Lighting is the easiest and most effective ways to alter the mood of a room or outdoor venue. Warm coloured low light creates a cosy intimate feel while cool brighter lights add energy and sparkle. Wherever you decide to have your function you can easily modify the lighting with candles and lanterns to create an ambiance that suits your gathering.
Scalloped paper lanterns
Materials
Decorative paper, template, glue tape, party string lights
How to create
Download the template - cut out as many as you need. Run glue tape along edge, shape paper into a cone lining up scallops and press edges together firmly to secure. To increase the size of the hole that slides over the globe cut across the pointy end of the cone to create a larger opening.
Paper bag luminaries
Materials
Brown or white paper lunch bags, a bag of sand, tea lights, hole punch.
How to create
Take a bag and fold the top edge down approximately 4cm to give the top edge of the bag more strength (this is optional). If you would like to punch a decorative pattern in the bag this is the time to do it. When completed pour about four inches of sand into each bag, then place one or two tea light in the sand, making sure they are firmly in place. Place the bags in position usually about a metre or more apart and light.
Remember
When using a naked flame always consider safety, particularly when children are around.