Wedding luminaria is that rarest of wedding decorations--gorgeous, and cheap! Anyone who has ever thrown a wedding can tell you, they're frighteningly expensive. Who knew cakes and flowers could ever cost so much? Wedding luminaria, on the other hand, is extremely affordable.

I also think wedding luminaries are captivating and beautiful. Any decorator worth his salt will tell you that lighting is everything. What makes a restaurant romantic? The lighting. What makes a party inviting? The lighting. Why is one cafe charming, while the other is harsh and unpleasant? You guessed it--the lighting. Wedding luminaria creates an oasis of magic and sanctity, perfect for a wedding.

Modern Wedding Luminaria

Luminaria candles are romantic; luminaria supplies are not. Let's face it, paper bags filled with sand are a mess. The bags frequently tear, spill, or blow over. The sand is heavy. The whole thing is clumsy and unpleasant.

Use modern luminaria supplies, and you'll have a much easier time of it. Instead of filling the base of the bag with sand, use a plastic luminaria base, sometimes called a Lumabase. They fill with water or sand, which is held in place securely with a plastic plug. Use sleeves to help keep bags erect, and to add touches like star or dove cutouts. You can order the supplies online, in the form of a kit, or as individual pieces.