9 Wedding Tent Lighting Ideas for Your Special Day

Wedding tent lighting is an often overlooked yet absolutely necessary decor that could turn your ceremony into an unforgettable event. But the key is - with so many options available, how do you choose the perfect lighting for your venue? Trust me, you won't be bothered by this problem after reading this guide.

We've covered you with 9 wedding lighting ideas for your special day. In this blog, you'll grasp some insightful tips for creating lighting for your tent and learn lighting solutions ranging from a fairy lights wedding to a spot light one. Let's begin exploring these useful ideas now!

Tips for Creating Wedding Tent Lighting 

Mostly, different lighting creates varying effects and atmosphere - fairy lights to create romance, paper lanterns to produce a vintage theme, or chandeliers for grandeur. If you are seeking useful tips for a unique and creative wedding tent lighting solution, stick to the following rules:

• Wedding Theme

If you have already made up your mind about a specific theme, then it's better to stick to it. The lights should be utilized to enhance the whole venue. So in this situation, just procure the right lighting system based on your theme to create an overall harmonious atmosphere for your special day.

• General Tone

At the same time, color selection is also important. It is usually a wise decision to choose the color of the lights according to the general tone of your venue, theme, and atmosphere.

If you want a pure, elegant ceremony, then the white lighting would be perfect. But if you want a creative style and the venue is a mix of colorful elements, then just bravely go for vibrant light colors.

• Power Supply

Given that the lighting would require a large supply of power, check whether the chargers and cables are in good condition in advance. Then, you'll need to ensure your venue's electrical system can support all equipment beyond just lighting to prevent outages. Meanwhile, consider backup batteries or solar-powered tent lights as reliable alternatives.

• Light Combination

Certain of the lighting combinations are particularly good at livening up the entire area. The wedding space should not be restricted to only one lighting solution. For example, you can use fairy lights to outline the frame of your tent, and at the same time.

You can also use chandeliers to create a classic style for it, and pin spots to spotlight the table or cake. Together, such a combination would work to make the place more appealing. 

9 Wedding Tent Lighting Ideas with Unique Charming

Currently, there are 9 tent wedding lights available on the market. Each of them will add a unique charm to your event. 

#1 Fairy Lights

Best for: the romantic and ethereal wedding vibe.

Seeking cost-effective lighting for tents wedding? Go for fairy lights. They are one of the most affordable tent lighting ideas and easy to set up. Fairy lights are sparkly things that contain LED bulbs on a rope-type flexible cord. Normally, fairy lights are powered by portable home-use batteries. Thus, they are pretty flexible and can be installed in places where an electric outlet is not so convenient.

They are typically suspended from the ceiling and cascade down in gentle, flowing curves. When lit, it tends to create a warm, romantic glow to the entire location. Additionally, fairy lights can blend with other decors in harmony. They are versatile and can perfectly complement draping materials, backdrops, arches, curtains, etc. In fact, they are both decorative and functional. That is why they are must-haves for a wedding celebration.

#2 Twinkle Lights

Best for: holiday season, romantic and warm atmosphere.

Similar to fairy lights, they are usually hung over reception spaces. If lit up, they will transform your event space into a glistening starlit canopy. There are several glass bulbs in the string, and they emit a gentle sheen to provide your wedding event space with a warmer and more intimate feel. They are also battery-operated, so they can be one of the most power-efficient light solutions for your special day.

They can be used differently as well - hang them vertically on walls, string them horizontally across ceilings, or wrap them around tent poles and other support features. The twinkle lights wedding would produce a constant shimmer that lasts all through the whole event.

#3 String Lights

Best for: classic, romantic, modern style.

The string lights are definitely essential decorations for a wedding ceremony. They are often used to illuminate the pathways and entrance, or outline the venue's perimeter. There are numerous LED bulbs on the string, and they often present a sleek look. So it is a perfect choice for creating a delicate, elegant lighting effect.

Most importantly, the string lights usually have different shapes, sizes, and colors. They are able to run along the frame of your wedding tent. Actually, now many newlyweds would use them to decorate the clear top of the tent, as it may add more romance to the whole area.

When used in indoor settings, string lights become shine when combined with other wedding decor like lush greenery, flowal arrangements, as well as woven light pendants. Anyway, they are rather flexible and practical, so they are perfect for both light tent weddings and traditional venues alike.

#4 Paper Lanterns

Best for: traditional, sweet, lovely atmosphere.

The paper lantern is a unique wedding tent decoration. It has a wide range of colors, designs, and shapes. But generally, many new couples would opt for the small round ones in ivory white to create a soft and airy atmosphere. The bulbs on it often operate with batteries, and they'll glow throughout the evening to offer a romantic vibe to the celebration.

These glowing lights can be strung up gracefully or hung randomly. The lightweight feature of glowing lights means they are easy to install. They are perfect for someone who wants to add some traditional elements to the wedding party.

