Lighting is one of the most important elements for creating the overall atmosphere of an event and can help make the whole experience more memorable for your guests. But how do you know what lighting you need for your event? In today’s blog we will be looking at some tips and tricks to help you determine your special event lighting needs so your event can pack the maximum punch.
Consider your venue
The venue you have chosen for your event is an extremely important factor in determining your special event lighting needs. The size of the venue will affect the amount of lighting and related equipment you can utilize. The power capabilities of the venue will determine how much lighting you can have. The positions of outlets in the venue will determine where you can place lights. If the venue is outside you will need to make sure all the necessary cables and connections can reach the lights. The venue will also have its own quirks and design elements that will affect the lighting you need, for example a venue that utilizes a lot of natural light might require additional lighting if the event takes place in the evening or at night.
Consider Event Goals
When you are determining your lighting needs one of the most important things you need to consider is what the goals of your event are. Different events will have different lighting requirements, for example with lighting for corporate events you will want clear visibility so that it is easy to see presentations and speakers. For concerts you will want dynamic, eye-catching lighting that both illuminates the performers and engages the audience. For weddings and other private celebrations, you usually want more intimate lighting that creates a warm atmosphere. You may also want things like spotlights to draw attention to specific places like speaking podiums or a dance floor.
Balance Atmosphere and Safety
You should be sure to include a good balance between creative lighting and practical lighting, it’s all well and good to have a space be dramatically lit but the impact of that lighting is lessened when the attendees of the event can’t move around the venue safely. You will also need to take the ambient lighting of your venue into consideration and determine whether it will be necessary to have additional lighting for safety. Getting this balance of safety and atmosphere is also a good reason to hire a professional special event lighting company, they will have the expertise to properly position your lighting and keep the illumination of the event at a safe level.
We hope we have been able to give you some useful advice on how to determine your special event lighting needs. If you have any questions about special event lighting and are interested in what we can do to make your event really shine please feel free to contact us.
If you are interested in outdoor lighting, give Northern Lights a call on the Lower Mainland at (604) 357-4781. This is our area of expertise and we are experts on outdoor lighting.
