Paper lanterns bring a tranquil, romantic ambience to any event, especially weddings! The soft glow alone is so soothing and sexy! They've been a decorative favorite in China for centuries, and now people around the world recognize their potential for event design.

Paper lanterns have flourished since the 2nd century in China. The Chinese are so captivated by the beauty of paper lanterns, they devoted their second most important holiday to the paper lantern--Lantern Festival. Covered with rice paper and dressed in a wide variety of styles, the lanterns are being used more and more for illumination, decoration and celebration. If you want to bring an inspiring elegance to your wedding reception, please think about paper lanterns. They're cost-effective and a delight for the eyes!

FIVE TIPS FOR DECORATING WITH PAPER LANTERNS

1. Before you choose the size of the paper lanterns, research the size of the room or the tent. You need to consider the height of the room and the placement of the lanterns.

2. To create dimension and depth, choose several different sizes of paper lanterns.

3. Hang the lanterns at varied heights for the most striking appearance.

4. White paper lanterns are most popular for weddings and receptions because of their versatility and elegance, whether lit or unlit.

5. Paper lanterns come in a variety of colors, so it's easy to coordinate with your color scheme and decor. To add sparkle and pizzazz, put low-watt colored light bulbs in white paper lanterns, which looks better than using colored paper lanterns.

Once you have your sea of paper lanterns above, you'll want to concentrate on complementary wedding centerpieces. Since you've created a "heaven" of dramatic orbs, think about balancing things out with centerpieces that are square. Add to the glow of the paper lanterns with beautiful, square pillar candles (left,) which also come in several sizes for an abstract look. You can even mix them with round candles just to be different. Classic square, glass vases (right) vary in size, too, and they let you bring even more dazzle to your color scheme with flowers, glass bead stems or lucky bamboo shoots.

Your guests will be talking about your nuptials for weeks afterward, and your paper lanterns will come in handy for other celebrations throughout your lives together!

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