| Getting married in the great outdoors? If your wedding | | | | including monograms, geometric motifs, and symbols |
| will run into dusk or evening hours, you will want to be | | | | like hearts or doves. Masses of glowing pumpkins look |
| sure to plan how to light up the space, both for | | | | especially dramatic when placed in a row, such as |
| practical reasons and to create a romantic ambiance. | | | | along the top of a stone wall lining a driveway or |
| These are some ideas for beautiful lighting for outdoor | | | | behind the bar. |
| weddings. | | | | Overhead lighting is very important for really illuminating |
| First there is tabletop lighting. Candles are the most | | | | your outdoor space. Without adequate light coming |
| romantic way to add some soft light to a wedding. For | | | | from above, your guests will not be able to see their |
| an outdoor wedding, candles in glass will tend to work | | | | dinner or for that matter, each other. Besides, all that |
| best, as they will be protected from the wind. A simple | | | | soft light from above is very flattering, as it will catch |
| hurricane lantern surrounded by a floral wreath is one | | | | every twinkle in your Swarovski crystal earrings, gently |
| lovely idea. Votives in beautiful holders are also great. | | | | illuminate faces, and make hair look glossy. Paper |
| Particularly interesting are pierced candleholders in | | | | lanterns work very nicely to light up a large open area. |
| colorful glass with a Moroccan flair. The flame will | | | | They can be hung directly from trees to create |
| flicker and dance through the pierced design, while the | | | | romantic nooks. You may also wish to create a grid of |
| colored glass will cast wonderful reflections on the | | | | very fine wire from which you can suspend large |
| tables. | | | | numbers of lanterns to provide more general lighting |
| Candles can also be used to light many other parts of | | | | for the wedding. If at all possible, do a test run on an |
| an outdoor wedding. Walkways can be lined with tiki | | | | evening before your wedding to make sure that the |
| torches or fancier wrought iron candleholders on tall | | | | amount of light cast is enough that you can see clearly, |
| posts. The tiki torches are also helpful in keeping | | | | but not so bright that it kills the mood. |
| mosquitoes at bay, which your guests will certainly | | | | Twinkling white lights are another beautiful addition to |
| appreciate. Steps should also be well lit, both for | | | | an outdoor wedding lighting scheme. They can be |
| decoration and safety. You could use galvanized pails | | | | wrapped around tree trunks and tent poles, scattered |
| filled with candles for an informal wedding, classic | | | | throughout tree leaves and foliage, and even |
| luminaries, or decorative lanterns. Just be cautious | | | | intertwined directly into tall centerpieces. A gorgeous |
| about setting out open flames where guests might | | | | effect can be created by hanging numerous tiny white |
| step in them! | | | | lights over the top of the reception area to mimic the |
| For an autumn wedding, a fun way to add light is | | | | effect of a starry night. If this is impractical to do for a |
| through the use of carved pumpkins. They are a | | | | very large area, consider doing it just over the dance |
| terrific seasonal detail, and will also add soft illumination | | | | floor. Your guests' fancy dresses and Swarovski |
| to your reception. Carved pumpkins do not have to be | | | | crystal earrings will sparkle and shine as they dance |
| traditional Halloween jack o' lanterns, if that is not your | | | | the night away in the beautiful glow cast by hundreds |
| style. Almost anything can be carved in a pumpkin, | | | | of little white lights. |