Everything You Need to Know for Setting Up a Dreamy Back Garden Wedding
Weddings are more expensive than ever, with a recent survey revealing the average couple spends £23,250 on their big day in the UK. Over 60 percent of UK households will also have less disposable income in 2025, so it’s no surprise that couples are increasingly opting for more affordable and DIY-friendly weddings like back garden nuptials. But just because you’re having a back garden wedding doesn’t mean it will be any less romantic or memorable, so long as you invest time in setting up the space. Lighting can make or break the atmosphere of a wedding and underpin your chosen theme. Here’s how you can use lighting to make your big day perfect…
1. Frame your vows
Your ceremony backdrop will be the centrepiece of the wedding itself, as it’ll be included in plenty of photos and set the tone for the celebration. Adding the right lighting can make this space picture-perfect for an evening vow exchange. String lights will be your best friend here – cascading curtain lights can create a sparkling and romantic backdrop, while fairy lights can be wrapped around an arch around the couple. These lights will provide a gentle and flattering glow for photos and enhance the romantic feel, perfect for understated, whimsical or boho-chic wedding themes.
Make sure to keep lights behind or to the side of the couple to ensure you avoid harsh front-facing lighting, which can wash people out in photos or cast unflattering shadows.
Solar-powered lights will be key, as these can be set up and left to charge ahead of the ceremony.
2. Choose a statement feature
A showstopping lighting feature can impress guests and elevate your garden to transform it into the venue of your dreams. A light canopy or tunnel can line the path where guests enter for the ceremony or reception. You can criss-cross warm string lights overhead or line a pathway with fairy lights strung between posts for the perfect entryway and photo background.
You could also make an outdoor seating area the focal point by suspending festoon lights overhead for a cosy and enclosed atmosphere that will make guests feel like they’re dining under the stars. It will also make larger garden spaces feel more intimate, perfect for small-scale weddings, and work perfectly for back garden nuptials with a garden party or woodland theme.
Opt for dimmable or remote-controlled lights to allow you to adjust the brightness throughout the evening. Gradually dimming the lights after a meal can provide the ambient glow that will help transition the celebration onto the dance floor (if you plan to have one).
3. Create cosy corners
Guests often drift to various corners of a wedding venue throughout the evening – some will stick to the dance floor while others will choose a quiet corner to chat. That’s where cosy ambient lighting comes in. Soft lighting in different garden zones can help guests relax and may encourage them to stay for the full duration of the celebration.
Placing lanterns around seating and quiet areas of your garden space can create a soft glow, while LED candles can layer nicely for extra ambience. This is the perfect vibe for relaxed and rustic garden wedding themes.
Mixing and matching lighting levels and materials can make your garden wedding look more visually interesting and appealing. Try using a mix of glass and metal lanterns and wooden candle holders to make your garden wedding look intentionally designed.
4. Balance aesthetics with functionality
Wedding décor understandably prioritises ambience and appearance, especially when it comes to lighting, but functionality plays a crucial role in ensuring a smooth celebration. Practical lighting doesn’t have to be an eyesore, as the right solutions can appear as a design feature more than a safety precaution.
Path lights are easy to install and can subtly outline walkways and borders to prevent missteps. Plus, they can still fit in with a wedding theme or aesthetic by having a more polished appearance or a more whimsical look.
Strip lights can be placed around decking or elevated areas where they may be a step to prevent guests from tripping, but they’ll still look appealing by emitting gentle warm lighting. This can add structure and flow to your outdoor setup and helps guests feel relaxed and confident moving around the space.
If you’re using multiple types of lights, keep the spacing consistent for a cohesive look.
Written by Brian Davenport, outdoor lighting expert and Co-Founder of The Solar Centre