8 Gorgeous Illumination Ideas for Outdoor Weddings

Introduction

 If you are looking to add some magical sparkle into your wedding this year, why not do it with special outdoor wedding lights. With lots of styles to choose from, endless ways to get creative and the flexibility to put them wherever you want, they are the perfect way to add some glowing elegance to your venue. In this article we’ll share 8 different wedding lighting ideas for magical outdoor weddings, so read on to get inspired!

Ceilings and Walls 

Ceilings and walls are the best places to hang outdoor wedding lights. Whether you opt for string lights, fairy lights or cluster lights, they can be suspended in a canopy style from the ceiling to create a gorgeous starry-tent effect that will be visually striking as well as creating a calming ambience. Use warm white for a romantic glow, and experiment with doing parallel and bistro lines, or even zigzagging festoons to add a bit of character to the venue too.

Outdoor Reception Area

You can decorate an outdoor window reception area in lots of ways using outdoor wedding lights. One idea is to drape gauze curtains between wooden panels and hang rows of warm white icicle lights from them to create a waterfall effect. You can try focal layering- a technique where you concentrate icicle lights directly above the main dining tables, mirroring candles on the table in the sky too- a stunning visual technique that your guests will love. Get creative with lighting visuals by decreasing the density of string lights from the centre outwards, creating an effect that will look mesmerizing and pretty.

Wedding Arch

To use wedding lights on an arch, why not try the ‘wrapped micro and cluster halo’ look. To achieve this, tightly wrap micro string lights around the arch frame to create a soft but continuous glow, and then add a short strand of cluster lights across the top to give a halo effect. Leave a few cluster tendrils to hang slightly, and hide the battery pack or plug away behind florals or greenery for a finish that looks seamless.

Photo Backdrop 

You can easily decorate an outdoor photo wall by using LED string lights, the perfect way to emphasize and highlight the photographic display. Use a white wooden frame as a base, hang photos off it with wooden pegs to evoke the look of a vintage memory wall, and then hang warm string lights around the edges, weaving them in and out of the border, to create a twinkling effect. If you want to accentuate the romantic look, add flowers or greenery amongst the lights.

In the Trees 

If you are hosting your wedding in an area where there are trees around- make them part of your decor and light them up! We recommend draping warm-toned cluster lights over them to create an effortless look that will complete the atmosphere of your wedding perfectly. The lights blend really well with trunks, branches or vines, drawing focus towards the natural scenes at your venue. When the sun goes down, the lights will illuminate, creating a romantic atmosphere perfect for ending a wedding day.

On the Lawn 

Illuminating the aisle that the couple will walk down is a great way to add atmosphere to an outdoor wedding using wedding string lights. Light the aisle on both sides using white spot lights, pointing in the direction of the gazebo or other focal points of the event. If you combine lights like these alongside white chairs with pink fabric sashes and floral accents, you will create an unbeatable romantic atmosphere. 

Fence or Wall 

Use Ollny G40 solar string lights to create a golden glow along fences or walls at the wedding venue. Line them in horizontal rows to brighten up the night, creating a curtain effect. Decorate the space with green florals, round bulbs and beautiful vases to complete the look.

Dessert Table and Bar 

If you have a dessert table or bar area at your wedding venue, why not use solar string lights to illuminate them? A rustic table or bar area complete with LED string lights is a perfect way to add a touch of magic to your event- and is truly an easy and effortless way to do so too. You can go the extra mile and add fairy lights above them too, the perfect backdrop for guest photos.  

Outdoor Wedding Lighting Tips 

Creating ideal evening lighting for an al fresco wedding ceremony can be easy, but it does present its challenges. What is the best way to decorate with them? What might go wrong? Try these four strategies to ensure that you have flawless lights all night long:

Skip excessive upward beams

Although ground to ceiling beams are great for energizing the area, they create vibrant hues in photos that can ruin pictures.

Verify electricity availability

Ensure that there are sufficient outlets available near your light display- you don’t want loads of cables out as these pose a trip risk and also spoil the ambience!

Consult the location’s guidelines

Always ensure that the manager of your venue knows where you want to place the lights. They will inform you of any safety risks or places you cannot have them, and you need this permission first rather than being disappointed on the day!

Keep Spares Ready

Even with good planning, things can go wrong. Keep spares handy in case a wire or bulb gets damaged. Being prepared is better than missing out if something breaks!  

Conclusion

If you are planning an outdoor wedding, we encourage you to get creative and try out some of these outdoor lighting ideas to give your wedding an extra special sparkle. They are all easy to do, yet will create a romantic and calming ambience that you and your guests will remember for years to come. Take a look at our collection of wedding lights and find your perfect ones.