Post # 1
Member
129 posts
Blushing bee
I am stumped, really. How do you light a reception in the middle of a field if there is nothing nearby to hang lights on? I refuse to have a tent. Whe whole reason I am having an outdoor wedding is because I want to see the sky, the stars. I am also not a huge fan of just the tent frame look. 🙁
So what to do? My only idea right now are work lights. Like the kind used in construction. Get a couple of those suckers, hopefully in a non-offensive color like black (otherwise some painting will be happening and I suck at painting things), point them toward the tables from a couple different angles (a little far away so the light isn’t obscenely bright) and call it a night?
If you still have no clue what I am talking about:
Also, besides painting them black, what else do you think I could do to make them less ugly?
Post # 3
Member
129 posts
Blushing bee
This double posted for some reason 🙁 IDK why. Can anyone fix that??
EDIT: Thanks! (whomever fixed that ^_^)
Post # 4
Member
982 posts
Busy bee
Sorry, I don’t really have any suggestions, but if youhabit having a tent, what are you doinit if it rains?
Post # 5
Member
55 posts
Worker bee
Maybe you could put up some poles around the perimeter of the reception or the dance floor (if you’re having one) and string lights from those? Something like this, but on a larger scale:
Post # 6
Member
1377 posts
Bumble bee
Just wanted to say Happypup’s idea is brilliant!
Post # 7
Member
1375 posts
Bumble bee
I agree with the poles. You can also add light through your centerpieces. Consider using mirrors to reflect and enhance light that you put up. Maybe do candle centerpieces? They are so gorgeous and add lots of light. Or add floating candles. You could do those LED lights in te bottom of centerpieces too.
What is your location backup in case of inclement weather? Want to make sure any ideas I give could be transferred there so you don’t have to have two separate decor plans.
Post # 8
Member
1849 posts
Buzzing bee
what about lanterns? they could be hung on poles in the ground, and be kerosene or have big pillar candles. woule be much more romantice than work lights. you can also buy uv lights that stick into the ground, they charge by sunlight in the day and then glow at night, no electricity needed!
you could even buy like 50 tiki torches from the dollar store and line them up 🙂
Post # 9
Member
129 posts
Blushing bee
@AmyFarrahFowler: If a week before the day the forecast calls for rain then I will just have get over my stubborn self and rent a tent. But November in Florida is pretty dry except in the case of hurricanes… If there is a hurricane the whole wedding would have to be postponed so it wouldn’t even be a tent or no tent issue anymore.
@happypup: Do you know where I could get poles like that? Also, how to put them into the ground in a non-permanent yet still stable way?
Post # 10
Member
129 posts
Blushing bee
@NAvery: Inclement weather would require me to get over my aversion to tents 
Then I could just hand the lights from that.
@peonyinlove: Would Home Depot carry poles like that or Lowe’s? Tiki torches! I am so clumsy I would trip into one and set the whole thing ablaze!!!!
Thank fully I am more of a practical person rather than a romantic person. I just want things to be well lit up, asthetically pleasing, and not obscenely expensive!!
Post # 11
Member
129 posts
Blushing bee
Post # 12
Member
122 posts
Blushing bee
How about Shepherds hooks? Super cheap at places like Lowes or Meijers
Or something like these pathway candle holders?
I found a lot of ideas at http://www.save-on-crafts.com/wrhablgoclea.html
Post # 13
Member
129 posts
Blushing bee
@kybride: I just fee like that wouldn’t provide enough lighting for the tables in the middle, just the tables close enough to the perimeter of the lanterns. I will look into that though, perhaps I can find really, really tall ones…Hmmmm, thanks
Post # 14
Member
128 posts
Blushing bee
I held onto the idea of an outdoor tent-less reception as well, but eventually let go of it because Ohio weather is so unpredictable.
Here are some outdoor lighting ideas:
You could use icicle lights and poles to acheive this! (plus good ole mason jars or lanterns.
Pretty way to light paths or the perimeter!
Note the pole/lantern system on top
Similar idea. Photos like this is what made me fall in love with the idea of an outdoor reception!
The link said they just used regular camping lanterns underneath the tablecloths- great if you have cocktail areas or like cake/card tables.
If you need to opt for tents, but don’t want to let go of your “open” feel- this seems like a good compromise!
Making “balls of light”: http://www.savorncmagazine.com/blog/christmas-balls-light-up-plaza-midwood-in-charlotte/
Affordable “uplighting” tutorial: http://diy.weddingbee.com/topic/uplighting-on-the-super-cheap
Good luck!!
Post # 15
Member
3631 posts
Sugar bee
We just were at an outdoor wedding with no tent and they had poles with lights on them. They had them set in pretty buckets with concrete in them. It was plenty bright!
Post # 16
Member
129 posts
Blushing bee
@carolyn.sp.79: You are amazing!! Thanks!!! I especially like the one with the two tents with the lights strung in between them and the dance floor underneath!!! It made me actually WANT to have tents but I do not have enough guests/tables to make that work 🙁
@chasesgirl: I just literally looked at my Fiance and screamed, “GENIOUS!” He was confused at first but after I explained what you had said, he concurs. You, my dear bee, are a lifesaver!!! This is most def what we will be doing. The search for pretty buckets begins… NOW!
