Ways To Hang Wedding String Lights

Good lighting ranks right up there alongside flowers, food, and atmosphere as essential elements for setting the perfect mood for your wedding day. Also known as “twinkle” or “bistro” lights, string lights have become virtually synonymous with wedding lighting and are perennial favorites in many places around the world. 

Why are string lights so popular? What makes them so perfectly suited for wedding ceremonies? Perhaps it is their delicate and fragile beauty or their charming, playful appearance. It could also be that they evoke a sense of wonder and magic that adds just the right touch to a joyous occasion. Whatever the reason, string lights are favored for the special element they bring to any event. 

Hanging string lights is an art in itself. Although you can hang them up any way you wish and still have marvelous looking surroundings, planning out your lighting strategy will enable you to maximize the effect and come up with something truly special.

Hanging Your String Lights For A Wedding

Here are some ideas on how you can hang string lights for a wedding celebration: 

1. Draped around beams

Draping string lights around beams is a classic approach that still works wonders. You can even dress up exposed rafters for a charmingly rustic look and feel that gives your wedding celebration a classy traditional flavor. Add as many lights as you need for a dazzling effect.  

2. Overhead canopy 

Create an overhead canopy of twinkling lights to give your wedding a striking celestial atmosphere. The effect will surely be breathtaking and will suit even the most solemn and joyous events. And when the ceremony is over, your guests will surely savor the experience of dancing beneath the stars. 

3. Twinkling backdrop

Few backdrops are more stunning and majestic as scores of string lights arranged to perfection. Perfect for exchanging vows and giving wedding speeches, a twinkling backdrop of string lights also provides opportunities for marvelous photographs. Don’t forget to match the color with the wedding theme!

4. An elegant tent

Backdrops and overhead canopies are undoubtedly impressive. But why not go the extra step and create an elegant tent made of string lights? This creates a mesmerizing atmosphere that your guests will find irresistible. Plan it out just right, and you can put together a magical enclosure of stunning beauty. 

5. Showcasing a centerpiece

If you have a wedding centerpiece that you want to show off to perfection, adorning it with string lights is an excellent option. You can make it as subtle or as lavish as you wish, and the results will always look classy and elegant. 

6. Combined with other lighting options

You don’t have to limit your wedding design to string lights. The beauty of these lighting fixtures is how well they work with other visual elements. Combine them with hanging or stationary lights or strategically-positioned lanterns. A bit of creativity is all you need for a magnificent effect that is greater than the sum of its individual elements. 

7. Inside a charming lantern

If you’ve already decided on lanterns as your main lighting features, why not take them to the next level with the addition of a few string lights? This is a great way to dress up plain-looking lanterns and you don’t have to spend much more than you already have for an even more majestic look. 

8. A fabulous dome

You can modify the canopy concept a bit and create a stunningly lit dome consisting of several string lights. This is an even more novel approach that will surely have your guests talking about your wedding for a long time to come. It will take a bit more effort to capture just the right look, but the results will surely be worth it. 

9. An enchanting curtain

A string light curtain creates a lush, tropical backdrop that needs hardly any additional decoration. This option is perfect for wedding receptions set in natural surroundings. 

10. Majestic trees

Finally, make use of any trees you have around by making them over with some fabulous string lights. When combined with your other decorative elements, the effect can be quite mesmerizing.

String lights can add the perfect romantic touch to your wedding. They help create a magical, fairyland atmosphere and will work with any theme. If you are looking for lighting ideas to make for a truly memorable event, try any of the ideas above for a momentous occasion that you and your guests will cherish forever.