The best kept secret when it comes to designing the perfect wedding all comes down to picking the right event lighting! Picking you ideal venue, florals, and rentals are all crucial, of course, but the right event lighting can tie all of the elements together and create the perfect ambiance. They call it mood lighting for a reason – both functional and beautiful, the right lighting design will set the stage for the atmosphere and feel that you’ve worked so hard to create!

Chandeliers

Let’s be serious – there’s no such thing as too many chandeliers. I am an absolute sucker when it comes to the romance and glamour of a chandelier casting crystalline light over a beautifully styled reception. The jackpot, of course, is finding a venue that comes with its own chandeliers, but luckily there are lots of places to rent gorgeous lighting fixtures to fit any style. There is, of course, the tried and true classic of a romantic, draped reception hall glittering in the light of chandeliers dropping with crystals. Modern couples have paired classical chandeliers with rough, industrial walls, or antique  fixtures with rustic barns to personalize their big day. My personal favorite has to be chandeliers hanging from a lush, vine-hung arbor for a romantic winery wedding!

Photography by Tennison Photography, Event Design by Shumaker PDT via Style Me Pretty

Photography by Alisha + Brook Photographers, Located at Beaulieu Garden via Style Me Pretty

Photography by Birds of a Feather, Design by Amorology via Style Me Pretty

Photography by KT Merry Photography, Coordination by Pawar, Inc. via Style Me Pretty

Photography by Erin Johnson Photography, Located at Aria via Hey Wedding Lady

Photography by Jodi Miller Photography, Chandeliers by La Bella Luce

Photography by Hunter Leone Photography via Green Wedding Shoes

 

Bistro Lighting

I have an absolute soft spot when it comes to bistro lights, or strands of twinkle lights. They are such a simple and elegant way to punch up an event venue – all you need is power.  Drape strands of lights over an open courtyard or a plain reception hall to instantly create a warm, inviting ambiance as guests dine and dance with lights glowing overhead. Add just a couple of strands to any area that could use a little accent, or use a multitude of lights to create a dramatic backdrop!

Photography by Millie Holloman Photography via Style Me Pretty

Photography by Jerry Yoon Photography, Located at Amphitheatre of the Redwoods via my Portfolio

Photography by This Modern Romance via Green Wedding Shoes

Photography by  Anastasia Photography via Hey Wedding Lady

Photography by Micah G Robinson via Bright Event Productions

 

Marquee Lighting

I have come down with a bit of an obsession for marquee lighting lately (and the reason why will soon be revealed) but I don’t think I’m alone in adoring this sweetly retro trend becoming modern and mainstream. Rental companies specializing in marquee lights can provide any shape or  style of light you might have in mind – letters spelling LOVE three feet high, your initials in glowing lights, a heart behind the wedding cake, even the shape of your home states!

Photography by Amanda Watson Photography, Design by Emerson Events via Ruffled

Photography by This Is Happiness via Grey Likes Weddings

Photography by Rhapsody Road, Lights by Vowed & Amazed via Love My Dress

Cake Topper designed by Grain & Co.

 

Hanging Lights

Wedding blogs are full of beautiful details that draw the eye to the ground – luxurious linens, vibrant centerpieces, intricate tabletop rentals – but there is so much unadorned space above all of that beautiful decor. Fill that white space with gem shaped pendant lights, glass globes cradling tea lights, fairy lights twinkling behind a tissue thin silk canopy, or pierced metal lanterns that cast intricate shape over your tables. A metal forest of dangling Edison bulbs has become a popular way to cast light over the reception space and add a modern touch. A few, evenly spaced lights cast a minimalist effect while dozens create a slightly wild, luxe look!

Photography by Lisa Lefkowitz Photography, Located at Beaulieu Garden via Style Me Pretty

Photography by Matthew Michael Photography via 100 Day Wedding

via La Mariee aux Pieds Nus

Photography by Dear Wesleyann Photography, Styling and Rentals by Events by Nouveau via Elizabeth Anne Designs

Photography by Studio Impressions, Lighting by Vision One Bali via Style Me Pretty

Photography Aaron Young Photography, Design by Inviting Occasion via Green Wedding Shoes

Photography by Pepper Nix Wedding Photography via Rocky Mountain Bride

Photography by The Why We Love, Design by Bash Please via Once Wed

 

Candlelight

There is no way to decorate more efficiently or easily than with abundant candlelight. Simple glass votives and tea lights are a minimal cost when tit comes to event decor, but the added effect of hundreds of tiny flames is immeasurable. Candelight creates warmth and intimacy, perfect for a family style dinner served at long farm tables, or to personalize a cavernous ballroom. Thin taper candles in vintage candlesticks pair beautifully with vintage or rustic decor, while thick pillar candles skew more dramatic and modern. For tighter budgets, focus floral and bigger decor pieces on accent tables and use simple candles to fill in any surface that needs just a little touch.

Photography by Leslie Hollingsworth, Cake designed by Pure Cake via Green Wedding Shoes

Photography by Jose Villa Photography, Florals by Flowerwild via Hochzeits Guide

Photography by Christina Szczupak Photography via Style Me Pretty

Photography by Megan Robinson Photography via Magnolia Rouge