Luminaria, as you may know are paper lanterns lit by
a candle.
Its easy and fun to decorate them to match your theme wedding.
For example use bits of seaweed or small shells and pieces of drift wood for a beach theme
wedding or use autumn leaves, dry moss, corn husks and so on.
Place the luminiaria along a walk or on tables to ad ambiance.
Caution. These are made from paper which burns and are lit with candles
which are on fire.
They are safe when used with common since. Remember to be carefully when
small children are around and when inside. If its windy they may blow out or
over. In a breeze
they will flicker nicely. Keep them away from flammables.
View the movie or scroll down for printed instructions.
Materials List
Paper bags.
Kitty litter or sand.
Candles, votive for gallon size bag or tea lights for lunch size bag,
don't use tall candles.
Grill lighter ( to light the candles ) Optional:
Found objects such as leaves, ( maple leaves in the autumn ) shells, bits
of seaweed, small sprigs of pine.
Colored paper or tissue to decorate the out sides.
Overview:
The idea is to use the sand or kitty litter to hold the bag open and keep it from blowing over while the candle provides the illumination.
1. Start with a paper bag. Brown or white bags are readily
available as well as colored bags.
Check with a party supply store or paper supplier.
Designs may be cut out to let the light shine through.
Try snipping a few spots while the bags are still folded flat.
When the bag is unfolded you will have holes where the paper was snipped
away.
Think of the paper dolls are cut and have a few bags for tests.
If the top is turned down an inch or so the bag will more rigid and tend
to stay open better.
If you tear the bag while turning the top down just tape it on the inside
of the fold and no one will ever know.
Don't be too fussy though, the crumply look is nice too.
Try gluing found objects to the outside such as leaves, shells or other
light weight found objects.
Paper designs cut out from colored tissue would be nice too.
2. Place the bag in the final location and put a few
inches of sand or kitty litter in the bottom.
Anchor the candle in the center of the bag. Votive last longer than tea
lights.
Light the candles with the long handled grill lighter to keep from burning
your hand while reaching down in the bag.
Check the burn time of the candles you are using against the time you
need to have them burning.
