Why Good Lighting Design is So Important

20 Feb Why Good Lighting Design is So Important

Lighting Design for weddings and events is an artistic design form that has become as important to event designers and planners as wedding cakes and photographers are to weddings. Weddings have changed significantly over the years in terms of technology; however, today’s tech savvy brides see and use technology every day and naturally want to enhance their wedding day experience with things like lighting. The thing about technology is that it is always advancing and improving. According to answers.com, technology doubles in advancement every eighteen months. It is important for me as a lighting designer to keep track of all the new lighting fixtures that become available so I can offer each bride new and unique design options.

Lighting design for weddings has become mainstream. In fact, many vendors have decided to take advantage of its popularity and are offering lighting services to their clients. So how does one know what lighting fixtures and which lighting vendor is right for their wedding?

At Design Productions, we staff our crews with experienced designers, electricians, riggers and technicians. As with all our events, safety and proper illumination is our upmost importance. Lighting is a mixture of art and science, an understanding in electricity, electrical codes and rigging, balanced with the art of colors, patterns and placement. To take it a step further, wedding and event lighting is a mixture of theatrical, concert, broadcast and architectural lighting combined. This is achieved with the use of different types of lighting fixtures.

The most popular lighting enhancement and the one with which most people are familiar is up-lighting. There are two types of up-lights, the ‘PAR can’ light and the ‘LED light’. A ‘PAR can’ uses a static one color wash of light where as an LED light can be one static color or programmed to change colors throughout the event. LED lights produce more of a wash or glow while PAR can lights have more of a defined beam of light. With LED lights, I recommend choosing one or two colors at a time and we can fade between those colors throughout the event. More colors are possible, depending on the style and type of event, check with your designer for their advice.

Another important lighting fixture in event design are spotlights. Spotlights draw the eye to important elements in the room and highlight features such as cakes, florals and food. Spotlighting is so important to the overall look of an event that we keep five different types of spotlights in our warehouse.

A GOBO, which is believed to stand for “GOes Before Optics” is a device that is placed inside a light fixture to project a pattern onto an object. Most often GOBOs are used to project a monogram onto a floor or wall, or an abstract pattern onto a floor, wall or ceiling. There are hundreds, if not thousands of patterns from which to choose. Custom patterns can be created for that creative bride who wants something that ties into her wedding design.

Design Productions also offers a wide array of string lighting, chandeliers, intelligent lights, and many other type light fixtures. We also have one of the largest inventories of drapery in the state.

Frequently, brides comment on the beautiful lighting featured on television shows about weddings. Many brides assume lighting design is too expensive for their budget. Truth is, lighting can be an affordable design element. Entry-level lighting packages at Design Productions can have a transforming impact on a room for as little as $550. On average, a bride may spend $3,000 for lighting design.

Vendors that do not specialize in lighting such as D.J.s or florists might offer simple lighting. As with any vendor, ask questions and get multiple quotes. You will want to make sure you’re comfortable with your vendor’s knowledge and experience of their craft. Remember, a lighting designer’s ideas will differ from other lighting designers just as a florist’s ideas will differ from other florists.

Be sure to check out our website at www.designproductionsllc.com and you can also find us on Facebook. If you have any questions about lighting or the types of equipment used, feel free to email me at andy@designproductionsllc.com or you can call me directly at 205.281.6077.

by Andy Tolar
Design Productions LLC