How to Light an Outdoor Wedding

If your outdoor wedding will take place during the day, then you don't have to worry about outdoor lights. Otherwise, lighting can be a big issue. As beautiful as a beach, vineyard, orchard, garden or park may be, no one will see it when the sun goes down. Luckily, there are many options that provide necessary, functional lighting and add ambiance to the decor.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Generator
• String Christmas lights
• Candles
• Extension cords
• Spot lights
• Street lights

1. Rent a power generator and extension cords to bring electricity to outdoor areas that aren't hard wired. Depending on how many lights and other equipment you have to power, you may need more than one generator, so check with the rental company to be sure.

2. Use tiki torches along the perimeter of the wedding for extra lighting. Great for beach-themed weddings, tiki torches last a long time and produce a warm flickering glow.

3. Choose candle centerpieces. Candles are an inexpensive way to light tables and evoke a romantic mood. Use hurricanes, lanterns or glass vases to keep the candles from blowing out in the wind.

4. Wrap trees with string Christmas lights. While these tiny lights don't provide a lot of light individually, together they will produce a warm glow.

5. Use old-fashioned outdoor street lamps scattered throughout the reception area. These lamps can often be rented at party rental houses and some do not require electricity.

6. Run wires across the reception area and attach them to trees or structures to create a canopy from which you can hang lighting. Chinese lanterns are a popular choice for outdoor wedding lighting because they produce soft, diffused light and they have an attractive look. Chinese lanterns are available in many different colors to match the theme of your wedding.

7. Use spotlights trained on the bride and groom to illuminate a nighttime ceremony. Think of the front of the wedding like a stage being lit for a play and make sure the entire wedding party is lit. You can rent light stands, flood lights, can lights and other decorative lighting features from a local party equipment rental company.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are having a sunset ceremony, plan to have extra lighting. Most weddings start slightly late and can easily go long. You won't want the lights to go out in the middle of the ceremony before anyone has said "man and wife."
• Check that the power generator has enough fuel to run for the entire wedding. You don't want to have to go for a gas run halfway through the reception.

[merryelleno]

on 5/20/2009 Wow, some really great Ideas in this article!! We are definitely doing the christmas lights!! (I bought mine at www.christmascentral.com) Our reception is going to be outdoors and I really think these lights will add that extra special touch!!