Lighting Ideas for Evening Outdoor Weddings

When the sun sets, lighting becomes a crucial part of outdoor wedding decor.

Planning for a wedding can be a daunting task that requires the future bride and groom to make many decisions. For an evening outdoor wedding, couples must also consider the lighting. Lighting has a profound effect on the setting, and can be used to create a dramatic or romantic ambiance for the couple's special day.

Candles

A simple centerpiece can give a wedding a romantic light.

The warm light of candles creates a romantic ambiance that is well-suited for any wedding, including those that are outdoors. Candles come in a variety of styles, as well as colors, ensuring that couples can use some form to create the look they desire for their special day. Simple arrangements, such as a collection of pillar candles or votives in glass containers placed upon reception tables, give the area a lovely glow. Alternatively, floating candles adrift in a water-filled glass bowl use the beauty of water and candlelight to make a mesmerizing lighting feature.

Lanterns

Red lanterns with Asian print have an exotic look.

Couples can pick from a multitude of lantern styles to light their evening outdoor wedding. Round paper lanterns are versatile, and can be used in a variety of styled weddings from modern to country chic. Other lanterns, like bold red and deep purple ones, have an exotic feel that complements a decorative theme based on China, India or Morocco. Lanterns can be hung from the ceiling of an outdoor tent, giving the space more of an intimate feel.

String Lights

String lights give the wedding an extra sparkle.

While they may bring to mind memories of the holidays and Christmas, string lights can be used to add a magical glow to outdoor weddings as well. Decorating a tree with white string lights gives it a sparkling look, straight out of a fairy tale. String lights can also be wrapped around railings, hung from the edges of tables, and draped from the ceiling to make the wedding space brighter.

Fiber Optics

Fiber optics make interesting lights for a wedding.

Couples who aim to have a more modern wedding may abandon the traditional look of candles for the brightly colored strands of fiber optics lights. Fiber optics produce a flashy, almost space-age, look that will fit in well at a contemporary evening wedding. At the reception, fiber optics placed in vases can be used to illuminate tables. Placing fiber optic decorations at the entryways to the wedding ceremony and reception creates a grand entrance.

References

• The Knot: Real Weddings: Lighting
• Super Weddings: Wedding Decorating Ideas
• Save On Crafts: Lights, Fiber Optics, String Lights