Gold-plated ceramic vase, handmade in Peru by Wayland Gregory, $500 at the VMFA Shop Plum tree electric flower lights, $30 at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Gift Shop Silver-swirl glass candle by Fringe, scented with currant and cassis, $13 at Embellish Mercury glass candleholder, $8 at Bohland & Graham Barn Owl porcelain table lamp by Roost, $140 at Mongrel
A wedding in a backyard — yours or a loved one's — can be intimate, glamorous, romantic or modern. The mood hinges on decorations, and if your ceremony is in the late afternoon or evening, light takes on great importance.
Votive candles can add dashes of color or create an exotic dimension, while large silk lamps and an antique candelabra put forth a feeling of grandeur. Many of the light sources pictured here (all purchased from local shops) could be considered investment pieces, although quite a few cost $100 or less. Because they aren't wedding-specific, these lights can be used any time you host an outdoor party, a blessing to the thrifty couple. Thanks to Page and Sanford Bond, who allowed us the use of their Fan backyard.
—Kate Andrews
Vintage chandelier by Wendy Umanoff Restoring Style , $65 at Strawberry Fields Flowers and Gifts Green glass votive holders , $8 each at Gather Red Soiree glass cup , $20 at Dolce Designs Sky-blue pressed-glass tea-light holder , $3 at Urban Outfitters Agra hurricane lantern with solid-brass trim , $198 at Posh Antique candelabra , one of a pair, $195 each at Garden Place Bamboo, wire and silk-blend lamps made by Craft Link, an artisan group in Vietnam , $88 each at Ten Thousand Villages
