::Disclaimer!  Except where noted, the photos in this post are not from events that Wish Special Events has planned or coordinated.  We can re-create what you see below for your event but these are not a part of our portfolio::

Oh, that Laura just thinks she’s SO clever, doesn’t she?  She goes and posts a WishCandy on Paper Lanterns, when I have been collecting pictures for AGES!  Well, I’ll fix her wagon!

Miss Laura may have offered you tons of amazing photos, but did she have this one?  No, no she didn’t:

Of course, paper lanterns aren’t the only lanterns out there.  You can do beautiful things with all types of lanterns:

Little White Dress Photography:

Jasmine Star Photography:

Jennifer S. Rau Photography:

I love these hanging mason jars by Paloma Images, especially how they’re all different shapes and sizes:

Erlina Kim Photography:

Lauren Rutten Photography:

I like the idea of lanterns in place of pew bows:

Sometimes you don’t have a handy pew, tent, or tree to hang your lanterns from.  That’s when things like Shepherd’s Hooks come in handy.

Amanda Phillips Photography:

Nina Sutherland Photography:

Silverbox Photographers photographed these cute lanterns from CB2, Crate and Barrel’s “little sister” company.

Of course, you don’t have to hang your lanterns at all — there are tons of ways you can place them throughout your ceremony or reception:

Ashley Brockinton Photography:

Marie Clark Photography:

Silk Studio Weddings:

Amanda Bevington Photography:

I love lanterns as centerpieces, or to decorate an escort card or gift table:

One of our couples, Trish and Justin, used these adorable lanterns for their centerpieces:

Amanda Kraft Photography:

And, just because I LOVE them, a few more amazing photos of paper lanterns!

Rebecca Thuss designed this “lantern chandelier,” which many brides, including one of mine that you’ll see in a few weeks, used for inspiration:

I love the intimate feeling these low hanging lanterns create, found on Blue Orchid Designs Blog (of course, I’m short…I wonder if they would be frustrating if you weren’t a total midget, like me?)

How cool is the use of the paper lanterns in this natural history museum, photographed by Serene Image Photography? A great idea to add some lighting to a venue that doesn’t allow candles!

Love these round bulb lights mixed in with the lanterns, from Paul Johnson Photography (plus, a bluegrass band at your wedding?  AWESOME!)

Star lanterns, decorated tent poles, AND sunflowers?!  I LOVE IT!

Will you be using lanterns at your wedding?  Where do you find them, and how do you use them?

::Disclaimer!  Only the first photo in this post is from an event that Wish Special Events has planned or coordinated.  I’ve given credit to the designers where I can.  We can re-create what you see below for your event but these are not a part of our portfolio::

I’ve been collecting photographs of lanterns for a long time now!  This seems to be one of those decor trends that never quite expired.  Unfortunately it’s not the cheapest way to decorate a reception space but it sure is a beautiful one!

Photo: Sabine Scherer

If you’re not familiar, paper lanterns are made of a lightweight wire frame and covered in a light, translucent paper.  They come in all makes and models but the standard is a basketball-sized white version.  These are just so gorgeous in abundance:

Even when you don’t have a huge budget for a ton of lanterns, they can still jazz up a plain reception space.  This is a high school gymnasium (see how the basketball hoop is covered in satin?):

Whoever designed this event got pretty funky!  I like the combination of the round lanterns, the cone-shaped lights, and the twinkly string lights:

This wedding used lanterns only over the dance floor, giving the tent a beautiful focal point and also giving this spot a feeling of abundance (without going overboard).  Can you imagine what their cake cutting photos would have looked like if the photographer got low to the ground and shot upwards with the lanterns in the back?  ::swoon::

Lanterns can even be incorporated into a centerpiece.  Who said they needed to hang from the ceiling?

This creative wedding used them to dress up a tree!  Minty green and ‘Pepto pink’ are a little past their prime in trendiness but this was all the rage circa 2006:

Even standard white lanterns can look extra special when lit with a colored bulb or contrasted against a colored uplight.  In this case we have a pink uplight against the wall, round pink lanterns with white lights inside, and white cylindrical lanterns with white lights inside!  What a gorgeous statement for your bar and lounge space.  This scrumptious event was designed by David Beahm Design:

If the solid-colored lanterns aren’t your style, how about these funky ones?  I’m not sure where Ariella Chezar found these beautiful pieces but I love the photo just the same:

The same awesome lanterns by the same awesome designer, strung in a different space (must be the same event, right?):

This is an older image (2005 maybe?) but I could still stare at it for hours.  I love the combination of the natural-colored linens and chairs, the subdued but elegant and luscious centerpieces, the great natural trees with tables scattered between, and the strung canopy of lights.  Are these white paper bags??

I’m the worst about photo credits and have had some of these photos for a very long time.  If you know where they came from (or if they’re yours) please let me know!

Here in the DC area, Frost Lighting and Capital Decor are two wonderful companies who can install gorgeous lanterns like these.  There are a few other options but we always recommend these two.

Do you plan on having paper lanterns or another type of decoration for your reception?