Best Way to Light a Reception

Anything electrical require power so it's either running lines (may be a hazard) or perhaps small generators or portable batteries that you can plug and hang lights. Or at least do spot lights that can be placed by the ground or in sparse bushes to light up. etc

I really think you're going to need some substantial lighting here! People need to be able to see their food and drinks, and to be able to see clearly enough to walk around!

Have your friends hosted large events before? Do they have advice or know how much lighting you'd need? I love the look of these canopies of strung lights, but you'll need to determine somehow beforehand if you have enough lighting! I'd get in touch with an event rentals or lighting company that has experience!

You can also rent lighting that can be used outdoors with a generator, and yes, you can find quiet generators.

If you live in a sunny climate, you can also find solar powered lighting. Lights that can be attached to a wall,lining the garden pathways, defining a dance floor etc are all available in solar.

You'll likely need to rent a lot of items for a backyard wedding. I would ask the rental company for some advice.

Talk to a rental company. They should know how much you will need. Some advice I got from my rental company is make sure you are not only lighting your reception area but make sure there is a well lit path to the restrooms.

I would hire professionals for that job. You may need substantially more lighting than you'd expect. Do you have a rain plan?

We're having a backyard wedding on the same date as you! Like PP have said, sunset is actually around 6:30 (according to sunriseandsunset.com and google anyway ). We are renting generators (from the same company we are renting tents, chairs, tables, linens, heaters, etc from) and using serious amounts of Christmas lights and some up-lighting.

As a former photographer, I think you're going to need plenty of lighting sources if you have a photographer photographing the reception activities ... and I'm pretty sure like PP said that it'll be dark much sooner than 7:30 pm in early October.

We aren't in the eastern time zone and according to what I have looked up the sun will set at around 7:13pm (6:13 central). Not so much worried about the time just wanting to make sure our guests have plenty of light. This is not a professional venue so there isn't a lighting vendor who has worked in the space before. We are also paying for the wedding ourselves and on a tight budget which does not allow for a professional lighting company.