Lighting

Okay.  I know I said I'd be coming back full force and that definitely didn't happen.  I apologize.  You know how it is.  Life just gets in the way. 

Anywho, a ton of people have asked about lighting.  Did I only use the paper lanterns for lighting?  No.  I also used string lights around the perimeter of the tent.  I used these from 1000Bulbs.com.  Then I bought C9 bulbs for them separately (but also from 1000Bulbs.com).  They don't have the connectors on the ends but my dad set them up so that they would be able to connect to each other (it's nice to have a handy papa!).  

I used the 12 inch spacing, but honestly, I think I could've gotten away with the lights spaced further apart (like 18 or 24 inches apart).  It was just a wee bit brighter than I wanted.  The point is, I don't think you should only use the paper lanterns for light (unless you are going to use much brighter lights in them than I did).  

This is how the tent looked with just the lights in the paper lanterns.  It looked a little brighter than this -- the pictures don't really do it justice.  However, it definitely wouldn't be bright enough for the reception.  Just a reminder, I used one to two led tea-lights in each paper lantern. 

And this is what it looked like with the lights around the perimeter (you can see them along the edge of the tent above everyone's heads).  Again, I wish I would have used less lights, but I was originally worried that it would be way too dark in the tent.  Lighting is definitely one of the tricky parts of the whole thing!  Let me know if you have any more questions about lighting!