Session One Question and Answers about lighting an event

I recently came across some questions on a bridal website regarding lighting.
I thought it would be fun to address the questions on my blog so that my clients and potential clients could benefit from the answers:

Brides Question:
“Ok so we are going to have an outdoor wedding (trying to have a "green" wedding). It will be in June in Mississippi. During the summer it doesn't get dark until like 9 - 9:30 p.m. If the ceremony were to start at say 2 p.m. and the reception at 3 p.m., surely the reception would end by the time sunset got here. What do you guys think? Do you think we need lighting? I was thinking about getting paper lanterns (couldn't really think of an eco-friendly lighting choice).”


PWC Answer:
There is a green alternative to lighting! It’s called LED Lighting, if you read some of my other blog posting you’ll hear me rant and rave about their efficiency, how they pack up small, they’re easy to set up and operate and they can change color. The don’t take a lot of power , this is really important if you’re having an outdoor wedding and don’t have a lot of “juice” so to speak.
You will certainly need a little bit of lighting. Be it lots of candles or simple Bee Lights (Christmas Light) to create some sort of ambient light. I would not recommend using tiki torches, they can easily cause a fire and the fuel for them will make it smell really bad.

Perhaps some LED tea lights in white paper bags. Either way, you’re going to need some sort of lighting for the vendors servicing your wedding so they can work.
Paper lanterns are fun but think about it, how are you going to install them if you don’t hire someone to do it? There is no place to hang them from safely unless of course you are a professional and can rig them safely and understand how you’re going to get electrical power to them with out it looking like a total mess.
You can check the internet, Goggle sunset and sunrise times and plug in your date and location and you’ll have an exact time that the sun is going to set.


Brides Question :
I've rented a hall that doesn't allow candles or anything hanging from ceiling. I would like to change the brightness of the room. I'd like it dimmed down a bit. Or change the tone. I was thinking releasing a lot of balloons on the ceiling to block out some light? Any ideas?

PWC Answer:
Can I just say……. Unless it’s a kids party…… I hate balloons!
An easy fix to this would be to use lekos (a type of lighting fixture) with a break up pattern gobo shooting the ceiling. I’ve done this before with as little as 6 lekos and it’s just lovely (see image below)
Another easy fix it to buy some lighting gel and gel the existing fixtures. You’ll need to test it out, or better yet asking your Lighting vendor about it, to make sure they won’t instantly melt.



Well that is it for now. I think I am going to try and post a Q and A blog every week.