How much does wedding lighting cost in Yorkshire?
If you are planning a wedding in Yorkshire, you have probably discovered that wedding lighting prices can vary considerably.
One supplier might quote for equipment only. Another might include delivery, installation and collection. A third might visit your venue, design the lighting scheme and provide a team of technicians to install everything.
That makes comparing wedding lighting hire in Yorkshire difficult unless you know exactly what is included.
As a broad market guide, published UK wedding-lighting pricing currently shows examples such as fairy-light canopies at several hundred pounds, festoon lighting from relatively modest equipment-only rates upwards, and uplighting packages ranging from a few hundred pounds depending on the number of fixtures and service included.
The important point is that there is no single “average” wedding lighting price.
The cost depends on what you want to light, how large the venue is, how complicated the installation is and how much work is involved in getting the equipment safely installed and removed.
For example, lighting a small reception room with uplighters is a very different job from installing a fairy-light canopy across a large barn ceiling, adding festoon lighting outdoors and then installing a dance floor and illuminated letters.
Typical wedding lighting costs in Yorkshire
The table below gives you a starting point rather than a quotation.
| Wedding lighting option | What it can be used for | Indicative market guidance | WVL published price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairy lights | Beams, ceilings, walls, canopies and decorative areas | Varies substantially by installation | £300 for WVL rustic fairy-light package |
| Festoon lighting | Barns, courtyards, gardens and outdoor areas | Varies by length and installation | £300 for WVL rustic festoon package |
| Uplighting | Walls, columns, beams and architectural features | Often several hundred pounds for a professionally supplied package | £200–£400 depending on WVL package |
| Light-up letters | LOVE, initials, MR & MRS, I DO and other focal points | Varies according to size and style | WVL examples from £120+for selected rustic options |
| Starlight dance floor | First dance and evening reception | Varies considerably according to size | WVL venue example £475 for 14ft × 14ft |
| Large starlight dance floor | Larger weddings and substantial dance areas | Bespoke quotation normally required | £1,375 for 32ft × 32ft — VERIFY |
| Combination package | Multiple lighting elements | Usually bespoke | Quotation required |
What does wedding lighting actually include?
When comparing wedding venue lighting prices, it is important to establish whether you are paying for:
- Lighting equipment
- Delivery
- Installation
- Collection
- Venue visits
- Lighting design
- Cabling and power distribution
- Access equipment
- Installation technicians
- Removal after the wedding
- Travel
- Outdoor weatherproof equipment
- Additional installation time
- Venue-specific requirements
This is one of the biggest reasons apparently similar quotes can be very different.
A £300 equipment hire price is not necessarily comparable with a £600 professionally installed quotation if the second supplier is providing a team, delivery, installation, testing and collection.
What affects the cost of wedding lighting in Yorkshire?
There are several major factors that can change the final price.
1. The type of wedding lighting
Different lighting systems require different amounts of equipment and labour.
Fairy lights
Fairy lights are popular for creating a soft, romantic atmosphere.
They can be installed around beams, behind backdrops, across walls or as a ceiling canopy.
A simple decorative run can be considerably less involved than covering an entire ceiling with thousands of individual points of light.
WVL currently publishes a £300 fairy-light option within its rustic wedding lighting packages.
Festoon lighting
Festoon lighting uses larger bulbs and generally creates a warmer, more defined look.
It works particularly well in:
- Barns
- Courtyards
- Gardens
- Marquees
- Outdoor dining areas
- Paths and entertainment areas
WVL currently lists festoon lighting at £300 within its rustic package pricing.
Uplighting
Uplighting is used to wash walls and architectural features with coloured or white light.
It can be particularly effective where a venue already has attractive architecture but needs more atmosphere after dark.
WVL currently publishes:
- Up to 12 static-colour uplighters — £200
- Up to 12 colour-controllable uplighters — £300
- Up to 24 static-colour uplighters — £300
- Up to 24 colour-controllable uplighters — £400
Light-up letters
Light-up letters are less about illuminating an entire venue and more about creating a focal point.
Popular options include:
- LOVE
- Initials
- I DO
- MR & MRS
- Surnames
- Numbers
WVL’s current published pages show several different price points depending on the style and configuration. For example, rustic I DO and rustic initials are currently listed at £120, while rustic LOVE is listed at £150, rustic MR & MRS at £200, and some larger illuminated LOVE options at £250
How much does a starlight dance floor cost?
A starlight dance floor is not technically venue lighting, but it is often considered alongside wedding lighting because it becomes one of the main illuminated features of the reception.
The cost depends heavily on the size of the floor.
For example, WVL currently lists a 14ft × 14ft starlight dance floor at £475 for a specific venue package.
A much larger 32ft × 32ft starlight dance floor has previously been priced by WVL at £1,375 including delivery, installation and collection.
The difference illustrates an important point:
Dance-floor pricing cannot be judged simply by looking at the price of a small floor and assuming a larger floor will cost proportionally the same.
A larger floor requires substantially more equipment, handling, transportation and installation.
Why does venue size affect wedding lighting cost?
The size of the room is one of the obvious factors.
