Weddingbee PRO

I believe that Karen Bussen, author of “Simple Stunning Weddings” said it best when she stated, “I consider lighting to be one of the most crucial elements in creating atmosphere.” I could not agree more.

When you work on a wedding for months, when your floral designs need to be stunning, when hours are spent pouring over minute details, the one thing that often disappoints brides and floral designers are images of wedding decor bathed in poor lighting or over saturated flash photography.

Now, before you blame those poor photographers, one must understand that they are hardly to blame. When a large ballroom, grand hall, or intimate restaurant does not have adequate lighting, the photographers have to use their flash to capture the details. Even for digital photographers, with low lighting, these details are very difficult to photograph (just ask your photographer!). And frankly, it is a real shame. When I see my couple spending huge amounts of their overall budget on the details, I ask myself why is lighting treated like an afterthought? Of course if your wedding is outdoors in the daytime, you may not have these concerns. However, most of the clients that I work with do have these concerns so I’ve put together some suggestions.

My advice:

1) Revisit your venue during the time of day when you will hosting your reception.
Many couples see their space during daylight but if the event itself is in the evening then it is best to go during the appropriate time especially if a room has windows. Bright light during the daytime may look beautiful and stunning but for an evening event, the lighting is not bright and sunny.

2) Pay attention to the lighting option
Inquiring about the light levels at your venue is equally important. Does a venue have dimmers? Perhaps a venue has an in house lighting staff that can light architectural elements, tables, bar arrangements and so on and so forth.

3) Candlelight is not the equivalent of focused lighting
My friend, John Woods of Enhanced Lighting reminds me often that “lighting is not a need but when you see it, you want it!” Votives, candle, candelabras though all beautiful and romantic are hardly substitutes for appropriate lighting. They add tiny sparkles. The glow from candles is very pretty. There’s no doubt that it adds a certain warmth but the overall room is forgotten and hardly transformed. These candles cannot illuminate the space above or the space around. Keep this in mind when you think that votives can light a room. They cannot.

4) Visit a lighting designer
Standard lighting in many multi-use halls, ballrooms and venues tend to be have fluorescent lights. This lighting is harsh and frankly, uninspiring. Going to a lighting designer is strongly recommended because these specialists can use lighting to highlight details and displays. Lighting can also serve to draw attention to a certain area and detract from unattractive carpets, walls, interiors. Flowers and decor elements accessorize, lighting enhances and together they can transform. Experienced lighting designers, unlike a rental and prop company, help to design lighting that is most suited for each event.

Here’s a few examples of how lighting can transform. Followed up with a photo of a table without lighting.

Pink Dance Floor photography by Kevin Chin, Lighting by Enhanced Light

Modern Teal Table photography by Gene Higa, Lighting by Everything Audio

Fall Table photography by Michelle Walker No Lighting

Fall Centerpiece Closeup photography by Michelle Walker No Lighting

Pink Summer Table photography by Kevin Chin No Lighting