Post # 1
Member
18 posts
Newbee
Hello Bees,
I’m working on pinning down all the details of my enchanted forest decor. My question is, if I want to recreate the look of the image below for our reception, what could I use as the hanging down stuff amongst the lanterns?
My future mother-in-law suggested Spanish moss, which I think would look good, but I want to explore my options. What is there that would look more like this picture (as inexensive as possible)?
And also, how would I attach it? The plan is to use fishing line to string the lanterns for our outdoor reception (no tent). Any suggestions will be much appreciated!
Post # 3
Member
1141 posts
Bumble bee
@Mrs2B000: Do weeping willow’s grow in your region? The leaves/branches would be perfect!
Post # 4
Member
30388 posts
Honey Beekeeper
First, how to attach. You can attach a small binder clip to the end of whatever hanging product you use, then attach fishing line to the handles of the clip.
Or, you can just tie the fishing line directly to the vine, or use a safety pin through the vine or floral if you use silk and tie fishing line to that.
The wedding in your pic was in Bali, so they used tropical flowers.
If it’s up high, the least expensive option will likely be silk vines or flowers.
silk wisteria
If you want fresh, amaranthus will give you the look you want, or wisteria if you want flowers.
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You might even find silk flower door curtains (like beaded door curtains) that are the most affordable. You can cluster 3 or 4 strings together.
Post # 5
Member
6263 posts
Bee Keeper
hanging amaranthus is what I was also going to suggest but a PP beat me to it. It looks great. We had it hanging from our centerpieces for my wedding.
Post # 6
Member
18 posts
Newbee
@julies1949: Wow, thanks for all the tips and suggestions! Great ideas! I will look into the cost of each option.
@gelaine22: Thanks for the amaranthus idea. I will check it out.
Now I just need to compare all these options! There are way too many little decisions to make when it comes to decor. I have 3 months left and I feel like my head is going to explode.
Post # 7
Member
18 posts
Newbee
OK, here’s a related question: What do you think would evoke more of an enchanted forest feeling, the idea shown above or just lots of fairy lights instead? I ask because I know this lantern business is going to be a lot of work, so I want to make sure I’m not just making life more difficult if something else would fit the theme better. What do you think?
Post # 8
Member
6263 posts
Bee Keeper
I think lots of fairy lights would give more of the enchanted forest feeling (think twinkling stars) vs the lanterns.
Post # 9
Member
18 posts
Newbee
@gelaine22: That’s what I suspected. Thanks for the feedback.
For some reason I went ahead and bought the LEDs and batteries for the lanterns before I started second guessing the whole idea. So I felt invested. My fiance said I shouldn’t let a $90 investment make me feel locked in. I know he’s right. I can sell them if I decide not to do the lanterns.
I think I will go to the wedding site one evening to try out different options.
I’d love to hear more opinions!
Post # 10
Member
30388 posts
Honey Beekeeper
@Mrs2B000: Another way to get that feeling would be to use branches hung horizontally. You can likely get the branches free from arborists and landscapers prunings, then weave in your mini lights. Like this only hang them higher.
Post # 11
Member
18 posts
Newbee
@julies1949: Ooh, very pretty. I’m thinking we might not go that route since it’s already outdoors, but it’s a beautiful way of bringing the outside in, for those having an indoor reception.
I was talking to my FH and we are considering going back to an old idea we had of doing lights everywhere and lanterns just above the dance floor. We could then hang stuff (amaranthus, Spanish moss, etc.) down either only with the lanterns, or everywhere, including where we do just lights. I really wish I had a better imagination to visualize everything.
Post # 12
Member
10 posts
Newbee
WE are thinking this for our ceiling for our enchanted wedding. 
Post # 13
Member
18 posts
Newbee
@diane.b.potter: Beautiful! I think I saw that pic awhile back and decided it looked like a lot of work.
My wedding is now in a week and a half…about 2 months ago our venue helped us make this decision. We went for a visit and they had put up globe lights all over the patio where we’re having the reception. A couple who had their wedding there decided to leave them behind. So we get to use them for free and with no labor involved. So we’re using those and adding 45 paper lanterns. We opted not to hang anything additional since I already have so many DIY projects.
Good luck if you decide to do it! You’ll have to post pics afterwards.
Post # 14
Member
86 posts
Worker bee
Ivy is a lovely vine that could be mixed with blooms or with fairy lights. No worry about leaves or flowers shedding either. Let’s face it, you can probably clip some off for free from a friend’s yard! You could use it in other flower arrangements in the room too.
Post # 15
Member
273 posts
Helper bee
@Mrs2B000: This is what we did for my 18th, so very low buget!
We hired camo netting to go on the walls along with ivy draped down, used twigs for centre pieces, trees and uplighting around the room, and then used the really fine black netting you put over fishponds and intertwined fairy lights to make a starry ceiling 🙂 obviously not saying do this for a wedding (as I don’t think it would look great!), but the uplighting worked really effectively!
Post # 16
Member
8 posts
Newbee
Look on Groupon .com , they have good deals most of the times for chinese lanterns, where you can get them for 1/2 price.
I also have a mix of theme decor between enchanted forest with crystal wedding , I found my inspiration on pintrest and youtube ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyy9FQXtlkA)
I am also doing some hanging amaranthus for my wedding, but I didn’t want to break the bank ( it’s very expensive in CT ) so I ordered seeds on ebay ( around 150 per package ) and grow in in my yard and my friend’s , I just hope to bloom by July 🙂
Good luck to you