Quick Answer: Most couples spell their new last name, MR & MRS, LOVE, or their initials with light up letters at their wedding. Some couples also add their wedding date in light up numbers. The best choice depends on your room size, your photos, and how many letters fit your space.
Couples usually spell their new last name, MR & MRS, LOVE, or their initials with light up letters for their wedding. These words look great in photos, and guests understand them right away. In fact, a short word often makes the biggest impact. So before you pick a phrase, think about your room, your floor space, and the photos you want most.
At My Big Letters, we rent giant marquee letters for weddings across Nashville, TN. Our crew delivers, sets up, and picks up every letter. Below, you will find the most popular words, how much space each one needs, and the add-ons that make your letters stand out.
What Are the Most Popular Wedding Marquee Letter Ideas?
The most popular wedding marquee letter ideas are short, personal, and easy to read from across the room. Here are the favorites couples choose again and again.
Your New Last Name
Your new last name is the most personal choice you can make. It shows off your new family name in every reception photo. For example, a couple named Smith might spell SMITH in 7ft letters.
Better yet, you can add our 1ft THE topper above the name. That way, your sign reads THE SMITHS or THE SMITH FAMILY. The small topper adds a finishing touch without taking up extra floor space.
MR & MRS
MR & MRS is a classic for a reason. It tells everyone who the day is about, and it works with any last name. We carry a 1ft MR & MRS topper, so you can pair it with your last name in big letters below. As a result, you get two messages in one display.
LOVE
LOVE is short, sweet, and fits almost any room. Since it has only four letters, it works well in smaller spaces too. Also, LOVE stays useful all night. It makes a great backdrop for the first dance, the cake cutting, and the photo line.
Your Initials
Initials work well when a last name is too long for your space. Two letters take up far less room than a full name. To connect them, many couples place our 8ft Red Rose Heart between the two initials. The heart turns a simple pair of letters into a true centerpiece.
Your Wedding Date
Your wedding date makes your photos easy to remember for years. You can spell the month and day, or just the year. For instance, a couple might light up the year beside their initials. Then every photo shows exactly when you said I do.
How Many Light Up Letters Fit at Your Wedding Venue?
The number of letters that fit depends on your letter size and your floor space. We offer two main sizes, and each one works best in a different kind of room.
7ft Marquee Letters for Big Rooms
Our 7ft letters stand about 7 feet tall, 4 feet wide, and 2 feet deep. Plan about 5 feet of floor space for each letter. So LOVE needs roughly 20 feet, and SMITH needs about 25 feet.
Keep a few more facts in mind with 7ft letters:
- Your ceiling should be 10 feet or higher.
- We do not stack 7ft letters.
- Each letter comes with soft white LED bulbs.
- You can switch to colored bulbs in red, yellow, blue, orange, purple, pink, or green.
4ft Marquee Letters for Longer Names
Our 4ft letters fit longer names and smaller rooms. Each one stands 4 feet tall and about 3.3 feet wide. Even better, you can stack them in two rows that reach about 8 feet tall.
Because of that, 4ft letters work well for two-word phrases. You could put your first names on the top row and your last name on the bottom row. Plus, our 4ft letters use color-changing bulbs, so you can match your wedding colors.
Not sure which size fits your venue? Take a look at our wedding marquee letter rentals to compare your options and see real setups.
How Do You Make Wedding Light Up Letters Stand Out?
You make wedding light up letters stand out by pairing them with the right add-ons. A good backdrop or extra lighting turns your letters into a full photo moment. Here are the add-ons couples choose most:
- 8×8 Flower Walls: Place your letters in front of a lush wall of flowers for a soft, romantic look.
- Floral Arches: Frame your letters, your ceremony, or your sweetheart table.
- 10ft Black Backdrop: Make every bulb pop in photos with a clean, dark background.
- Front Lighting: Light the faces of the couple standing in front of the letters.
- LED Uplights: Wash the walls around your letters in your wedding colors.
- Color Bulbs: Swap the soft white bulbs for a color that matches your theme.
- Balloons: Add a garland that clamps onto the back of the letters with no tape or glue.
- Giant Inflatable Balls: Choose 2ft, 2.6ft, 4ft, or 6ft balls in white, gold, silver, red, or iridescent.
In short, one or two add-ons can make a simple word feel like a full design. Meanwhile, our crew handles the setup, so you do not need to build anything yourself.
Where Should Wedding Marquee Letters Go at the Reception?
Wedding marquee letters work best where guests gather and cameras point. Most couples choose one of these spots:
- Behind the sweetheart table: Your names glow behind you during dinner and toasts.
- Next to the dance floor: The letters light up your first dance and party photos.
- At the entrance: Guests see your letters first and snap photos on the way in.
- Outside the venue: Barns, gardens, and lakefront spots look stunning after sunset.
For outdoor weddings, power matters. Our letters plug into standard outlets, and we bring the extension cords. However, if your spot has no outlets nearby, you can add our gas generator. It runs outdoors for about 4 to 6 hours.
One quick note for the big day: guests should not climb, sit, or lean on the letters. Instead, invite them to stand in front for photos. That keeps everyone safe and the bulbs bright.
When Should You Book Wedding Light Up Letters in Nashville, TN?
You should book your wedding letters 4 to 6 weeks ahead. Booking early gives you the best shot at your date. After you reach out, we send a quote in about 2 hours.
Here is how booking works:
- Tell us your date, venue, and the words you want in lights.
- Get your custom quote.
- Sign the rental agreement and pay a 50% deposit to hold your date.
- Pay the balance 2 weeks before your wedding.
On top of that, many venues ask vendors for proof of insurance. We carry insurance and can send a certificate to your venue on request. Also, we own every letter and do all the work in-house, so the same team you book is the team that shows up.
Planning your full wedding weekend? The Visit Music City wedding guide lists Nashville venues, caterers, and hotel room blocks for your guests.
Ready to Put Your Names in Lights?
The right word turns your wedding into a moment guests remember. Whether you choose your last name, MR & MRS, LOVE, or your initials, our crew will deliver it, set it up, and pick it up when the night ends. Request your free quote today and tell us what you want to spell. We will help you pick the right size and add-ons for your venue.