How to Make Bridal Shower Luminaries

Luminaries are excellent decorations to light up a walkway or border a garden for bridal and wedding showers. They can also be used at the wedding itself, to light the aisle or lead guests into the reception. These simple luminaries are simple and cheap to make. Simple white lunch bags work well, but this style of bag is available in every color at most party stores.

Things You'll Need

• Tealight or votive candles
• Paper bags (white or in wedding colors)
• Paint
• Markers
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Sand or small rocks
• Stencils in wedding designs
• Hole punch (in decorative patterns)

Instructions

1. Use stencils with wedding designs (bells, flowers, stars) or designs to complement the bridal shower theme (luau, garden, lingerie) to make designs on the front of each bag. Position the stencil between the top and middle of the bag. Avoid placing the stencil too close to the bottom. Use a pencil to outline each stencil.

2. Cut out the stencil designs. Be very careful not to rip any delicate portions of the stenciled design. You can also use hole punches in decorative patterns (like hearts, stars, or flowers) to make small cut-out designs around the top of each bag.

3. Decorate each bag with markers and paint. Add the wedding date, the initials or monogram of the engaged couple, or symbols to reflect the party's theme. You can also glue on glitter or use glitter glue for added sparkle.

4. After the bags have dried, place about a cup of sand in the bottom until it sits upright. Reasonable breezes should not be able to tip the bags.

5. Place each bag in the desired location and put one tea light or votive candle in the center of each bag. Depending on the size of the bag, the candles may burn 20 minutes to a couple of hours. Do not light them too early or they may burn out.

Tips & Warnings

• Have a pre-wedding shower party for all the bridesmaids to decorate the luminaries together.

• Get bags in both wedding colors and alternate them up the walkway.

• The luminaries show up best at dusk and evening or in dimly lit rooms.

• Never leave the luminaries unattended, especially inside a house. They could be a fire hazard if left unattended.