Mason Jars for Wedding Decorations: Rustic, Beautiful, & Cheap!
Mason jars can be used as lovely candle holders, among other things. Check out some more ideas below!
Mason Jars Are for More Than Just Canning!
Everyone seems to have one rolling around in their cabinets somewhere—under the kitchen sink, in the pantry, in the refrigerator still filled with Great Aunt Susie's apple jelly—we're talking about the lowly Mason jar.
Designed for utility, not beauty, this particular type of jar has turned into a major force in rustic wedding decorating because more and more brides are choosing a vintage wedding as their theme. The beauty of the Mason jar is its simplicity—and its versatility. They can be used for basically everything, including lighting, favor containers, décor, and a whole lot more. They even travel well, making them easy to transport to the reception location. And best of all, they're inexpensive, which pretty much puts them high on everyone's list!
Who Is Mason, Anyway?
Mason jars, canning jars, or Ball jars as some people call them, were invented by John Mason, a tinsmith, in 1858. Did he have a clue that his invention was going to be such a hit with brides over 150 years later? Probably not, because they were initially invented to improve the process of preserving and canning food back in the day when growing your own food was a necessity and not just a hobby.
The two most popular types of Mason jars these days are Kerr and Ball brands, both of them owned by Jarden Manufacturing. The good people at Jarden must be laughing all the way to the bank these days because brides tend to use, at a minimum, around a dozen jars or, at a maximum, hundreds if they provide them as drinking glasses or favors for their guests.
There are tons of different ways to dress up your jar, so it will look a lot prettier as a candle holder.
Use Mason Jars as Candle Holders
Mason jars make great candle holders for wedding décor. But you don't want to just jam a candle in the jar and go on about your business! Well, you could, but this is a wedding, so let's show a little finesse. For safety's sake and to make sure your candle doesn't go rolling around your jar, anchor it by putting in a layer of sand or surrounding it with decorative rocks or colored gems. One of the great things about Mason jars is that they were invented to withstand the heat from the canning process, so the heat from your candle shouldn't bother it at all.
There are tons of different ways to dress up your jar, so it will look a lot prettier as a candle holder. You could cut a two-or-three-inch strip of burlap and wrap it around the jar, followed by a one-inch ribbon to match your wedding colors tied in a bow.
A gorgeous way to let that candlelight shine through your mason jar is to cover it with cloth doilies on the outside. It's an easy thing to do, and all you need is a can of Spray Mount and some doilies. The light looks amazing, shining through the openings in the doilies.
For any of these, follow up by tying several strands of raffia around the rim of the jar and tie in a knot or a bow.
You could use the jars for their original purpose and make jelly or jam for all your wedding guests.
Mason Jars as Favor-Holders or Other Décor
Mason jars are great for holding favors of all kinds. You could put anything in them: M&Ms in your wedding colors, a cookie mix done in pretty layers with baking instructions attached, and yes, you could even use the jars for their original purpose and make jelly or jam for all your guests. You could fill them up with a regional favorite, like saltwater taffy if you live in Maine or pralines for those who live in Georgia.
To kill two birds with one stone, you could use the jars as drinking glasses and then let each guest take his or her home at the end of the night. Or, to kill THREE birds with one stone, you could attach a place card to each jar, and they could be your place card holders as well.
These jars make beautiful centerpieces, particularly when filled with wildflowers or rustic-looking flowers, like sunflowers or daisies. The less fuss, the better for these arrangements, or you'll ruin the rustic look you're trying to create. Around the mouth of the jar, rip, not cut, because the frayed edges are part of the overall look, strips of fabrics in small, vintage-looking prints, and tie a cute bow around the rim of each jar.
You could use the jars as drinking glasses and then let each guest take them home at the end of the night.
As a Colorful Accent
The antique blue mason jars are in high demand right now, and they can be quite expensive if you need multiple. But unless your guests can sit in for the Antiques Roadshow host, can they truly tell the difference between the ones you've DIYed and the real thing? Probably not, so make your own clever fakes, and they'll be none the wiser. Now we're not talking about coloring antique jars; please don't do that because that's pretty much a sacrilege in the Mason jar world, and we would make you turn in your Mason Jar Appreciation Fan Club card for that! We're talking about the less-than-a-dollar-apiece jars you can buy at Walmart or your neighborhood grocery store.
