Beautiful Chinese Lanterns - what you need to know!

Sweet brides!

 

For our oun wedding, I really wanted Chinese lanterns and then I did some research. Wanted to share with you so that you can think for yourself too! 

 

I know you're a life-loving creature, so it's important to bring this very important issue to light. Not many resorts in Dominican Republic allow Chinese lanterns, but we're still seeing some people release them - and if you're planning to make Chinese lanterns a part of YOUR wedding, would you please consider one of these two things: 

 

1. Chinese lanterns are very damaging to the environment. They cause fires, spread debris across the countryside, hurt or even kill wild and farm animals. Even 'eco' lanterns are still hazardous to farm animals, birds and marine life.

 

"Cattle can eat the wire in the lantern which finds its way into the silage they are fed. The lanterns land in fields, are chopped up into small pieces when grass is gathered and made into silage. If swallowed, the wire can puncture the stomach lining, causing extreme pain and in some cases can be fatal."

 

Please take a peek at this great short article: http://ethicalweddings.com/blog/wedding-dreams-of-eco-chinese-sky-lanterns-up-in-smoke

 

2. If despite knowing this, you STILL feel that the 5 minutes of beautiful lights in the sky in your honour are worth it, please at least choose Eco Chinese Sky Lanterns. Links from companies who carry these are listed in the awesome article below - they claim their products are completely wire-free. (But what goes up must come down, ladies! There is farmland near some resorts and these may still cause fires and cause harm to animals). 

 

Find out where you can purchase eco-friendly paper lanterns for your wedding: http://ethicalweddings.com/blog/eco-chinese-sky-lanterns-myth-or-magical

 

Are you having Chinese lanterns at your wedding? Or are you deliberately deciding against them on environmental grounds like some of our awesome brides? Please share your comments! 

 

LOVE, 
Katya. 

These eco lanterns are fantastic - thank you for sharing Katya! We will certainly recommend to our brides who are looking to launch these at their receptions. Just remember brides, ALWAYS check with your wedding coordinator as to whether the hotel will allow you to release these. Each resort, and country, is different and have their own policies!

 

Happy Planning!

Thanks for sharing that information with us @KatyaNova, these lanterns are so gorgeous in pictures but who knew the damage it could cause. I will definitely make sure I recommend all of my brides to go with the Non Wire ones, if they choose to go that way, and I'll direct them to your site.

 

Cheers!

 

-Jill T

All my doubts are gone now. I was thinking about launching 1 lantern to honor deceased relatives, mainly my mom who passed away just over a year ago. I was doing some research, and when many little things and hick-ups came together, I started hesitating whether it's a good idea at all. Instead I will make nice cards listing deceased relatives and thanking those who are with us. Maybe that's not as spectacular as the sky lantern, but definitely a safer, simpler and environment friendly way.

Originally Posted by Barash 

 

All my doubts are gone now. I was thinking about launching 1 lantern to honor deceased relatives, mainly my mom who passed away just over a year ago. I was doing some research, and when many little things and hick-ups came together, I started hesitating whether it's a good idea at all. Instead I will make nice cards listing deceased relatives and thanking those who are with us. Maybe that's not as spectacular as the sky lantern, but definitely a safer, simpler and environment friendly way.

That's such a wonderful idea! Every little choice counts... 

Much love & respect, 

 

Katya. 

I was considering sky lanterns for my wedding, but after doing some research, I started having serious doubts.  We recently launched a couple at home in honor of a lost loved one, and although they were beautiful it bothered me that we had no control over where they went or where they landed.  We used ones that were supposed to be 100% bio-degradable but I still feel guilty!!  We have decided NOT to use them for our wedding.  There are just too many things that can go wrong, and I would hate to be responsible for damage to property, harm to wildlife, or any other of the million bad things that these lanterns can cause. 

I thought this was such a beautiful idea, and wanted to do this for my wedding, but wondered what happened to them when they fell. After reading the article, I can't bring myself to do it. I'm now thinking sparklers. I need to do research and make sure they aren't environmentally hazardous...thank you for the info!

Thank you for the information. As a person who writes and signs many petitions trying to save our animals, as beautiful as the lanterns are, I can not consciously do something else that is going to harm our animals. I will think of something else that will be fun!

Thanks Katya, I know this post is old but I just posted last night about the sky lanterns and were they allowed. I just found your info and I've decided against them. D.R is beautiful enough, and I won't to help keep it that way. I've followed a few of your postings and even copy cat some of your wedding plans. Lol.

Originally Posted by DeeP10 

 

 

Thanks Katya, I know this post is old but I just posted last night about the sky lanterns and were they allowed. I just found your info and I've decided against them. D.R is beautiful enough, and I won't to help keep it that way. I've followed a few of your postings and even copy cat some of your wedding plans. Lol.

High five, Dee! Sending you a virtual hug from sunny Punta Cana  

It's the little choices we make that indeed make a huge difference! 

xoxo

Katya