How to Make the Most of Your Evening Reception Lighting — Tips from a North East Wedding Photographer by Discovery Photography
When daylight fades and the evening party begins, the atmosphere of your wedding changes.
The music lifts, the laughter gets louder, the shoes come off, and everyone relaxes into the moment.
And from a photography perspective?
This is where some of the best, most emotional, most fun images of your day happen.
But the secret to beautiful evening photographs isn’t luck —
It’s lighting.
As a North East wedding photographer, I’ve photographed receptions in barns, castles, coastal hotels and moorland venues across North Yorkshire. Every venue handles evening lighting differently — but a few simple choices can make a huge difference to how your reception looks and feels in your photos.
Here’s how to make your evening reception lighting work beautifully for your photographs — and your atmosphere — with real, practical tips you can use.
1. Think About Your Lighting Before the Day
Most couples spend time thinking about ceremony visuals, outfits and flowers…
But evening lighting is often left until the last minute — and it’s one of the biggest contributors to the overall mood in your photos.
If your reception happens at a venue like:
You’ll often have warm lighting, stone textures, fairy lights or atmospheric up lighting built in — which creates a cosy, intimate feel.
If your venue is more modern or open-plan, consider adding:
✅ Fairy lights
✅ Hanging Edison bulbs
✅ Candles
✅ Warm uplighters
✅ Festoon lights outside
These soften the space and create pockets of beautiful, photographable light.
2. Dance Floor Lighting = Personality
The dance floor isn’t just “the dancing part” —
It’s one of the most emotional storytelling parts of the evening.
Guests let go
People move more freely
Laughter overlaps everything
This is where I capture the big joy of the day — and lighting makes it.
For Fun & Movement
Bright, colourful lighting works brilliantly — especially in barns and castles where stone reflects colour beautifully.
For Warm & Romantic
Soft amber or fairy light glow creates depth and warmth.
For Party Atmosphere
Turn off harsh ceiling lights!
Warm fairy lights + directional DJ lights = perfect.
3. Step Outside for 5 Minutes
Golden hour doesn’t have to be a big photoshoot.
It can just be you two, stepping outside together to breathe, laugh and take it all in.
Venues like Danby Castle are perfect for this — the moors behind the building light up beautifully at sunset.
This gives you photographs that feel cinematic and authentic, without interrupting your day.
I normally recommend:
5 minutes during your meal break
Or just after speeches, if the sky is glowing
Or later in the evening if there's dramatic light or mist
You don’t pose.
You just… exist together.
And the photographs?
Timeless.
4. Trust Your Photographer to Read the Light
At Discovery Photography, my approach is documentary, natural and unobtrusive.
I don’t ask you to repeat moments.
I don’t force anything.
I read the room.
I watch for mood.
I photograph your connection as it happens.
This is especially important in evening photography — where reacting to light, shadow and movement is what makes the images feel alive.
If you’d like to see some real evening moments, have a browse:
→ My Portfolio
5. Remember: Evening Photos Are About Feeling, Not Perfection
Wedding reception photos aren’t meant to be neat and tidy.
They’re:
Sweaty
Joyful
Hilarious
Emotional
Unfiltered
Honest
They show the real you — the part of the day where the nerves have gone and all that’s left is love, connection and celebration.
That’s the part that stays with you.
Ready to Have Your Wedding Captured Naturally and Honestly?
If you’re planning your wedding in the North East or North Yorkshire and want photography that captures the real story of your day — not just the posed moments — I’d love to hear from you.
👉 View Real Weddings: My Portfolio
👉 Find out about pricing: Wedding Packages & Pricing
👉 Check availability: Drop me a message - Call, Text or WhatsApp - 0773912143
Your wedding is more than a timeline.
It’s a feeling — and you deserve to remember it.
Discovery Photography
Natural. Honest. Story-led wedding photography across the North East & North Yorkshire.
