Choose the Right Light

These are just four of the many examples of just how important lighting can be throughout your wedding ceremony and reception, so don’t leave it up to chance. Instead, plan it just as you have the rest of your wedding details so that, on the big day, every moment shines like you undoubtedly will, too.

Don’t Forget Natural Light

An outdoor wedding revolves around the presence — or absence — of sunlight. As you plan your big day and begin to factor lighting into your plans, don’t forget how magical the glow of the sun can make your wedding look and feel. The sun’s natural brightness and warmth already bestows us with a wealth of benefits, including mood boosters that’ll do nothing but enhance the feel-good vibe on your big day. Beyond that, though, nothing makes pictures more gorgeous than a backdrop naturally lit by the sun. If you’re hoping to bring sunlight into your ceremony, though, make sure to consider the time of day and the area’s natural climate: you don’t want it so bright that you’re hot and uncomfortable; you also don’t want rain on your big day.

In a similar vein, the shift from daytime to night can mark the transition from ceremony to reception, for example — your plans may already use this to your advantage, whether or not you took the importance of wedding lighting into consideration. While the warmth of an afternoon sun put guests in a romantic, lovey mood, the dark sky, moon and stars will get everyone ready to party until they see the sun once again.

Light Focuses Your Guests

The right lighting setup will ensure that everyone at the wedding is focused on what’s important at the right moments. This is especially true during your reception, when it’s all about the vows you exchange with your spouse-to-be: too much light on the rest of the room could be distracting and take away from the intimate moment you’re sharing.

So, in order to keep all eyes on you, make sure your aisle and altar are alight, with the rest of the ceremony space dimmer if possible. While indoor reception venues have lighting rigged up for this specific purpose, you might have to get creative with outdoor wedding lighting: candles lining the aisle or twinkle lights dangling from an altar arch, for example, will draw eyes right to you.

The same thing goes for your reception, when it’s time for the first dance, bouquet toss, and other events during which you’re the center of attention. While the rest of the room is dark, a spotlight on the dance floor will draw eyes; plus, it’ll make for better wedding photos and video if you’re well lit during these moments.

Fixtures Play into a Wedding’s Theme

It’s easy to make indoor lights pop, whether they’re your own purchases or the ones dangling from the ballroom you’ve rented. In terms of the former, a coat of paint can transform run-of-the-mill lamps or shades into a design feature as eye-catching as your flowers. As for chandeliers, ask your florist for inexpensive greens to fashion into light-fixture garland.

Low Lighting Creates Intimacy

For many weddings, a combination of bright and low lighting sets the perfect scene. Lanterns hung from trees create an intimate setting for a ceremony, but brighter light on the bride and groom puts them in focus. At the reception, tables covered in candles inspire your guests to talk amongst themselves over dinner, while a spotlight indicates it’s time to pay attention to the bride and groom.

Ask the expert – Rania Anklis – a certified wedding planner based in GTA from The Day Events.