How to Transform Your Reception Decor With Epic Lighting and Hanging Installations

Once your vows are exchanged and you’ve gotten through all your portraits and the inevitable round robin of guest hugs and kisses, you can saunter into your reception feeling much more at ease. The pressure lightens up a lot. The thing is, your reception isn’t just the place where you can raise your glasses, dance the night away, and eat to your heart’s content - it’s also the place where you’ll spend the greatest night (or afternoon, love us a good brunch wedding!) of your lives with the people who bring you the most joy. So! You’ll want those photos to look festive, like you’re all gathering for THE most special occasion. 

Granted, every venue has its own dose of charm - be it its romantic space for the ceremony, its incredibly picturesque grounds for pics, or its built-in beauty, which ends up being the talk of everyone on your guest list. But you can amplify all the 😍 over your aesthetic just by turning up the decor in your reception. Some imaginative lighting and some playful hanging installations do so much to really bring life and energy into the reception room, and if that’s not what we all need after all this COVID-19 craziness, then we don’t know what is! 

Since we’re all still doing our part and staying home to drive out this virus and its devastation, we thought we’d play a fun look & find game (those of us who have kids were feeling particularly inspired). After you take a peek at the below pictures, take a guess at what we’re loving the most - these are focal points that will not, and we repeat, will not go unnoticed. 

Our exclusive Style Me Pretty shop is teeming with a ton of items that’ll match some of these vibes expressly. So, happy shopping!

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So what draws your 👀 first?

Love, The Nelsons Photography

Survey says - An open air, rustic venue will always get the attention, but so will a beautiful, poetic banner blowing in the wind. Especially when it can be used as an epic photo backdrop.

Get the look (and in this case, it’s the ACTUAL look) with our backdrop banner.

Purewhite Photography
Survey says - Those hanging glass terrarium lights, for sure, but we’d also accept those gorgeous gold votive holders. Not only do they pop atop that delicate, blonde wood table, but their color just creates this warm, inviting glow. 

Get the look with our Gold Metal Tealight Holders

Natalie Schutt Photography
Survey says - Pampas grass will always pique interest, as will a layering of textured statement rugs (outdoors, too, so…), but our favorite thing to shine in this shot is the custom neon sign illuminating the couples’ last name. It’s so good!


Get the look with any of our fun neon light up signs. And hang them anywhere that makes the most sense 💡. Above the sweetheart table, above your bars, etc. Take your pick!

Tenth & Grace Photography
Survey says - Escort card displays confectioned with vintage rentals are a major win. And this one right here, is gorgeously adorned with drawers overflowing with florals and a stunning garland of greenery.

Get the look with our ribbon or bead and tassel garland draped above or woven through your botanicals.

Marit Williams Photography
Survey says - A timeless display of tapers in blissful blush tones.

Get the look with our two-tone blush taper candles that go with every kind of tabletop setup and photograph flawlessly.

Perry Vaile Photography


Get the look with our hanging round chandelier in gold (if your palette is soft and romantic with blushes and champagnes) or our hanging chandelier in black (if your palette is more modern glam with ivories, platinums, and/or lucite looks).