7 Creative Lighting Ideas for Your Wedding Day
Guest post written by Katie Tejada
Photo by Milou and Olin Photography
Ready for your next event? There are lots of aspects to consider with event planning, but considering lighting is near the top of the list if you really want an event to impress. Whether you’re planning a wedding or throwing a birthday bash, here are seven lighting ideas to get those creative juices flowing.
If we haven’t met yet, hi! I’m Lindsey Nickel and I’m a local Sonoma and Napa wedding planner and the owner of Lovely Day Events. Since 2010, I have helped stylish, fun-loving couples (and their dogs) plan destination weddings. Our clients want the ceremony to be outside, the food to be outstanding, and the dance parties to be epic. If this sounds like you, you’re in the right place, so you might want to learn more about our wedding planning services.
#1: Recycled Lighting
Looking for a trendy way to get creative lighting, and be sustainable? Say no more. There are tons of ways to incorporate recycled lighting into your space, from making your own DIY lighting solutions to choosing light fixture companies that source materials sustainably. Your guests will be impressed at the thoughtfulness and power of using recycled lighting to light up your event.
#2: String Lights
If you’re looking for a way to hang or display your lights, why not embrace string lighting? Stringing lights up gives you the flexibility to have lights spread out throughout your event space, and the way you string the lights can determine how concentrated the brightness is in or across certain areas.
Using strings of lights might seem more commonplace now, but there are ways to creatively incorporate these lights. Experiment with the power of LED string lights to create lighting spectacles, like curtains of light or a Maypole-style activation. Or, you could create a design that allows you to manipulate the color options for one-of-a-kind lighting.
#3: Colored Lighting
Ambiance is everything, so you can choose a color to wash the room in a warm glow that brings the right mood. Make sure that you use color tastefully, though, because too many shades can quickly become overwhelming.
You can even introduce colored lighting in a single accent light, like a bright neon sign. Many events already have colors embedded in their themes and design schemes, like wedding colors, so you can pay homage to that with a creative twist that will leave your guests in awe. Or, if your event has a main sponsor you can add a custom neon sign of their logo or name for extra emphasis.
#4: Statement Lighting
Another way to impress your guests with lighting is with unforgettable statement fixtures. Grab a funky chandelier or a hanging pendant light to draw the eye in a good way. Plus, you can combine creative lighting ideas for a great touch: why not use a colored bulb in a recycled fixture to make a bold statement?
Photo by Sabine Scherer Photography
#5: Centerpiece Lighting
As great as statement lighting is, you don’t have to get a huge new fixture for your event. If that’s not in the budget or the style you want, try centerpiece lighting instead. Your event likely has tables or gathering areas where you can use centerpieces as lights, ambiance, and decorations. Try some candle hurricane lamp centerpieces for a simple touch on your tables that’s chic, upscale, and totally unique.
#6: Twinkling or Blinking Lights
For a magical touch, twinkling or blinking lights provide a romantic and warm glow to the background of your event. Experiment with how quickly the light changes so you don’t get a strobe light effect–unless that’s what you want, of course! Blinking lights done right can create the perfect mood lighting.
#7: Natural Lighting
Before you start making a huge list of the lighting you need to bring in for your event, remember that you can tap into the power of natural lighting. Plenty of the best venues will highlight the natural lighting opportunities for your event. There are also plenty of outdoor light fixtures that can supplement rather than supplant the light that’s already available in the outdoor space.
Creative Applications
These suggestions can help you get the ball rolling as you consider lighting for your next event. Enjoy the creative possibilities!
Katie Tejada is a writer, editor, and former HR professional. She often covers developments in HR, business, recruiting, real estate, law and finance, but also enjoys writing about travel, interiors and events.
