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Most wedding venues offer string lights as an optional rental. You see them in inspiration photos, add them to your wishlist, then discover they cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars extra depending on coverage and installation complexity. At North Shore House, string lights on our Cocktail Patio come included in every celebration.
Professionally installed string lights create romantic patio ambiance by adding a warm, even glow as daylight fades, making the space feel inviting, safe, and visually cohesive. Because the lighting is permanent and already included, the patio stays usable into the evening and gives photographers a reliable setting for soft, atmospheric wedding images.
Permanent Installation Means Professional Quality
Our string lights are professionally installed as permanent infrastructure on the Cocktail Patio. They’re not temporary strands hung the day of your wedding. They’re positioned for optimal visual effect, secured safely, and maintained year round to ensure consistent quality.
Temporary rental lights often look haphazard. Installation varies by crew, bulbs burn out and strands sag unevenly. Permanent installation eliminates those variables. The lights look exactly as they appear in our venue photos because they’re the same lights, in the same positions, at every celebration.
Included in Package Means No Budget Surprises
When you’re planning your wedding budget, every add on matters. That’s real money that could go toward florals, photography time, or upgraded menu selections.
Our string lights cost you nothing beyond your venue package. They’re factored into our base offerings because we believe romantic evening ambiance shouldn’t require separate rental fees. You know from your first venue visit that those lights will illuminate your cocktail hour and early reception without additional cost.
Evening Transformation Happens Naturally
As daylight fades during your cocktail hour, the string lights gradually become more prominent. The transition from afternoon to evening happens organically, with warm light replacing natural sunlight. Guests notice the ambiance shifting without any dramatic lighting cues or sudden changes.
This gradual transformation creates the romantic atmosphere couples imagine when they picture their wedding day. The Cocktail Patio goes from a pleasant outdoor space to an enchanted gathering area as twilight arrives, all without requiring coordination with lighting technicians or rental companies.
Photographers Plan Around Guaranteed Lighting
Wedding photographers who’ve worked at North Shore House know the string lights will be there. They build them into timeline recommendations, plan shots specifically around that lighting during blue hour, and use the warm glow to create the dreamy images couples request.
At venues where string lights are optional rentals, photographers can’t assume that lighting will be present. They plan for standard ambient light and adjust if couples happen to rent additional lighting. When lights are guaranteed as included amenities, photographers arrive prepared to maximize their creative potential.
Cocktail Hour Coverage Where It Matters Most
The Cocktail Patio is where your guests gather after the ceremony while you’re taking couples portraits. It’s where first impressions of your reception atmosphere form. Having string lights already illuminating that space creates immediate warmth that sets the tone for the entire evening.
Couples who skip lighting rentals to save budget often regret it during cocktail hour when the space feels flat under basic ambient light. Those who rent lights pay significantly for what should be a standard romantic venue feature. Our included lights solve both problems simultaneously.
Extends Usable Outdoor Space Into the Evening
Without adequate lighting, outdoor spaces become unusable once daylight fades. Guests retreat indoors even when the weather is pleasant because poorly lit areas feel unwelcoming after dark.
The Cocktail Patio remains comfortably usable throughout your celebration because the string lights provide enough illumination for guests to see each other, navigate safely, and feel welcomed in the space. Outdoor areas don’t shut down when the sun sets.
Reflects Our All Inclusive Philosophy
The included string lights represent our broader approach to wedding packages. We build essential amenities into our base offerings rather than charging separately for every element that creates beautiful celebrations.
Our permanent dance floor space, Lenox china and glassware, ceremony coordination, event coordinators, premium open bar, seasonal chef driven menus, and custom wedding cake all follow this same philosophy. We include what matters rather than offering bare minimum packages that require dozens of expensive upgrades.
Conclusion
The Inn provides on site boutique accommodations. Our all inclusive packages include ceremony coordination, event coordinators, and an open vendor policy for most services while providing all catering and bar services in house.
If you’ve been adding string lights to your rental list and watching costs accumulate, consider venues where romantic lighting is simply included. The budget difference and planning simplification matter more than most couples initially realize.
Ready to see how included string lights transform evening ambiance at North Shore House? Contact us at (973) 383-5460 or visit northshorehouse.com to schedule your private estate tour.
FAQs
Can we add additional lighting beyond the included string lights?
Absolutely. Our open vendor policy allows you to work with lighting designers to add uplighting, projected effects, or additional ambient lighting throughout the property.
Do the string lights stay on throughout the entire reception?
Yes, the string lights remain illuminated from when they’re turned on during cocktail hour through the end of your celebration. They provide consistent ambiance throughout the evening portions of your wedding.
What happens if string light bulbs burn out before our wedding?
Because the lights are permanent installations maintained by our venue, we handle all maintenance and bulb replacement. You’ll never encounter string lights that aren’t functioning properly on your wedding day.
Can we turn the string lights off if we prefer different lighting?
While the string lights are designed to enhance ambiance, discuss any specific lighting preferences with our event coordinators during planning. We want your celebration to reflect your vision, and coordinators can work with you on lighting timing and combinations.