Category Archives: wedding vendors

wedding lighting

Using Wedding Lighting to Create the Perfect Ambiance

The wedding lighting that you select for your big day is important. Not only does it light the way for you to walk down the aisle, but it also sets the mood for you and your guests on your special day. There are several ways that you can incorporate lighting to create a unique and attractive venue.

Unique Wedding Lighting Ideas

There are several styles and decoration options for wedding lighting that you can utilize for your big day.

Hang Paper Lanterns

Paper lanterns are an excellent choice for creating a soft and subtle ambiance. This type of lighting is great for both outdoor and indoor weddings. You can use paper lanterns as the primary source of light for an indoor space, creating a more relaxed and calming atmosphere. Outdoors, you can use paper lanterns for wedding lighting to define the space and provide a touch of lighting to accent the moon and stars for a more romantic feel.

Incorporate Chandeliers

Chandeliers are a great option for wedding lighting when it comes to creating a more formal and elegant party setting. Chandeliers are fancy and stunning, which can be quite jaw-dropping to see, especially when there are multiple chandelier lights throughout the venue.

Keep It Clean

If you are trying to create a more modern and minimalistic theme for your wedding, you can incorporate metal-structured lighting. Selecting fixtures that are clean and modern with a centered bulb will be the perfect addition.

Mix It Up

Always remember that there is no standard on what lighting you should have for your wedding. Lights come in all shapes, sizes, and brightnesses. Mixing up all different styles, shapes, and elements can make a big statement and truly stand out. 

Consider Your Venue

When selecting your lighting, it is important to consider the space that you are in. This can make a difference when it comes to the light that you choose. For example, if you have an outdoor tent, it may not be possible to hang a lot of big, heavy chandeliers. Instead, you could have one large fixture over your dance floor and several small lights scattered around. If you are indoors, it may be overwhelming to have a lot of bright, white lights concentrated in one space. 

If you would like to explore the different lighting options available for your big day, consider contacting our experts. We can review all of the different styles available and help you choose the perfect lighting for your event.

Contact Our Professionals in Chicago for Help

Since 1998, our team at An Enchanted Evening has performed at more than 6,000 events throughout the Chicago area. Over the past decade, we have received over a dozen industry awards, including the Knot’s Hall of Fame Award. We have also won the Wedding Wire’s Couples Choice Award and The Knot’s Best of Weddings award nine times each. You can trust that we will do everything in our power to ensure you have the most magical experience ever for yourself and your guests. To get started, contact An Enchanted Evening to schedule a personal consultation to discuss the options that are available to make your event magical. 

Don’t procrastinate! 4 Wedding Vendors You Shouldn’t Wait to Book

wedding bride and groom surprising guests with balloonsWe’ve all procrastinated a time or two (or three or a hundred times), but here are 4 wedding vendors you shouldn’t wait to book if you want a fantastic wedding reception.

Venue

Why you shouldn’t wait: Your wedding venue is THE biggest detail of your wedding day.  You can’t hold a great party if you don’t have a venue to hold it in.  Plus, you have a lot of other details that you can’t set in stone without having a venue.

How to find a good one: Once you’ve decided on the location of your big day (i.e. destination wedding, hometown, city where you met, etc.), narrow down your options by deciding on your style, budget, and the size of your guest list.  Choose a venue that checks off all three boxes and any other unique wants and needs you want, such as a venue that allows you to bring in your own caterer or has no sound limitations for a fantastic late-night party.

When to book: Book your wedding venue about 12-16 months before your wedding date.

Caterer

Why you shouldn’t wait: You don’t want to leave your wedding guests with a bad taste in their mouths.  If you wait too long, all the good caterers are going to be booked and you’re going to have to settle for ho-hum cuisine.

How to find a good one:  Ask your friends and family for their recommendations or ask your venue for suggestions for a quality caterer.  Back your research up by checking out local reviews on social media or review sites.  Once you have a short list of caterers that are perfect for your big day, ask them for a quote and any other specific details you want for your big day.  Make sure you set up a tasting with your preferred caterer to sample the actual dishes you want on your wedding day; don’t book a caterer until you’ve made sure they live up to your standards.

When to book:  Sign the contract with your caterer 12 months before your wedding date.

Entertainment

Why you shouldn’t wait:  Don’t book a great venue and confirm a wonderful caterer only to leave your guests bored after dinner.

How to find a good one:  Decide whether you want a band or DJ (tips on how to choose the perfect wedding entertainment option here).  Once you’ve decided which option is your first choice (for you and your budget), ask your friends or family for recommendations and check the local review and social media sites for other couples’ opinions.  Make sure you ask these questions and look for entertainers that coordinate special moments with other vendors (i.e. photographer, videographer, venue, etc.) for wonderful memories that you can look at for years to come.  If you want to offer more fun for all ages, book a photo booth or bring out yard and table games for an entertaining wedding reception.

When to book:  Book your entertainers 14-18 months before your wedding date.

Videographer & Photographer

Why you shouldn’t wait: A bad videographer or photographer is going to leave you with less than stellar memories of the most important day of your life.

How to find a good one:  Ask your friends and family for recommendations, visit local wedding fairs, and let your keyboard do the searching.  Back your research up with review sites and reviews on social media sites to make sure you are booking the best.  Ask your prospective videographers and photographers for samples of their work before you sign on the bottom line.

When to book:  Book your videographer and photographer 12+ months before your wedding date.