Using Light in Your Wedding Reception Decor

Ideas & Inspiration

Using Light in Your Wedding Reception Decor

When it comes to setting the scene for the party of a lifetime together, lighting is everything. Whether you love the romantic glow of candlelight, prefer the glimmer of Hollywood, or are a natural-light purist, draw inspiration from these weddings, produced by Seattle wedding planners and designers.

(above) 1. Enhance available light For a day-to-evening look with heavenly appeal, Jennifer Taylor of Woodinville-based Taylor'd Events by Jennifer used Japanese paper lanterns (provided by the venue) to diffuse standard room lighting and provide an elegant, soft glow as day turned into night at the Novelty Hill-Januik Winery nuptials of Chelsea Crosetto and Levi Koi. Flowers by Mill Creek-based I Do Floral and chair covers by L & M Chair Covers in Bellevue added additional texture to the contemporary space. "My favorite aspect of this look is the use of the natural elements and the airiness of the room; the lanterns look like they're just floating above everything," says Taylor. "It was also playful, which worked perfectly with the personality of the couple."

(above) 2. Play with color Classic, old Hollywood glamour inspired the lighting at the reception of Melanie Le and Scott Haveson: "We tried to emphasize the timeless architecture of the venue, the Fairmont Olympic Hotel," says designer Stephanie Solomon of Solomon Event Planning. Light pink and warm yellow lighting by PNTA emphasized archways and faceted ceiling detail. Statement floral centerpieces dripping in crystal by Seattle-based Kevin Bradford Design drew the eye upward, while pale pink satin linens by Choice Linens and rich gold chairs from Pedersen's Rentals added lushness and sophistication.
 

(left) 3. Make the most of natural light At the reception of Sahar Sokhandan and Jeff Reynolds at airy Pravda Studios in Capitol Hill, Katy Griffiths of Kirkland-based VOWS Wedding & Event Planning stuck to a neutral color palette, keeping the space feeling light, and adding black accents for a touch of modern elegance once the sun went down. "Candlelight helped us achieve that 'New York City-meets-Seattle' look, with clean lines, and simple yet dramatic black contrasts on invitations, menus and table numbers designed by the bride," Griffiths says. White linens were from AA Party Rentals and flowers by Anna's Flowers. 

4. Shine under the chandeliers There's no sacrificing drama here, as sparkling chandeliers, lush drapery and spectacular up-lighting by Aria Style spotlight bride Natalie Altig (in a custom-made gown by Luly Yang Couture) and Jared Olin, during their first dance under a 50-by-80-foot gable tent and on a black-and-white dance floor from ABC Special Event Rentals. “We really wanted a ‘wow’ factor here,” says planner Katy Griffiths, owner of Kirkland-based VOWS Wedding & Event Planning, who used Venetian chandeliers (paying tribute to the bride’s Italian heritage) for the couple’s evening reception at the bride’s childhood home in Kirkland. The end result? “It was regal, sweet and dramatic all at the same time,” Griffiths says.

(below left) 5. Add a modern twist to candlelit centerpieces For a celebration that featured traditional Indian wedding colors of gold and deep red, Simply Wed wedding designer Kirstie Warren kept it, well, simple, focusing on water, glass and candelight to add warmth to an otherwise dark space. Dan Troup loved the idea of using submerged flowers in centerpieces at their reception at Novelty Hill-Janiuk Winery in Woodinville, so Warren collaborated with local floral designer Bella Rugosa to blend floating candles and ‘James Story’ orchids in oversize vases. Reflective colored pebbles and a menagerie of votives surrounded each centerpiece for added warmth, and chargers and napkins from AA Party Rentals added texture. “Because of the early spring date and later evening reception time, it was dark when dinner was served. The lighting truly made the room sparkle.”

(above right) 6. Go for the drama Transforming a conventional hotel ballroom into a tropical, hip night club vibe isn’t as difficult as it would seem. VOWS Wedding & Event Planning “pinked out” this space by draping the entire ballroom and washing it in fuchshia up-lighting to celebrate the nuptials of Queen Anne couple Sonya Wetzstein and Michael DeLance at the Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea, Hawaii. “We started with a typical hotel ballroom that could have been anywhere in the world and made it their own, “ says planner Katy Griffiths. “I love the pink and white together; it was so girly and dramatic at the same time. With orchid blooms rounding out the look, you felt like you’d entered a club in a tropical destination.” Layered glass chargers reflected the light, and pulled double-duty as menu card holders, keeping them clean and close at hand during the meal. While Maui-based vendors were used to produce this look, you can re-create it with local companies such as Rented Elegance, Aria Style and Totally Tabletops, hints Griffith. 

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