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Oct 31, 2024

44 Best Lantern Centerpieces for Your Wedding Reception

Light up your affair in any way that suits your style. Photo by Tell Chronicles Photo Planning to display the dreamiest tablescape at your wedding reception? From long, lush arrangements of blooms to

Light up your affair in any way that suits your style.

Photo by Tell Chronicles Photo

Planning to display the dreamiest tablescape at your wedding reception? From long, lush arrangements of blooms to bud vases interspersed with taper candles, the options for decorating an awe-inspiring table are endless. Lighting is one particular detail that will instantly transform any setup, and while candles are typically a go-to choice, framing them with lanterns will bring undeniable romance to any affair.

Lanterns come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, textures, and colors, so you can select the best option that fits your style and aesthetic. For instance, iron lights are ideal for rustic soirées, whereas glass and metallic square casings will complement a more modern bash. Whatever you choose for your tabletop decorations, you can either use these items as supplemental pieces by adding a single light to your tables, or you can make them the main moment by creating a runner. To help round off your look, incorporate other add-ons, from lush greenery to gauzy linens.

Do you think lantern centerpieces would be the perfect fit for your fête? Read on for 44 ideas you're sure to love.

Photo by Olivia Leigh Photographie

Wooden lanterns are extremely versatile, and you can use the surrounding table décor to fine-tune your vision. For your lantern centerpieces, make the light fixtures the primary focus of attention, but use gold and glass candle holders to infuse a grandiose flair, plus greenery for a botanical edge (which this couple did for their Vincent van Gogh-inspired soirée in Lake Geneva, with planning by Michigan Avenue Events and floral design by Taylor and Co. Event Design).

Photo by Stanlo Photography

Lanterns with black rims are the standard choice for modern affairs. However, if you want to embed a bit of romance, embellish these stark items with roses in pink and white tones (which Leah T. Williams Events delivered for this Italy-inspired affair in Florida that Oh Niki Occasions planned). The contrast between the black and pink shades will make your celebration one of a kind.

Photo by Ivy Weddings

Rattan is nearly synonymous with bohemian bashes. For your lantern centerpieces, try wicker vessels in a spherical shape with a braided rope handle to help produce your natural and free-spirited event (like XB Weddings arranged for this multi-day Mexico wedding). Include more warm colors and unique textures in your place settings with orange and yellow glassware and chargers featuring an abstract design.

Photo by Erich McVey

If your wedding has a bold and boisterous color scheme, table centerpieces with brass lanterns will ground your design—for evidence, just look at this setup that Canvas Weddings and Events executed (with floral design by Vanessa Jaimes Floral Design) for this energetic weekend celebration in Mexico. An overflowing runner composed of multicolored flowers and colorful fruit accents, like papayas and grapefruit, will feel less overwhelming with neutral accents in the mix.

Photo by Samantha Leto

Why not use lanterns to add contrast to your wedding reception tables? Black-rimmed rectangular vessels will bring a modern edge to an otherwise neutral-toned tablescape, like the beige linens, cream napkins, and pale pink candles that Nicole Colwell assorted at this contemporary bash at a barn in Virginia.

Photo by Janine Licare Photography

We don't know about you, but any time we see citrus fruit, white linens, and neutral details, we are immediately transported to the islands. That was the goal of this couple, who got married on San Juan Island: They tapped Kaleb Norman James to channel a tropical feel with wicker lantern centerpieces, surrounded by citrus fruits. The finished product created a casual-yet-elegant ambiance.

Photo by Jenny Quicksall Photography

While it's essential to choose a design concept that reflects your own personal style and relationship, it's just as important to create a cohesive look—matching your lantern centerpieces with your glassware (à la the tablescape that Heartthrob Events planned and designed for this royal-inspired fête in California) will do just that. For a modern affair, coordinate black lanterns with gold-rimmed black glassware and use your flowers and place settings to introduce other hues.

Photo by Karla Garcia Costa / KG Ohh Snap

Using rectangular lanterns with sharp angles is the more traditional route, but why not have some fun with different shapes and textures? At this couple's tropical backyard wedding in Miami, Events by Elle organized orb lanterns that mimicked coral to enact lantern centerpieces that were natural and elegant. The monstera leaf and individual flowers by Fiction Events added to the tablescape and looked as if they were plucked fresh from the trees.

Photo by Heather Waraksa

With kerosene lantern centerpieces, you'll bring a hint of nostalgia to your affair. If you're hoping to recreate carefree childhood picnics, add these old-school light fixtures to your tabescape. As a prelude to this '40s-inspired soirée in Idaho, the team at Londyn & Grey Events used these vintage pieces to flank wicker baskets stuffed with wildflowers by Two Hands Floral on a floral-printed tablecloth, which evoked a casual, cozy vibe.

Photo by Abby Jiu Photography

For a unified look, match the color of your lanterns to the rest of your tabletop accents. The modern black fixtures that graced the reception table at this sophisticated wedding in Washington, D.C., which Grit & Grace pulled off, perfectly coordinated with the table numbers, taper candles, napkins, and even the ghost chairs. The dark details brought a moody flair to white walls and draping.

