5 Essential Lighting Ideas for a Magical Barn Wedding
What could be more magical than a barn wedding? A barn wedding filled with sparkling lights of course! The rustic setting combined with the unique charm of each individual venue contributes to the popularity of barn weddings in recent years, boasting historical beams or wooden accents. Unlike some wedding venues, barn weddings aren’t tied to a particular season – looking equally as enchanting in Summer as they do in Winter.
However, pulling off the ideal barn wedding requires attention to detail and careful planning. To ensure your special day is nothing short of magical, here are five essential elements every barn wedding needs, including some creative lighting ideas to set the mood.
Breathtaking Entrance Lighting
The entrance sets the tone for your entire wedding, and the right lighting can make it unforgettable. Consider lining the pathway to the barn with softly glowing lanterns or hanging string lights from nearby trees to guide your guests to the entrance of your wedding. For a touch of whimsy, you can even use vintage marquee lights to spell out your initials or a romantic phrase.
Alternatively, place indoor festoons or fairy lights outside of the ceremony room, offering a showstopping display before the main event has even started!
Cosy Interior Barn Lighting
Once inside the barn, create a warm and inviting atmosphere with soft, ambient lighting. String lights draped along the rafters or wrapped around wooden beams can add a magical glow to the space, combining modernity with the history of the venue.
Drape curtain lights down the walls to illuminate your space and create that picture perfect ‘I do!’ moment.
You can also use candlelight to enhance the cosy ambiance – place clusters of pillar candles in various lanterns or mason jars on tables, down the aisle or on windowsills. Have you ever considered LED candles? LED candles provide all the glow of traditional candles, just with less mess and a longer battery life! The benefit of this is that you wont have to swap the candles out for new ones, once they’ve burnt themselves down.
Dazzling Dance Floor Lighting for Your Barn Wedding
A barn wedding wouldn’t be complete without a lively dance floor where you and your guests can dance the night away! To get the party started, illuminate the dance floor with dynamic lighting effects. Install twinkling fairy lights overhead or set up a disco ball to cast shimmering patterns across the room. For an extra touch of glamour, consider hiring a professional lighting technician to create a custom light show synced to your favorite songs. Or, if you’re feeling creative, opt for Twinkly lighting that allows you to control the colour, pattern and effect of the lights, right from your smartphone. You can even set these lights to music!
Romantic Wedding Breakfast Lighting
The right lighting during the wedding breakfast ties the whole atmosphere of your barn wedding together.
Whether you’re serving a formal sit-down dinner or a casual buffet, the lighting at your reception tables can elevate the dining experience inside the barn. Opt for soft, diffused lighting with LED candles or tea lights in a variety of sizes, mixed with your choice of candle holders for a romantic touch. You can also use string lights woven through greenery or draped along the center of long banquet tables to create an ethereal ambiance that encourages conversation and connection. Combine soft lighting with seasonal foliage to add a touch of elegance to your wedding breakfast, keeping it relevant to the time of year.
Outdoor Lighting for Your Barn Wedding
If part of your wedding is being hold outside, whether this is the ceremony or drinks reception, be sure to take advantage of the natural landscape surrounding the barn. Hang outdoor lights and create an environment filled with romance!
Hang festoons or fairy lights above the seating or bar area to create a magical canopy of light under the stars. For a rustic-chic touch, re purpose old chandeliers as outdoor light fixtures by suspending them from tree branches or wooden arches.
A barn wedding offers endless opportunities for creativity and personalisation. By incorporating these five essential elements – from breathtaking entrance lighting to enchanting outdoor illumination – you can create a magical and unforgettable experience for you and your guests. So, embrace the rustic charm of the barn wedding venue, let your imagination soar, and illuminate your special day with love and light.
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