There are plenty of methods rolling around on the web right now using Mod Podge and craft paint to color said jars. Those are nice if you don't plan to use your jar for anything but display, but they are not water-safe which defeats the purpose if you want to use them for a vase. For a more permanent solution to antiquing your jars, there's a great paint made for glass called Vitrea 160 that actually comes in turquoise to create that antique look you're after.
Mason jars look great just hanging around!
As Hanging Decorations & Pew Markers
Mason jars look great just hanging around!
A great way to use them at a wedding is for pew markers. They can be filled with flowers or candles and suspended from a shepherd's hook.
Wedding not indoors, so there's no way to push the hook down into the ground? No problem. Now stores like Lowe's and Home Depot are selling shepherd's hooks with a base that are free-standing. You can even hang the jars from trees, but you don't need to invest in those $8.00 apiece hanging Mason jars you see in specialty stores. You can easily DIY it with some inexpensive florist's wire, wire cutters, and a pair of pliers. You can even create your own chandelier using a pot rack, wire, and jars.
A great way to use them at a wedding is for pew markers. They can be filled with flowers or candles and suspended from a shepherd's hook.
© 2011 DIYweddingplanner
Comments
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on July 08, 2013:
Thanks, Leslie and Marion! Mason jars recently saved the day again when I was doing a wedding. Unbeknownst to me, I was also doing décor for the rehearsal dinner of which someone had neglected to inform me! I whipped out my trusty mason jars, headed to my local florist who gave me a geat deal on a bunch of pretty sunflowers, stuck a doily underneath, and volia! I had a centerpiece! Definitely a lifesaver!
marion langley from The Study on July 05, 2013:
What a fun hub. Especially enjoyed that little historical note. I love a bouquet of bright cheerful sunflowers in my mason jar :-) Thanks for writing!
lesliebyars on July 04, 2013:
Great hub I have several mason jars myself for canning. Voted up, useful and I tweeted also.
Corey from Northfield, MA on March 26, 2013:
Nice tips and great ideas. I love the Mason Jars hanging from the tree like lanterns. I use mason jars instead of plastic ware to store left overs. I also use them to store pantry supplies since we have an open shelving system in our kitchen the look stays clean. Thanks for this hub. Voted up!
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on March 22, 2013:
Thanks, Jen Anne. I love using shepherd's hooks with Mason jars. I love using shepherd's hooks anyway. At my next wedding, we're setting up a lawn games area and using shepherd's hooks to hold the signs and a big one to hold the hula hoops. All the centerpieces will be Mason jars.
Jenn-Anne on March 21, 2013:
Very informative and useful hub! My friend had mason jar candles hanging from shepherd's crooks at her outdoor wedding and it was quite lovely. Voted up!
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on March 21, 2013:
Thank you, Ruth. I'm working with a bride right now who has a big collection of the blue ones. I can't wait to use them!
Ruth Lanham on March 21, 2013:
So many beautiful ideas! I have always been drawn to mason jars...especially the old ones. But I never thought of using them in the ways you have displayed. Thanks for a wonderful hub!
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on March 21, 2013:
Thanks, Shai77. I really thought I would be seeing less of them in wedding décor by now, but seems like I'm seeing more with people doing farm and barn weddings. They're perfect and reusable afterward.
Chen on March 18, 2013:
These are so great! I really love a rustic touch when decorating, and mason jars are such an excellent option. So simple and reminiscent of a simpler time. I love the luminaries with the lace on them. What a great hub, this is just the kind of thing that can make a wedding look so classy yet is so simple and good for the budget. VU!
Fredena Moore from South United States on March 14, 2013:
Thanks! Using the jars to hold candles is something I have not heard of or seen.
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on March 14, 2013:
Thanks, Katnance and Newused! I'm getting ready to do a really rustic wedding in less than two months and we're using old books and Mason jars for the table décor and Mason jars with flowers as the pew markers. I'm going to try my hand at coloring some light pink, we'll see how that works out!
newusedcarssacram from Sacramento, CA, U.S.A on March 14, 2013:
Mason jars can make some very beautiful decorations and amazing gift containers. Loved your hub post…
KatNance on March 13, 2013:
Great Hub..I love the ideas..i really like the mason jars hanging up in the tree..i will use this idea..and hang them on my back patio...
I love the masons for canning sweet pickles also
Imam hossain rony from Dhaka on March 10, 2013:
a wonderful post. everyone should love flowers, in your method a total expression of love flash. keep it on
thank you
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on February 26, 2013:
DIY mommy, I guess that was a Freudian slip!;)
Sounds like a wedding I'm doing in May, we're going for a Jane Austen/ vintage/ rustic kind of feeling with burlap, Madon jars, and bunting. It's in a historic church from the 1800's, so I'm very excited. Thanks for reading, DIY Mommy!