Photo by Lena Mirisola

While lantern centerpieces often stand out on a table, you can also use them as supporting characters. If you want another item on your table to be the focal point, like these arrangements of cherry blossoms in tall vases, scatter lanterns down the length of your tablescape. This way, the light-up objects will cast a warm glow over your evening without detracting from the more attention-grabbing decorations.

Photo by Aaron Delesie

To decorate your ranch wedding with a Western-inspired aesthetic, look to wooden lanterns with an antique feel. Vases of red anemones and greenery on a bare wooden table will also help bring your vision to life.

Photo by Adriana Rivera

If you're keeping your color palette simple, a chic monochromatic look for your lantern centerpieces is the way to go. To achieve this, opt for an all-white display. Here, high-top cocktail tables are decorated with white lanterns and little vases of blooms for a light and airy look.

Photo by Lena Mirisola

Mixed metallics, when done right, can be classically glamorous and industrial at the same time. This couple, who married at an art museum in Boston, opted for a tablescape that featured square silver-edged glass lanterns, gold-rimmed candle votives, and black and gold flatware that The Catered Affair put on display. Neutral flora by Floristika Studio and a simple white runner allowed the other elements to shine.

PHOTO BY LYNN DUNSTON PHOTOGRAPHY

There's no reason you can't stick with a lush floral centerpiece running down the middle of the table at your reception. Take your look to a whole new level by framing the florals with simple lanterns. These ones feature rectangular frames and black piping, which is a suitable addition to modern affairs.

Photo by EMILIE INC.

If you're throwing a wedding at a coastal venue or one with a nautical aesthetic, channel the textures and materials of the beach for your lantern centerpieces. This lantern has a glass exterior affixed with a thick rope and a sandy base, which will provide the perfect touch for a waterfront bash or sea-inspired aesthetic.

Photo by ELEVEN11 PHOTOGRAPHY

Eucalyptus is a versatile plant that infuses any type of wedding with a botanical flair. For a vintage-inspired event, using this type of greenery to decorate an antique lantern will prevent an old-world aesthetic from looking too outdated. Trimming the decorations with a textured linen and white roses will provide the perfect contrast.

Photo by Tell Chronicles Photo

These lanterns, featuring sleek, black lines, bring a modern touch to this table. Surrounded by plenty of greenery and a few blossoms, this centerpiece elicits a dramatic and moody vibe. Pair them with black chargers and napkins to match, plus pink glassware for juxtaposition.

Photo by Anna Jaye Photography

For those planning a farm or barn wedding, there are so many textures to play with, from burlap to lace. Set the scene with overlapping fabrics as the foundation before stationing the setup with a vintage-inspired kerosene lantern. To really coordinate with the setting, add a splash of color with a bed of blooms planted in a wooden box.

PHOTO BY KT MERRY

Hoping to bring a vintage flair to your lantern centerpieces? Ditch the classic short and stout shape and opt for something unexpectedly tall. These slender lanterns will work beautifully with taper candles.

Photo by Jordan Keenan Photography

You don't have to decorate your lanterns with over-the-top embellishments to make a statement. Keeping it simple is just as effective, especially if you want the light fixture to communicate a certain message. Use a sleek gold lantern as your centerpiece and surround it with a bit of greenery to finish off the minimalist look.

PHOTO BY MELINA WALLISCH PHOTOGRAPHY

Celebrate the outdoors with a refined, rustic vibe. Integrate lanterns in multiple shades of wood for an interesting display—we love the juxtaposition of the two different sizes on this table. You can even intersperse these objects with wicker baskets of blooms to infuse even more of a homey feel.

Photo by Allison Jeffers Wedding Photography

Thinking about lantern centerpieces for your reception tables but afraid they'll look too dull? Have your florist assemble small bouquets to the tops for a splash of color. The Petal Artist adorned iron lanterns with petite arrangements of blooms surrounded by greenery for a statement-making touch.

Photo by Eli Turner

For entirely unique lantern centerpieces at your wedding reception, swap the conventional table lantern with a hanging one. Sarah Khan Event Styling designed a piece using an ornate oval-shaped object at the center, wrapped in eucalyptus and flowers in purple tones. Just make sure that the piece isn't obstructing your guests' field of view, though.

Photo by Olegs Samsonovs Photography

Lanterns can be entirely pared-back from the get-go, but they also have the potential to get all dressed up. For a rustic-meets-refined wedding, use a slab of wood as the base of your centerpieces before imbuing a bit of elegance with a rose gold lantern that's brimming with lush blooms.

Photo by Michelle Lippert Photo

A sturdy black-framed lantern housed with a white votive candle is a go-to design for contemporary weddings. If you want to add more of an organic touch to your tablescape, fill the inside of your lanterns with greenery.

