Illuminating Receptions
Food, flowers, photography, the DJ ... the budget can certainly add up for a couple-to-be’s big wedding day. And, it’s only getting bigger. The latest addition to the financial outlay is the need for lighting to take the reception from ho-hum to dazzling.
Relying on house lighting can only get you so far in creating the right mood. Light switches and recessed lights can’t properly accent the dance floor, the floral arrangements and even the sumptuous buffet a couple may have planned. Hiring an illumination professional can ensure guests will “ooh” and “aah” once they arrive at the ceremony and can help couples stamp their signature on the happy affair.
“Lighting helps create contrasts at a wedding in terms of colors, textures and shapes, making a beautiful visual statement,” says Lani Ballonoff, owner of LBPS Events in Santa Barbara, Calif., which specializes in wedding production services. “We’re finding that it’s becoming more popular. Couples are thinking about it ahead of time instead of at the last minute.”
Ballonoff, who has a background in theatrical design, suggests accenting some things, but not everything. Washing the room in a certain color, such as amber or peach, can be flattering for skin tones and create a warm glow to make guests feel comfortable. But, the color may not do justice for those orchid centerpieces. And darker shades, such as a purple wash, can make a green salad look gray and un-appetizing.
Pin spots, which are focused beams of light that shine directly onto an object, are a better way to highlight flowers, food and even bars and make the items pop.
For the dance floor, couples have options that extend beyond the disco ball, whose presence at weddings is more of a mockery these days. Pattern projection, with the help of gobos, or circular stencils capped over a light, can help create a focal point and separates the dance floor from the reception. Couples can choose to have their monograms or messages projected on the dance floor. Images can also relate to the theme of the wedding, such as a vine pattern for a wedding taking place in wine country.
The cost for lighting can vary depending on the wedding and its size. Ballonoff says his fees for weddings have averaged $3,500. He points out that sometimes brides can choose cheaper places to rent for their ceremonies, such as a nondescript town hall that can accommodate a lot of people, and let the lighting specialists transform it into a memorable backdrop with pin spots and even the draping of fabric.
“We can recreate anything into something special,” Ballonoff says.
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