Wedding Lighting Basics

Specialty lighting and draping during your reception can truly transform a space, but you MUST include it in the wedding budget.  I had the opportunity to attend a lecture at the Association of Bridal Consultants - Illinois monthly meeting last week and Jay Sims, owner of Elegant Event Lighting, truly gave the attendees some useful information we can pass along to clients.

Stunning draping, hanging crystals and up lighting by Elegant Event Lighting

When it comes to lighting, if you are dealing with a limited budget, add up lights to the focal point within the venue which tends to be the head table or sweetheart table.  Then consider adding some lush draping behind the area to really enhance the space.  Then when your guests enter into to the room, their eye is not only drawn to the tablescapes, but to the focal point you have now created.

Then as your budget "climbs" consider adding some up lights around the perimeter of the space or use pin spots (beans of light that shine directly on an object) on the table centerpieces or wedding cake.  Then if you really want that WOW FACTOR, bring in some lounge furniture, drape the entryway, create a white dance floor and/or add some patterned lighting or draping to the ceiling.  And last, when it comes to wanting that candlelite glow throughout the room, select amber-colored lighting.

Showcasing up lighting and pin spots by Elegant Event Lighting

Also check our our other blog posts RE: lighting, draping and adding that WOW FACTOR to your wedding reception at:
Light Up My Night
From Top To Bottom


Until next time...WEDologize!

You Light Up My Night!

You have probably heard this before..."Lighting, one of the most forgotten design elements of the reception, can transform your space from ordinary to extraordinary". Well I just want to reiterate that point by saying...it's sooooooo TRUE!!!

Uplighting can enhance the atmosphere of any given space. It involves placing lighting fixtures on the ground and focusing them upward and is one of the easiest ways to dress up an event space. It can add color to a neutral surface and can be used to make the room appear taller by accenting any existing vertical lines, and creating new ones. Another function of uplighting is to highlight architectural features of the room such as columns and alcoves.

Personalize your room by having a customized gobo shine. Gobos can range from monograms to personalized design elements that you have personally created. The image can shine on the dance floor or on a backdrop for a more dramatic effect.

Pinspoting is focusing a spotlight directly on your individual table centerpieces or even better, shine a light on the wedding cake or dessert buffet.

Should you not be able to afford a specialty lighting company for your special day, below are a few ways to enhance your space:

• Tons and tons of candles in vases, hurricanes, votive or pillar holders
• Submergeable LED lights that can be placed in water-filled vases
• Clear icicle lights around potted plants, trees or columns, but please use in moderation...you don't want your transformation to be tacky

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - google.com)