We’re all about the details at your wedding—cakes, flowers, and monogrammed invites. But we want to let you in one of our best wedding design secrets: lighting! Lighting is one of those things that sounds more functional than beautiful. But, done well, it has a HUGE impact on making the design come to life at your wedding! Read on for some stylish and chic wedding lighting ideas.
Help! I Don’t Know How To Incorporate Lighting!
That’s exactly what we are here to help with! We consider your wedding aesthetic, color palette, and yes, even your wedding budget to create a lighting design that you will love!
Lighting can enhance everything, from ceremonies to receptions, dance floors, head tables, and more! The lighting enhancements you choose (whether simple votives or over-the-top chandeliers) will add a unique vibe and ultimately light up everything at your wedding. Our experienced wedding planners can help you identify the right lighting design for your wedding style and venue space. See some of our favorite wedding designs here.
Designing the Perfect Lighting Balance for your Wedding
When we’re creating a wedding lighting design, we’re thinking about the overall aesthetic and mood you want for your day, but also how lighting can play a functional part. It’s important to find that perfect balance for your wedding lighting design.
With SO many options for lighting design, it can be overwhelming to decide what’s right for your day. At our design meetings with clients, we help determine which options are right for your wedding and ambiance. Helping to create a design that brings life to the space while not being overbearing.
Why Uplighting (LED Lights) Are Popular At Weddings
While there are many ways to light your wedding, one of our favorites is uplighting because it’s the most cost-efficient lighting option to completely transform a space.
Uplighting with LED lights is a great way to add life and magic to any space. And they’re customizable to any color on the spectrum to fit your decor. The varying light provides depth, creating interesting backgrounds that are not only pleasing for your eyes but also look amazing in photos and videos!
When done right, this lighting can transform even the most mundane room into something spectacular for your Milwaukee wedding or event.
How to choose the right color for your uplighting
Now that you’re convinced of the transformative power of uplighting, the next question is: what color should you choose? You want to make sure the colors compliment your wedding palette and overall aesthetic.
- Soft and Romantic: Choose neutral colors; off-white, amber, or golden on the warmer side of the spectrum. Think candlelight and fireplace; creating a calm, intimate mood at your wedding.
- Bright and Clean: Simple white uplights are popular to simply brighen an already gorgeous space without using harsh overhead lights. A classy, sophisticated vibe perfect for any wedding.
- Bold and Vibrant: If you really want to wash the walls with color, you certainly can! Display any color in your wedding palette, from bright magenta, to blue, or purple. These bold, vibrant colors can be used in any space, but can especially be a good option when your venue space needs ‘dressing up’.
String Light or Edison Bulb Lighting at Weddings
A popular option for wedding lighting because they add that beautiful twinkle-light look to any space. String bulbs are available in a wide variety of sizes and color tones. They can have a classic look with standard bulbs in white/off-white tones or a more rustic look with amber Edison bulbs.
Another amazing thing about string bulbs is that they can be used outside too! Freestanding trellises can be placed anywhere you want to create a gathering spot or focal point. Whether it’s a seating area, cocktail area, dance floor, or photo booth.
No matter how you incorporate string bulbs into your wedding design, it’s sure to create an amazing atmosphere for your guests.
Chandeliers Make Dramatic Focal Points For Lighting At Weddings
Chandeliers are a perfect way to add some grandeur and elegance to your big day! With so many styles of chandeliers to choose from, they can work with any wedding aesthetic. We’ve used chandeliers to compliment boho, rustic, glam, and classic designs.
If you’re having a tented wedding, definitely consider chandeliers! They make a great focal point and really elevate the space.
Pin Spotting Lights are Pure Magic
Spotlighting is a great way to highlight specific areas of your event space. Spotlights can illuminate head tables, food stations, place card tables, cakes tables, signs, first dances, and more. This bright directional light is a bold way to feature anything you want to draw attention to.
Dance Floor Lighting
Of course, we can’t forget the dance floor because this is where the party starts! Dance floor lighting helps to elevate the energy of the space and gets people in the party mood. Color-changing LED uplighting is a popular choice for dance floors. But there are tons more fun options!
Disco balls are making a comeback onto dancefloors and we’re not upset about that. Other lighting additions could be LED light-up dancefloors or strobe lights. These are a surefire way to achieve the ultimate rave atmosphere at your wedding and have the party of a lifetime.
We can also canopy your dance floor with twinkle lights, lanterns, or chandeliers, making for amazing first dance photos.
Wedding Reception Lighting We Love For Outdoor Weddings
If you have an outdoor wedding, using lighting to define walkways and gathering areas is a must. Candle-lit lanterns are great for lining walkways, staircases or providing general lighting around the venue. Add string bulbs to trees or on free-standing trellises. Hanging lanterns in trees always look cute! Spotlighting areas such as trees and exterior architecture like arches or paths can add a lot of drama and interest once it gets dark outside.
Try to think of the most popular areas your guests will be visiting, and make sure there’s plenty of lighting in these spots. You don’t want anyone getting lost in the dark. Finding the right mood lighting for your event space is our specialty!
Using Candles To Enhance Lighting For Wedding Receptions
If you’re looking for a simple way to add visual interest and layers to your lighting, using candles is always an excellent option. Using different sizes and types of candles adds variety to the design. Create vignettes by mixing simple tea light candles, votives, pillars, and tapers of varying heights. Adding reflective surfaces such as a mirrored tray can help spread the warm glow even more.
Be sure to check with your venue on their policies for candles. Some venues only allow enclosed candles and some don’t allow them altogether. In those cases, battery-powered candles and fairy lights can be a good option to add the same kind of ambiance.
Monograms, Logos, or Lighting Patterns at Your Wedding Venue
Projecting your initials or a pattern on the walls of your wedding venue is a modern way to decorate your venue with lighting. You can project just about any design onto any surface; walls, floors, ceilings, or even on the outside of a building. It can be a great way to personalize your wedding and to add some fun and whimsy.
We often collaborate with our affiliate company Sound By Design to design our client’s wedding reception lighting. As the premier lighting specialists for the Milwaukee wedding and event scene and can give great advice on what will work for your wedding.
Marquee Letters and Neon Signs
Marquee letters and the increasingly popular neon signs make a perfect focal point for a space. Available in all different shapes and sizes, you can certainly find one that fits your aesthetic. They make for great photo ops for you and guests, too!
We Can Help Plan Your Lighting Design
For a fraction of the cost of many other services, event lighting is an easy way to add elegance and beauty to your wedding. Let us help you create a lighting design that gives your wedding a wow factor.
Click here to read about all our wedding planning services. We’d love to help you design and plan your perfect Milwaukee wedding. Contact us today!
