One of the best ways to add ambiance to your wedding is through lighting, and now couples have a lot more choices than simply hanging a chandelier or adding candles. As weddings begin to incorporate more residential qualities into reception decor, I’m seeing table lamps used increasingly — but not those bulky side table lamps. No, instead those cute little table lamps are popping up in weddings everywhere and I couldn’t be any happier! This wedding lighting technique is an elegant way to illuminate your reception without using open-flame candles, but is it a wedding trend or a timeless classic?
Cordless table lamps are a trend that have got so popular in recent times — and we’re here for it! The cordless aspect has made it so much easier for wedding planners to implement this lighting technique at just about any reception!
That being said, I believe that the table lamp is a trend that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Whether you’re a bride who wants to stay up on current trends or one who prefers timeless traditions, this wedding lighting option is just so elegant.
Table lamps can be a great way to light up your reception — and are a great way to add so much personality to your wedding decor, too! If you want to learn more about the history of table lamps or how to use these darling lamps that are now all over Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, read on to learn more!
How Table Lamps Came to Be
If you’re wondering where table lamps originated from, we have answers! It might surprise you to learn that it wasn’t Serena and Lily who came up with the fabulous cordless table lamp with endless design possibilities for lampshades.
The Italians were the ones who first introduced table lamps. As a luxury wedding planner, I can say that this fact doesn’t surprise me. Italy (especially the Amalfi coast and Lake Como) is the hottest spot for destination weddings, so it only makes sense that Italian tradition paves the way for American wedding trends!
A direct influence from Italy, the original “Poldina Table Lamp” comes from the Italian lighting brand Zafferano by designer Federico de Majo. These table lamps are often found in Italian restaurants.
How Do You Include Cordless Table Lamps in Your Wedding Decor?
If you’ve been following us at HauteFêtes, you know that we love residential touches in our weddings! Any time you can bring elements of home decor and personality into wedding design, we are fully on board with it! Here are some of our tips, as well as pros and cons, on how and where to incorporate them into your wedding decor.
Wedding Reception
We see table lamps the most at receptions. They’re a beautiful way to add a romantic glow to your wedding reception, but there is one major downside: they have time constraints.
Some table lamps only have a battery life of four hours, and for very obvious reasons, that’s not going to work for your special day! Look specifically for lamps with a long life. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to find table lamps that are remote-controlled, making it easy for your planning team to turn them on and off as needed to preserve their battery life.
On the other hand, cordless table lamps are a great way to add personality to your special day! You can coordinate them with your wedding theme. Going for a beachy look? Switch out the shades for rattan or woven ones for instant Bagatelle vibes. Garden party more your thing? Source floral shades or colored linen shades for instant pattern and color coordination.
Bars and Cocktail Rounds
You know those cute little bistro bars with intimate cocktail tables? Well, now you, too, can get that look! Rather than forking out extra budget for larger and heavier lamps for your bars, purchase a few table lamps to light up the corners of your bar for a chic look!
The biggest pro here is the cost savings. Another advantage is that it allows you to get more creative with the aesthetic. Remove the plastic shades and instead, add a shade with a pop of color, a fluted top, or hot glue on some fringe to the edge. These and other creative techniques allow you to double the trend and wow factor for your wedding decor!
Guest Book or Escort Card Tables
These areas are notoriously underlit. Cute cordless table lamps are a great way to solve this problem. Add a floral arrangement and you’ve got yourself a stunning vignette!
Our Top Tips
- Quality matters! Although you can find great deals on Amazon and other online sites, buyer beware! Inexpensive doesn’t always equate to quality. Since these are cordless table lamps, make sure you have a good charge on them. Don’t go with battery-operated ones since faulty connections are notorious.
- Mix and match. Explore different colored bases with varying shades for a unique look.
- Channel your inner Martha! It’s so easy to customize the shades to your own wedding color and theme. Experiment with a stripe or floral fabric by rolling the shade on your fabric to create a pattern. Then simply cut out and either use spray glue or hot glue to affix the fabric to your shade.
- Take them home! One of the best parts about cordless table lamps is that you can take them home with you and repurpose them for summer dinner parties or intimate soirees with your honey!
While this may have started as a trend, we believe this wedding lighting technique has staying power! We think that table lamps will be around for the long haul, especially given their many uses in wedding decor!
If you’re not sure how to implement table lamps into your wedding reception, shoot us a line at HauteFêtes. We can help shine a light on your big day — and help you create the perfect glow and ambiance for your celebration!