32 Outdoor Wedding Light Decoration Ideas We Love

Twinkle Lights Hang From Trees Above Tables Set for an Outdoor Dinner Reception — Photo by Elisabetta Marzetti

If you're hosting an outdoor wedding, your focus may be on sourcing heat-resistant flowers, securing your place settings in case of wind, prioritizing your guests' comfort, and purchasing enough signage to guide everyone around the property. And while all of these elements are important to creating an aesthetic that blends form and function, outdoor wedding light decorations are just as critical. Unique illuminating features, such as rows of Edison bulbs over a dance floor, strands of fairy lights cascading down a back wall, or blanket lights covering a hedge, can add much-needed brightness to your space—and even provide a stunning photo backdrop.

Whether you're looking to add a soft glow to your en plein air ceremony or spotlight your dance floor, outdoor wedding lights can do just that. Before deciding how you'll incorporate a touch of brightness into your party, consider the size of your space, how outdoor elements and weather could negatively affect your desired design (think: winter snow or summer wind), and, of course, whether or not you have access to outlets. (The last thing anyone wants to deal with is a stand of gorgeous wedding string lights that cannot be lit.)

Want to really nail it? Some couples opt to hire a lighting designer for a grand installation that makes their wedding reception space pop, while others add in some simple twinkle-light strands themselves. Luckily, when it comes to incorporating some brightness, there's no right or wrong decision. (At the end of the day, everyone loves a bit of ambience!) Here, we've rounded up some lighting looks we love so you can bring the right outdoor wedding light decorations into your big-day space.

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Chandeliers and Disco Balls

disco balls hanging from the ceiling with pink and white flowers — Photos by: Andrea Camarena

What lighting concept didn't this built-from-scratch outdoor wedding venue in Mexico have? Nelson Pardo decked out the structure, which was open on two sides to allow for ocean views and breezes, with disco balls, lit-up chandeliers, and string lights to boost the space's energy—a must for a party that didn't wrap until 5 a.m.

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Ceremony Fixtures

Bride in Strapless Wedding Dress and Groom in Black Tuxedo Kissing in Aisle Under Chandeliers and Surrounded by Guests — Photo by Ryan Ray

Outdoor wedding light decorations shouldn't be reserved for the reception. If you're holding your service surrounded by nature, make like this couple who tied the knot under a grove of redwood trees: They asked Jacin Fitzgerald Events and Edge Design Group to construct a forest chapel, which Fiesta Lighting lit it up with several chandeliers—successfully bringing the indoors outside.

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Criss-Cross Style

Back Portrait of Bride in Strapless Wedding Dress and Groom in Tuxedo Seated With Guests At Reception Table Under Hanging Plant and Light Decor — Photo by Jeremy Chou

Plenty of duos who get married outside use string lights because they're functional: They're necessary once the sun sets, as are other lighting elements, from uplighting to candles on the tablescape. They can also be used, however, to spotlight an aesthetic choice or design detail—which is exaclty what these criss-crossed lights, featuring orbs suspended at different heights, did at this wedding at a historic estate in Mexico. The lights' orientation kept the focus on a botanical installation, a riot of tropical greens, birds of paradise, and tomatillos, overhead, created by Fabrizio Simoneen.

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Lit-Up A-Frame

Reception Guests Seated at Small Reception Table on Beach With Overhead String Lights and Tropical Plants — Photo by Amanda Julca

Hosting an intimate, open-air wedding on the beach? You won't need as much illumination as you would if you were throwing a larger celebration in a covered tent, but that doesn't mean you should skip a lighting scheme altogether. This couple, who tied the knot at Sandals Dunne's River Resort in Jamaica with just six guests, suspended a few jute lanterns from the A-frame above their single reception table to boost the romantic ambience and provide just enough light for attendees post-sunset.

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Suspended Tea Lights

White Flower and Vine Decor on White Wedding Reception Table — Photo by Lauren + Abby

Not every genius outdoor wedding light decoration needs to be powered by electricity. These suspended tea lights, which hung from a greenery- and floral-covered rod at this desert wedding in Utah, are proof that an old-school approach is often the best one.

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Mix and Match

A Tent of Lights and Hanging Florals Over an Outdoor Wedding Reception Space — Photo by Matoli Keely Photography

Combining hundreds of tiny twinkling lights with hanging florals created a colorful and bright setting at this couple's California reception. Their outdoor light installation, created by Brilliant Event Lighting, aimed to lift the space and bring the guests' eyes up.

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Dark and Light

String Lights Hung Over an Outdoor Table at a Wedding Reception — Photo by Shining Light Photography

Don't be afraid of a darker light strand. At this Kentucky wedding reception, hanging bulbs on a black strand allowed them to truly pop. We love how the lights provided a subtle warm glow to the already-bright space.

