Up-lighting-Alright, here is the subject that
makes most Brides-to-Be cringe, and which they invariably pay WAY TOO MUCH to
Vulture DJ companies and Venues to provide. Up-lighting is simply those
fixtures set around the reception room that shoot colorful lights up the walls.
They are usually spaced about 10 feet apart, and under columns to add drama and
color to the columns. Some are set behind your Sweetheart Table to add more
drama.
Problems:
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Yes, you want your Reception Hall to be
beautiful. Up-lighting adds a bit of Colorful Drama (think theatrical effects).
HOWEVER, most Venues don’t turn down their Main Overhead lighting enough. The main
lighting invariably drowns out your color up-lights, especially in the areas
away from the dance floor, where your guests are eating.
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DJ Companies charge $30 per light (Usually
$300-$500 for the package) to provide these stationary lights that shoot a column
of color up the walls. They buy these lights for $30 - 50 each. They are simple
LED lights that have a color programmer. They simply plug into the wall outlet
and sit for 5 hours. If you’re going to pay, buy Your Own Par 38 LED lights
online (you’ll need maybe 8 – 10), plug them in at the wedding, then you own
them.
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I played a VERY popular Connecticut Venue this
weekend that charged the couple $700 for up-lighting. Since the lights were
already “Built-in”, all they had to do was “Flip a Switch”. The lights covered
ONLY half the room (the wall with the Large windows), and were white (the venue
should have had wall sconces that provided this). So the idea of Color went
“Out the Window”! Finally, those big Chandeliers that hung over the seating
area and dance floor drowned any hint of color.
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Final Advice – Up-lighting provides some
beautiful drama, if care is taken. If your DJ is providing the up-lighting,
have him ask the venue if they’ll turn the house lights down throughout the
night. If he charges you more than $20
per light, find someone else or talk him down on his price (he’ll Always go for
it). If the Venue provides up-lighting, make sure you VISIT the venue during a
wedding to see it. If it’s drowned out by the house lights, forget it. Spend the
extra money on your honeymoon.
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Remember that, although the vendor will try to
impress you that your wedding is not complete without it, most of the guests
won’t notice the extra light, or they’ll just think it’s a part of the
background provided by the Venue. So, maybe just have a little up-lighting
behind the head table, for pictures. However, all this being said, if done
correctly, with the proper Venue cooperation, the up-lighting can really add to
the environment. As with anything, be informed and judicious before pulling the
trigger. It’s YOUR Wedding!
grt
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