Photo by Asya Photography

Stick to a natural, simple design for your lantern centerpieces, adding intrigue with a gold lantern. Placed alongside white votives and dainty sprigs of greenery, a metallic light fixture will definitely steal the show—evidenced by this design that Love 'n Fresh Flowers executed.

Photo by Bon Photage Film

While lanterns typically include a candle in the middle, we love the idea of switching it up. Instead of pairing candle lanterns with floral centerpieces, why not combine the two? Open the doors and stuff the light fixture with flowers for a gorgeous overflowing design, like Life in Bloom achieved here.

Photo by Hailey Ayson

When it comes to fall weddings, it's all about warm color schemes. For your centerpieces, spruce up simple white linens by incorporating a trio of wooden lanterns, paired with dried foliage and prolific greens. This design by Joyeux Events is perfect for late-autumnal affairs at a vineyard.

Photo by CTG Photography

If you're tying the knot later in the year during a winter celebration, lantern centerpieces will help produce a cozy feel. Complete a spread of pinecones, pine needles, and white baby's breath with a sturdy black lantern to pull off a woodsy-meets-elegant look.

Photo by Haley George Photography

There's no need to add an oversized candle to every lantern. If you want the exterior to demand more attention then the interior, fill the item with a dainty votive. For instance, this geometric gold lantern has an unexpected design, so a large piece would only overshadow it.

Photo by Hannah Leigh Photography

If you love the look of a rustic lantern, but you don't want it to feel stale, refresh the setup with flowers. Adding white blooms with a smidge of purple, like A. Griffin Events did here, will animate any design.

Photo by Jennifer Stuart Photography

A mix between yellow gold, silver, and copper, rose gold is one metal that's guaranteed to achieve a chic look. For your lantern centerpieces, choose a geometric-shaped fixture in the rich metallic hue for the center. Then, plant complementary blooms in shades of pink and matching rose gold candle holders to put together a dreamy design.

Photo by Mallori Ma Photography

For dramatic, unpredictable lantern centerpieces, play with contrast. While white and green is the quintessential color palette for any type of affair, an unexpected burst of color will completely change the look. Take cues from this tablescape, which shows a white lantern, white roses, and greenery placed on a plum-colored runner.

Photo by Love Life Images

While candles are a conventional choice for lantern centerpieces, you can make your reception tables even more magical by displaying fixtures filled with fairy lights. Collect an assortment of gold lanterns in various shapes and sizes and stuff them with gold-painted rocks and twinkle lights. Replacing the traditional floral centerpiece with this substitute will cast a warm and romantic glow over dinner.

Photo by Leslee Mitchell

Since it's easy to go overboard with a nautical style, an understated design will pull off your theme in a more effective way. Select a lantern with a no-frills design, and pair it with a striped blue linen to celebrate your love of the sea.

Photo by Leigh Elizabeth Photography

Hosting a garden-inspired party in the spring? Channel the season by dressing cream-colored lanterns in bright-hued blooms to produce a cheerful look. With this idea, you'll reference the time of year that you're throwing down and reinforce your overall design concept.

PHOTO BY BIA SAMPAIO

Instead of making lanterns the primary part of your centerpieces, present them in a subdued way. Accentuate colorful floral arrangements of peonies and roses with vibrant vases and effervescent taper candles. We love this idea for garden nuptials or rustic fêtes with a fun color scheme.

PHOTO BY OLIVIA RAY JAMES

If you're hosting an outdoor wedding in the forest or even at a summer camp, old-time kerosene lanterns will nod to the setting. Flank these decorative pieces with vases of yellow flowers and spread everything on a checkered tablecloth, like Gregory Blake Sams Events did, to build your camp-inspired theme.

Photo by Kelsey Stevens Photography

On their own, gold lanterns exude glamour. However, if you pair them with greenery, you'll create more of an effortless, rustic look. Combine metallic sources of light with green leaves, which is what Pearl Weddings & Events executed here, for a design that's both understated and elegant.

PHOTO BY RED ASPEN PHOTOGRAPHY

Western themes are taking the wedding world by storm. To bring this idea to your own affair, whether it's at a ranch or in your own backyard, lanterns are a must. Go with antique iterations in brass for your lantern centerpieces, mixed with wooden textures.

Photo by Shea Christine

Many couples use overhead installations as an extension of their centerpieces—with lanterns, you can do the same. Suspend greenery, draped with different kinds of lanterns in silver and gold, from the ceiling for an attention-grabbing floating centerpiece. Adding decorations above your tables will make a large room feel more intimate and animated.

Photo by Rustic White Photography

Lanterns are stunning on their own, but embracing a subtle pop of color will up the ante. Set up gold lanterns in between vases overflowing with florals. Then, tie a ribbon on top of the light fixture for a delicate, vibrant touch.

PHOTO BY Photo by Julieta

One way to embed opulence into your reception is choosing gold vessels for your lantern centerpieces. To increase the luxe feel, line the surface with smaller gold candle holders and hang disco balls from above.