Lighting as Décor; The Secret Behind Beautiful Wedding Photos

4 Nov

The truth about cameras is they can’t see anywhere near as much light as our eyes can, which makes things hard. Even just a bedroom that usually has window light on a stormy or cloudy day might be too dark to photograph without flash. Even though to our eyes it just looks a little dull.
Imagine this image without the light coming through the window; it wouldn’t have the same life or depth. The light is what makes it sing. Bring in a church or reception room, and it becomes much darker.

Your photographer will always bring flash, but flash only exists for a split second when the photo is taken. It doesn’t light the room in between moments; it doesn’t shape the mood or ambience of the space. If a room is too dark, the camera simply can’t take in enough light without using flash. That isn’t to say that flash is bad but it does have an effect that isn’t there in person making everyting feel just a touch more paparazzi and a bit less intimate. There are many different flash styles some that look more natural than others but the result will never look like how it felt in real life because we’re adding something that wasn’t there. That’s why lighting is the unsung hero of décor. It quietly defines the feeling of your wedding day and how it translates in photos.

Lighting changes everything.

Think of those TikToks where someone turns off the ceiling lights and switches on a few lamps: suddenly the room feels warm, layered, and cinematic. Your wedding works the same way. A simple, pared-back space can look stunning with thoughtful lighting. You can have the most beautiful florals in the world, but if the light isn’t right, those flowers will never look the way they did to your eyes in the photos.

Lighting affects both the look and the energy of a space. Warm light think those soft oranges and golds create a romantic and inviting atmosphere, perfect for dinner and speeches. Cooler lights like white or slightly blue feels modern and lively, ideal for when the dance floor opens. You don’t have to pick just one mood; your lighting can evolve with the night. A soft, candlelit dinner that shifts into a more dramatic, high-energy dance floor feels dynamic and intentional, and it photographs beautifully.

Florals are gorgeous and timeless, but lighting has a far bigger impact on how a wedding actually feels.

You could have a celebration with minimal flowers that still feels luxurious and high-end through clever lighting choices alone. Chandeliers, uplights, fairy lights, or even simple drapery combined with a warm light source can completely transform a room. Chandeliers above tables or as part of a low-hanging centrepiece, in particular, are one of my favourites; they not only look stunning in person but also light faces and table settings beautifully.

If you’re outdoors, strong fairy lights strung above long tables create a sense of intimacy while still allowing everything to be well-lit for photos. Smaller string lights, while charming, often don’t throw off enough light by themselves, so pairing them with something a bit stronger will give you that beautiful glow without losing the atmosphere.

Candles are another classic element, but it’s worth understanding what they actually do. Candles create atmosphere, but unless there’s a lot of them not really illumination. A few here and there look lovely, but they won’t light a space enough for your guests, or your photographer, to see much detail. If you love that cozy candlelit aesthetic, pair it with soft ambient light such as wall sconces, uplights, or chandeliers. The key is to layer your light so it still feels warm but your photos have enough visibility to capture the magic.

When you’re choosing your lighting, think about the colour temperature. Cooler-toned white lights, like those found in offices or classrooms, tend to feel stark and clinical. For weddings, you want light that’s closer to the warmth of a candle flame. That soft golden tone flatters skin, enhances colour, and brings everything together in a way that feels comfortable and intimate.

Lighting also connects all your vendors’ work. Talk with your venue, décor stylist, videographer, and DJ about your lighting plans early on. Each plays a role: videographers rely on continuous light, DJs often bring ambient or dance lighting, venues and stylists might provide decorative fixtures or chandeliers. Photographers work with what’s available, but flash can only do so much. Having everyone coordinate ensures your lighting feels cohesive and your photos and videos capture what you actually experience.

Ultimately, lighting doesn’t just make your space visible; it makes it alive. It’s what separates a nice room from an unforgettable one. When you think about décor, treat light as one of your main design elements. You can keep everything else simple if your lighting is intentional. One well-placed chandelier or a few uplights can shift the entire energy of a room.

Because in the end, lighting doesn’t just illuminate the moment: it defines how it’s remembered.

Love from your favourite Editorial Photographer,

Amelia Ouwerkerk