Julie on February 26, 2013:
...I can't believe I wrote "bachelorette party" in my previous comment....I meant her bridal shower ;) :)
Julie on February 26, 2013:
It's pretty awesome to see all the many uses and applications of mason jars, specifically in relation to wedding and reception planning and decorations. With my sister's wedding quickly approaching, I have been taking the lead with planning her bachelorette party. Mason jars are just one element of what I hope to be a very rustic backwood's type of feel, complemented by other elements like sunflowers and hessian/burlap type textures. Thanks for the great hub and I look forward to reading more, DIYweddingplanner!
DMVmimay on August 30, 2012:
wow! great ideas ... you did a very nifty job :)) Using the minimum of time for effectiveness, twas cool ...
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on August 29, 2012:
Thanks, BeIndustrial. I've been seeing some new things done with Mason jars lately that I'm not too crazy about, being dipped in glitter for one thing. I think it destroys the whole feeling you're trying to give with a Mason jar. Seems kind of a sacrilege to me!
beindustrial from Effingham, IL on August 29, 2012:
I love my mason jars as well. We used it around the house often, in the kitchen, the room, in the garage and the craft room...
I love the laced mason jars you have... It is a wonderful wedding decorations. Nice work!
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on July 31, 2012:
Thanks, Whalefeather. With the cost of the average wedding topping $30,000 now, I would think brides need to be cutting costs wherever they can!
whalefeather2 on July 31, 2012:
Great ideas for any occasion...economical and easy. Thanks for sharing
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on July 20, 2012:
Thanks, Elsie and Amanda! I think Mason jars as wedding décor will stick around for a long time to come. I saw some glittered ones yesterday, not sure how I felt about that...seemed almost sacrilegious!
Amanda Gee from Cameron, Missouri on July 20, 2012:
Very creative and beautifal ideas! I love it very much!
ElsieJJones from Ontario, Canada on July 19, 2012:
Really well done. Some great ideas and excellent photos.
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on July 12, 2012:
Thanks, Glorgeousmon. I just saw a picture yesterday where a couple had built a pergola over their deck and then made a huge light fixture hanging from the crossbeams with mason jars. Just seems to be no end to what you can do with them.
Glo L Bernadas from Philippines on July 12, 2012:
I never thought that I re-invent re-use in many different and gorgeous ways those jars I collected over the years after consuming their contents. You've given me some bright ideas and just not confine my imagination to just use it for packaging. Voted up. Great article you have here.
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on July 11, 2012:
Awesome, Brenda! I'm sure when my parents were canning all those tomatoes, they had no idea how popular those Mason jars were going to be in the future! And for a completely different purpose!
brenda12lynette from Utah on July 11, 2012:
We are going to use mason jars in my friend's wedding this weekend!! It's going to be gorgeous!! I might use some of these ideas! Thanks and voted up!
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on June 28, 2012:
Thanks, Stacey. A friend of mine taught me how to color them with ModPodge and food coloring. It's easy and really pretty.
Stacey from Waterbury, CT on June 28, 2012:
I love the video How to Color Your Own Jar. Great Hub.
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on June 25, 2012:
KYGirl, some of my Mason jars were from when my dad used to can tomatoes, others I picked up at antiques stores. I especially love the little jelly jars!
PS, you need to write an article on how to make those crayon candles!
Penelopesweet on June 25, 2012:
The lace ones were beautiful, my roomates wife and I are about to use the shepherds hook idea you mentioned to make a path light for our fourth of July party and were gonna use the lace around them. I used to Nanny and I collected broken crayons just to make candles out of it works great.
kygirl89 from West Virginia on June 25, 2012:
My mom loves collecting mason jars, also I have a friend who used them in her wedding this year. I particularly liked the ones in your piece that were covered in lace and used as candle holders. Thank you for sharing.
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on June 25, 2012:
PS, that's a great use for broken crayons...I'm gonna have to try that!
Penelopesweet on June 24, 2012:
The shepherd's hooks are a great idea, you could do the candle thing and have a little homemade path light. I'm a huge fan of making homemade candles out of crayons lol it sounds stupid but it works.
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on June 24, 2012:
PenelopeSweet, That's a good idea. I was just talking to a friend who was going do the Mason jars on shepherd's hooks all down the path in her garden for a little cook-out decoration. They're really great for all kinds if things.
