The secret to lighting an event lies in the know-how. Someone who is either not trained in event lighting or they do not have an eye for it will consider the lighting of an event as an after thought, something to add here and there once the rest of the decoration has been done. In truth, lighting should be considered in any event as a forethought. The way in which you choose to illuminate an event should be thoughts about right from the start, and instead of adding lights to suit the décor that has already been decided upon you should be thinking about what décor and lighting works best together so that the final piece has a unified appearance.
The first thing you have to understand about event lighting is its amazing potential to transform any space. It can be manipulated in colour, illumination, size, type and function, making it the most diverse and malleable piece of decoration at your event.
The different types of event lighting available are abundant, in order to understand how an event can be coordinated with lighting aspects it is important to know what these different types of lighting features are, what their purpose is and what they can do. For an event like a wedding you would need a few different types of lights: for the ceremony you would be looking at a spot light, which is used to strongly illuminate and highlight a small circumference of space. For the wedding reception, dance floor and other function activities you would use flood lighting to illuminate a larger space and set the mood for the event (i.e. a wedding that has a mermaidian theme will use blue lighting and underwater effects to continue the mood of the theme). In this situation you also need to think about disco lighting and creating the mood on the dance floor- movable heads, gobos and strobe lights are generally used here.
So you need a knowledge of what you are dealing with in order to use lights to their full potential in an even situation. If you do not have this kind of knowledge on reserve, like many of us don’t, it’s okay- this is a where a professional can step in. Event planners and eventing companies generally have a vast knowledge of not only the type of event lights that are available but also how they can be used to enhance and enrich your event. Along with the knowledge of what works for event lighting professionals also have a knowledge of what doesn’t work- because of the power that lighting has to set the tone and change the mood at an event it is important not to get it wrong and misuse different lighting types. Less does not necessarily mean more in the lighting world, and visa versa. A balance is necessary to amplify the event to it’s full light potential.
It is also important to note the way in which lighting can be embedded in other features of the event. Lighting has began to take such a primary role in events that technologies have been focused and successive in creating different types of lights that are able to mingle in with the décor to add some touches that aren’t often used- LED light sticks added to flower arrangements create a fairylike and magical addition to center pieces, fibre optic luminiers can be wound and bent around pathways to create a glow to your steps, and are operational both inside and outside- like many lighting features these days.
Lighting technology has excelled far beyond the days of disco balls and overhanging bulbs, using different and specified lighting at your event will add a personal touch, a specified mood and a special charm to the day.
Viser recently launched an event and stage lighting range in South Africa. For more information please contact Viser Audiovisual at our offices in Pretoria.
