Wedding Lighting Ideas for Every Space (That You Can Keep)
The best wedding lighting ideas layer a few simple looks: a fairy light canopy overhead for a starry ceiling, a curtain light backdrop behind the top table or photo booth, festoon lights to define a reception or marquee, and LED candles down the aisle and across the tables. The clever part is that you can buy these lights outright and keep them, which usually works out cheaper than hiring and leaves you with décor to reuse for years.
This guide covers the best lights for a wedding, ideas by area, and the practical bits for lighting an outdoor or marquee celebration, all with the buy-and-keep advantage front of mind.
Best lights for a wedding
- Fairy lights. The all-rounder. A fairy light canopy overhead, wrapped around beams, or woven through table florals.
- Curtain lights. A cascading sheet of light, ideal as a backdrop behind the top table, the cake or a photo booth. See the curtain lights range.
- Festoon lights. Bold, warm bulbs on a string, made for a reception canopy or marquee ceiling. Browse festoon lights.
- LED candles. Flameless and safe, perfect for aisles, tables and venues that ban real flames. Explore LED candles.
- Lanterns. Soft, portable glow for pathways, entrances and table clusters.
- Letter and marquee lights. A lit “LOVE” or your initials for a photo-ready feature.
Wedding lighting ideas by area
Ceremony and aisle. Line the aisle with LED candles or lanterns for a soft, romantic trail, with no open flames to worry about. Micro fairy lights along chair backs or an arch frame the couple beautifully, and a lit arch doubles as a natural spot for the ceremony photographs.
Backdrop and photo booth. A curtain light backdrop is the show-stopper. Hung behind the top table, the cake or a photo corner, it gives every photograph a warm, twinkling wall of light. A fairy light backdrop works the same way on a smaller budget, and either looks especially good layered behind sheer drapes or foliage for depth.
Reception canopy. Drape fairy lights or festoon strings overhead to create a starry ceiling that makes even a large space feel intimate. A fairy light canopy is simply strings of lights hung overhead to form that starry effect. Run the strings in parallel lines or a criss-cross for fuller coverage, and warm white bulbs give the cosiest, most romantic glow.
Tables and centrepieces. Cluster LED candles at different heights, or tuck warm wire fairy lights into floral arrangements and glass vessels for depth and sparkle. LED candles are the safe choice here, since many venues ban real flames, and they glow for the whole reception without dripping or burning down.
Marquee and outdoor. Festoon lights along the ridge and sides of a marquee give a warm, party glow, while fairy lights soften the frame. Outdoors, weatherproof lights mark trees, borders and structures, turning the whole setting into part of the décor. Uplighting a feature tree or wrapping trunks with fairy lights creates a magical backdrop for evening photos and dancing.
Entrance and pathways. Guide guests from ceremony to reception with lanterns or weather-rated string lights along paths, steps and the entrance, so the route is safe and lovely after dark. A lit entrance also sets the tone the moment guests arrive, and marking any level changes or steps keeps everyone steady in heels and low light.
Should you buy or hire wedding lights?
For most couples, buying wins. You keep the lights, it usually costs less than hiring, and you can reuse or resell them afterwards.
- Cost. Buy and keep: often cheaper overall. Hire: a recurring hire fee.
- After the day. Buy and keep: yours to keep, reuse or sell. Hire: returned to the supplier.
- Setup. Buy and keep: your own timeline, DIY. Hire: fixed by the supplier.
- Flexibility. Buy and keep: rearrange freely. Hire: a set package.
Couples often buy their lighting directly rather than hiring from an events company, keep the lights at the end of the day, and find it more cost-effective. Buying also means you can set up on your own timeline, style things exactly how you want, and take the lights home to enjoy long after. Very large or complex installations are the exception, where professional help or the trade range makes sense.
“Buying your wedding lighting rather than hiring means you keep every string long after the big day. Fairy light canopies and curtain backdrops are now wedding staples, and because ours are built to last, couples reuse them at home for years, which makes them one of the most cost-effective decorations you can choose.”
Richard Butterfield, Operations Manager, Festive Lights
Outdoor and marquee lighting tips
Check the weatherproofing. For anything outdoors, check the IP rating: it tells you how well a light resists dust and water. Look for IP44 as a minimum for covered outdoor use and IP65 for full exposure to rain, so you can match the light to the spot rather than risking a set that is not built for a downpour.
Plan power and extensions. Work out where your sockets are and use weatherproof outdoor extensions. Battery-powered lights and LED candles are ideal for tables, centrepieces and spots with no power nearby.
Hang canopies safely. Support overhead runs on a tensioned wire rather than the light cable alone, so nothing sags over your guests’ heads. Our guide to hanging a canopy walks through fixings and tensioning step by step.
Ask the venue first. Always check with your venue or marquee supplier before fixing anything, as many have rules about attachments and power.
FAQ
What are the best lights for a wedding?
Fairy lights for canopies and tables, curtain lights for backdrops, festoon lights for a reception or marquee ceiling, and LED candles for aisles and centrepieces. Most weddings combine two or three for a layered look.
How do I light an outdoor wedding or marquee?
Run festoon lights along the marquee ridge and sides, add fairy lights to soften the frame, and use weather-rated lights outdoors. Check IP ratings, plan weatherproof power, and confirm fixing rules with your venue first.
How many fairy lights do I need for a wedding canopy or backdrop?
It depends on the area, but as a rule, measure the space and allow generous coverage, since denser lights read as more magical. Connectable sets let you cover large canopies from a single power point.
Should I buy or hire wedding lights?
Buying usually costs less than hiring and lets you keep the lights to reuse or resell afterwards. Hire suits only very large or one-off complex installs.
Are wedding lights weatherproof enough for an outdoor ceremony?
Weatherproof ones are, so check the IP rating. IP44 suits covered outdoor use and IP65 handles full exposure to rain. Pair them with weatherproof outdoor power.
Light your day, then keep the magic
The loveliest wedding lighting is often the simplest: a canopy of fairy lights, a curtain of light behind the top table, candles down the aisle. Buy them once, light your day, and keep them for every celebration after.
Ready to start? Browse the wedding lights range and build your look.