Penelopesweet on June 24, 2012:
Me and my room mates wife have been looking for ways to bring some color to the house and jazz it up so to speak. I gotta show her this, thats a really good idea
girltalksshop on April 17, 2012:
Very useful ideas for the jar. : ) I loved the video...I never knew you could paint them. Thank you for sharing such a great craft idea! Voted up, useful and interesting.
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on April 17, 2012:
Holly, same here with the Mason jar trend for weddings. I keep hearing the rustic look is going out, but as long as the economy stays the way it is, I think we're going to be seeing it for a long time to come.
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on April 17, 2012:
Rico, my sister has a set that she's had for years with the handles on them. The things are indestructible! Good luck with your wedding, hope this helped you with your décor ideas, Mason jars are great!
RicoShae from Ballwin, mo on April 16, 2012:
I love mason jars and I always have. When I was younger, my mom used to have them in the cabinet with the rest of our drinking glasses and I ALWAYS wanted to drink out of that one :] I'd love to incorporate Mason jars into my wedding decorations somehow.
Hollythemommy on April 16, 2012:
I work in the wedding industry, and starting about 2 years ago we started to see the mason jar trend. We have used them as decoration....and on invitations. What a wonderful idea!
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on April 11, 2012:
Thanks, Hippie Girl. Good luck with your wedding. Glad I could help!
Janelle from Oklahoma, USA on April 11, 2012:
This is great! I am getting married in August, and I think I just got a few new ideas...not to mention my backyard for everyday. Much thanks.
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on April 10, 2012:
Jamie, thanks for stopping by, I'll have to take a look at yours as well. I saw a girl at a dollar store the other day loading her car up with Mason jars and I thought to myself, "Wedding!" I love that down to earth feeling they give to centerpieces and the fact they are reusable for a variety of different things even after the wedding.
Jamie Brock from Texas on April 10, 2012:
I just finished a hub recently on Mason jar crafts and décor and just now ran into yours! How did I miss it?! I didn't realize that mason jars were being used so much for weddings now..but they are a great choice for sure! I can't believe some of the gorgeous wedding décor using mason jars out there. I love this hub.. Voting up!
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on March 20, 2012:
Wow, DD, I would love to be a guest at your wedding, particularly to see the floating lanterns! That's a new one even on me, send pics!
dappledesigns from In Limbo between New England and the Midwest on March 20, 2012:
My fiancé and I are getting married in June of next year. We are actually doing a lot of these ideas like the lanterns and drinking glasses - we are getting married back in Vermont on top of a mountain at an old family house so it fits perfectly. We will also be making mason jar floating lanterns for the pool :) Great hub!
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on March 19, 2012:
My sister and her husband have a set with handles they've had for years. They are super sturdy, practically indestructible!
Blogurl from Connecticut on March 19, 2012:
Great hub! These mason jars seem to be everywhere these days. My mother used to reuse them as drinking glasses when I was a kid. They were great.
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on March 16, 2012:
Ladeda,
I just love saying that...ladeda, ladeda, oh yeah...thanks for reading! I think the hanging ones would be great for backyard cook-outs and with LED lights, you wouldn't even have to worry about setting the neighborhood on fire!
ladeda on March 16, 2012:
Beautiful ideas! I love the hanging candle holders. Voted up!
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on March 01, 2012:
NN, I love the idea of decorating the mason jars in lots of different ways. You need to send me pictures, so I can see it, too!
NN on February 29, 2012:
Love the mason or ball jar deco. In the process of making for a rustic wedding. all different with doilies, tulle wrapped,some for hanging others for tables half filled with pea pebbles and votive candles. quart size covered for what i call very large twig trees. Can't wait to see it all set up. Thanks for all the ideas. we also wrapped some just for drinking jars.
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on February 08, 2012:
Cindy, I'm so jealous. You don't come across the blue ones alot here anymore and I think they're so pretty. You got yourself a deal, girl!
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on February 08, 2012:
Levertis, we had them , too but they we're usually filled with tomatoes from my dad's garden or jelly my grandmother had made. We never really used them "for pretty!" So glad they're still remembered and treasured!
Levertis Steele from Southern Clime on February 07, 2012:
I am a country girl, and I just love country things. I grew up with these cuties. We used them for canning, vases, and drinking glasses. Thanks for the new ideas. I am taking notes!
