How to Instantly Transform Your Wedding with String Lights

Add a romantic element to a ceremony or reception with twinkling overhead lighting.

Take a look at the images from real weddings to inspire your own celebration.

By Kelcy Christy

vineyard-wedding-reception-with-twinkle-lights
Photo: Elisabeth Millay Photography

While string lights are typically associated with the holiday season – decorating nearly every tree and lamppost in the city – they are also quite prevalent in romantic wedding ceremonies and receptions. Whether displayed indoors or out of doors during the day, dusk, or night, twinkling string lights create an ethereal ambience that's perfect for a wedding celebration in any season.

Consider adding white string lights to trees for a magical outdoor ceremony, or suspend strands of globe lights – also known as patio or café lights – above reception tables for a chic restaurant-style look. Glimmering string lights can also be used during tent receptions, bringing guests' eyes upward toward the sky or simply embellishing drapery. Since this type of lighting design can be layered to replicate the look and feel of stars in the night sky or feature single strands to highlight décor, wedding string lights complement a variety of themes from rustic celebrations to opulent fêtes.

Take a look at the images from real weddings below to inspire your own celebration:

String lights in tree at wedding ceremony

Photo by Caroline Tran

Winery vineyard wedding with string lights at reception

Photo by Elisabeth Millay Photography; Floral Design by Jackson Durham Events; Planning & Design by DFW Events

String lights at outdoor wedding reception

Photo by Docuvitae; Planning & Design by Bluebell Events

Southern rustic wedding on lake with string lights

Photo by Vue Photography

Tent wedding with string lights

Photo by Caroline Tran

String lights on trellis at rehearsal dinner

Photo by Elizabeth Messina; Planning & Design by Bob Gail Special Events

String lights above sweetheart table at wedding

Photo by Michael Carr Photography; Planning & Design by Ann Whittington Events

Rustic shabby chic wedding with string lights at reception

Photo by Laurie Bailey Photography; Planning & Design by Linda Howard Events

String lights and star lanterns at wedding reception

Photo by Samuel Lippke Studios; Event Design by White Lilac Inc.

String lights over destination wedding reception in Mexico

Photo by Paul Barnett Photographer

Twinkle string lights at outdoor tent wedding reception

Photo by Mi Belle Photographers; Planning & Design by Mindy Weiss Party Consultants; Rentals by Revelry Event Designers

String lights at outdoor barn wedding

Photo by Chrisman Studios

For more wedding ideas, browse the various categories in our photo galleries or filter through hundreds of real weddings by style, color, location, and more. Also, be sure to follow Inside Weddings on Instagram and Pinterest for inspiring images at your fingertips! 

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