The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Lighting

Image by Jackie Rangel Photo. See more of this wedding inspiration here.

At Junebug Weddings, our job is to light up your wedding planning process making it easy and stress-free. That features all the things from behind-the-scenes logistics right down to your overall wedding design. And on the subject of decor, we imagine lighting is one of the underrated design elements.

Your wedding lighting is each functional and classy. It sets the general mood and helps showcase all the main points you’ve spent months putting together together with your dream vendor team. That’s why it ought to be at the highest of your wedding decor checklist. When you end up confused about where to begin or simply need some inspiration, this lighting guide will assist you every step of the best way.

Wedding Lighting Keywords You Should Know

Before you begin in search of lighting ideas or reaching out to vendors for quotes, you’ll need to know these key lighting terms so that you’ll be on the identical page because the professionals.

Color Wash – A general fill of color used throughout a whole room that doesn’t highlight any particular area. It’s called this since it “washes” the entire room in your selection of color
Gobo Lighting – A custom template that light shines through to create a pattern, monogram, or motif on the ground, ceiling, or wall
Texture Lighting – Much like Gobo light but with a preset pattern like leaves or a starry night sky
LED Light – This isn’t a kind of light but as an alternative a kind of bulb that’s cost-effective, long-lasting, and provides a more vibrant color than a conventional bulb
Pendants – Sometimes called drop or suspender lights, these are single fixtures that hang from the ceiling
Pinspot – Tiny lights used to light up a small area, just like the centerpieces on a table
Highlight – Lamps that project a narrow beam of sunshine on one particular area or object
String Lights – Also known as twinkle lights, fairy lights, bistro lighting, or cafe lights. These strands of lights are probably the most versatile and cost-effective solution to light up any space, making them highly regarded
Uplighting – That is just what it feels like, lights that time up. These lights are placed on the ground to shine up partitions and decor in various colours

photo by The Le Sueurs. See more from this wedding here.

Average Wedding Lighting Costs

Wedding lighting costs will vary drastically from event to event. All of it comes right down to your chosen venue, desired style, and overall budget. Because these aspects are so different for each wedding, it’s hard to find out how much you must budget.

Some couples determine to do lighting on their very own, and others select to usher in an expert. When you’re going with a lighting designer, listed here are the common prices you may expect to pay for wedding lighting, excluding labor and delivery, in line with industry experts:

Uplighting for a whole ballroom: $700-$2500
Gobo lighting: $200-$500
Texture lighting: $50-$75 per light fixture
Highlight: $30-$100
Pinspot lighting: $25-$45 per light/table
String lights: $3-$5 per linear foot
Chandeliers: $150-$300
Pendants: $15-$25 per
Projector, Computer, and Screen to administer lighting: $200-$600

Confer with your wedding planner or venue coordinator for professional lighting designer recommendations. When getting a quote or interviewing lighting designers, make sure to ask if labor and delivery is included in the worth quote, so that you’re not left with any unexpected expenses.

DIY Wedding Lighting Costs

When you’re going the DIY route, start by digging through your at-home stash. Perhaps you’ve got Christmas lights or candles hidden away that may help bring your vision to life. It’s also smart to ask family and friends to pitch in any extra lighting they might have before purchasing any latest items.

When you do determine to take lighting into your personal hands, consider buying lights and candles in bulk and repurposing them at events leading as much as the marriage akin to your engagement party, bridal shower, and rehearsal dinner. You may even use them in your own home after the marriage day—we love decor that doubles as a functional wedding keepsake.

image by Upon Two Weddings. See more of this real wedding here.

Questions To Ask Your Lighting Designer And Venue

It’s vital to do a walk-through of your wedding venue together with your lighting designer in order that they can understand the needs of your specific space. Attempt to schedule your walkthrough around the identical time as your event so you may get a way of what the lighting goes to be like in your wedding day.

During your walk-through, don’t forget to ask your lighting designer and venue coordinator the next questions.

Questions For Your Lighting Designer

How much time do you must arrange and take down?
How much power will you wish for the complete lighting setup?
Will the designer be on-location through the wedding for operation and/or maintenance concerns?

Questions For Your Venue

When you’re hiring a lighting designer, they’ll likely ask these questions through the walkthrough. But when you’re opting to DIY your lighting, don’t forget to ask your venue these questions that’ll impact your ability to create the proper ambiance in your wedding day.

Where are the outlets situated?
How much power can the built-in outlets accommodate?
What kind of lighting is already provided?
Are there any varieties of light sources which might be prohibited, akin to open-flame candles?

Suggestions For Outdoor And Indoor Wedding Lighting

In case your wedding ceremony is going down indoors, you’ll need different lighting than you’d with an epic sunset background. The time of day, amount of natural lighting, and your ideal wedding vibe will all impact your lighting decisions. Here’s what you must know for every option.

Indoor Lighting

For an indoor wedding, you’ll have to know what lighting is already within the venue so you could simply add to it or work around it. Uplighting is great for accentuating architectural features or changing wall colours to match your palette, and color washing may help create different moods in several rooms throughout the venue. That is where a lighting design pro will probably be your best friend! They’ll help work out what existing fixtures will work and what so as to add to attain the look you would like.

Outdoor Lighting

For an outside wedding, power goes to be your biggest struggle. For instance, when you’re getting married at sunset, you’ll also need to be sure all pathways to the venue, to the parking zone, and to the bathrooms are lit for guests after the sun has set. All of those lights would require loads of power.

For a small backyard wedding, you should utilize easy string lights in and between trees and votive candles on every table. But, when you’re having a giant outdoor celebration in a courtyard or tent, you’ll need to call within the professionals. They might usher in generators for more power, which can prevent the effort of attempting to hang lights in high places.

Creative Wedding Lighting Ideas

Now that you just’re equipt with all of the behind-the-scenes logistics, it’s time for the fun planning to start. Whether you’re in search of soft, romantic lighting or extravagant glamorous lighting, listed here are some creative wedding lighting ideas to spark inspiration.

1. Ceremony Aisle And Backdrop Lighting Ideas

2. Reception Table Lighting Ideas

3. Use Colourful Uplighting In Your Reception Space

Image by Elisabetta Riccio. See more of this real wedding here.

4. Light Up The Sky With Lanterns, Fairy Lights, and Chandeliers

5. Custom Neon Sign Decor

6. Light Up Your Wedding Bar And Signage

Image by Jackie Rangel Photo.

7. Use Textured Lighting On The Dancefloor

Image by Aguiam Wedding Photography.

Wedding Lighting Decoration Checklist

Unsure where so as to add lighting? Here’s an inventory of all of the places to maintain light in mind on your big day:

Reception Tables
Overhead lighting and ceiling hang lights
Dance floor
Ceremony Backdrop
Ceremony Aisle
Sweetheart Table Backdrop
Food Station Backdrop
Dessert Table
Guestbook Table
Bar
Photo Booth
Lounge Areas
Cocktail Tables
Outdoor Walkways
Trees
Reception exit updates like sparklers and glow sticks

Now that you just’ve got your wedding lighting lingo, inspiration, and checklist down, it’s time to think in regards to the other small details that can upgrade your wedding day. We’re talking wedding signage. Try these wedding signs for each a part of your wedding day.