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Celestial Canopy

A Canopy of Fairy Lights Above Dinner Tables at an Outdoor Wedding Reception — Photo by Volvoreta

Stringing twinkle lights above a reception area can create the illusion of a sky full of stars, which is what this couple wanted at their wedding in Spain. Designed by Ledilux, this fairy-light installation provided a stunning glow to the wedding's al fresco dinner and dancing area.

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Bursts of Light

Couple Dances at Their Wedding Reception in Front of Sparklers and String Lights — Photo by Alessia Franco for David Bastianoni Studio

Why not turn your outdoor wedding light decorations into an impactful surprise? At this couple's wedding on the Amalfi Coast, cold sparks exploded around them as they danced below twinkle lights at the end of the night—which was an epic way to conclude the reception.

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An Enchanted Forest

Twinkling String Lights Hang Above a Reception Table at an Italian Wedding — Photo by Elisabetta Marzetti

At this Italian wedding, the couple wanted to create the look and feel of an enchanted forest with pops of green. Adding fairly lights to the vibrant trees gave an ethereal vibe to the outdoor space. Plus, the colorful floral arrangements, summer fruits, and green taper candles on the tables brought a festive element to the garden.

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Brightening Bulbs

Greenery and String Lights Hang Over a Reception Venue — Photo by Michelle Beller Photography

Outdoor wedding lighting decorations don't have to be boring or small. And at this Montana wedding, the couple proved just that. By weaving larger Edison bulbs in with hanging greenery, they created an eye-catching ceiling display. The natural elements and colors continued to the space's table settings, which included seasonal blooms, rock table numbers, and navy tablecloths.

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A Soft Outline

A White Reception Tent Surrounded by Tall Trees and Greenery — Photo by KT Crabb Photography

With a wedding set on the shores of Florida's Indian Rocks Beach, this couple didn't need much to make their ceremony tent glow. Adding a string of lights around the base of the tent's cover brought a touch of illumination to the stunning venue. Pieces of greenery, white floral arrangements, and woven light pendants helped complement the indoor-outdoor space.

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A Tented Illusion

A Couple Dances Under a Tent of String Lights at Their Wedding — Photo by Sarah Anne Photography

The unique formation of twinkle lights and rattan lanterns at this couple's Mexico wedding created the illusion of a tent over their dance floor. We love how the tiny glittering bulbs resembled a cluster of stars in the night sky, bringing a celestial vibe to the reception space.

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Earthy and Chic

Fairy Lights Hang Down Over a Reception Table Set in the Woods — Photo by Jordan Voth

A canopy of twinkle lights over a reception table can bring a touch of elegance to the most rustic of spaces. At this couple's campground-inspired celebration in Oregon, which included earthy tones, natural linens, and organic stoneware, the addition of outdoor wedding light decorations throughout helped bring a subtle sophistication to the wooded area.

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Bright Whites

An Outdoor Wedding Table Decorated With White Features and Drapery Overhead — Photo by Du Soleil Photographie

Even if a setting's palette is already light and bright—through white florals and drapery, for example—twinkle lights can add an extra layer of illumination. At this couple's backyard Pennsylvania wedding, they added string lights overhead to spotlight the gorgeous white flowers and draw attention to the whimsical drapery.

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A Dramatic Backdrop

A Backdrop of Twinkle Lights Behind a Dinner Table at an Outdoor Wedding Reception — Photo by By Julieta

Even a dark and simple backdrop can be transformed into a dynamic setup with the addition of twinkle lights. This Mexico wedding featured a wall of cascading string lights behind the couple's head table. The addition of larger, retro-style strands throughout the rest of the space also proved that you can successfully mix and match different types of outdoor light decorations.

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Just a Few

Outdoor Space Lined With Twinkle Lights and Disco Balls in the Desert — Photo by Brooke Miller Photography

While we love tiny twinkling lights, sometimes opting for a larger bulb, such as an Edison-style light, can bring a more laid-back feel to a reception space. This Joshua Tree wedding featured a strand of spaced-out lights with disco balls interspersed, bathing the neutral-toned desert background in a soft orange hue.

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Soft and Subtle

Table for Wedding Reception With Greenery and Twinkle Lights Overhead — Photo by Love Tribe Weddings

With just one long table to decorate at this California wedding, weaving in natural-inspired décor was a must for this couple. In addition to hanging greenery and brass chandeliers from the arbor, they added small twinkle lights throughout, giving a subtle glow to the vibrant outdoor space.

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Unexpected Combinations

String Lights Illuminate a Tented Wedding Venue With Lanterns and Disco Balls — Photo by Natalie Bray Photography

Don't be afraid of integrating your outdoor wedding lights with surprising elements. The couple at this California wedding blanketed a greenhouse with string lights, greenery, lanterns, disco balls, and glass pendants. The best part? Since the indoor-outdoor space was completely clear, you could still see the vibrant glow of the lights when you stepped outside.

