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Original poster

Can I walk down the aisle with a...

137 replies

Largethighsbadeyes · 10/01/2023 07:37

...lantern?

Getting married in autumn next year.
I'm not really a flowers sort of person and wedding flowers are bloody expensive!

The room we are having the ceremony in is quite dimly lit apart from a massive chandelier.

Colour scheme is going to be grey/silver and the only centerpieces and other decor we are having will be candles.

Too weird?
Am I just being tight about the flowers?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
MisguidedGhosts · 10/01/2023 08:09

I think it'd look like you're about to perform a seance

GreyCarpet · 10/01/2023 08:11

If you want a lantern, have a bloody lantern!

The problem with canvassing opinions on here is that no one knows you, your personality, your life... you have no idea whether or not you're being responded to by the dullest, most conventional people on the planet who won't do anything in their own lives unless the interest/a magazine has permitted it.

Just do what you want and what will make you happy. Its your wedding and your day.

I do think the light coming from and angle might be an issue but otherwise, do what makes you happy!)

JodiePants · 10/01/2023 08:13

I don't think it would be weird at all and could look really tasteful. There is a growing trend (apparently, according to the woman who sold me my wedding dress) for people to carry something that isn't flowers down the aisle. If you have a photographer, I would ask them how it would come out in the photographs as a lit lantern might not look so nice on film.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Weddings
Volkswagenitalia · 10/01/2023 08:14

Shunkleisshiny · 10/01/2023 07:44

For some reason I'm getting Florence Nightingale vibes about this.

That's exactly what I thought!

How would you be holding it? If you were holding it up in front of you as if it were lighting the way, it really would look a bit too FN, but how else would you hold it?

MaverickGooseGoose · 10/01/2023 08:14

I think it's a nice idea! Just be careful what you choose so you don't end up looking like the inn keeper in a nativity.

There is no rule that says you have to have flowers.

I hated my bouquet, I want a kind of free flowing bunch of wildflowers, this was a long time ago before boho type weddings and got steamrollered into a tight bunch of roses that just weren't me and I had to carry the bloody thing around for ages. It's your wedding, so it your way!

hoppityscotch · 10/01/2023 08:15

How would you hold it? Just in your hands or swinging from a chain?

LookItsMeAgain · 10/01/2023 08:16

Are you thinking of entering like The Traitors go to their tower to discuss that evening's 'kill'?

SmokeyPaprika · 10/01/2023 08:17

I imagine all the guests checking the emergency exits as you move down the aisle.

Original poster
Largethighsbadeyes · 10/01/2023 08:19

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 10/01/2023 08:03

Yes, but if it is something like the picture I suggest you pop it in a wheelbarrow.

🤣 brilliant

OP posts:
TheHauntedPencilCase · 10/01/2023 08:19

Sounds lovely. I didn't want flowers but my mum made me a bunch with supermarket flowers on the morning and it worked well. I would have preferred something more unique though so i think lantern if you wish and think about how it fits into the room dressing and what you do with it in the ceremony.

UhhhhhhhOK · 10/01/2023 08:21

You could have a thing to light up the dress instead 😬. Your own preferences and happiness are what count. Not trends

On a practicality note, just need to make sure it doesn’t affect your photos such that the brightness of the lantern affects focus

WonderingWanda · 10/01/2023 08:21

I don't see a problem with it, maybe a little jar type lantern like this one?

Can I walk down the aisle with a...
AwkwardPaws27 · 10/01/2023 08:21

I had paper flowers made from pages of books (The Lord of the Rings). It felt more me.

EBearhug · 10/01/2023 08:21

I had a cousin who asked every guest to bring a single flower, and that made her bouquet. I thought it a brilliant idea.

ReachedTheEndofCake · 10/01/2023 08:24

I attended a wedding where the bride walked down the aisle with a fancy DSLR camera attached to a stem so held like a bouquet. It was certainly “a talking point”, but the bride hated flowers and photography was her main hobby, and she loved it, so it looked great.

I would try not to worry about other peoples traditional opinions - if you like the idea and are confident with it people will just think oh that’s so@Largethighsbadeyes

LittleBlueBrioTrain · 10/01/2023 08:26

Have a look on etsy or Pinterest or similar for alternative bouquet inspiration

tortiecat · 10/01/2023 08:28

Are you Florence Nightingale?
In all seriousness you do you, OP.

Original poster
Largethighsbadeyes · 10/01/2023 08:28

There's quite a few examples on Google images of bridesmaids having lanterns but the bride had a normal bouquet, maybe because of the pictures thing as pp said.

I'll keep thinking 🤔

OP posts:
scrivette · 10/01/2023 08:29

Could you carry a single flower? My Mum as a bridesmaid carried a single rose and it looked lovely. A rose, Gerberra or sunflower could work well?

Mintakan · 10/01/2023 08:30

Largethighsbadeyes · 10/01/2023 07:41

I'm asking for opinions rather than permission

You actually are in your thread title. Can I …

Crikeyisthatthetime · 10/01/2023 08:31

I've got Alyce Tinker's wedding in my head (vicar of Dibley).
Maybe a lightup tiara, OP?

WordtoYoMumma · 10/01/2023 08:31

I have this image of a woman in a white dress floating down the aisle holding a lantern in a dimly lit room and I think you might look a bit like a ghost

tiramisualwaystiramisu · 10/01/2023 08:33

I'm not into flowers so I made an origami bouquet to carry down the aisle. Google kusudama flowers - Japanese schoolchildren make them, so they aren't too difficult to make. I made one for myself and each of my bridesmaids and then I bought a fake flower set for my flower girl as she was only 7 and I didn't think she would accept origami. We all still have the flowers now from 8 years ago and it's a lovely memory to have.

KvotheTheBloodless · 10/01/2023 08:35

www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/wedding-lanterns-instead-of-bouquets--4081455881795699/

It's a little bit unusual but not totally out-there - see above Pinterest board. It'll be lovely!

AliceMcK · 10/01/2023 08:36

I agree with the it’s your wedding do what you want side.

but, I also agree that it may look a bit strange if not done right, especially with the lighting and photos. I’d be looking at it from all angles to make sure it was going to work.

other alternatives have been mentioned, fake flowers from the range, Single stem flower, can be placed in a nice slim vase in front of you on your table, if autumn a hand muff, maybe a personalised candle (not lit) that you can carry and place in front of you and your DH that you light together at the start of the ceremony.