Have you considered how you are using lighting during your reception, or even during a night ceremony? You can be forgiven for overlooking a lighting plan when planning your reception! It's simply one of those elements that doesn't draw attention for all the right reasons, but will for all the wrong reasons :-) My AAWEP study identifies three crucial rules for implementing a lighting plan at your reception! When working with lighting it is crucial to have a good understanding of how the placement, as well as the colour of the lighting, affects the people and décor at the event. By understanding these simple rules regarding placement and colour, the lighting at your event will not only be practical and effective, but create and enhance the mood!
Rule Number One Know how lighting affects the appearance of guests
Lighting will affect the appearance of guests and directly influence their sense of sight. Guests will most enjoy the event if they feel comfortable, and the use of correct lighting will ultimately decide this. For a flattering and beautiful look, bath guests in warm whites and soft pinks. These colours are flattering to the appearance and will create a soft, romantic feel. To enhance the feeling of romance in the room, use shades of blue and green, but avoid casting these colours down on areas where guests will be frequenting. As romantic as these colours are when up lit or colour washed upon walls or décor, they are extremely unflattering on the skin and makes people look zombie like.
Rule Number Two Know how light affects decor and mood
Lighting has as much as an effect on décor as it does on guests. It is important to understand what colours to use when lighting your décor in order to enhance their quality, rather than demise it. It would be incredible disappointing to style an event to perfection to only have it spoiled by incorrect use of lighting. First, consider the amount of light that you have at your event. A reception that is dimly lit may look romantic and cosy, but guests will actually find it too dark to eat by and find it quite difficult to see and talk to eat other. On the other hand, too much light will have the opposite effect; so instead, use backlighting and uplighting to create a romantic feel and pin spot areas that require extra attention in white light. White light should be the only coloured used when lighting food or flowers as it can make expensive florals appear artificial, or gourmet food like unappealing. Although white light can be used as an amazing accent colour when surrounded by blends of coloured lights such as pink and blue.
Rule Number Three Always check your lighting plan
During the planning stage it is crucial to consider how the guests will be moving around during your event and know where the lighting is going to shine, where the shadows will fall and how it will facilitate or hinder your guest’s experience. Take time to check over your lighting plan, however you have prepared it, but then step in to the shoes of the guests and get a first-hand experience of how it will affect them. Take the time to walk through entrances, sit at tables, lounge in sofas and stand on the dance floor to ensure that light doesn’t immediately shine in guest’s eyes, or block the light so that they are creating unnecessary shadows.
I hope these simple rules help! They certainly made me think twice!
I will follow this article with a fews ways to use light to enchance your reception! Keep following! xoxox Love Bonnie ps: That photo is of me and the 15,000 fairy lights that we had at our wedding! So beautiful!