Lighting is a key component in setting the tone for a wedding reception. It can add dimension and life to a space, highlight floral decor, and get your guests on the dance floor. Great lighting will also enhance your wedding photos. Discuss some of these lighting options with your DJ and elevate your event.

Why do I need lighting for my wedding reception?

Light and color impact our emotions. By using a wide variety of venue and dance floor lighting treatments, you can change the mood throughout your wedding reception. Start with a sophisticated scheme of warm uplight for dinner. And highlight the floral designs on your tables with pin spots from above.

You can create visual interest on walls, floors, and ceilings with gobos and textured lighting. Celebrate your love by projecting a monogram with your names and wedding date. Use a soft spotlight to follow you for a memory-making first dance. And then get the party going with energetic dance floor lighting.

Ask your local DJs about lighting packages to enhance your event! Raleigh DJ lighting packages, San Diego DJ lighting packages, and Richmond DJ lighting packages.

Add colorful elegance with uplighting

One of the easiest – and least expensive – ways to raise your venue’s wow factor is uplighting. Wireless LED uplights can be placed around a room to wash it in color. And they’re perfect for highlighting a room’s architectural features such as columns. You can stick with one color, like a flattering amber, or have a transition of colors throughout the evening. Uplighting can also be strategically placed at outdoor weddings to highlight trees, illuminate paths and complement twinkle lights and Edison bulbs. And white tents come alive with colorful uplighting.

Showcase beautiful decor with pin spots

These little white lights are almost like miniature spotlights. They shine down from above and are directly focused on decor elements like table arrangements, guest card tables, and cake displays. They really make floral arrangements pop in low-level light, allowing your guests to really appreciate that aspect of your decor. And pin spot lighting photographs beautifully, giving depths and highlights to arrangements.

Get with gobos

Gobos are patterns cut into metal or glass discs which are then projected from a light source. They can be used to dress up plain walls, add drama to a ceiling or liven up a dance floor. Gobos are a great way to add to a wedding theme. A snowflake gobo is perfect for a winter wedding. Or bring the nighttime sky into the ballroom with textured lighting.

See your name in lights with a monogram

A monogram projection is a customized gobo that’s used to celebrate your wedding. Couples can opt for displaying their names and wedding date or keep it simple with the initial of their last name surrounded by a filigree design. Your monogram can be shone on a wall and coupled with dramatic uplighting. Or it can be projected on the ceiling or even the dance floor. It’s definitely a romantic touch for a first dance.

Put yourself in the spotlight

Another picturesque first dance idea is a soft spotlight that follows you around the dance floor, giving a focal point. If you’re going with this option, it’s a good idea to have your DJ give your photographer a heads up. Remember, the keyword is “soft” – you don’t want a glaring light that will mar your photographs.

Time to party!

Of course, great music is key to any wedding reception. But dance floor lighting provided by your DJ is also an important element. Dance floor lighting helps define the party space and energizes your guests. DJ lighting is usually accomplished with a combination of stationary and swivel headlights. They can be used individually or in tandem throughout the event.

Stationary lights provide a wash of color for the dance floor. DJs can use this color wash to raise the energy for fast-paced songs or cool it down for slow ones. Swivel head lighting allows for spotlight effects and can also change color. Additionally, gobos can be placed on them for moving light patterns. Dance floor lights are usually mounted on bars and placed on tripods and located strategically for maximum impact.

Lighting can be either controlled by the DJ or sound activated to produce multiple colors and change with the beat of the music. Pastel rather than primary colors work best for wedding photos. No one wants to look like a Smurf on the dance floor!

Be sure to ask your local Bunn DJ Company about available lighting options and how you can add more flair to your event.

Each package can be customized to match your style and preferences.