Lighting makes or breaks the mood of an event, and few things do it as easily as string lights. Strung overhead in a crossing canopy or woven through a pergola, warm string lights turn a plain space into something that feels like dining under the stars. Here’s how to choose them, how many you need, and how to lay them out.
String Light Styles
A few styles cover most events, and we rent cafe and twinkle strands for exactly this:
- Cafe / bistro lights: larger round bulbs on a strand, the classic “overhead cafe” look — timeless over an outdoor dining area or dance floor.
- Edison bulbs: vintage-inspired filament bulbs (globe, teardrop, or tubular) that read warm and upscale.
- Twinkle lights: small, delicate points of light for wrapping trees, pergolas, and backdrops.
LED strands run cool and efficient — ideal for long or summer events — while incandescent bulbs give off that unmatched golden warmth that makes everyone look their best in photos. See the full range on our event lighting page.
How Much You Need
Measure first, order once. A reliable starting point:
- Overhead canopy: total square footage ÷ 15 gives a rough strand count
- Spacing between strands: 12–18 inches for even light
- Hanging height: at least 12 feet for clearance overhead
- Perimeter runs: total linear feet + about 15%
- Add roughly 10% extra for swag and connections
Sketch the space with measurements and note where the power outlets are — that’s the detail people most often miss.
Get the Color Temperature Right
This is where the magic is. For weddings, warm white (2700–3000K) is the go-to — it flatters skin tones and photographs beautifully. Corporate events often suit a slightly cooler, cleaner white. If you want actual color — brand tones for a launch, or a shift from dinner to after-party — that’s a job for uplights rather than the string lights themselves.
Popular Setups
- Overhead canopy (“starry night”): a grid of strands suspended above guests — the most-requested look for weddings and galas. Watch the tension: too tight reads industrial, too loose loses the floating effect.
- Garden and tree wrap: zigzag patterns overhead and strands wrapped up tree trunks (wrap top-down for a cleaner look) or along fence lines.
- Dance floor: a starburst radiating from a center point adds energy and movement over the floor.
- Focal points: curtain-style vertical drops behind a head table or cake display for an instant backdrop.
Under a pergola or covered structure, work with the framework — spoke patterns from a center point, perimeter runs along the edges, and cascades from peak to sides.
Outdoors and Weather
For outdoor events, plan for the elements: use weather-rated strands and connections (an IP rating of at least IP44 for covered areas, IP65 for fully exposed), map your power sources and circuit capacity so the lights aren’t sharing a line with catering, and always keep a little backup on hand. Pairing string lights with patio heaters keeps guests comfortable once the evening cools off.
Delivery and Installation
Overhead lighting involves ladders, secure mounting, proper cable tension, and correct electrical load and grounding — so string lights are delivered and installed by our team rather than dropped off. We handle the setup, testing, and takedown so the wiring is clean and hidden and nothing fails mid-event. Delivery and installation are quoted with the lighting.
Light Up Your Event
The right string lights turn an ordinary space into somewhere people don’t want to leave. Opus rents and installs event lighting — string lights, uplights, chandeliers, and custom setups — across greater Los Angeles. Tell us about your venue and vision: call (213) 373-1730 or visit our contact page and we’ll design the look.