Wedding lighting: 20 ideas to illuminate your wedding reception

Sep 23, 2024 | Inspiration
Wedding lighting Pin it
Taryn Stark Wyatt Event Planning | Sandone Productions | Lauren Fair Photography

Lighting is arguably the most important décor element at any wedding, setting the character and atmosphere of your celebration more than flowers, furniture or tableware. The lighting you choose, whether bistro-style festoon lights or dramatic chandeliers, will determine the vibe of your wedding and keep the party going long after the sun goes down.

"Lighting plays an essential role in enhancing your décor and your reception venue," explains Felicia Calonder from Be Lounge, a wedding lighting and rental service based in France. "Your choice of lights, as well as the arrangement of the lights, their color and their intensity, all contribute to the overall aesthetic and atmosphere of your event."

Luxury London wedding planner, Natalie Hewitt, agrees that the importance of good lighting shouldn't be overlooked: "Don't underestimate the power of lighting for your event," she says. "Whether that is pin spotting, uplighters, colored lights, disco balls, festoon: the ambience light can create sets the mood for your wedding as well as highlighting a focal point, or making a room feel larger or more intimate."

A great wedding planner will assist with lighting design by enlisting trusted vendors but it helps to get clued up on the different options for wedding lighting so you can make an informed decision. There are myriad choices in terms of lighting style (and candlelight to consider too), so let's look at some of the main options to choose from.

Wedding lighting ideas Pin it
Wedding bistro lighting Pin it
Planning: White Eden Weddings | Photography: Julia Kaptelova

Garland lights

These enchanting strings of lights add a warm and inviting glow, creating a magical ambience for garden party weddings. The bistro festoon design, featuring a string of suspended bulbs, enhances any outdoor setting with a charming and timeless feel, while tiny festive string lights add an enchanting fairytale vibe. "In addition to the traditional zig-zag design, we can create different formations such as a light carousel, light corridor or starry sky, to give a truly fairytale ambience," explains Felicia Calonder from Be Lounge.

Wedding lighting Pin it
Be Lounge | Muriel Saldalamacchia | Ludovic Grau-Mingot
Weddings with bistro lighting Pin it
Taryn Stark Wyant Events | Sass Photography
Lighting: Be Lounge Pin it
Lighting: Be Lounge | Planning: Love and Provence | Photography: Christophe Serrano

Tent wedding with chandeliers Pin it
White Eden Weddings | Oliver Fly Photography
London wedding planners Pin it
Natalie Hewitt Weddings | Crescent Moon Events | All for Love London | Holly Clark Photography
Wedding chandeliers Pin it
Griffin Lighting | Design: HMR Designs | Planning: SOCO Events | Photography: Steve Steinhart

Wedding chandeliers

Chandeliers are the way to go if you want to create a luxurious, dramatic vibe for your wedding reception. From epic 3-meter Empire chandeliers and ornate Marie Therese chandeliers to smaller yet equally stunning French acorn chandeliers, there's nothing quite like the sparkle of crystal to bring a glamorous sense of occasion to your event. Wooden beaded chandeliers are having a big moment and are ideal for adding an elegant touch without the weight of a traditional chandelier.

Lauryn Prattes Events | Technical Events | Abby Jiu Photography Pin it
Lauryn Prattes Events | Technical Events | Abby Jiu Photography
Wedding lighting Pin it
HMR Designs | Frawley Photography
Ash Event Co. | Exclusive Events Inc. | Liz Banfrield Photography 1 Pin it
Ash Event Co. | Exclusive Events Inc. | Liz Banfrield Photography 1
Wedding chandeliers Pin it
Lauryn Prattes Events | Technical Event Company | Lauren Fair Photography
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White Eden Weddings | Julia Kaptel
Wedding lighting Pin it
Design: Laurie Arons | Photography: Corbin Gurkin
Wedding lanterns Pin it
​Planning: Laurie Arons | Photography: Lacie Hansen

Wedding pendant lights

Pendant lamps are perfect for giving your wedding reception an elevated look with a distinctive style. Whether it's minimal mid-century; modern rustic; contemporary classic, or anywhere in between, there's a pendant light to create whatever vibe you desire. There are limitless options to illuminate your wedding reception space with pendants, whether you want to make a style statement with your lighting and draw the eye upwards, or prefer a more subtle design to keep focus on the tables or the surrounding landscape.

Wedding lighting Pin it
Design: Laurie Aron | Photography: Joel Serrato
Wedding pendant lights Pin it
Beth Helmstetter Events | Bella Vista Designs | Steve Steinhardt Photography
Wedding reception with cordless table lamps Pin it
Jennifer Louise Weddings | The Luxe Collection UK | Lucy Davenport Photography
Wedding with table lamps Pin it
Lighting: Amplified Productions | ​Design: Kelly McWilliams | Photographer: Shauna & Jordon
​Weddings with cordless table lamps Pin it
White Eden Wedding | Greg Finck Photography

Cordless table lamps

Cordless lamps open up a whole new realm of possibilities when arranging and directing light around your wedding reception. Placed on your dining tables, they bring a cosy and intimate vibe to dinner time, inviting guests to linger and relax late into the night. Cordless table lamps are also a great option for alfresco wedding receptions. Paired with pillar candles, garland lights strung over a pergola or even votives dotted across the tables, rechargeable lamps make brilliant centrepieces – all while providing useful lighting for the meal.

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