Wedding Fridays | DIY #2 – Metal Lanterns
I am happy to report that my second DIY went much better than my first DIY attempt. For my second DIY, I set my sights on tackling the perforated metal hurricanes that I love so much from West Elm. Even on clearance the small lantern is $16 and the large $34 which can easily break the bank if you want to use a multiple lanterns for your ceremony and reception decor. For the ceremony, I want to use one or two on either side of the aisle at the back row of seats and then another one or two on both sides at the front row of seats. For the reception, I would like the 6 from the ceremony to be placed around the pool with 8 additional lanterns. Have I mentioned I like these lanterns, a lot, like really a lot?! So pretty. If you did some quick math, that would be upwards of $400 for lanterns, craziness!
This DIY is simply to save money and who knows maybe I will be able to sell the lanterns after we use them and get some of our investment back. I do plan to keep a few for our one day backyard as I think they will be happiness to look at and remember our wedding day.
Now, on to the how to’s for this project. This DIY was surprisingly easy and the final product looks amazing if I do say so myself. :) On one of my many trips to Lowe’s Hardware (I spend too much time and money in this store – just ask Craig), I spotted sheets of aluminum in fun patterns. Originally intended for radiator covers or such, I immediately thought of my beloved metal lanterns. So on the supply list for this DIY is the following: 1. cloverleaf aluminum sheets or any pattern you like, Lowe’s has a lot of options 2. steel straight snips – borrow from a friend 3. glass cylinders 4. screws, nuts and washers. That’s it!
I purchased the glass cylinders as a template guide for making the lanterns perfectly round and to also protect the open flame from grass during the ceremony. No one wants a fire to start during a wedding ceremony unless it is the fire that burns for the marriage, too cheesy? Sorry. Back on task, I don’t plan to use glass hurricane vases or cylinders for the lanterns that will surround the pool so that will be cost saving.
First step is to measure for your pieces of metal by using the classic math formula, circumference = diameter x pi. Sorry to make you do math two times in a blog post, nerdy Janine. ;) Once you figure out how long you need a piece to wrap around the cylinder then you can determine how tall you want your lanterns. I just figured out how to get the most out of one sheet of metal. The 24″ x 36″ sheet of metal that I bought at Lowe’s for $26 allowed me to make three lanterns and one small votive holder. Mark where to cut with a sharpie and then use your steel straight snips to cut out the metal. The metal cuts surprisingly easy with the proper snips but I do recommend wearing gloves because it will be sharp.
Next you will curl the metal around the class hurricane vase and overlap the two ends. Join the ends by placing a screw with washer through two holes that line up and then tighten a nut on the other side. I used two screws per lantern, one on the top and another on the bottom, but bigger lanterns might need a third in the middle. The next step is there is no next step! How awesome is that?! You can slip your metal lantern over a glass cylinder or leave it bare if you aren’t concerned about fires.
I simply love how the lanterns turned out and I think they look very similar to the inspiration image. The total cost for three lanterns with glass cylinders was $46.10 which comes out to $15 per lantern. That includes three different sizes and a small votive holder. If you don’t use the glass cylinders then the price would be $9 per lantern. A much better price then the original metal lanterns and an overall savings of $250 for 14 lanterns. That leaves a lot of moolah for more DIYs, yay!
THE DIY LIST:
1. perforated metal hurricanes
2. foam directional signs
3. sand/concrete buckets with poles for cafe string lights
4. ribbons oh my!
5. bunting or tassels for cake background decor
6. groomsmen boutonnieres
7. fabric table runners
8. ampersand for bride & groom chairs
9. succulents planted in mercury votives
I will leave you with another project crossed off the list and hope to see you soon with another DIY to share. Have you worked on any fun projects recently? Did you participate in the Pinterest Challenge from YHL? I should have submitted this as a Pinterest inspired DIY.
image credits: West Elm | Home Depot | Lowe’s | IKEA
5 Responses to “Wedding Fridays | DIY #2 – Metal Lanterns”
Those look amazing!!! You are so talented!!
I may have to steal this DIY idea. . .
Awesome! You are so talented. A trait you inherited from one of your parents?
this is great! you should submit this to the knockoffdecor website!
They look absolutely classy! And they are durable and timeless too!