Top 5 Wedding Lighting Ideas

Wedding Lighting with Christmas Lights

Unique wedding lighting ideas add personal touches of elegance and romance to ceremonies and receptions. Choose the romantic, traditional glow of incandescent bulbs, or the vibrant hues of LEDs and get fun with different colors, shapes, and uses. Here are 5 great ideas for wedding lights that can be used indoors and outdoors to enjoy a magical, star-filled celebration:

1 - White Wire Icicle Lights

Icicle Lights on a Table

Easily one of the most popular wedding lights, icicle lights are mini light strings with drops of lights that hang down, making these ideal for use on reception tables. Light the head table and guest tables by draping icicle lights along the sides of the table and placing a sheer tulle overlay over the lights to obscure strings and soften the glow.

Icicle Lights in Mason Jars

Icicle lights are big in outdoor weddings, and allow for several unique ideas in DIY wedding lighting. Using mason jars with wire handles, icicle light drops can be tucked into the glasses, resembling fireflies from a distance, and creating romantic evening lighting. Since mason jars are inexpensive, this is a great trick in wedding lighting that creates a beautiful decoration while keeping costs minimal.

2 - Curtain of Mini Lights

Mini Light Ceiling Curtain

Mini lights are the most popular wedding light. Possibilities with mini lights are endless, including hanging from ceilings, wrapping trees and columns, illuminating tables and platforms, and accenting walls, furniture, and tables.
To achieve a curtain of mini lights effect, hang strings of mini lights from the ceiling in one location and string to another to create a beautiful curtain of mini lights above the dance floor or on the ceiling of the reception hall. An arc of light with a warm white glow creates a romantic ambiance.

3 - Net Light Backdrops

Net Light Wall

Create a wall of beautiful lights by hanging net lights and connecting end to end. Hang nets from the ceiling and line against the wall for photography backdrops. White lights create the perfect atmosphere for exchanging vows or capturing the moment of the first dance.

4 - Rope Light Party Shapes

Rope Light Shaped for Love

Rope light offers a unique ability to add personalized touches. Fun ideas are to use red or white rope light and spell out promises such as "love," or the first initials of the couple, or even the couple’s married name. Rope lights also look great around the dance floor and grooms cake table.

5 - Lighting Wedding Arbors

>
Wedding Arbor with Lights

Wedding arbors are used in almost every outdoor wedding, and serve as the setting for the exchanging of vows. Unity candles are traditionally placed under the arbors, and mini lights can be weaved through lattices and pergolas. Make use of wedding arbors as well as looking for additional opportunities to hang lights, such as branches, overhangs, and fence lines.
Using our Top 5 wedding lighting ideas can help to ensure that your event is picture perfect. Plan in detail with our Wedding Lights Guide, full of great tips and tricks for illuminating your big event. Get coupons, sales, and special deals sent right to your inbox by signing up with email.

Incandescent Light Bulb Ban - Funding Prohibited, but How Long?

Incandescent Light Bulb Ban?

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 is an Act of Congress that includes an incandescent bulb phase out. The act has since been termed by many as the "Incandescent Light Bulb Ban," resulting in heated debates and raising fears in consumers who are not ready to make the switch from traditional lighting to energy saving lighting technologies such as LED bulbs.

What is the Incandescent Light Bulb Ban?

While some claim the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 aims to ban incandescent light bulbs, that is not exactly the case. The act sets standards for energy efficiency, including incandescent bulbs, with a goal to find more energy efficient lighting and alternate forms of energy. Incandescent bulb standards were to improve efficiency 25-30% by 2012-2014.

Incandescent Bulb Phase Out Timeline

The plan was to phase out incandescent bulbs by 2012. 100 watt bulbs were removed from retail shelves almost immediately, with 60 watt bulbs next on the list. Lighting manufacturers began offering alternate forms of lighting instead of re-working the traditional incandescent bulbs to save on energy, and stores such as IKEA removed incandescent lighting completely from their product offering.

Bulbs that are exempt from the act include specialty bulbs such as plant and 3-way bulbs, as well as any bulbs less than 40 watts or more than 150 watts. Additionally, patio light bulbs, decorative globe lights, and low watt standard household lights would be in the clear. Since Christmas lights fall well beneath the 40 watt range, consumers who are attached to their retro painted glass Christmas lights have no need to buy in bulk... at least not anytime soon.

Title IV of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requires Federal buildings to use only Energy Star qualified lighting products by 2015. Energy Star products must meet strict standards in energy and cost savings, ensuring consumers get products that are durable enough and save energy at a rate fast enough to become a savings within a specific period of time.