Cindy on February 07, 2012:
I have collected over fifty antique blue jars this year and never paid more than $1.50 per jar a local auction house. Start collecting early and be patient. Just tonight bought 34 blue jars for $44.00. A little dirty but will clean up nicely
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on February 07, 2012:
Thanks, CZ. I enjoyed reading your hub about the Phillipines. Now sipping a mixed drink on a beach in the Phillipines, now we're talking!
CZCZCZ from Oregon on February 07, 2012:
Those are great ideas with mason jars, I love it. We like to use Mason Jars for summer time BBQ mixed drinks and other activities, but your decorations take it to a new level and the centerpiece designs are great ideas. Great way to make them look so awesome!
GDiBiase from Portland, ME on February 07, 2012:
Hi Wendy,
Love these different mason jar shabby chic ideas. Thank you for sharing!
Gail
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on February 07, 2012:
Thanks, Wendy, I appreciate you taking the time to read!
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on February 07, 2012:
Thanks, Wendy. I appreciate you taking the time to read!
Wendy Finn from UK on February 07, 2012:
Your writing is really engaging and the pics are beautiful. Nice post :-)
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on February 07, 2012:
OTG, I'm a definite fan. I really am starting to like the little jelly jar size and you can get those pretty inexpensively. Thanks for reading!
onthegrind from Florida, United States on February 06, 2012:
I went to a wedding last summer that used mason jars. It was really cool. All different sizes were used.
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on February 06, 2012:
Jakob, that's why I'm really crazy for rustic and vintage weddings as a whole. Just like Mason jars, the most simplistic things can have such a huge visual impact. Thanks for stopping by!
Jakob Barry on February 06, 2012:
Love all these ideas! It's so great how mason jars can act as a simple center piece or be used in the more complicated process of canning. Personally, I utilize quite a few for storing my grains and dried fruit.
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on February 06, 2012:
Hey Moonlake, you're so right! I just bought a whole box at an antique store for $5! Thanks for stopping by.
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on February 06, 2012:
Hey Fiddleman, I would love to have seen that. I just filled some up with bubble gum balls and stuck all day suckers down in them to decorate a candy buffet. So simple and really cute! Thanks for stopping by.
Fiddleman on February 05, 2012:
Super cool hub and wonderful ideas. We had a family member who used these along with a country theme for their 20th wedding anniversary celebration.
moonlake from America on February 05, 2012:
I love mason jars and the way they look. Their so cheap to buy even vintage. SOCIALLY SHARED
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on February 05, 2012:
Wow, autocorrect is a trip! That's paint mixed with thinner!
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on February 05, 2012:
Thanks, WTC. just saw someone today paint them on the outside with paint mixed with thunder, then bake them in the oven to set the paint. Clever, clever, seems like the ways to use them are endless!
Whattheclique on February 05, 2012:
Love, love, love. These are amazing.
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on February 04, 2012:
Oh wow, that will be great! Your graduate is gonna love it! I just bought some today from an antique store, the little jelly jar kind. I'm using them for children's drinking glasses at my next wedding.
Kathy Henderson from Pa on February 04, 2012:
I love all of these ideas, so rustic so beautiful and reasonable option, We have a graduation this year so look out trees here come the mason jars. Blessings to you
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on February 02, 2012:
Welcome to HP, MRouse! Thanks for stopping by and reading. Good luck with your hubbing!
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on February 02, 2012:
Tracey, I'm so jealous that you work at Michael's. I love to shop there, I'd probably be broke all the time if I worked there! Thanks for reading.
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on February 02, 2012:
Thanks for reading, Marlene. Sounds like you already know a thing or two about decorating with Mason jars!
Marlene Bertrand from USA on February 02, 2012:
Great hub. Who would have thought... Mason Jar + Ribbon = BEAUTIFUL! Whenever I'm stumped as to what to use as a container, I just grab a mason jar and it works. I enjoyed all of your visuals, too.
Tracey Cooper from Bowmanville,Ontario Canada on February 02, 2012:
I work at Michaels and didn't know about that paint...great tip to tell customers and for my own projects! I have been saving old jars forever now and this has inspired me to start crafting!
Thanks
mrouse12 from Texas City, TX. on February 02, 2012:
Very beautiful and I LOVE the ideas and pictures. Mason Jars are gems of a time gone by and I adore how you make them fresh. Great job!! I joined yesterday and have lots to learn and seeing examples like yours, gives me inspiration. Have a great day!
DIYweddingplanner (author) from South Carolina, USA on February 01, 2012:
Hey Invita, I'd love to see that kitchen of yours! Just another great use for Mason jars!