This article was originally written for and posted on TopWeddingSites.com, August 1, 2011.
For a fraction of the cost of extra flowers or more decorations you can make a spectacular statement, add elegance and excitement, and create an atmosphere that is truly memorable just by using lights. Lighting can be used to highlight your flowers and other decorations, as well as add color and drama to an entire room. Here details on five popular lighting treatments you might consider for your upcoming wedding.
Ambient Lighting
This is the main light used in a room. It can be natural with the sun lighting the room, or artificial. For a tented event, white twinkle lights, paper lanterns, chandeliers or a specialty hanging fixture can be hung throughout the tent to provide soft, decorative lighting.
Up-Lights
LED lights, which are the safest for use near tent walls, are placed on the ground and directed upward onto the tent wall or an element in the room, such as a column, pipe and drape wall, or decoration. Up-lights come in an assortment of colors so you can easily coordinate with your wedding color scheme. You can even use colored gels with a timer to change the colors inside the tent during each stage of the wedding ceremony, dinner and party.
Gobos
Gobos are stencils that go over a light to project a certain image on the dance floor, walls or on the tent ceiling. Most couples like to project their names or their personalized monograms, but you can have any design you wish projected.
Photo credits Tidewater Tents
Pin Spots
These are narrow beams of light used to highlight or showcase a particular feature, such as the centerpieces or the cake, or if you have a sweetheart table, pin spots can be directed towards it.
Washes
This kind of lighting is used to cover a large area. You could do a wash of color over the dance floor, on the ceilings, or the entire tent. With washes you can choose from colors, patterns, and images to literally paint the room with a lighting effect.
Photo credits ET Events
Lots of Options, Work With a Pro
If you’re having a tented wedding or reception, a full-service tent provider can assist you in creating the look you want, and ensure that the equipment stays out of the way of guests so no one trips on wires or gets burned by hot lights. If you’re not sure what lighting approach you want to take, or what your event space can accommodate, you might consider hiring an event lighting professional to assist with the lighting plan and setup.
