How do I string paper lanterns overhead?

How many paper lanterns do I need and what size?

• For my wedding I want to put paper lanterns above the dance floor which is 20x20. It is in a tent with a flat ceiling so about average height. My wedding color is green with accent colors pink and orange so I want to get the paper lanterns in all 3 colors. Any suggestions on how many I should order of each and what size I should get. Thanks!

• Answer:

  Really it depends on a bunch of things. How big are the lanterns? The big circular ones you would want to use sparingly. It is large and can very easily go across the line into super casual, backyard bbq instead of elegant wedding. The smaller rectangular ones are a bit nicer looking. Usually the light up ones are already on strings of 6 ft or 8 ft. In which case 2 or 3 would fit on a row. I don't know how the ceiling looks to know how you can get them up there but I'd put about 3 feet between them so about 5 or 6 rows of them. That's about 12. But it really depends on which lanterns you pick and how much extra light the room needs. You may think that looks like way too much. Are you draping them like a scallop? Straighter lines look more elegant than criss crossing but only you can see if the light is far too much for the room not to mention the colors. Sometimes bright colors look great in a white room but sometimes if the room has too much color, green and orange might look too bright and border on gaudy. Lanterns are a delicate thing. It can look gorgeous or too casual. It's really hard to tell without a picture of the room and which type of lanterns you like.