Lighting is the unsung hero of event styling. As Elle Decor's lighting experts note, it has the power to transform a plain room into an intimate, magical space — or, if done poorly, to wash out your carefully chosen decor and leave the room feeling flat. Whether you are planning a wedding reception, an engagement party, or a birthday celebration, understanding lighting will help you create the perfect atmosphere.
Fairy Lights: The Universal Favourite
Warm white fairy lights are the most versatile lighting tool in event styling. They work in virtually every setting — indoors or outdoors, intimate or grand — and they create a soft, romantic glow that flatters both the decor and your guests. Our Fairy Light Curtain is one of our most hired items, and for good reason. At three metres wide and 2.4 metres tall, it creates a wall of twinkling light that serves as a backdrop, photo wall, or dance floor feature.
Fairy lights can also be woven through ceiling draping, wrapped around arches, or cascaded down walls to add warmth and sparkle. The key is using warm white LEDs rather than cool white — warm tones create intimacy, while cool tones can feel clinical.
Festoon Lights: Outdoor Magic
If you are hosting an outdoor event or a celebration in a venue with high ceilings, Festoon Light Strings create instant atmosphere. These Edison-style bulbs strung overhead produce a warm, golden glow that feels like a European courtyard dinner. We use 10-metre strings that can be linked together for larger installations.
Festoon lights are particularly popular for backyard events in Melbourne suburbs like Point Cook and Werribee, where homes often have generous outdoor entertaining spaces. Strung between posts or trees, they define the party zone and create a canopy of light as the sun goes down.
Candle and Lantern Lighting
Nothing creates intimacy quite like candlelight. As House & Garden's styling editors have long championed, pillar candles in glass holders, tea lights scattered across tables, and lanterns lining pathways add a warm, organic glow that electric lights simply cannot replicate. For safety, many venues now require LED candles, which have improved dramatically in recent years — the best ones flicker realistically and are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing.
We often combine candle elements with our Floral Centrepiece Sets, placing votives among the floral arrangements to create centrepieces that glow. The interplay between soft light and flowers is one of the most photographed combinations at the events we style.
Practical Lighting Tips
- Layer your lighting: Use at least two types of lighting — for example, fairy lights for the backdrop and candles on the tables. Layering creates depth and visual interest.
- Dim the overheads: Harsh overhead lighting is the enemy of atmosphere. If your venue has adjustable lighting, turn it down and let your decorative lighting do the work.
- Consider the time of day: For daytime events, lighting plays a subtler role. For evening events, it becomes a primary design element. Plan your lighting intensity accordingly.
- Think about photography: Warm, ambient lighting photographs far better than mixed-colour lighting. Discuss your lighting plan with your photographer to ensure stunning photos.
Neon Signs: A Modern Statement
A Custom Neon Sign adds a modern, personalised touch that doubles as both lighting and decor. Mount it on a greenery wall, hang it above the bridal table, or place it behind the dessert table for a focal point that glows throughout the evening.
Want to light up your next Melbourne event? Request a free quote from iDo. Events or browse our full hire collection. We handle delivery, setup, and pack-down across more than 30 suburbs.
