Lighting Basics for Your Reception
Monday, November 21st, 2011When planning your special day, lighting for your reception is just as important as the flowers and the cake. Making sure you have the right amount of light will turn your wedding site from simple to spectacular. Lighting creates the mood for the whole event, including making your wedding flowers, cake, and guests look better.
A Few Tips To Guide You In Your Lighting Selection Include:
Find a Pro
There are a couple of ways you can find your wedding lighting specialist. First, ask your event planner or wedding florist if they do their own lighting. If not, they may have a lighting pro they regularly work with. You can also ask the coordinator at your reception venue to recommend a lighting company that has worked with the site before. Also, ask to see pictures of the space having been changed by various lighting arrangements.
Assess Your Site
If you’re having an evening reception, make sure to visit your site at least once when it’s dark outside—this will allow you to look around the room and see where the lighting is being focused. Lights that illuminate the walls, windows, and ceiling draw attention away from the center of the room. You want to make sure the lighting keeps everyone’s eyes on the tables, dance floor, and each other. In addition, ask if the site has dimmers for their overhead lights, and if there’s any florescent lighting at all, keep it turned off!
If your wedding is taking place at home, discuss how much electricity your lighting designer is going to need. You may want to consider having your lighting expert bring a generator before blowing a fuse.
Learn About the Different Types of Lighting
Pin spot is a focused beam of light that shines directly onto an object, like a centerpiece or wedding cake, as a highlight effect.
Color wash is a blanket of colored light covering an entire area.
Gobos are circular stencils that are put over a light to project a design or pattern. Some popular gobo designs are monograms, dates, or any other wedding motifs. Keep in mind that the complexity of the design will affect the gobo’s cost. A simple stencil can be stamped out of steel, while a more intricate design must be laser etched out of stainless steel or a glass that can withstand high heat.
Led is short for light-emitting diodes. This type of lighting is currently popular for weddings because they use much less electricity and don’t get as hot as the regular, incandescent light bulbs. LEDs are great for color changes and vibrant colors.
Don’t be Afraid to Use Color
Think outside your wedding palette when you use colored lights. Stay away from colors that are part of your decor. Opt for colors that complement all skin tones, like magenta or a soft rose. Take advantage of the effect color can have on the atmosphere by changing the shades through the course of the night. For example, if your cocktail hour starts around sunset, you can splash your room with golden tones. During dinner, consider soft lighting that will mimic flickering candlelight. Remember you can change the mood of a room with the push of a button.
Lighting Set Up Outside
If your site has a path or steps that people will be using throughout the night, keep it lit with luminaries or paper lanterns so that no one trips. More dramatic lighting might include using dramatic, sculptural lights like large orbs, or rows of vertical poles of light that look like pieces of modern art. You can also fill your centerpieces with clear—glass marbles as well as small battery-powered lights to give an interesting glow to each arrangement.
Choose the Right Lights
The layout of your reception site can determine how you’re going to use lighting techniques. If dinner and dancing are happening in the same room, use a color wash to set the dance floor apart. Work closely with your lighting designer to figure out which type of lighting fits your budget. You can create a lasting impression with just the basic form of lighting and the right preparation.
The Knot Best of Weddings for Philadelphia
Monday, April 5th, 2010Catering by Mario’s has been keeping busy this winter with weddings, corporate events, & holiday parties. We have also launched a newly designed website which is a one-stop shop for all of our services: off-premise catering, event planning & management, as well as our wedding & banquet venue, Richmond Hall. Check us out at www.cateringbymarios.com.
As the weather gets warmer, you may be starting to plan celebrations such as graduation parties and summer picnics. Check out the menus below for some party ideas. Mention this email and receive a 10% discount if you book a buffet or picnic package before 4/15/2010.
We also have great news to annouce: Richmond Hall has been selected as a 2010 winner in The Knot Best of Weddings for Philadelphia reception sites. We wanted to take a moment to thank all of our wonderful brides who took the time to comment to The Knot on their experience at Richmond Hall. It’s great to know we have lived up to your expectations on one of the most important days of your life. Thanks again!!!
Sincerely,
Mario & John Incollingo
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