Do's and Don'ts of Wedding Lighting
Don't – leave it up to an amateur
"People look at lighting like it's just another box on the checklist and often leave it up to a DJ, who will just bring a few lights," But lighting has an even bigger impact than centerpieces, and an experienced professional should be called in.
Do – Make a personal connection with your lighting expert
Picking a lighting designer is just like picking a florist or a planner. You want to make sure they get your personality and vision for the day. "The designer will create the atmosphere of the party, It's important they fully understand where you're coming from."
Don't – Feel like you have to know a bunch of technical lighting terms
Read over 'Lighting 101' for your basic vocab, but all you need to know is your style. "Tell me if your wedding is romantic, sexy, gothic, girly and so on," Experts can design a space based on just a few descriptive words from you. But be clear: "You don't get a test run with lighting, you walk into the room, and if you don't like it there's only time for minor adjustments."
Do – Ask to see photos of their work
If they have done other weddings at your venue, ask to see photos of them. Otherwise, look at pictures of other weddings they have done that are similar to your vision. Ask about their experience; don't be surprised if they have done work in theater – some of the techniques used on stage will be used in your wedding.
Do – Visit your site in the evening
If you're planning an evening reception, make sure to visit your venue at least once when it's dark outside. Look around the room and see where the fixed lighting is focused. Permanent lights that illuminate the walls and ceiling can draw attention away from the center of the room – and you want to keep everyone's eyes on the tables, dance floor, and each other.
Do – Make sure the lights can be dimmed
Leaving on the venue's lights will make the space too bright, but people may think they're broken if you simply turn them off. What's the rule for dimming? "Make the room 10 percent darker than you think is should be. Let your eyes adjust for five minutes, and if you can see your shoes, that's the perfect level." Also, be aware of any service doors, which when kept open, can flood the space with light.
Do Be selective about colors
Certain shades of yellow and green can make guest look unattractive. Ambers and pinks are the most commonly used colors because there're romantic, neutral and soft. "If a bride chooses green as her wedding color, it can still be used for environmental lighting, but it takes some expert tricks to pull off."
Don't use too many candles
Sure, small votive and big pillars are pretty, but they put out uncontrolled sources of light. A few on the tables is okay, but at too many and the room could get too bright.
Do Go for (at least) the basics
"People think lighting is very expensive but the basics are actually inexpensive, for under $1000, couples can get up-lighting and a handful of dramatic elements that totally make over a space." If you're not going all out, at least get the key basics: warm up-lighting around the room
Don't be afraid to try something new
"Video tapestries top the list of favorite new big-impact techniques." By using projectors to make a large wall into a screen then drenched the wall in a few textural designs, these not so traditional elements will be what guests remember.
Do check the juice
Ask your venue how much amperage they can put out. Most DJ's and bands need two or three 20amp circuits, and separate circuits are required for the lighting. Know this ahead of time so your lighting designer can plan.
-excerpts from the Knot