Mystery.................no pictures, no fire pit, no path to the house

If there is a long walkway, suggest solar lights and add lights on the house that are on timers or just turn on when needed.

Just guessing here, since I’ve no idea of where you have electricity or how far it is to the house…
Path lights that illuminate downward would be the natural choice for the path. If you have nearby trees or posts, you could use string lights if you also have electricity. Or use landscape down lights that are on the same system as above mentioned path lights.

i used rope lights installed under railing.. so there was no direct eye to light contact ... i only did the stairs up to the elevated deck.. and around that deck..and it was enough light down on the cement pad.. where the fire pit was...

any exposed light will reduce star gazing.. imo ...

ken

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=rope+light+under+deck+railing&iax=images&ia=images

We need to see the area so take pics in the daytime post here in a comment DO NOT start another post . I would sy the dimming might not happen but off is better for star gazing anyway.

Follow the five principles for outdoor lighting. If the goal is to light a path from the firepit to the house, use path lights to avoid light pollution and illuminating anything other than the ground.

For something easy and flexible - think about rechargeable lanterns, i use these and you can drop them along a walkway, place them on the drinks table etc.. love that I can move them where I need them - there are tons of different types/brands (your guests can carry them when walking back to the house)

@la_la Girl: "For something easy and flexible - think about rechargeable lanterns"

Those shine upwards and outwards, the definition of light pollution.

my bad - I just assumed they would be switched off once everyone was safely seated and stargazing