Post # 1
Member
62 posts
Worker bee
Ok, so please be absolutely honest with this one…do paper lanterns work at a formal (late evening, formal attire,) reception? I know they are kind of a new trend and don’t know if they are typically for daytime/outdoors/tents or if they work in a formal setting as well.
I know in this day and age you can do just about whatever floats your boat decor-wise…but I’m going for a more traditional feel…do you think paper lanterns would say more ‘trendy’ vs. traditional? Or could they be a pretty part of a traditional, elegant ballroom feel?
To give a bit more background, the room is very large and the ceiling goes up for four stories. Because of this, my worry is that there will be too much empty space visually. There are balconies bordering two sides of the room and my thought was to try filling in some of the space and create a visual ‘border’ or wall by hanging paper lanterns from the balconies. It is a fairly contemporary room, not a historical building or anything.
Again, I’m not worried if they would be appropriate at all, but more, if they would work as part of a traditional, elegant setting or if they would say more ‘modern, trendy’.
Post # 3
Member
2819 posts
Sugar bee
Hmm. I think it would depend what kind of lanterns you were going for. If you were just doing plain white globes, if they were high enough up they might just look like globe lights. You could also play around with making patterns with them (kind of like chandeliers, if you will).
Personally, I LOVE the look of paper lanterns. But I’m not sure if they’d send a distinctly "traditional" vibe. I DO, however, think that they’re elegant. Modern, yes, but very sophisticated.
Post # 4
Member
62 posts
Worker bee
Thanks Jenniphyr! Elegant and sophisticated but not ‘traditional’ is great as far as I’m concerned! I guess I wondering more if they would look unusual or out of place at a formal reception. I didn’t want to ask if it would be ‘ok’ to do them because like I said, it’s 2009 and I think really it’s ‘ok’ to do just about whatever you want at a reception!
I guess I’m more wondering if it would fall into the category of "Unusual but hey, be a trendsetter!" or "Naw, they wouldn’t look out of place at all in a formal setting, lots of people do it!" In some ways I don’t think I’m daring or cutting edge to do anything too wild but I just love the look of lanterns! I was thinking of black and white in alternating sizes.
Post # 5
Member
9 posts
Newbee
I just went to a Chinese wedding. There were paper lanterns all accross the ceiling of the reception and ceremony areas. It was quite beautiful. I had no idea that this was trendy but I thought it was quite an elegant look. If you like the way it looks, I think you should go with it.
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