Backyard Wedding DIY Love Lanterns

Have you ever been to a wedding that left you speechless?Where every detail was perfect and authentic and effortless and surprising and… did I already say perfect? I’ve been to a few of those weddings and have noticed that they each have something in common: DIY charm. I love seeing the personal touch, the love, involved in the decorations, food, or music. It creates a “realness” to the event that I adore.

So today we wanted to share a DIY that would be perfect for a backyard ceremony, reception or party. We asked LA artist and display guru Mallory Lawson to show us how to make flameless candlelit love lanterns. I love the idea of these lanterns lining a path or sitting atop tables in the backyard with layered in flowers, various candles, or tall vases. Keep reading to see how to make these simplistically cool triangles of light.

Supplies & Tools:

1/4″ Balsa wood square dowels

Vellum paper or translucent fabric

Wire

Hot glue gun

Japanese hand saw

Scissors

Wire cutters

Ruler

Drill

1/16″ drill bit

Part 1: Building The Frame
1. Using the Japanese hand saw, cut balsa wood dowels to measure 12 inches. You will need six 12″ pieces.

diylanters

diylanters
2. Measure a 1/4″ in from each end of the dowel and drill a 1/16″ hole. All six dowels should have two drilled holes, one on each end.

diylanterns
3. On a flat surface, arrange three pieces of the drilled balsa wood so that they create a triangle. Making sure that the drilled holes line up, wire each joint together. This is the base of the lantern.

diylanterns

diylanters
4. At each joint of the triangle, measure 1″ in from the end. Drill a hole that goes through both pieces of balsa wood.

diylanterns

diylanterns
5. For each of the three leftover pieces of wood, place each in a corner so that the drilled holes line up, then feeding the wire through the three pieces, fasten them together.

diylanterns

diylanterns

diylanterns
6. Gather the loose ends of the three dowels to create a pyramid shape. Wire all of the ends together at the top. The frame is complete!

diylanterns

diylanterns

diylanterns

Part 2: Covering The Frame
1. Using your translucent material of choice, cut out three 14″ x 14″ x 14″ triangles.

diylanterns

diylanterns
2. Using your hot glue gun, adhere one end of your cut material to the base of the triangle. Pulling firmly, adhere the two other sides of the material to the corresponding side of the frame. Wrap excess material around wood and adhere to ensure all wood is covered. Cut off any additional excess material that is not glued to frame. Material should be taut on frame.

diylanterns

diylanterns

diylanterns

diylanterns
3. Repeat step 2 on the remaining sides of frame. Lantern is complete!

diylanterns

diylanterns

diylanterns

diylanterns

diylanterns

Be sure to use only flameless candles inside of the lanterns!

Thank you Mallory for your lantern DIY tutorial! Follow her on Instagram and check out her art and handmade goods on Etsy!

Follow fp joanna on Instagram.

0 0 vote
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
6 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
8 years ago

These are absolutely amazing – I love the soft lighting and would love to have these for my patio this summer :)

Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com

8 years ago

in love with the tattoos on her hand <3

Jules
see you at
http://www.say-it-like-you-eat-it.com

8 years ago

These lanterns are gorgeous and the perfect way to lighten up a patio our any outdoor space. I know a few people getting married in the upcoming months, so I’ll definitely be sharing this tutorial with them.

-Helen
http://www.sweethelengrace.com

8 years ago

I cannot get enough of the DIYs here! So beautiful!!

8 years ago

So beautiful!! Love the simplicity
Awesome idea

Lots of hugs, A
http://myvolatilelove.blogspot.com/

8 years ago

These are so lovely! Love her tattoos, and this looks easy enough!

http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com