My Wedding Reception Ideas

26 Creative Lighting Ideas for Your Wedding Reception

Draped Barn Lights - Creative Lighting Ideas for Your Wedding Reception

Although it is one of the most important details, lighting is frequently overlooked when planning a wedding. Often we focus on the decorations to cover the tables, walls and everywhere in between, but a big influence on the atmosphere of your wedding reception will actually be how the space is lit. In the past, we have been fairly limited on inspiration for beautiful event lighting, but more recently couples have begun incorporating many different lighting options to add to their wedding decor and set the mood for their guests. This post is packed full of stunningly creative ways to illuminate your reception, so be prepared to get inspired!

Candles

Floating Candles / Crystal Candelabras / Candles in Hanging Glass Globes / Candles Clustered on Wooden Stumps / Hanging Tealights and Candlelit Tables / Hanging Mason Jars with Battery-Powered Tealights

Chandeliers

Single Small Chandelier / Barn Chandeliers / Round Rustic Chandeliers / Elegant Chandeliers at Tented Reception

Edison Light Bulbs

Edison Bulbs Above and Down Center of Tables / Light Bulb String Down Center of Table / Light Bulbs Hanging in Straight Line / Light Bulb Chandelier

Lanterns

Hanging Lanterns / Lanterns Lighting Pathway / Hanging Paper Lanterns with Candles on Tables / Paper Lanterns in Barn / Paper Lanterns Above Dance Floor

String Lights

Tree Wrapped in String Lights / Zig-Zag String Lighting / Wall of String Lights / Cascade of Lights Above Tables / Outdoor String and Bulb Lighting / Barn with Draped String Lights / Tented String Lights with Tulle

A Ritz Carlton Sarasota Wedding: Allison & Ryan

Our next real wedding leaves me speechless. The bride and groom, Allison and Ryan, are absolutely adorable and their choice in wedding details is flawless. Gorgeous, vibrant purple and pink florals. Oh, and let's not forget to mention the centerpieces that will stop you in your tracks. Sarah and Heather from Limelight Photography are such talented photographers and have truly outdone themselves with these stunning photos. See for yourself...

Photography: Lead Photographer Sarah McDonald and Associate Photographer Heather from Limelight Photography / Reception Venue: The Ritz Carlton / DJ: Al Garcia DJ / Bridesmaids Dresses: Jessica McClintock / Makeup Artist: Michele Renee Zerda

Elegant Peach and Blush Cleveland Wedding: David & Samantha

David and Samantha's luxurious Cleveland wedding is just overflowing with love and happiness. From the attire to the beautiful wedding cake, every detail came together seamlessly to set the scene for this couple's perfect day. The reception featured stunning candelabras adorned with peach and blush roses which were set off beautifully by lit candles. They could not have chosen a more beautiful reception space than the Hyatt Regency Cleveland at The Arcade - the hotel’s graceful architecture lending perfectly to their elegant affair with dramatic balconies and vaulted ceilings. A huge thank you to Linczak Photography for sharing this wedding with us.