Incandescent Phase Out: Administration Prohibited

In December 2011, the funding was revoked for the enforcement, and all incandescent bulbs and their sales were permitted to continue. This may only be a temporary reprieve, with the bill not amended, but rather administration prohibited from using funds to carry out the ban. Politics is being considered a factor in the Democratic bill and the prohibition of its enforcement, with some parties pushing hard on the belief that household lighting should be a personal choice and not government mandated. It would not be illegal to use incandescent bulbs, but the act would make it illegal to sell specific light bulbs.

Christmas Light Bulbs: Still Safe from Legislation

Many fear legislation will eventually effect Christmas lights, with a belief that once the incandescent bulb phase out begins, all household and decorative lighting will follow. While some homeowners and decorators have enthusiastically seized LED household and Christmas lights and the benefits they offer, others are very resistant to being forced to change their lighting.

If the prohibition on funding the phase out is lifted, how soon do you think it will be before Christmas light strings and bulbs are affected as well? Do you believe that household lighting should be influenced by the government?

Receive industry updates, new product introductions, and be the first to know the latest in holiday lighting by joining our email list.

Green LED Lights: a Spin on St. Patrick’s Day CupCake Wars

St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes

St. Patrick’s Day offers yet another opportunity for the team at Christmas Lights, Etc to celebrate a holiday in style. How can we let a holiday go by without illuminating the offices and common areas with bright LED lights, ball ornaments, and lighted tabletop decor? Each holiday offers its own unique opportunity to help the company with improving employee morale and maintain a fun work environment, and St. Patrick’s Day is no different.

Green LED lights - battery operated LED lights to be exact - are the highlighted product in this season’s decorating. The theme? CupCake Wars! The team at Christmas Lights, Etc put their heads together and the result was a St. Patrick’s Day themed CupCake Wars.

Cupcake Wars is a Food Network reality show where two chefs create a unique cupcake that is judged on presentation and taste. The team that wins continues on in the Cupcake Wars. We love the television show and we love St Patricks Day, so it seemed natural that it was time to combine the two into a St. Patrick’s Day cupcake bake-off and all-day event.

Christmas Lights, Etc has already held several cook-offs in the past few years, including a recent chili cook-off, a Brunswick Stew cook-off, and what some hope will be an annual tradition: the rib cook-off that occurred in the last annual company Memorial Day picnic. This latest bake-off is the first to incorporate product in presentation. With an office backdrop that includes dancing leprechauns, St. Patrick’s Day decorations of green balls amid green LED lights, and rainbow ribbon hanging from the ceiling, this is a company that truly finds reward in watching its team members laugh, engage and let loose. Lucky contestants are now adding battery operated LED lights to the cupcakes, with a maximum of 2 battery powered lights permitted per presentation.

St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes are the pot of gold in creative and delicious looking morsels this side of the St. Patty’s Day rainbow. The biggest question is, whose is the tastiest? Will the winner hail from the Web Content, IT, Sales, Customer Service, or Purchasing departments? Will it be the daughter of one of the most decorated cook-off contenders to date?

On Friday, March 15, the Cupcake War will begin. Many will spend all night sculpting cupcake hills of Emerald green with dreams of winning the gold at the end of the rainbow: 1st place.

There are many original ideas for St. Patrick’s Day treats, ranging from leprechauns to gold at the end of rainbows and shamrocks.

Update: Pictures of our St. Patrick’s Day cupcakes!

1st Place Winner!!

Chocolate Stout Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

2nd Place Winner!!

Legends of St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes

Legends of St. Patrick's Day

More St. Patrick's Day Cupcake War Entries:

Key Lime Coconut Cupcakes

Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes

Luck o' the Irish Mojito Cupcakes

Grasshopper Mint Brownie Cupcakes

Decadent Chocolate Cupcake Balls

St. Patrick's Day Decorations

St. Patrick's Day Cupcake Wars,
Christmas Lights, Etc

St. Patrick's Day Party Decor
Green LED Lights, Glass Ornaments

Questions for You

Like lights? Save 10% at Christmas Lights, Etc and use coupon code LIKELIGHTS10 at checkout, and join our email list for Savings all year!.

Want recipes? Just leave a comment asking!

What ideas does your company offer for using holidays to help in boosting employee morale? Have you tried a cook-off yet?

Patio Lighting Ideas and Light Up Palm Trees

Eclectic Patio Light Design
by LA Photographer Chris Armstrong

Patio lighting ideas that help to increase the appeal of backyard and poolside areas include hanging outdoor string lighting, adding rope light to outdoor architecture, and creating a warm tropical atmosphere with light up palm trees. With summer coming, patios will become the preferred living space for relaxing on sunny days while socializing and enjoying cool evenings. Luckily, there are plenty of outdoor lighting ideas using deck lights to keep up with the summer heat.

