Landscape Lighting Ideas For Events
If you're holding a special event in your backyard or another outdoor space after dark, lighting elements will most likely be your main concern. Not only will the right lighting light up the night, it can make or break the ambiance.
Nighttime events have a quaint, romantic feel and are ideal for any type of special occasion, such as birthday parties, holiday celebrations, reunions, anniversary soirees, wedding receptions, and bridal showers. After-dark parties are especially ideal for adult-only gatherings since they have a sophisticated feel.
Almost any type of outdoor venue can be transformed into a evening celebration space, including charming vineyards, rustic country barns, and elegantly landscaped backyards with pools. When choosing the perfect place to celebrate, consider how large or small the guest list is and if you plan on serving alcohol. If you plan to offer adult beverages, make sure the venue has a liquor license.
After picking the ideal outdoor space, its time to plan your landscape lighting design. Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Poolside Lighting
A cool blue pool will be a welcome respite for guests of hot summer soirees. Whether they're jumping in or just dipping their toes in the water, the right illumination will enhance the experience even more.
Whether the pool is privately or publicly owned, it will most likely already feature underwater and deck lighting for safety purposes. You can add to the ambiance by lining the walkways to and from the pool with flexible LED rope-style lighting in either classic white or vibrant colors such as red, blue or, yellow, depending on the event theme.
For a tropical feel, insert electric or flame-lit tiki torches in the ground around the pool space. You can also set floating LED lights adrift in the pool to offer soft illumination for swimmers.
2. String Lights
No matter what type of outdoor venue you choose, there will most likely be trees or beams nearby. You can wrap twinkling string lights around tree branches hanging over the event space or around fences and barn beams, depending on what's available.
As another option, hang LED-lit paper or wrought iron lanterns from tree branches.
3. Table Illumination
Although it won't be enough to brighten up the event space by itself, table lighting can certainly set the scene. Line tea lights in crystal candle holders down the centers of the tables, or place a lantern by each guest place setting, which can also serve as thoughtful party favors.
