Light
Pretty light that fails the hours is not atmosphere
String lights are a portrait. Plates and faces after dusk are the event. Light needs layers.
What this is
One ambient layer so the room holds together, one task layer so people can do the job (eat, speak, walk), overhead as backup. A single source is a glare or a cave.
Outdoor hours
Garden ceremonies at 5pm become barns at 8pm. If the plan only works in golden hour, the plan is a photograph. Walk the room at the real hour.
A reversible test
Turn the overhead off. Add one bounced lamp and one table or bar task light. Can a guest read a face and a place card? If not, do not add more décor.