The light for a wedding at Lavender on the Lake in Saint Cloud, Florida is simply magical.
Come see for yourself.
When you begin to plan for your wedding, your focus naturally goes to the bigger details—venue, food, flowers, and music. But there’s one simple design element that can easily transform the entire celebration: lighting.
Lighting creates the story of your wedding. The right lighting can make your venue feel romantic, fun, or completely magical—turning an ordinary room into a reflection of your love story. Lavender on the Lake is a blank canvas which allows for lots of play with light to make your wedding extra special.
1. Lighting Sets the Mood for the Night
Your wedding lighting sets the emotional tone for the entire evening. Soft lighting and warm amber hues can create an intimate, romantic glow during dinner, while colorful uplighting and twinkle lights bring energy and excitement once the dance floor opens. (Just you wait as you read more to hear about how we incorporate the lights to. bring that dance floor energy!)
Think of lighting as the invisible soundtrack to your décor—it guides how your guests feel in every moment.
2. It Highlights Your Décor and Venue
You’ve spent months choosing all of the details such as flowers and the colors of linens; lighting brings those choices to life. Uplighting can accent the room, while low lit and decorated chandeliers add layers depth. Lighting enhances everything you’ve already invested in—it’s the secret ingredient that makes your décor pop. Look how sophisticated and beautiful this wedding was!
We have grown SO much here at LOTL with our first wedding being in June of 2024. That first wedding, when we saw guests with sunglasses on their faces while trying to eat we literally were cringing. Jason and I spent years creating this space, and all of our time spent there did NOT include sitting 2 hours prior to sunset. In fact, the time change makes me happy- much to Jason’s dismay- because it means that we do not have to work as late because of the earlier sunset. Anyway, I digress. We worked so hard on the daily to be complete prior to our first wedding, that we never sat prior to sunset which meant that we had NO idea just how bright that light was at that time. Of course, Jason had a solution. Sunshades.
We love how it blocks the harsh light, but allows for the beautiful view to still be seen. We lift them once the harsh light is gone so that everyone can enjoy the sunset. Pro tip: you definitely want to be sure to have a pause in your timeline so that everyone can enjoy the view.
3. It Frames the Big Moments
Lighting can draw attention to the key emotional moments of your reception. A soft spotlight during your first dance creates an intimate feel. A warm glow over your sweetheart table highlights you as newlyweds enjoying your first meal together as husband and wife!
Lighting changes can even signal transitions. During toasts, we leave the lights bright and inviting and then subtly dim the light rings during dinner. We have lights in the eves that we started calling the WeHoo Lights. As I just mentioned, throughout dinner, we dim the light rings, and shut them off as we turn on the WeHoo Lights in the color choice of the couple. You can almost hear the sound of the crew right now reading this, right? WEHOO!!! These cues make your reception flow beautifully from one moment to the next.
4. It Makes Your Photos and Videos Unforgettable
Good lighting doesn’t just matter in the moment—it’s essential for capturing memories. Photographers and videographers rely on lighting to create those breathtaking, romantic images you’ll cherish forever. Without proper lighting, even the most stunning venue can fall flat on camera. Thoughtful lighting ensures your wedding photos are as beautiful as the memories themselves.
5. It Reflects Your Love Story and Style
Your wedding lighting can be deeply personal. Dreaming of a whimsical fairytale vibe? Think string lights and soft pastel glows. Going for modern elegance? Try clean whites and statement uplighting. Whether you’re hosting a rustic barn celebration or a glamorous ballroom affair, lighting helps translate your unique love story into a visual experience for your guests.
6. It Transforms Any Space
Lighting has the power to completely transform your venue. A simple space can become a romantic haven with the warm glow of candles while a garden reception sparkles under strands of café lights. Lighting lets you make the space truly yours—no matter where you celebrate. One of my most favorite things is to see how each couples truly transforms our space here at Lavender on the Lake.
If you are looking for some ideas on how to decorate click here to read more!
Final Thoughts
Lighting is one of the most underrated yet impactful details of a wedding reception. It shapes the mood, enhances your décor, guides your guests’ emotions, and ensures that your memories shine—literally. Sorry! I couldn’t help myself!
So as you plan your big day, don’t treat lighting as an afterthought. Work with your planner and venue to craft a design that tells your story. Because when the lighting is just right, your wedding doesn’t just look beautiful—it feels completely unforgettable. And just because lighting isn’t ONLY about the interior space, I had to throw in this fantastic photo taken here at LOTL.
Thank you very much for taking time to read my blog. If you are new here, welcome! You will see that I am a big supporter of locally owned and run businesses. Therefore I list several wedding venues from across the country with each blog.
XO
Shelley