When I started planning my best friend’s outdoor wedding, there was one thing that was crystal clear to me: lighting is everything. Well-placed lighting can turn an ordinary space into an exceptional, intimate, and unforgettable space. Whether you’re marrying under a canopy of trees, on a lake, or in your backyard, lighting your location is what will dictate the rest of the evening.
In this piece, I’ll show you 15 of the most stunning outdoor wedding lighting ideas that will help you produce that dreamy, romantic feel without overspending.
1. Twinkling overhead string lights
It’s a classic for a reason. Draping string lights over your reception or ceremony space adds that fairy tale feel that puts everything a little closer to magic. Whether you use warm white lights or an accent of antique Edison sparkle, this is one of the most uncomplicated, affordable methods of adding an air of whimsy.
Pro Tip:
Use sheer fabric along with lighting to create a dreamy canopy that softly filters light over your guests.
2. Chandelier in the Trees
If you’re exchanging “I do’s” beneath a big tree or in a clearing in the woods, think about introducing a wow-factor chandelier to hang there. It’s elegant and creates a breathtaking contrast of rustic landscape with romantic glamour.
Battery or solar chandeliers would be ideal for this.
Ideal for:
Rustic Chic Weddings, Bohemian Weddings
3. Mason Jar Fairy Lights
Mason jars with fairy lights = wedding magic; that’s all there is to it. Place these glowing jars on tables, along aisles, or suspended from tree branches to provide a warm, glowing light to your event.
DIY Tip:
Fill a jar with fairy lights and a small amount of dried lavender or baby’s breath for a nice-smelling effect.
4. Lantern aisle markers
Decorate your aisle with rustic lanterns either hung from shepherd hooks or laid upon the ground. Your guests will be treated to a warm, romantic glow at sunset that adds just the right finishing touch to your aisle walk.
Favorite Combo:
Bronze lanterns with LED candles and some plants at the base.
5. Uplighting of Trees
Want to turn your outdoor wedding venue into a fairy tale? Infuse some uplighting or colored uplighting on nearby trees. It highlights existing textures and adds an ethereal mystique.
Bonus Tip:
Amber, rose, and blush tones are most complementary to wedding photography and skin tones.
6. Floating candle centerpieces
If you’ve got a water feature, a fountain, pool, or pond, you can put floating candles or floating LED lights on the water to generate a reflective, whimsical atmosphere. They undulate gently with each breeze and cast a dreamy glow across the water.
7. Marquee Light Letters
There’s nothing like oversized marquee letters that say “LOVE” or your initials. Not only are these great decor, but also a perfect photo spot for your guests.
Instagram-Worthy Tip
Position them near the dance floor or entrance so that they make an impressive first impression.
8. Canopy of Lights Over the Dance Floor
It’s here on this dance floor that you’ll be dancing with your guests all night long. So go ahead, make it magical. With a string light or globe light canopy, you feel intimate, close, but not closed in. And your first dance, which you’ll remember.
9. Suspension of Bulbs from Trees
Hang single Edison bulbs from tree branches to produce a warm, country light fixture. Edison lights emit an antique glow that will warm up your backyard wedding with a classic feel.
10. Pathway Solar Lights
Greet guests entering and exiting the reception or event with stunning solar pathway lights. They are a cheap, energy-efficient option that comes in a variety of stylish designs.
Wedding Hack:
Use them to spell out your date or initials along a garden path.
11. Tented Reception Under Soft Illumination
If you have an open or transparent tent, you need to use soft lighting. Use fairy lights, miniature chandeliers, and candlelight to produce a warm overall atmosphere that, however, retains an airy, open character.
Add on
Drape fabric on ceiling beams to produce an extremely romantic atmosphere.
12. Candlelit Tablescapes
The most romantic is candlelight, so pile light on your reception tables with different levels of candles—tapered, votive, and pillar—in refined holders.
Pro Tip:
Use flameless LED candles to avoid any accidents caused by wind.
13. Boho Dreamcatcher and Light Combinations
For a free-spirited bohemian wedding, use macrame or large dreamcatcher backdrops with string lights. Support them with fairy lights that produce a luminous effect to mimic texture and movement. Looks great behind. Your ceremony arch or sweetheart table.
14. Backlit Drapery Entrance
Make your entrances resemble gateways to your love story. Back-lit drapery over archways, entrances, or bathroom areas ties your lighting scheme together and unifies your entire venue.
15. Lounging Area with Fire Pit
Cap off an evening on a warm note. Design a fire pit seating area with lounge chairs and overhead strings. It offers your guests an intimate place to sit, converse, and roast marshmallows under the stars.
Additional Touch:
Provide a fleece blanket or a s’mores kit as a favor.
Final Considerations
Your wedding day is one of the most intimate, romantic, and stunning days of your life—you owe it to yourself to only work with your lighting. From getting glamorous with chandeliers and uplighting to playing it understated with string lights and lanterns, all these ideas speak of your love using light. So close your eyes, breathe deeply, and imagine your dream wedding night.
Now imagine it filled with romance. This is what good lighting can accomplish.
