The most important element of your wedding’s décor is the lighting. Your perfect location will be illuminated by the lighting and candles you pick. The importance of lighting to your wedding’s budget and design cannot be overstated. Consider draping lights over the dining area or placing a long row of taper candles along the middle of the table if you are a bride who is anticipating a wine-fueled evening under the stars. Continue scrolling to see wedding lighting ideas that will illuminate your big day. Consider the selection, planning, and installation of evening lighting as another opportunity to realise your design vision, regardless of what it may be. And by “style,” we do not just refer to whether you are a modern, romantic, or glam bride.
We specialise in wedding elements, including cakes, flowers, invitations with monograms, and more. However, we must acknowledge that lighting is the most essential part of your wedding’s decor. And although this may at first seem more practical than amusing, hear us out: The lights and candles you choose (whether they be modest votives or extravagant chandeliers) are what will eventually illuminate your ideal setting, make your photographs look their best, and keep the celebration going long after the sun has set. Consequently, lighting is critical to both your wedding budget and wedding day decor. However, it does not imply you cannot have fun with it; in fact, you should. As with any other design element, consider the selection, planning, and installation of nighttime lighting as another chance to realise your design vision, whatever that may be.
And by “style,” we do not just mean whether you are a contemporary, romantic, or glam bride. Instead, consider your goals and build a lighting strategy based on those considerations. Consider stringing string lights over the dining area or laying a long line of taper candles down the centre of the table if you’re a gourmand bride who anticipates a wine-fueled evening beneath the stars. Both would highlight the evening’s major attraction (the cuisine) and keep your guests seated well into the last meal. The same applies to you, flower women. If you’re paying that much per flower, display them with a multitude of votives. And if you already have your dancing shoes prepared for a night on the dance floor, make a show of it by placing a disco ball on the ceiling and paper lanterns around the perimeter of the space. (Examples of both are shown below, but a lighting statement practically ensures a wonderful party; why do you think you like nightclub dancing so much?)
As you begin to consider your lighting design, keep in mind that the alternatives are limitless and can be readily adapted to any location, budget, or aesthetic. Keep scrolling to explore wedding lighting ideas that will make your special day actually glow. This is your moment in the limelight, so now is the time to make the proper choice.
Bring The Outside In
At this Philadelphia actual wedding, floral and lighting designer Oleander carried the bride’s concept for an outside atmosphere within with hanging foliage, hanging votive handles, and even more floor candles.
Create A Ceiling Of Lights
How incredible is this photo? We like how the lighting defines the dining area while also generating the illusion of a night sky (even in daylight).
String Lighting Should Be Included
Again, string lighting is the winner. This form of lighting is particularly effective since the lights can be simply strung through the existing vegetation trellis.
Combine Garlands With Drapes
At this Brooklyn wedding, planner Jove Meyer filled the vacant space with garlands wrapped in greenery, string lights, and white drape (due to the stunning high ceilings). The effect is that brilliant lighting emanates from behind the basic sheers.
Fixture Installation
One striking fixture is always sufficient to make a statement. This antique bronze chandelier is ideal if you want your reception to seem like an intimate dinner gathering at home.
Taper Candles On Tables
We cannot get enough of this sight packed with light. Who knew the balance between the taper candles on the tables and the bistro lights above could be so ideal?
Arrange The Lanterns
A string of illuminated lanterns illuminates an outdoor banquet and sets the stage for an intense dance party. The sand dance floor is suggested but not essential.
Create Chandelier Orbs
Are these chandeliers more suited for a Restoration Hardware catalogue or a wedding reception? It’s difficult to choose, but we like those that are loaded with flora on a white background.
Spread Spotlights
It may seem obvious, but utilise lighting to highlight the beauty of your location (duh). Along the perimeter of this dining area, golden spot lights are employed to emphasise the stone walls.
Light Up The Outside
Don’t forget to light up the outside of your area, particularly if you’re erecting a tent in a pitch-black field. Here, Tara Guérard Soirée placed pillar candles in tall glass vases around the borders of this white-draped tent.
Mini String Lights
There are several sizes and kinds of string lights, but these little ones are really fascinating. Why? The tiny size of the bulbs ensures they make enough of a statement without detracting from the table decorations.
Combine Garlands And Symbolic Candles
Never believe that you must pick between lengthy table garlands and statement candles. In this design, small pillar candles are placed on the outside of each garland centrepiece to make a bold impression.
Decorate Your Staircase
Remember to illuminate the hazardous locations where your visitors will congregate at night. Such locations include stairwells and routes to the restrooms and bar. However, we can absolutely see this staircase decorated with candles as a first-look venue or ceremony site.
Illuminate Trees
Here’s a novel suggestion: Arrange your tables around well-lit trees. We’re enamoured with the way the table arrangement, trees, and spot lights drive the attention upwards (towards the gorgeous wooden beams) and fill this expansive, industrial space.
Hang Chandeliers Outdoors
If chandeliers are your thing, put them outside of a ballroom for a creative twist. We like this surprising twist of hanging sparklers at varying heights in a natural environment.
Utilize Candles Of Different Heights
When you’ve spent months crafting the ideal place settings and centrepieces, it’s best to use candles of varied heights to highlight your efforts. These tall, black pillar candles and votive candles are plenty.
Circulate Lights Around Trees
We have discussed hanging lights from trees, but you may also hang them around trees. At this San Diego backyard wedding, string lights look beautiful around the base and branches of a big tree.
Use Lanterns Inspired By Morocco
A collection of Moroccan-style lamps illuminated the open-air tent throughout the night during this exquisite backyard party. We like how the silver tint puts a metallic touch above the structure (and coordinates with the marble-inspired table settings).
Combine Antique Chandeliers With Greenery
Discussion of a statement installation Here, an unusual combination of antique chandeliers and swaying vegetation creates a wonderful picture opportunity.
Light Hundreds Of Candles
This image is another reminder of how to emphasise your environment using lighting. This real-life bride wanted to emphasise the natural beauty of her wedding location, so she lined the aisle and altar with hundreds of candles and no flowers.
Use Candelabras
Tall candelabras give both illumination and height to your tabletop surfaces. At this wedding, the white candles and white tablecloths enable the gold accessories (and candlelight) to stand out.
Make An Illusion
Here, string lights are placed in straight lines to attract attention to the tent’s top. This pattern has been around for a long time, and it works well on clear-top tents because it looks like stars at night.
Hang Glass Orbs
Can you say incredible photograph? This image depicts a couple dancing on a dance floor surrounded by glass orbs with votive candles.
Dance Under A Disco Ball
And speaking of dance floors, do not underestimate the power of a classic disco ball when compared to string lights. Who wouldn’t want to be in the centre of this dancing floor?
