You can add to the festive atmosphere of your wedding reception by using lighting. Many multi-use rooms at hotels and country clubs have conventional overhead fluorescent lighting. While this lighting may be fine for business meetings and craft clubs, it's not the best lighting for a reception.

If the room your reception is being held in has overhead lighting that cannot be turned off, try covering the lights with colored paper or fabric. This can minimize the harshness of the light while creating a calmer atmosphere. Draping luxurious fabrics from the ceiling can create a romantic atmosphere and minimize the ugliness of the conventional dropped ceiling panels. You can even eliminate the fluorescent light completely by covering the lights with heavy fabric or any other opaque material.

Make Your Wedding Reception Sparkle

If your reception is being held outdoors, the lighting possibilities are endless. You can hang paper lanterns from trees and overhead beams. Open spaces can be illuminated with torches or clusters of flickering candles. If your budget allows for more elaborate lighting, there are glowing street-light inspired fixtures and gas-fueled lanterns that can create a unique experience.

If there's going to be dancing at your wedding, don't forget to bring the disco ball. Your lighting provider can set up strobe lights and lights that change color or move to the beat of the music being played. A professional lighting vendor can make the dance floor at your wedding seem like the hottest dance clubs in New York or Miami.