Are you searching through magazines and websites to find great decor ideas? Striving to create a unique event? Here are some awesome examples of how to use umbrellas to dress-up your venue – and add lighting effects. Umbrellas as chandeliers. What fun! Your guests would talk about these forever.

Enhance Your Venue’s Decor

This umbrella chandelier is designed to enhance the beauty of the room. This chandelier is actually created with small lights, but a lace parasol would work too. Just don’t get the light bulb too close to the lace!

Notice how the umbrella is reflected in the mirror to give the impression of a row of chandeliers. Imagine how gorgeous and romantic this room would be with long tables, lots of candlelight, and gold and burgundy linens.

Created by Hans van Benthem; Photo by Masumi Shishid

Build Your Design Concept

Famous event planner, Mindy Weiss, used umbrellas as part of the decor for a baby shower for Denise Richards. How sweet are these, decorated with flowers? You could also hang the umbrellas right-side-up and have the flowers hanging from the edges in strings.

Baby Shower Design by Mindy Weiss for Denise Richards

Create a Focal Point and Conversation Piece

You can also use umbrellas to create an amazing focal point and something for your guests to admire during cocktails and dinner. Imagine an umbrella sculpture at your outdoor event. This is perfect for a reception  at a botanic garden, museum, or downtown on a roof deck. Add square tables, funky centerpieces, and Rollasoles for your female guests and you have a fantastic, chic affair! Note: Not sure who to credit for these photos, but you can find them at: http://stevenhaulenbeek.com/

Cumulous Light Canopy by Steven Haulenbeek

Cumulous Light Canopy by Steven Haulenbeek

Outdoor Lighting

You can also use umbrellas as decor for a beautiful outdoor, Tuscany-style, vineyard wedding or a fun, downtown affair. This is one of my favorites. Best part? You can create this look for only $144! That’s a lot of wow for a little investment.

Umbrella Installation by Ingo Maurer; Image: marta.b

For even more umbrella decor ideas, see Event Lucky and World of Amici Events, two blogs by event planners.