Want to really nail it? Some couples opt to hire a lighting designer for a grand installation that makes their wedding reception space pop, while others add in some simple twinkle-light strands themselves. Luckily, when it comes to incorporating some brightness, there’s no right or wrong decision. (At the end of the day, everyone loves a bit of ambience!) Here, we’ve rounded up some lighting looks we love so you can bring the right outdoor wedding light decorations into your big-day space.
01. Chandeliers and Disco Balls
What lighting concept didn’t this built-from-scratch outdoor wedding venue in Mexico have? Nelson Pardo decked out the structure, which was open on two sides to allow for ocean views and breezes, with disco balls, lit-up chandeliers, and string lights to boost the space’s energy—a must for a party that didn’t wrap until 5 a.m.
02. Ceremony Fixtures
Outdoor wedding light decorations shouldn’t be reserved for the reception. If you’re holding your service surrounded by nature, make like this couple who tied the knot under a grove of redwood trees: They asked Jacin Fitzgerald Events and Edge Design Group to construct a forest chapel, which Fiesta Lighting lit it up with several chandeliers—successfully bringing the indoors outside.
03. Criss-Cross Style
Plenty of duos who get married outside use string lights because they’re functional: They’re necessary once the sun sets, as are other lighting elements, from uplighting to candles on the tablescape. They can also be used, however, to spotlight an aesthetic choice or design detail—which is exactly what these criss-crossed lights, featuring orbs suspended at different heights, did at this wedding at a historic estate in Mexico. The lights’ orientation kept the focus on a botanical installation, a riot of tropical greens, birds of paradise, and tomatillos, overhead, created by Fabrizio Simoneen.
04. Lit-Up A-Frame
Hosting an intimate, open-air wedding on the beach? You won’t need as much illumination as you would if you were throwing a larger celebration in a covered tent, but that doesn’t mean you should skip a lighting scheme altogether. This couple, who tied the knot at Sandals Dunne’s River Resort in Jamaica with just six guests, suspended a few jute lanterns from the A-frame above their single reception table to boost the romantic ambience and provide just enough light for attendees post-sunset.
05. Suspended Tea Lights
Not every genius outdoor wedding light decoration needs to be powered by electricity. These suspended tea lights, which hung from a greenery- and floral-covered rod at this desert wedding in Utah, are proof that an old-school approach is often the best one.
06. Mix and Match
Combining hundreds of tiny twinkling lights with hanging florals created a colorful and bright setting at this couple’s California reception. Their outdoor light installation, created by Brilliant Event Lighting, aimed to lift the space and bring the guests’ eyes up.
07. Dark and Light
Don’t be afraid of a darker light strand. At this Kentucky wedding reception, hanging bulbs on a black strand allowed them to truly pop. We love how the lights provided a subtle warm glow to the already-bright space.
08. Celestial Canopy
Stringing twinkle lights above a reception area can create the illusion of a sky full of stars, which is what this couple wanted at their wedding in Spain. Designed by Ledilux, this fairy-light installation provided a stunning glow to the wedding’s al fresco dinner and dancing area.
09. Bursts of Light
Why not turn your outdoor wedding light decorations into an impactful surprise? At this couple’s wedding on the Amalfi Coast, cold sparks exploded around them as they danced below twinkle lights at the end of the night—which was an epic way to conclude the reception.
10. An Enchanted Forest
At this Italian wedding, the couple wanted to create the look and feel of an enchanted forest with pops of green. Adding fairy lights to the vibrant trees gave an ethereal vibe to the outdoor space. Plus, the colorful floral arrangements, summer fruits, and green taper candles on the tables brought a festive element to the garden.
11. Brightening Bulbs
Outdoor wedding lighting decorations don’t have to be boring or small. And at this Montana wedding, the couple proved just that. By weaving larger Edison bulbs in with hanging greenery, they created an eye-catching ceiling display. The natural elements and colors continued to the space’s table settings, which included seasonal blooms, rock table numbers, and navy tablecloths.
12. A Soft Outline
With a wedding set on the shores of Florida’s Indian Rocks Beach, this couple didn’t need much to make their ceremony tent glow. Adding a string of lights around the base of the tent’s cover brought a touch of illumination to the stunning venue. Pieces of greenery, white floral arrangements, and woven light pendants helped complement the indoor-outdoor space.
13. A Tented Illusion
The unique formation of twinkle lights and rattan lanterns at this couple’s Mexico wedding created the illusion of a tent over their dance floor. We love how the tiny glittering bulbs resembled a cluster of stars in the night sky, bringing a celestial vibe to the reception space.
14. Earthy and Chic
A canopy of twinkle lights over a reception table can bring a touch of elegance to the most rustic of spaces. At this couple’s campground-inspired celebration in Oregon, which included earthy tones, natural linens, and organic stoneware, the addition of outdoor wedding light decorations throughout helped bring a subtle sophistication to the wooded area.
15. Bright Whites
Even if a setting’s palette is already light and bright—through white florals and drapery, for example—twinkle lights can add an extra layer of illumination. At this couple’s backyard Pennsylvania wedding, they added string lights overhead to spotlight the gorgeous white flowers and draw attention to the whimsical drapery.
16. A Dramatic Backdrop
Even a dark and simple backdrop can be transformed into a dynamic setup with the addition of twinkle lights. This Mexico wedding featured a wall of cascading string lights behind the couple’s head table. The addition of larger, retro-style strands throughout the rest of the space also proved that you can successfully mix and match different types of outdoor light decorations.
17. Just a Few
While we love tiny twinkling lights, sometimes opting for a larger bulb, such as an Edison-style light, can bring a more laid-back feel to a reception space. This Joshua Tree wedding featured a strand of spaced-out lights with disco balls interspersed, bathing the neutral-toned desert background in a soft orange hue.
18. Soft and Subtle
With just one long table to decorate at this California wedding, weaving in natural-inspired décor was a must for this couple. In addition to hanging greenery and brass chandeliers from the arbor, they added small twinkle lights throughout, giving a subtle glow to the vibrant outdoor space.
19. Unexpected Combinations
Don’t be afraid of integrating your outdoor wedding lights with surprising elements. The couple at this California wedding blanketed a greenhouse with string lights, greenery, lanterns, disco balls, and glass pendants. The best part? Since the indoor-outdoor space was completely clear, you could still see the vibrant glow of the lights when you stepped outside.
20. Colorful and Bright
At this tropical wedding in Jamaica, floral garlands, local foliage, and macrame chandeliers added colorful decoration to the indoor-outdoor tent. However, it was the cascading twinkle lights—combined with uplighting—that truly brightened the space.
