Maybe you could start "small". There are solar lights you can wrap around the umbrellas. And, also you could put lanterns hanging from patio eve area or rope lighting for ambience. But, to answer your question if you want to do two poles, I'd have ONE corner of the house with the lights. Then, one pole at the round part of the patio by the table, and the other at the round part of the patio by the other table.

If you really want the look in your inspiration pic
Call a fence company to install one long big pole close to your desired location.
In front of that pole plant a tree.

A galvanized pipe in concrete works best for short distances 5ft at most. Because of the weight of the string lights and the distance you want to cover you will have major sagging problems and your pole will fall.

If the galvanized pipe in concrete really what you want to do than copper wire fairy lights is your best option. Not the exact look you want but it will work in terms of logistics because of its super light weight

Otherwise look into the previous comments suggestions.

Maybe you could install several large bright lights on the pillar. Then, you can also install lots of small soundproof lights surrounding the pool. And under the unbrella, you can also install a light. Thus, it seems to be easier.

Darzy- when you say one corner of the house, do you mean pavilion or somewhere off of the house? I like the idea of having the lights come off of one corner of the pavilion, but I want at least three strands to cover the space and would then have to do three poles. I do like the idea of putting them at the two eating areas however.

I don't see the strength of the galvanized pipe being a problem as long as it's sunk enough and in concrete. The pipe we have is 2in in diameter and very strong. We are also planning to string wire from the galvanized pipe post to the anchor point and the light strands will hang on the wire so they don't sag.

This inspiration is done with galvanized pipe. I think they said they used 1" pipe.

Very interested in this thread and hearing from the pro's. We have a very small urban/city back yard and share a city fence, not sure if I can hang lights from it.

I definitely want the sturdy café string lights, it's conducive to our village type neighborhood that is filled with hipsters.

Thank you for posting this.

Keeping with my desire to have one attachment point, we're thinking this option may be the best. The galvanized pipe, painted black, should fade away and can be minimized at the base with landscaping (which we still need to add in). This puts all 3 poles, spaced evenly, in the river rock area around the patio.

I'd sure try to get one pole over by your fence and run several strands to the pavilion -- the problem I foresee is people (especially running kids) whacking into those posts, so putting them near an existing barrier seems better. Second best is planting a tree near where that dark box is and having a temporary pole in the same area until the tree can do the job.

acm- good point. The fence is too far away, and down a hill, but I planned to place plantings at the bases of the poles. Some potted plantings as well. The round table itself will create a barrier as should the outlet near the foremost pole. These are not in high traffic pathways so it shouldn't be an issue with some landscaping.

They look beautiful!

Here are a few daylight shots. We pounded 4ft of pipe into the ground and attached 10ft pipe. We drilled holes into the top of the pipe and used turnbuckles to have the ability to tighten wire. We used wire (used a swaging tool and attached ferrules to make wire loops) and attached the lights with zip ties. We cut light strands to length and connected in a junction box. We still have to cut the one strand and terminate the end. We do have to plug the one strand in at outdoor outlet when we want to use them.

As I said, they look wonderful! It makes me think about the show Parenthood. In the opening, they're all sitting outside at the table with lights strung overhead. I always loved seeing it-it was one of the few shows that I didn't fast forward through the into on!

Beautiful backyard! thank you for posting & for following up with your detailed solutions & instructions! Deisgners usually decorate in "3's" so I would add another string or two of lights. We are embarking on a large backyard project & I have been wondering how to encorporate lighting. Currently I am working on lighting the pavilion (still being built) & if we should have a fan with light, or a chandelier on one side & a fan over the table or vice versa. Or maybe just a fan but then have recessed lighting that we could dim. or maybe hang the string lights in the pavilion. I love the ambieance.

Thanks for sharing this lighting journey. I have been facing the same issue for years. I haven't strung the lights yet, but your photos and story have inspired me to try it this summer. If I do, I'll post pictures too.