or candle to safely light each wick. Ensure the flame is stable and does not come into contact with the paper.

Safety Precautions

Always exercise caution when using any light source. Keep luminaries away from flammable materials and decorations, and never leave them unattended. Ensure your venue has proper ventilation, and consider placing luminaries in well-ventilated areas to prevent heat build-up. Regularly check the temperature of the luminaries to ensure they are not overheating.

Testing and Timing

It is essential to test your luminaries before the wedding to ensure they meet your expectations and to familiarise yourself with the lighting process. Time the lights to ensure they last throughout your event. If using tea lights or candles, have extra lights on hand in case they burn out prematurely.

Your paper round luminaries will create a magical atmosphere at your wedding with the right light source. Remember to be creative, and don't be afraid to experiment with different lighting options to achieve the perfect glow for your special day.

Decorating the luminaries

Once you've made your paper luminaries, it's time to decorate them! Here are some ideas to get you started:

Cutting Out Designs

Use an Exacto knife to cut out designs on your luminaries. You can freehand your own design or use a stencil. You can also use craft cutters to cut out your chosen design. If you're making a set of luminaries, vary the heights to add visual interest when you place them together.

Adding Colour

If you're using vellum, you can add colour to it before assembling your luminary. Use alcohol inks, or try water-based markers with a damp cotton ball for a similar effect. You can also try using fairy lights inside your luminaries for a colourful glow.

Using Different Cardstock

There are many different types of cardstock to choose from, so you can get creative with colours and textures. If you're doing an intricate design, a non-textured cardstock with a coloured core will minimise fraying and create a clean finish. For a metallic shimmer finish, try the Stardream line.

Adding Embellishments

Try adding a layer of vellum to the inside of your luminary for a more opaque look. You can also add extra layers to the inside of your luminary to represent the seasons of the year.

Frequently asked questions