Asian Sky Lanterns
Using Asian Sky Lanterns at Weddings and other Festivities

Let’s face it: we all want our wedding to be a special occasion and many times we can go overboard with things, trying to make sure that every little thing is perfect. It can be hard to decipher the difference between what we want and the type of thing we have always wanted our guests to experience and sky lanterns can help to really break the mold when it comes to giving wedding guests an experience that they will never forget.

What Are Sky Lanterns?
Sky lanterns are small paper lanterns that have been used more traditionally in Asian wedding ceremonies, but are slowly making their mark on the more traditional wedding scene as a way to do something a little differently or to bring an Asian feel into things. Traditionally speaking, sky lanterns are made of rice paper that has been oiled for the translucent effect. They are stretched around a small wooden or bamboo frame and the frame holds a small candle or another type of combustible material, many times a fuel cell. When the heat is generated from the fuel cell or the candle, smoke ensues and the lantern is lifted into the air, remaining there for 15 to 20 minutes until the effect is gone. This is similar to the hot air balloon effect, with the gases from the flame or the cell and the smoke that ensues allowing the object to remain lifted into the air.

Sky Lantern Materials
Traditionally, the paper in sky lanterns is very thin rice paper or oiled rice paper for the clear-looking effect and to create a lighter object to be lifted into the air. The frame is most always made of thin bamboo strips in traditional Asian weddings or ceremonies although many other companies and people make them of another light wood. It is said that bamboo wood is best, as it is light and allows the lantern to lift into the air as safely as possible and stay there for as long as possible. A piece of cloth with kerosene is placed in the bottom of the lantern, and that is what ignites the flame once it is raised into the air and causes it to remain in the air for a set amount of time.

A Short History
While sky lanterns are something that is becoming increasingly more part of traditional weddings and festivities all over the world, they have not always been so mainstream. Historically speaking, sky lanterns were a part of Asian wedding festivities and have slowly made it into the normal wedding thoroughfare these days.

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