15 Cozy Lamp Ideas From Real Weddings

You’ve likely spent hours considering every detail of your wedding design—from the centerpieces and floor tiles to the aisle flowers and escort cards. However, no matter how much time you spend on your décor, on the day of your nuptials, the right lighting can make or break your entire aesthetic. It can be the difference between a warm, welcoming dinner party that has every guest feeling like part of the family—and a cold, stark space that results in your loved ones checking their watches. When executed properly, a strategically-placed glow can even highlight the flowers, papers, and materials you’ve worked so hard to choose. 

But while string lights, ceiling lanterns, uplighting, and candles are tried-and-true options that many couples use to anchor their space, lamps are an increasingly popular choice to make your wedding feel like an intimate dinner party. Small lamps on your reception tables cast a cozy glow; floor lamps add a spotlight to your lounge areas; custom shades, shapes, and colors add personality and interest to your floral layouts. It’s a phenomenon Laura Ritchie, the principal designer at Grit & Grace, has noticed—and executed—with her own clients.

“Lamp lighting, especially with dimmers, provides a swanky, dinner party vibe to a space by utilizing down-casting light,” says Ritchie. “Lamps are a fun way to add ambiance and style, especially since the availability of cute, cordless LED lamps have become more accessible and reasonably priced.” They also help solve a common issue couples face at their venues: a lack of outlets. Cordless LED lamps offer a versatile lighting option in areas where outlets aren’t available, adding an inviting glow and generating an intimate vibe. 

How to Use Lamps to Transform Your Venue

To figure out how (and if) lamps fit into your wedding décor, consider your venue. For example, lamps on your outdoor tables could replace tealights that may extinguish in a breeze, or instead of centerpiece florals, opt for statement fixtures, which add a touch of drama—and a warm glow—to your dinner service. “Ultimately, think of lamps as a supporting character to your other decor or an alternative option to candlelight,” Ritchie says. “Different lampshade styles can be used to emote different aesthetics, so don’t be afraid to introduce rattan woven lamps, acrylic glass lamps, or funky colored lamps to underline your personal theme.”

One caution: If you also plan to incorporate candles, ensure your various lighting elements complement each other. “We do try to be careful with mixing lamp lighting and candle lighting on tables to make sure they aren’t competing in colors and how bright they can get,” says Ritchie. “I highly suggest a tablescape mockup to see if it works together properly.”

Looking for some inspiration to kick off your décor planning? Consider 15 examples of cozy lamps from real weddings below.