All About Wedding Lighting

Did you know that wedding lighting can be just as important to a venue than any piece of décor? No joke.

Take a moment to think about it. You’re at a gorgeous venue. There are flowers all over the place. The tables are set to perfection. The furniture, colors, and view are all fantastic. However, the lighting is bright. It’s blaring. It’s overhead and everything is amplified.

Now, picture that same situation with lighting that is soft, thoughtful, and enhances your surroundings. It’s romantic. It feels intimate (even if there are lots of people there). And, it’s inviting.

Which wedding is more appealing to you? I bet it’s the second one.

The great thing about lighting is that with a little knowledge, you can do a lot with it. It can be very affordable, too. While my example above had to do with overhead lighting, there are other options to enhance your wedding lighting that do not involve changing the venue itself.

All About Wedding Lighting

This post is going to review various lighting options with you. It includes the benefits of using the right wedding lighting, ways to use it properly, and trends you may want to look out for. So, if you’ve booked a venue that has less-than-ideal lighting, never fear. There are options. And, many of them are low cost, which is always a good thing.

Let’s get into it!

WHY PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR WEDDING LIGHTING

Hopefully after you read the intro you get the picture of why lighting is important at your wedding. However, let’s review some more reasons, just in case.

Lighting has the power to:

• Make your photos even better
• Improve your guest’s experience
• Transform a room
• Set a mood (and even change it throughout your wedding)
• Create a wow factor

There are many other reasons why lighting is so impactful, and I could probably deep dive into each of the bullets above, but these scratch the surface. The right lighting, paired with the right space, can be transformative.

TYPCIAL COSTS YOU’LL FIND WITH WEDDING LIGHTING

While lighting typically isn’t too expensive, you can find the costs adding up really fast if you’re not careful.

Not only are there the lights themselves, but there can be added costs to have the lighting installed. Professional labor, transportation, and setting up the lighting can all contribute to the overall expense and eat away at your budget. If keeping your wedding costs low is important to you, the best strategy would be to use lighting that is easy to install, or can be provided by you, your partner, or someone who is helping you out.

COST EFFECTIVE WEDDING LIGHTING OPTIONS

Luckily, there are cost-effective ways to provide lighting at your wedding. The options below are common, impactful, and will enhance any event they are provided at.

UP-LIGHTING

Up-lighting is popular because it tops the list of affordable wedding lighting solutions. Essentially, these are little lights that can be strategically placed around your venue. They can create a variety of colors against walls, backdrops, or certain spots at your wedding.

Many up-lights are “smart”, and can cast a ton of different colors with ease. This means that they can match your wedding colors, a mood that you’re going for, or a theme. And, they can change throughout your wedding.   

MONO-LIGHT

A mono-light is more expensive, but it can create a wow factor. Have you ever been to a wedding where the couple is having their first dance and a light on the floor highlights their names? It may also have the date of their wedding, or something specific to the couple.

A mono-light is personalized, detailed, and special. Essentially, it’s an overlay on a light that creates words or images that are meaningful to a couple. And, it can elevate an experience for both the couple and their guests.

PIN SPOTTING

Pin spotting is usually seen when something specific is standing out, like a cake. It’s a small lighting that helps highlight or spotlight an item or space. Pin-spotting is popular because it will make photos of that item look better, and it creates a focal point for something that is already nice to look at.

Many pin-spots can be magnetic, and easily attached to ceilings to shine down on the right space. They can also be on tables and aimed strategically, if your venue won’t allow attachments to the ceiling.

TWINKLE LIGHTS

Twinkle lights, or fairy lights, can be transformative and romantic. And, they can be used both indoors and outdoors.

These little stringed lights can be placed on fences, trees, around poles, or on a dance floor. They are instantly transformative. Twinkle lights are typically very cost effective, though it can cost you some money if a professional is hanging them. However, if you’re able to recruit some free help to help string them around, it will definitely help with the costs.

Want to purchase your own twinkle lights? Here are some pretty, and well rated ones.  And, here are some that you can use as “curtains” for romantic ambiance. 

CANDLE LIGHTING

If your venue will allow it, look into using candles for your wedding.

Candles were a big part of my wedding. They were lined down the aisle when I walked into my ceremony. They were on every table in my venue. Candles provided an element of romance, intimacy, and warmth in an already incredible space. And, they are inexpensive to procure.

If your venue won’t allow candles, consider flame-less candles like these ones to create a similar effect without the fire danger.

WORKING WITH YOUR VENUE ON LIGHTING

Before you book your venue, ask about lighting.

You never know. It may be included in their package. Or, you may have to hire preferred vendors to provide lighting at your wedding. In some cases, installing additional lighting may be essential at your venue (like if you’re getting married outside after sunset). If so, you may need to look into outlets, generators, or battery powered lighting options. Long story short, do your research on lighting before you sign a contract.

2022 WEDDING LIGHTING TRENDS

Though none of the wedding lighting trends below are totally new, they are definitely trending. Below is a list of what you can look into or expect at weddings this year:

• Edison Bulbs – These are tons of hanging lightbulbs that are reminiscent of Christmas lights. Edison bulbs are not difficult to set up or obtain. They can be hung on a frame or poles.
• Cost Effective Lighting – Renting your wedding lights instead of buying, or buying second hand and selling them afterwards is very trendy right now.
• Sustainability – Many weddings are using options with LED lights as they consume a low amount of power.
• Indoors / Outdoors – It’s super trendy right now to make an indoor space look like it’s outdoors, and vice versa. For example, starry night lighting can be transferred onto a ceiling, or lamps can be brought outside to a comfortable “living room” seating area.
• Texture Lighting – This is where lights are used to project patterns, create an ambiance, and make it look like you’re somewhere else. Pretty cool! 

CLOSING THOUGHTS

There’s a lot that goes into wedding lighting, and there are many reasons why you should do your research on it before you book your venue. Whether you’re getting married inside or outside, lighting should be a part of your wedding planning. Creating the right ambiance can greatly improve yours and your guest’s experience, and there are plenty of ways to save on the cost of wedding lighting. Happy wedding planning! 

More From Hummingbird Wedding Advice

Eight Stunning Ways To Transform Your Venue

How Discount Wedding Venues Can Cost You More (And What To Do About It)

Are You Having A Micro Wedding?

Did you find this post helpful, inspiring?  PIN it to your Wedding Décor Board on Pinterest! 

Super Romantic Lighting Options

Outdoor String Lights

White Curtain Light

Wine Bottle Twinkle Lights (With Corks)