Wedding planning is stressful, especially for home weddings, where every detail lies in your hands.
While it’s hard to keep track of the to-do list, one element you don’t want to gloss over is the lighting.
Ambience can transform a space, bring everything together, and make all your hard work worthwhile.
Considered lighting can also elevate the wedding photos . And if there’s one day you want the lighting to hit just right, it’s your wedding day.
In this guide, our solar lighting experts reveal how you can DIY your wedding lighting – to bring your magic day to life without breaking the bank.
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Wedding Lighting Ideas with Fairy Lights
If you’re looking for a subtle yet stunning backdrop for your wedding, fairy lights are an effective and affordable way to bring empty or darker spaces to life.
They provide soft light to create an enchanting, whimsical ambience that’s perfect for your special day.
There are several creative ways to utilise fairy lights:
Fairy Light Curtain Backdrop
A fairy light curtain backdrop is a stunning addition to outdoor and indoor weddings.
Perfect for tents, country clubs and gardens alike, this eye-catching staple creates the perfect photo opportunity for the happy couple and their guests.
Our Lumify Solar Curtain Lights are 6ft by 12ft, with 300 micro LEDs, and create a glistening glow when draped from fences, walls, large trellises or pergolas.
Wedding Table Décor Lights
Decorating wedding tables with fairy lights is a creative way to add warmth and personality, and introduce some illumination as you move into the moonlight hours.
There are plenty of ways to do this, such as wrapping our Elan Solar Copper Wire Lights around the table flowers or foliage for an atmospheric, rustic look.
Or, simply decorate with something more unique, such as our Elan Solar Starburst Fairy Lights or Elan Solar Dandelion Lights, to add that extra sparkle to your wedding tables.
You could even fill some empty jars or vases with fairy lights to create a centrepiece that illuminates the tables.
Tree Fairy Lights
It’s difficult to overdo fairy lights. They’re perfect for weaving into any awkward or neglected areas that need a bit of love.
If you’re hosting an outdoor wedding with darker corners, try wrapping the surrounding trees and greenery in fairy lights.
Our Lumify USB Solar Fairy Lights have 300 warm white LEDs, ideal for covering large surfaces or spaces like trees or pillars, and bringing more warmth to the space.
Overhead Fairy Light Canopy
Canopies are a magical feature that let you replicate the effect of a sparkling night sky, inside or outdoors.
A fairy light canopy creates a low, warm glow, suited to more intimate moments – like the first dance.
These Lumify USB Solar Fairy Lights have 1,000 LED lights spanning 100 metres, making them a model choice for small indoor or outdoor canopies.
Festoon Lights
Outdoor weddings often need more light to accommodate a larger space. This is where festoon lights come in.
Festoon lights are similar to fairy lights, but with bigger, brighter bulbs. They can help create a more unique and eye-catching display, compared with fairy lights. And you can even find your favourite bulb style to personalise the space.
Larger bulbs can also be introduced for better visibility once the sun goes down.
These lights serve as a primary source of light, pairing well with fairy light decorations as accents.
Overhead Festoon Light Canopy
If you love the idea of an overhead canopy but need more light than offered by fairy lights, try using festoon lights to brighten up the party.
Our elegant Edinburgh USB Solar Festoon Lights elevate any space, year-round, providing mains brightness from a portable product. They even work in winter conditions.
Alternatively, line walls or fences with festoon lights for a beautiful backdrop.
Spotlights
Another way to add some extra light – while also highlighting the beauty of indoor or outdoor features – is through uplighting.
Spotlights are a great way to bring dramatic lighting to show off the beauty of the venue, as well as enhancing the wedding photos by adding depth and ambience.
Our illuminating Atlas Solar Spotlights highlight key elements, such as the top of the aisle, the cake, the head table and the dancefloor.
Or if you fancy a pop of colour, our adjustable Chiron Solar Spotlights offer seven unique options and can project light up to 25 metres.
LED strips
If you’re going for a sleeker, modern alternative, LED strips also provide uplighting and accentuate the focal points of the wedding.
For example, lining the aisle with these strips draws the eye while maintaining a romantic warmth.
Our Edge Solar Strip Lights can be cut to your preferred length, perfect for tailoring your space exactly to your taste.
Path Lights
Outdoor path lights add a feeling of romance and magic to an outdoor venue.
They’re also perfect for signposting guests around the venue throughout your special day.
Our majestic Starburst Solar Stake Lights are adorned with LEDs that mimic the dazzling effect of a firework burst. Or try our Elan Solar Mushroom Lights, which exude a bohemian and fairytale elegance.
Lanterns
Many people decorate lanterns with flowers and candles for their wedding tables. However, lanterns are a versatile decorative lighting option that you can personalise for your wedding.
Our TrueFlame USB Solar Crook Lanterns project a flickering flame effect and serve as a charming addition when lining walkways or borders.
You can also hang lanterns along the walls or fences for an intimate feeling. Our Elan Solar Copper Ball Lanterns feature 20 LEDS and offer a romantic and rustic atmosphere.
Alternatively, add a touch of bohemian elegance to your wedding with our Tyvek Solar Garden Lanterns. These lanterns come in multiple striking shapes and colours for pronounced additions to your venue décor.
Feeling Inspired? Shop for your wedding lights from our range of Solar Lights.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does lighting cost for a wedding?
The cost of renting professional wedding lighting in the UK can fall in the region of £1000 to £5,000 according to Qoko Events. This cost depends on the venue size and the number of guests.
Taking the DIY path to wedding lighting can help you save on your budget. For smaller weddings, a DIY lighting set-up can cost anywhere between £200 and £1,000, based on purchasing approximately 10-12 sets of lights.
What is the best colour uplighting for a wedding?
The best colour for uplighting at a wedding depends on the key wedding colours and theme.
Some of the most versatile colours that are perfect for weddings include:
- Warm White: Ideal for photos as well as creating a romantic, cosy atmosphere that pairs with all other colours.
- Purple: Popular at weddings as it often complements the dancefloor as well as many other colours.
- Gold Lighting: Perfect for rustic and bohemian themed weddings as it works well with rich, woody colours.
- Pink: A staple colour for uplighting due to its correlation with romance and is less harsh than red lighting.