A small wedding reception room may only need a relatively small number of uplighters.
A large barn, ballroom or marquee could require substantially more equipment to achieve the same visual impact.
For example, with uplighting, the number of lights required depends partly on the perimeter and architectural layout of the room.
A venue with:
- Long walls
- Columns
- Alcoves
- Multiple sections
- Separate dining and dancing areas
may require a different lighting plan from a simple rectangular room.
Ceiling height can make a big difference
Ceiling height is particularly important for fairy lights, hanging lighting and some decorative installations.
A low ceiling can often be accessed relatively easily.
A high barn roof, vaulted ceiling or difficult-to-reach architectural feature can require additional equipment, access arrangements or installation time.
That does not necessarily mean the lighting itself costs more. It can mean that the labour and installation requirements increase.
The number of rooms matters too
A wedding venue might have:
- Ceremony room
- Drinks reception area
- Wedding breakfast room
- Evening reception room
- Bar area
- Outdoor terrace
- Courtyard
- Entrance
- Staircases
- Outdoor paths
Lighting several areas can create a much more cohesive result, but it also increases the amount of equipment and installation required.
It is therefore worth asking a lighting company whether they can create a package that covers the important areas rather than simply pricing every room as an individual job.
Access can affect your wedding lighting quote
Access is often overlooked when couples first ask how much wedding lighting costs.
A venue may have:
- Long distances from vehicle to room
- Stairs
- Restricted loading areas
- Narrow entrances
- Limited parking
- Strict delivery times
- No vehicle access to the building
- Multiple installation areas
These factors can increase the time needed for the installation team.
A supplier should ideally ask about access before giving a final quotation.
Distance and travel
Yorkshire is a large area.
A lighting company based in West Yorkshire may regularly travel to venues in Leeds, York, Harrogate, Sheffield, Doncaster, Huddersfield, Wakefield and beyond.
However, distance can become relevant where a job is outside the supplier’s normal operating area.
WVL currently states that its uplighting packages include delivery, installation and collection within a 50-mile radius of its BD19 postcode, with additional mileage charged at £1 per mile.
This is another reason to give the supplier your exact venue when requesting a quotation.
How much does professional installation cost?
There is no universal installation fee.
Some companies build installation into the price of the lighting package. Others may price equipment, delivery and labour separately.
Published UK guidance gives examples where professional installation can add a significant proportion to equipment hire, particularly for more complicated installations.
Rather than asking simply:
“How much are your fairy lights?”
ask:
“What is the total price for the equipment, delivery, installation and collection at my venue?”
That gives you a much more useful figure.
How much does professional installation cost?
There is no universal installation fee.
Some companies build installation into the price of the lighting package. Others may price equipment, delivery and labour separately.
Published UK guidance gives examples where professional installation can add a significant proportion to equipment hire, particularly for more complicated installations.
Rather than asking simply:
“How much are your fairy lights?”
ask:
“What is the total price for the equipment, delivery, installation and collection at my venue?”
That gives you a much more useful figure.
What is a realistic wedding lighting budget?
There is no sensible single figure for every Yorkshire wedding.
A couple wanting a few carefully positioned uplighters could spend considerably less than a couple wanting to transform an entire barn or marquee.
As a broad planning approach:
Smaller lighting requirement
You might choose one main lighting element, such as uplighting or a decorative fairy-light installation.
Mid-level lighting package
You might combine two or three elements, such as:
- Fairy lights
- Uplighting
- Light-up letters
Larger venue transformation
A more extensive installation could combine:
- Fairy-light ceiling
- Festoon lighting
- Uplighting
- Dance floor
- Light-up letters
- Backdrops
- Outdoor lighting
Published UK guidance currently places some complete wedding lighting packages in the several-hundred-pound to low-thousands range, depending heavily on scale and specification.
How to keep wedding lighting costs under control
Professional wedding lighting does not have to mean lighting every square metre of your venue.
Here are some ways to get more impact from your budget.
1. Choose one main feature
Instead of trying to light everything, choose the area guests will spend the most time in.
For many weddings this could be the main reception room or dance floor.
2. Prioritise what appears in photographs
Lighting can dramatically change how a venue looks in photographs.
Consider where your:
- Top table
- Cake
- Dance floor
- Ceremony backdrop
- Photo area
will be positioned.
3. Use uplighting strategically
You may not need an uplighter on every available wall.
Highlighting important architectural features can sometimes produce a stronger result than simply adding more lights.
4. Combine lighting rather than duplicating it
Fairy lights create sparkle.
Festoon creates warmth.
Uplighting creates colour and depth.
A combination can often be more effective than using large quantities of just one type.
5. Ask about packages
If you want several products from the same supplier, ask whether they can price them as a combined package.
This can also simplify delivery and installation.
6. Book early
Popular wedding dates can become busy, particularly during peak wedding season.
Wedding lighting packages: is a package cheaper?
Not necessarily.
A package is not automatically cheaper simply because several products are grouped together.
However, combining services with one supplier can potentially make the overall installation more efficient because the same team is handling delivery, setup and collection.
