Diy Wedding Luminary Bags: Crafting The Perfect Ambience

Luminaries are an age-old Mexican tradition, often used to illuminate a pathway or stairway. They are a popular decorative feature at weddings, with coloured luminary bags fitting into specific colour schemes. The bags are usually made from paper and lit with candles, but can also be made from clay or ice. To make paper luminary bags, you will need a small, plain paper bag, tissue paper, a cutting tool, sand, and a tea light candle. First, cut out a design in your paper bag, then secure tissue paper inside the bag to create a softer glow. Next, fill the bag with sand and place a candle inside. Finally, light the candle and admire your handiwork!

Choosing the right paper bag

Colour

The colour of the paper bag you choose will set the tone and ambiance for your wedding luminary bags. Traditional options include brown or white paper lunch bags, which are simple and elegant. White luminary bags can create a pure and magical atmosphere, while brown bags offer a more rustic and warm feel. You can also explore coloured bags, such as blue or red, to match your wedding theme or create a unique visual effect.

Size

Consider the size of the paper bag in relation to your desired luminary height. You can find paper luminary bags in various sizes, from small to large, to create staggering heights when placed together. For example, you can cut the bags into different heights to add visual interest to your display. Standard bag sizes range from 5.9 x 10 x 3.5 inches to 6 x 10 x 3.5 inches, but you can also find larger or smaller options depending on your needs.

Material

When choosing paper bags, look for materials that are flame-resistant or fire-retardant, especially if you plan to use real candles. This will ensure the safety of your guests and peace of mind during your wedding celebrations. Additionally, consider the thickness and quality of the paper. Thicker paper bags may provide more durability and a longer-lasting display, while thinner bags may offer a more delicate and ethereal appearance.

Design

Paper luminary bags come in a variety of designs, from simple solid colours to intricate cut-out patterns. Choose a design that aligns with your wedding theme and overall aesthetic. For example, you can find bags with star, moon, or heart cut-outs, or opt for bags with festive designs like Christmas trees or snowflakes. You can also get creative and design your own patterns by using an exact knife or craft cutters to freehand shapes onto the bags.

Moisture-proof

If your wedding is outdoors or in a humid environment, consider choosing moisture-proof paper luminary bags. This feature will help protect the bags from moisture damage and ensure that your luminaries remain intact throughout the event.

By considering these factors, you can choose the right paper bag for your wedding luminary bags, creating a magical and memorable display for your special day.

Cutting out your design

Now that you've selected your bag, it's time to cut out your design. This is where you can get creative and choose a pattern that reflects your wedding theme or colours. Keep in mind that a simple design is much easier and quicker to cut out than a complicated one. If you're making multiple luminaries, a simple design will save you time and effort.

Start by tracing your desired shape onto the front of the bag with a pencil. You can freehand the design or use a stencil, cookie cutter, or even a fall leaf as a guide. If you're using a printout or stencil, place it inside your luminary bag and use a pencil to trace the image carefully. Remove the printout or stencil and replace it with cardboard to provide a sturdy base for cutting.

For a basic design, you can use scissors to cut out the shape. However, for more intricate designs, a craft blade or hobby knife may be more suitable. If you're using a craft blade, start with the smaller, inside shapes, and then move on to the bigger shapes. Always cut away from yourself and replace the blade when it becomes dull.

If you want to create a more delicate design, consider using a hammer and an eyelet-setting tool to punch holes around your drawing instead of cutting out shapes. Space the holes about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (0.64 to 1.27 cm) apart. This technique will create a beautiful pattern of light and shadow when your luminary is lit.

Once you've finished cutting, remove the cardboard and clean up any stray pieces of paper inside the bag. Carefully pull out any remaining pieces, or use small, pointed scissors to cut them away.

If you want to add an extra touch of softness to the glow of your luminary, you can secure tissue paper, tracing paper, or thin printer paper inside the bag. Cut the paper to the size of your bag and tuck it in behind the design, securing it with glue or tape. You can even use coloured tissue paper to change the colour of the glow!

Adding colour with tissue paper

Firstly, choose the colour of tissue paper you want to use. Opt for colours that complement your wedding theme or colour scheme. Pastel shades like pink, blue, and yellow can create a soft, romantic glow, while bolder colours like red, purple, or green can make a vibrant statement.

Next, cut the tissue paper to size. You'll want it to fit inside your paper bags, so cut the tissue paper to match the size of the bags. If you want to cover the entire bag, cut the tissue paper to the same height as the bag. Alternatively, you can cut it shorter to cover just the bottom portion, leaving the top of the bag open for light to shine through.

Now, it's time to secure the tissue paper inside the bag. Use a glue stick or double-sided tape for this step. Apply a thin layer of glue or tape along the edges of the tissue paper and adhere it to the inside of the bag. Make sure the tissue paper is smooth and free of wrinkles for the best light diffusion.

Once the glue has dried, you can add your light source. Flameless LED tea lights or votive candles are a safer option than real candles, especially if you're concerned about fire hazards. Place the light source at the bottom of the bag, inside the tissue paper-lined area.

Finally, display your colourful luminary bags at your wedding! Group them together to create a stunning visual effect. You can place them on tables as centrepieces, line them along pathways or steps, or hang them from shepherd's hooks for a floating effect.

Your wedding luminary bags with coloured tissue paper will create a beautiful, atmospheric display that your guests will adore!

Weighing down the bag with sand

Weighing down your wedding luminary bags with sand is an important step in the bag-making process. It helps to stabilise the bag and prevent it from toppling over, especially if there is no snow on the ground to anchor it. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving this:

Firstly, source your sand. You can buy natural sand specifically for this purpose, or you could collect your own. If sand is not available, you could use rocks or other heavy objects as a substitute. For a standard-sized luminary bag, you will need approximately 1 lb. (453 g) of sand.

Next, fold the top of each bag. This will help to keep the sand contained and prevent spillage. If you are using a paper bag with an open top, you could consider gluing or stapling the top shut for added security.

Now, carefully fill each bag with the sand you have sourced. Take your time with this step, as rushing may result in spillages. You could use a funnel to help guide the sand into the bag, or carefully create a cone shape with paper or card and use this to guide the sand.

Once your bags are filled, you can move on to the next steps of creating your luminaries. This usually involves cutting out a design in the bag, and adding a light source such as a tea light candle or LED light.

It is important to note that if you are using real candles, you must be vigilant about fire safety. Ensure your bags are placed on steady ground, and consider the wind and any potential fire hazards nearby.

Using a safe light source

When making luminary bags, it is important to consider fire safety, especially when using paper bags. A slight breeze can carry a flame to the paper, or blow the paper into the flame, so a safe light source is crucial.

One option is to use flameless LED tea lights or candles. These can be placed directly into the bag without the risk of fire. You can also use solar-powered lights or electric light strings. These are a safer option than real candles and will create the same magical effect.

If you do use real tea light candles, place them in a glass jar or votive holder before putting them into the bag. This will help to reduce the risk of the bag catching on fire. You should also be vigilant and never leave burning luminaries unattended. Have a bucket of water nearby in case of emergencies.

Another option is to use fairy lights or string lights. These can be placed inside the bags to create a beautiful, glowing effect. You can also use LED fairy lights or string lights to add extra sparkle and magic to your display.

For outdoor luminary bags, you can use outdoor Christmas lights, especially those with bigger bulbs. These can be placed in a well in the ground, with the luminary bag placed over the top. This will create a soft, glowing effect and is a safe option for outdoor spaces.

Frequently asked questions