They also work harmoniously with other decor, like tent draping, to add a magical vibe to the event. The best part of using paper lanterns is that the bulbs are concealed in the lanterns, so you don't have to face the bare bulbs. When they are lit up, they enhance the theme and decor of the whole venue.

#5 Chandeliers

Best for: elegant, luxurious, grand wedding ceremony.

No luxurious wedding is truly complete without the grandeur of chandeliers. They usually pair with other essential wedding ornaments like disco balls, drapery, and flower garlands. Together, they provide your party area with a classic and sophisticated look. There are lots of types of chandeliers for a wedding - glass, crystal, wood, or metal are the most common ones.

Once lit, not only are they sources of light, but also lovely decorations. Chandeliers are typically heavy, so have the tent ceiling secured enough to accommodate their weight. Moreover, they are pretty expensive if compared with other lighting means. But the elegant lighting effects they create make them worth a try for a vintage and regal ceremony.

#6 LED Candles

Best for: table decorations to make the wedding arrangements more complete.

Nowadays, those artificial (LED), smoke-free candles are quite popular among new couples. Unlike traditional, real candles, LED candles are safer to use. The appearance of the LED candle is very close to that of a real candle, but they won't cause any sudden fire accidents or black/grey mists while they are burning during the wedding ceremony.

These artificial candles are typically used on the dining tables. And they also go well with other sitting ornaments like centerpieces, tablecloths, tea light holders, and floral arrangements. Another good use is to put LED candles on the pathways or walkways, with petals surrounding them. That could really bring a more magical, romantic feel to everyone.

#7 Pin Spots

Best for: making specific areas or decorations stand out, thus adding more romance and elegance to the ceremony.

Pin spots serve as essential, focused lighting in wedding tents. They deliver precise illumination for special decor elements. These fixtures typically mount to ceilings or tent frames, and then cast concentrated beams to showcase:

• Wedding cakes
• Centerpiece floral arrangements
• Head table decorations
• Place cards
• Photos

One striking feature of these tent wedding lights is that their adjustable directional lighting lets you emphasize any key area throughout your celebration.

#8 Spots Light

Best for: highlighting the booth, stage, dance floor, and any other functional areas of the wedding venue.

Spots light and pin spots can sometimes be easily confused. In fact, they are easy to tell in terms of their applications. Unlike pin spots that focus on decor, spot lights cast directional beams from specific angles to highlight activity areas. They're ideal for illuminating:

• Stage performances
• Dance floors
• Aisles for grand entrances
• Host/MC areas

Generally, the spots light is a key to liven up the atmosphere by highlighting key people and moments. And they are worth trying to create an immersive experience for everyone.

#9 Wedding Tent Natural Lights

Best for: natural wedding style.

If you are holding an outdoor wedding party, then don't forget about making good use of the natural lights. The clear top tent offers a balance of nature and elegance for such an outdoor celebration. During the daylight hours, soft sunlight gently enters the transparent ceiling. It coordinates with wedding draping, chandeliers, and hanging greenery to create a naturally romantic atmosphere.

As evening falls, the tent turns into an enchanted space. The transparent tent is now a lovely backdrop for man-made lights like fairy lights, twinkle lights, and paper lanterns. Therefore, during the night time, one of the most important things is to ensure that you have fitted different illuminating solutions in various areas to provide enough light for such a romantic event.

Conclusion

These top 9 tent wedding lighting ideas will help you create a truly unforgettable celebration. But if you still have trouble selecting the perfect solution for your wedding, feel free to contact Sheltent any time! Our expert teams are ready to help you by providing personalized recommendations tailored to your specific tent and wedding vision.

FAQs About Wedding Tent Lighting

How Much Does Wedding Tent Lighting Cost?

According to the current market pricing rates, it is suggested that you should prepare a budget of $1000 and $4000 for your tent lighting. The cost for a wedding tent lighting solution depends on several factors. For example, lighting types, quantities & sizes, and the complexity of installation all have a direct influence on the costs.

How to Light a Tent for a Wedding?

It is true that there are some creative ways to light a tent for your wedding. Specifically, you may use string lights to light the pathways, tables, or the perimeter of the venue. This is a great way to turn the wedding area into a more romantic place to go.

You can also incorporate different lighting to match your special event. The pin spots, for example, are often used to highlight some important areas or items, like the cakes, place cards, photos... Then go for paper lanterns - hang them on the ceiling to create a personalized style. And a wedding is not complete if there are no spots lights to shed light on the dance floor, hosting areas, and stages.

Anyway, the key point is to try to blend a wide range of lighting types rather than choosing just one. This often requires you to have a clear picture of your wedding venue layout and theme. And the 9 lights mentioned above don't contradict each other, so you don't have to limit your event to just one of them.