It also gives you one company responsible for coordinating the different lighting elements.
For example, WVL’s rustic wedding lighting packages currently combine options such as fairy lights and festoon lighting, with additional products including fairy-light curtains, festoon backdrops, rustic illuminated letters and wooden dance floors.
Questions to ask a wedding lighting company
Before booking wedding lighting hire in Yorkshire, ask these questions.
1. Is installation included?
Don’t assume it is.
2. Is collection included?
Some suppliers may charge separately.
3. Is delivery included?
Check whether there is a delivery radius.
4. Are there mileage charges?
Ask how these are calculated.
5. How many technicians will attend?
This can be particularly important for larger installations.
6. How long will installation take?
Ask when the team needs access to the venue.
7. Do you need a venue visit?
For more complicated installations, a site visit can help identify access and installation requirements.
8. Is the equipment tested and insured?
Ask what safety testing and insurance arrangements are in place.
WVL states on its current rustic package page that its equipment is PAT tested and fully insured.
9. Does the venue have restrictions?
Some venues have rules about:
- Fixings
- Electrical equipment
- Working at height
- External suppliers
- Outdoor installations
- Delivery times
Always check these before booking.
10. What happens if the venue layout changes?
Ask whether the lighting can be adapted if your table plan or room arrangement changes.
Why two wedding lighting quotes can be so different
Imagine two couples asking for fairy lights at a wedding venue.
Couple A wants a small decorative installation in one room.
Couple B wants a full fairy-light canopy across a large barn with high ceilings.
They have both asked for “fairy lights”.
But the jobs are completely different.
The second installation could require:
- More lighting
- More cabling
- More access equipment
- More installation time
- More technicians
- More preparation
- More removal time
That is why comparing wedding lighting prices purely by the name of the product can be misleading.
Compare the complete installation, not just the equipment.
WVL wedding lighting prices
Wedding Venue Lighting publishes prices for selected products and packages, but not every wedding lighting installation can be given a standard online price.
For example, current published WVL pricing includes:
- Rustic fairy lights — £300
- Rustic festoon lighting — £300
- Up to 12 static-colour uplighters — £200
- Up to 12 colour-controllable uplighters — £300
- Up to 24 static-colour uplighters — £300
- Up to 24 colour-controllable uplighters — £400
- Rustic I DO letters — £120
- Rustic initials — £120
- Rustic LOVE — £150
- Rustic MR & MRS — £200
Selected WVL venue packages also show products such as a 14ft × 14ft starlight dance floor at £475, with optional extras available at additional prices.
For a larger or more complicated wedding lighting installation, WVL can quote based on the actual venue, areas being lit, access requirements and installation specification.
Wedding Venue Lighting is based in West Yorkshire and provides wedding and event lighting across Yorkshire and surrounding areas.
Its published uplighting page currently states that delivery, installation and collection are free within a 50-mile radius of its BD19 postcode, with additional mileage charged at £1 per mile
Yes, where suitable equipment and installation arrangements are used.
Outdoor installations need to take account of weather, power, cabling, positioning and the physical environment.
It can.
Larger weddings often require larger spaces, more equipment or additional areas to be lit. However, guest numbers alone do not determine the price. The physical venue and lighting specification are more important.
It depends on the supplier.
Always ask whether delivery, installation, testing and collection are included in the quoted price.
It depends on the venue.
Fairy lights are particularly effective when you want sparkle and texture.
Uplighting is useful when you want to add colour and depth to walls and architectural features.
Many wedding designs use both.
For many couples, lighting is one of the most effective ways of changing the atmosphere of an existing venue.
Rather than adding physical decoration everywhere, strategically placed lighting can highlight architecture, create warmth and draw attention towards important areas.
Published UK and Yorkshire prices vary depending on the number of uplighters and whether delivery, installation and collection are included.
WVL currently lists packages from £200 for up to 12 static-colour uplighters, rising to £400 for up to 24 colour-controllable uplighters.
Festoon lighting is commonly priced according to the amount of lighting required, the layout and whether professional installation is included.
WVL currently publishes £300 for its rustic festoon lighting option.
The price depends on how much fairy lighting is required and how it is installed.
A small decorative installation is very different from a full ceiling canopy.
WVL currently publishes a £300 rustic fairy-light option.
There is no single price because wedding lighting can range from a relatively simple installation to a full venue transformation. Current published UK examples show everything from individual lighting units and per-metre hire through to professionally installed packages costing several hundred pounds or more.
Get a wedding lighting quote for your Yorkshire venue
The easiest way to find out how much your wedding lighting will cost is to price it around your actual venue rather than choosing a generic package from a price list.
At Wedding Venue Lighting, we can help you work out which lighting will have the biggest impact for your venue and budget.
Whether you are considering:
- Fairy lights
- Fairy-light ceilings
- Festoon lighting
- Uplighting
- Light-up letters
- Light-up numbers
- Starlight dance floors
- Rustic lighting
- Outdoor lighting
- A combination of several elements
we can look at the space and provide a quotation based on what you actually need.
Tell us your venue, wedding date and what you have in mind, and we’ll take it from there. Contact Us
