Sky Lanterns - Anyone having or had them ?

They have been reported to have caused a lot of problems in the past - farmers livestock hurting themselves, dry areas catching alight where they haven't been let off properly...

You can buy "biodegradable" ones but I personally would still be wary, particularly if you are setting them off at night with drunk guests??

An alternative could be wish balloons? Again you can get fully biodegradable ones but no fire involved!!!

Not using them personally, but I would look for totally degradably ones if they exist. Most contain metal which obviously wont be bio-degradable. If they land in fields, cows can eat them and potentially die

I wanted them, but after asking a simular question to you decided against them.

Perfect Gems (I think) shared a story about one nearly setting alight to her dress when it was caught in the wind, and that some guests were afraid of them.

They can also apparently be a fire hazard and harm grazing animals / wildlife where they land.

I have horses and buy a magazine called horse and hound. Big article in there this week regarding these lanterns and how much damage they cause livestock.

If they land in a field that is being cut for livestock feed (eg hay or silage) then although the paper degrades the metal doesn't and when the farmer comes to cut the fields the metal can get caught up in the bales. When feeding horses its not so much of a problem as owners would normally see some metal but when putting out feed for cows its not so easy. I don't know exact figures but many cows have been lost since these lanterns became popular as they eat the metal and perforate their stomachs not a nice death.

Most venues are becoming more aware of this issue and won't allow them.

There is actually a call for them to be banned. I agree with this because where ever they land they potentially will cause damage.

They are brilliant - BUT if you live in rural areas where thres livestock or thatched roofs its probably not a good idea becuase the problems they cause - also if you live somewhere near an airport you have to get clearance from them becuase they can cause serious issues with planes etc. xx

Forgot to mention - my alternative has been to get balloons which we will release with "quotes" attached.

Also, on the fireworks thing.. I was given a booklet on a fireworks show at a wedding fayre yesterday. Made H2B laugh by saying I'd never pay £2000 to make Dogs in the surrounding area piss themselves in fear lol. I'm not a huge fan of wasting money on a few flashes in the sky whilst stood there freezing my udders off, as you can tell ?

Http://www.amazon.co.uk/Glo-Lantern-6-Pack-WIRE-Lanterns-Balloons/dp/B001TEDFDU

Those ones are advertised as wire-free. Would they be safer to use? I had thought about them as a fireworks alternative when our budget took a blow, but after reading this thread I'm worried now and want to find an eco-friendly alternative to my err... alternative!

As we are getting married in the New Forest, we aren't allowed either lanterns or fireworks. But we don't mind.

The only time I enjoyed them was in September at a friends funeral.. We all signed two of the big rockets which sent our messages up to him in the sky.. It was absolutely freezing, pouring down and I had no coat but everyone was stood there watching.

I was thinking of having them, but as per above was put off and didn't think about the eco side also - in hands of people who have had four too many sounds like a really bad idea.

also heard, if you are near the coastline you have to pre warn the coast guard too..!

but its the main hazard to the wildlife that is not the best thing.

I have canned the idea

The lanterns do seem a bit of a hazard, we considered having them but our venue wont allow it - say no more. I would stick with the fireworks the light will be fine.

As the venue has a lake have you thought about using water lanterns? They are similar in style but float rather than go up in the sky ?

I have had one bought for me to let of on the day in memory of my mum.

A friend of ours had these at his wedding and really tried to get everyone to set them off at once. It did not quite work like that but they looked amazing all in the air toegther.

One thing I would say if you are going for it is dont forget to get something for each person to light them with, this is one thing that I'm sure would not have crossed my mind

And on the down side, I ended up with wax on my dress which REALLY annoyed me.

I have heard of them causing fires too.

I had a quote for £700 for a 7 minute fireworks display but with our TOG problems, that bit of the budget disappeared sadly.

Has anyone looked at the amazon link I posted earlier? The lanterns advertised there claim to be 100% metal-free and much safer than others around. I don't know much about them though so don't know if that's any use.

Hi im having then and cant wait! getting a heart shaped one for me and oh. night sky lanterns are the best i have found they dont have the wire in either you can also get a voucher code of myvouchercodes.com which makes them a bit cheaper. im getting one per couple as they are large or one per family if they have a child so the dont feel left out!

Thanks for all the tips and advice everyone, I will discuss it in further detail with H2B tonight ! And definitely look in to eco friendly ones.

And Sammyjay I will check out your link !

N x

I personally don't like them. I have had one wedding where we had the Police turn up because a nearby Farmer was irate his animals were terrified & his thatched cottage was in danger of going up in flames!

Also Alcohol & fire do not mix!

I was thinkign of having these but was worried about the organisation involved and drunken people involved *(includingme) think it's probably more hassle than it's really worth so im out! !

I thought about it as they do look great in these bridal magazines but in reality they are a pain in the ass. My cousin had 2.. just 2 for her daughter's birthday. Night time, no wind (as advised) no drunk people and one caught alight whilst holding it, she had to drop it on the grass to burn out and the next one actually got into the air but caught on the neighbours guttering!! Eventually it dislodged itself and flew gracefully into the night sky. All in all over 25 minutes wasted. I don't think I'll be having them.

I love the look of them all floating off, but I don't think we are going for them because.... the marquee nearly set alight at one wedding I went to this year! (Lantern was realeased too early and proceeded to be blown into the marquee) someone jumped up to rescue it though!

We also found one of them a couple of days later (we were walking about 2 miles away from the venue), and don't like to think about where the rest of them ended up!

I am afraid i see it as littering!!! you would not want lots of paper or whatever landing in your garden/front door/whatever. They may look lovely in the sky but not so much in your garden whilst it waits to decompose.....

no better than flytipping in my book, not in my back garden not my problem - sorry if this offends but this is how i feel about it

I love seeing them altogether in the sky (though individually I have to double check they're not UFOs lol) but I wouldn't be having them personally, think they're more trouble than they're worth and the fire risk!

I'm sure I heard you have to get permission from the aviation authority or someone to let them off though because of planes??

Would have loved to, but can't now as venue won't allow them... ☹️