Mason Jars at Your Wedding
Decorating tips
By Natalie Tsang
August 22, 2011
Mason jars are glass jars commonly used for canning pickle and preserves. They come in various sizes from one cup (perfect to hold favors like jam, hard sauce, or fudge) to a half gallon (great for centerpieces). This trend is perfect for those who can at home and have dozens of jars in their pantries. It's the good way to get rid of old jars. They have recently made a splash by being repurposed to hold cocktails and lemonades or used as lighting.
Part of the charm of these jars is that they don't match and create of variety of interesting shapes. A collection of jars instantly creates a homey rustic atmosphere that fits a casual summer or autumn wedding. A single jar or two creates an accent piece that can serve as a nice contrast to an otherwise sophisticated theme, or an interesting detail in a minimalist setting.
Mason jars have been around for one hundred and fifty years and antique jars come in many shapes and colors like aqua. While most are just a few dollars each online, others can go for thousands of dollars. If you have older relatives or friends who make their own preserves, ask if they have any antique jars that you can buy or borrow. You can also buy regular jars and paint the insides if you plan to use them as vases or lamps.
As beverage containers or favors, mason jars have the added bonus in that they can be sealed. They can double as place cards that are labeled with the guest’s name and table number. They also work equally well as containers for a dessert candy bar. Some of the wider mouth varieties are adorable as cookie jars.
Mason jar lighting is definitely something to consider if a portion of your wedding is outside at night. For a high class touch, small mason jars with tea lights can decorate trees. They can also line walkways and work especially well on sand, where a knocked over candle won't cause a fire. Some people thread light bulbs in jars, but this works best with colored antique jars or with frosted light bulbs. Otherwise, the lighting may be too harsh. You can always frost the inside of the jars with paint. Carefully applied glow in the dark paint can mimic jars of fireflies.
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