Outdoor Patio Lights Hang Like Stars

Patio Lighting Ideas bring stars closer
by Vancouver General Contractor kbcdevelopments

Use outdoor patio lights to brighten the yard and deck areas, creating a celestial summer night sky above, or use vivid colors for festive party lights. Illuminate the deck and garden all year with commercial grade patio strings, or delight in patio lighting ideas in the Spring and Summer for celebrating weddings, graduations, and summer holidays using traditional Christmas light strings. Swag outdoor party lights along decks and overhangs, and hang between trees, bushes, and other natural landscape greenery.

Patio Light Strings

Choose from outdoor patio lights strings with long or short drops depending on where you are hanging the strings. Patio light bulbs vary in both base size and color, and are often globes or shaped like home light bulbs. Look for energy efficient bulbs that use 25 watts or less, resulting in a low-energy, low-cost way to decorate your patio and create a star filled evening. Increase energy savings even more by choosing LED patio lighting.

Rope Lights Illuminate Walkways

Highlight walkways and paths by stringing rope light along the ground. Lighting from the ground up creates a beautiful glowing effect and is especially impressive near pools and along raised deck areas and gardens. Rope light is also popular in recessed areas to create cove lighting. Cut and install this durable PVC tube lighting quickly and easily with minimal effort for great impact.

Rope Light Outdoor Patio design
by Metro Interior Designer YOGESH WADHWANA

LED Rope Light Palm Trees

Rope light can also be used in motifs and can be styled in the form of artificial palm trees, flamingos and red crabs. These creative lawn decorations are all the rage from hotels and casinos to backyards. Fake palm trees look great by the pool and create a tropical light theme. Why visit Hawaii when you can have it the backyard with patio lighting?

With a spiraled rope light trunk and holographic deluxe fronds edged with green rope light, rope light palm trees illuminate the backyard, patio, pool, and porch. Place these light up palm trees anywhere and enjoy the brightness they add to the yard.

Summer is great for spending hours with friends and family by the pool, so grab a cocktail and enjoy patio lighting ideas that pull guests to your backyard with gasps of pleasure.

LED Rope Light Palm Trees

Like lights? Save 10% at Christmas Lights, Etc and use coupon code LIKELIGHTS10 at checkout.

How do you light your pool or patio?

Valentine's Day Treats and Decorations

Valentine's Day treats and decorations are romantic gestures guaranteed to set the heart a-flutter. Make use of simple Valentine decorations by adding lighting, and use Pinterest to get ideas on delicious Valentine's Day treats and drinks.

Four Easy Ideas for Valentine Decorations:

Idea 1: String Mini Lights in Paper Heart Doily Garlands

Lighted Paper Hearts

A simple craft - red and white doilies are available at any grocery store, near the Valentine's cards, bags and candy. String them in a random pattern, and drape white wire clear or white mini lights behind them. Great idea for the home - hang in white door frames and across windows.

Idea 2: Green Wire Lights with Felt Hearts for a Country Valentine style

Rustic Valentine Craft Ideas

Using green wire mini lights like these G12 LED lights offers a more rustic, country decoration. This pinner used fishing line to dangle red felt hearts, and draped green wire lights around. Ideal for hanging over dining or end tables.

Idea 3: Romantic Lighting Gestures

Romantic Dinner Lighting

Perhaps this idea is a bit over the top, but if you are the romantic sort, or planning to pop the question, this romantic lighting style will suit any day of the year. Find a serene outdoor location and wrap trees in mini lights or warm white LEDs. Hang lanterns from branches and place along the ground. Woo her with a romantic gesture and create a memory she'll never forget.

Idea 4: Homemade romantic lighting

Red Mini Light Heart

Charming and easier than wrapping trees and hanging lanterns, this cute heart is easy to make by taking red mini lights and shaping a heart. Heart shaped motifs can be placed within the lights, or use a paper heart decoration - it will work just as well.

Valentine's Day Desserts!

Valentine's Day treats complement crafts and indulge the taste buds. Here are a few teasers from Pinterest - surely you want them as much as we do:

Mini Strawberry and Chocolate Party Cakes

Pink and Red Strawberry Jello Parfaits

For Him: Guinness Cupcakes

Valentine's Day Drinks

Chocolate Kiss Martini - Ooh La La

How to Make:

• 3/4 oz. Pallini Raspicello
• 2 oz. Boru Vodka
• 1/2 oz. Godiva Liqueur
• Chocolate shavings to rim martini glass

Shake with ice and strain into martini glass. Garnish with strawberry slices.

Forbidden Love Martini,
Courtesy of the Venetian, Las Vegas

Sold! I'll be your Valentine

How to Make:

• 2 oz. gin
• 1 oz. Blood Orange Juice
• Dash simple syrup, 2 strawberries, 4 slices cucumber - muddle together

Add gin and juice to syrup fruit mixture. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with strawberry and orange slices.