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Colorful and Bright

String Lights in a Tent Above Wooden Tables — Photo by Lilly Red

At this tropical wedding in Jamaica, floral garlands, local foliage, and macrame chandeliers added colorful decoration to the indoor-outdoor tent. However, it was the cascading twinkle lights—combined with uplighting—that truly brightened the space.

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A Celestial Sky

Twinkle Lights Hang Down From the Top of a White Wedding Reception Tent — Photo by Jake Anderson

At this Palm Springs wedding, the couple hung small strands of twinkle lights from the ceiling of their clear-top tent, giving guests the feeling of having dinner under the night sky. The cluster of lights, combined with white ceramic vessels and ivory linens, added brightness to the outdoor space—even amidst the absence of natural light.

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Larger Lanterns

String Lights Hang Over a Dinner Table at a Wedding Reception — Photo by Mon Soleil

At this couple's vow renewal in Mexico, they mixed in larger rattan lanterns with smaller bulbs on the same strand, basking their dinner table in soft light. The outdoor lighting decorations and neutral-toned tableware contrasted with the table's dark wood, creating a subtle—yet eye-catching—design.

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Moody and Light

Couple On Dance Floor Under String Lights — Photo by For The Love of It

Surrounded by unique plants and vibrant tablescapes, this couple added a touch of brightness to their moody reception space by hanging string lights overhead and around some of the property's oak trees. Multiple strands connected over the venue's outdoor fountain, creating a spotlight for the water feature.

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A Sky Full of Stars

Outdoor reception under canopy of string lights in various sizes — Photo by Margherita Calati

While a Sicilian countryside wedding is about as dreamy as it gets, this couple wanted to bring celestial elements to their dinner table, giving their guests a "sky full of stars." A mixture of strands with both small and large bulbs, designed by Dibenedetto Light, created the breathtaking light display at this event planned by Alessia Randazzini of My Sicilian Wedding.

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Linear Lights

Canopy of string lights over open-air beach reception — Photo by By Julieta

Glittering light canopies are often draped, so we were surprised to see this refreshingly straight approach. VVR Pro's lighting design at this Cabo wedding reception (planned by Fawn Events) combined small string lights with larger bistro lights and seamlessly blended with the modern, straight lines of the pergolas overhead.

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A Blazing Entrance

People in disco-ball costumes walking through wedding entryway of string lights — Photo by Feather & Twine

Your reception entryway is a wedding detail that can easily get overlooked—especially outdoors—but adding some creativity can go a long way in establishing the tone of the fête. This tunnel of string lights, designed by Austin Event Lighting, immediately brought the party atmosphere to this wedding planned by XO Moreau.

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Light Everywhere You Look

Long banquet table at outdoor wedding reception with string lights — Photo by Alen Karupovic

There can never be too many lights at an outdoor twilight affair. This alfresco setting had double the illumination, thanks to dazzling string lights and a flower-forward table set with candles.

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A Twinkling Canopy

Wedding reception under Tented canopy created by string lights — Photo by Ana & Jerome

This Cabo San Lucas destination wedding was all aglow, thanks to never-ending yards of lights. While this wasn't a tented reception by any means, we love how the strands formed a peaked ceiling above the open-air setting.

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Dreamy Drips

String lights hanging vertically off of tropical trees over long tables lined with pink floral arragements — Photo by Erich McVey

It's thanks to the phenomenal floral design by East Olivia and local flowers supplied by Viva Flor that this wedding in a verdant tropical landscape needed little else in terms of décor. Designed by IVC Producciones, these vertical light-strung vines incorporated just enough whimsy, while still staying cohesive with the verdant surroundings.

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Linear Lanterns

Paper lantern string lights in tented reception room — Photo by Alex Bramall

At this wedding planned by Jennifer Zabinski Events, traditional string lights got a sweet makeover. Encased in pink paper lanterns, these glowing lights, designed by Frost Productions, were the airy décor the minimalist beach setting needed.

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X Marks the Spot

Ceremony space with string lights, floral arch, and pillar candles — Photo by Love is Rad

Enveloped in the warm glow of countless pillar candles, an outdoor fireplace, and strands of market lights, this New Orleans winter wedding, planned by Elyse Jennings Weddings, was anything but cold. The floral chuppah, designed by Bella Blooms Floral, was precisely placed just under the intersection of Luminous Events' genius lighting concept: two perpendicular strings of festoon lights to adequately illuminate the proceedings and cast the newlyweds in a glow.

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A Luminous Arbour

Flower and string-light lined aisle with people seated for wedding ceremony — Photo by KT Merry

This fantasy aisle of enchanting arbors, white delphiniums, and larkspur, designed by Jackson Durham Events, was storybook perfection. All that was needed were a few floating orbs of mystical light to complete the fairy-tale vision at this wedding planned by Leslie Herring Events.

20 Unique Wedding Lighting Ideas