For the big day this year, take the time to hang a few Valentine decorations, and don't skip out on the lights. It's easy to melt a girls heart with a small effort and a delicious treat.

Follow us!     

Christmas Ball Ornaments: Reuse for Valentines and Mardi Gras

Valentine's Day Ornaments

Holiday decorating with colored glass ornaments offers versatile holiday home decor ideas. To make your home look straight out of a designer magazine all year, consider the multiple uses of Christmas ball ornaments. Hang red, blue, and green ornaments from trees in the winter, then recycle and reuse with creative decorating ideas for all occasions.

Valentines Day Decoration Ideas

Valentines Day decor is fun for kids and the whole family. Theme colors are red, pink, and white.

Ideas to reuse holiday ornaments:

• Place red Christmas ornaments in a clear glass bowl in the middle of a table.
• Hang balls using hot glue and ribbon and beads. Stagger lengths.
• Create a Valentines Day wreath. Hot glue different size ball ornaments into the shape of a heart with beads and ribbon for a Victorian flair, or add sequins and glitter.
• Add flair to wine glasses: use a ribbon and small ornament and tie to the top of the stem. This is also a great party idea for decorative “name tags” on glasses.

Festive Holiday Glasses

Valentines Day Wreath

Mardi Gras Party Decorations

Mardi Gras is a French Catholic tradition also known as Fat Tuesday, and is celebrated the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The carnival celebration centers around overturning social conventions, eating fatty foods before Lent, dancing, masks and costumes. Popular in New Orleans and cities with French heritage, colors include green, blue, and gold. Mardi Gras party decorations can be anything carnival related, from masquerade masks and feathers to body paints.

Like with the Valentines Day decoration ideas, reuse Christmas ball ornaments to create centerpieces or elaborate wreaths. Go above and beyond with the decorating: giant gold ribbons, bird feathers, glitter - anything large and bright is perfect to go in your Mardi Gras decor.

Mardi Gras Holiday Wreath

Aqua & Green Ornaments in Bowl

St. Patrick’s Day Decorations

St. Patrick’s Day decorations have to be green to symbolize luck. After all, the tradition of the holiday is to pinch anyone who forgets to wear green. Decorate with green Christmas ornaments and hints of gold by securing balls to a wreath or placing in a glass bowl. Decorate a small tabletop tree in green Christmas ball ornaments to create a St Patricks Day tree.

Green Ornaments in Glass Bowl

St Patricks Day Wreath

Holidays offer a great opportunity to reuse holiday decorations. Trees and wreaths make the ideal canvas for hanging colored lights, fun decorative ornaments, themes colors, ribbon and more. Keep the excitement for the holidays alive all year, while finding multiple uses for seasonal items.

Patriotic 4th of July Ornament Wreath

Christmas Tree Lights Up Holiday Dreams on Ice

Holiday Dreams on Ice Tree

A prelit Christmas tree lit up the night on 12/16 in Christopher Morley Park in Roslyn, NY. Olympic figure skating fans witnessed a magical night as Johnny Weir, a three time US National Champion and two time Olympian, joined Holiday Dreams on Ice to create an unforgettable Olympic figure skating event.

Johnny Weir and Christmas Tree

Holiday Dreams on Ice 2012

Holiday Dreams on Ice is produced by Fireworks Sports Marketing, an event and sports talent company. Young skaters of various skill sets participate with older role models in a spectacular skating event surrounded by holiday decorations. Holiday Dreams on Ice is considered an Olympic figure skating show, and this year the star of the show was Olympian Johnny Weir.

Holiday Dreams on Ice also featured Emily Hughes, a 1 time Olympian and 2007 US National Silver Medalist. She is the sister of 2002 Olympic Gold Medalist Sarah Hughes.

Olympic Skater and Christmas Decorations

Lighting of the Christmas Tree

While Johnny Weir was the star of the show with his unique routine and skating style, the finale featured a less traditional star: a 14' Douglas Fir Christmas tree. The grand finale culminated with the lighting of the Douglas Fir tree, its bright, clear lights welcoming the Christmas season and delighting the audience.

Christmas Lights Etc is proud that Holiday Dreams on Ice chose from our premium artificial tree line to be featured in the show. We're even more proud that a celebrity like Johnny Weir loved it! With the bright Douglas Fir tree shining as Olympic figure skating took place, it truly was a holiday dream.

Johnny Weir will skate in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, alongside fierce competition, and we can’t wait to see him. Give it a watch and cheer on your US 2014 Olympic team! For your own 14’ Douglas tree - or any other lifelike artificial Christmas tree - browse our selection of artificial trees and find which tree you like best!