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wedding reception lighting costs

Wedding Reception Lighting Costs: Everything You Need to Know

When you think of a planning a wedding you probably immediately think of the wedding dress you will need to pick out, the location of your wedding and wedding reception, the venue, the food, and the drinks.

These are all valid thoughts to think about for your wedding night, but have you given any thought to the lighting that you want at your wedding reception?

If not, you really should! With such a huge connection between psychology, lighting, and mood, you will want your wedding reception lighting just right!

Not sure about the cost? Read on to learn about the types of professional lighting you could have at your wedding and wedding reception lighting costs.

Types of Lighting

Depending on the type of venue that you choose for the wedding reception, the lighting options differ. For instance, you could choose to have tent lighting in your tents if you have an outdoor reception, or you may want to set a specific mood with barn light wedding at your venue.

You need to ask yourself what type of mood you want for your wedding night. If you want a moodier, more romantic feel, you may want to go with bistro or cafe lighting (otherwise known as the string lights you see in some people’s backyards or at restaurants at night).

Are you looking for a more elegant feel? You may want to choose chandelier lighting to add just the right amount of lighting with the look you’re going for. And the best part is that chandelier lighting can go in just about any type of wedding venue!

And, of course, if you have something you want to spotlight like the cake or a specific area, pin lighting is a must.

Planning on a Budget: Wedding Reception Lighting Costs

Adding in professional lighting may seem like it will be too costly or out of your wedding budget. However, bundling lighting with other services for your wedding can actually save you money.

Instead of going to a separate profession lighting service, adding it to your Chicago DJ service or photobooth service is the way to go.

With the bundling of services, you can also be sure that you are getting the most amount of services for the money you are spending. Instead of spending thousands just on lighting, you are getting much more for the same price.

Have the Wedding of Your Dreams

When it comes to one of the best nights of your life, you don’t want to be worrying about costs or things going wrong.

If you’re in the Chicagoland area, choosing to work with us here at an Enchanted Evening will be your best decision yet! We’re an event planning site with professional lighting advice and services.

Ready to speak to one of us professionals to get started? Contact us here to set up a meeting about ours services!

7 Memorable Wedding Reception Surprises Your Guests’ll Never Forget

scene of bride and groom just married after a smooth wedding dayWant to make your wedding stand out from the crowd? Great wedding grub, a personalized theme…it all makes a statement, but a really good wedding surprise sends your wedding reception guests over the top. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of spectacular wedding surprises that’s sure to make your special day a wedding reception your guests aren’t going to forget any time soon.

Plan a surprise first dance with your new spouse

Dance lessons are a great way to put your best foot forward at your wedding reception—especially if your dance is really unique. If you have a theme, plan a dance that coordinates with for a fun way to tie together your details. Whatever kind of fun step you come up with, make sure you choose a wedding DJ who can build up to your first dance and give it the special attention it deserves.

A free fall

Confetti. Balloons. Rose petals. Stir up excitement with a surprise drop of confetti or balloons during your wedding reception (with your venue’s permission, of course!). Ask your DJ for the perfect song that fits with the surprise drop.

Make a creative entrance

Surprise your audience with an entrance that’ll surprise your guests. Ask your DJ for ideas; you can enter amidst the glow of sparklers (again, with your venue’s permission), with a flash mob, from a flash of smoke, or appear in the middle of the room after the lights go out.  Make it fun!

Invite a surprise guest

Give your guests something to talk about: a surprise guest. Talk to your DJ about stirring up your crowd as they buzz about the ultimate entrance of a celebrity impersonator (that fits with your vintage wedding or theme), your school mascot, or a surprise friend or family member that no one expects.

Dance lessons…for your guests!

Don’t keep the fun of dance lessons to yourselves; hire a dance instructor to give a group lesson to your guests. For a country wedding, hire a DJ who can play the perfect song while the dance instructor gives line dance lessons. If you’re planning a vintage wedding, have an instructor teach a classic dance to your guests. By the end of the night, you’ll have your own flash mob.

Photo booth props

Be REALLY creative! Use our list of photo booth props, or have crazy fun with your choices. Your choices not only give your guests something fun to do when they’re not on the dance floor (use these tips for awesome photo booth fun), but they create a buzz among your guests.

Fireworks (if allowed, of course!)

Fireworks are the ultimate surprise—if you can keep it under wraps. If your plan is to watch fireworks inside, ask your DJ to play music that coordinates up to your big boom.

10 Fun Ways to Spice Up Your Wedding Reception Dance

wedding guests in photo booth with silly hats and funny facesEveryone’s been to the same old wedding reception dance.  You dance, you drink, you sit around and talk.  If you’re looking to up the ante at your wedding dance, and make it, well, fun (because isn’t that the point?), it’s time to add some spice to your special night so your guests are enjoying themselves.

Personalized song requests

If you want to involve your guests in your wedding play list, ask for their input before the wedding reception.  Ask your guests for their requests on your invitation, and hire a DJ that can make their song requests a reality and get your guests out on the dance floor.

Photo booth

Nights of fun come and go but pictures from a photo booth last forever…and remind you over and over what an awesome night it was at your wedding.  Use our list of fun photo booth props to make the night’s photos even more memorable.  Make sure you rent a quality photo booth from a reliable company so you can follow through on your promise for a fun night.

Table games

No matter how great your DJ or band is, you’re always going to have lapses in the action—and guests who need entertaining.  Create personalized table games for your guests (Mad libs, anyone?) that include clues related to the newlyweds or put out the classic board games at every table for a fun night.

Group dance

Entertain your guests with a surprise first dance, flash mob, or a pre-planned special dance with your wedding party.  Make everyone take note when you and your bridesmaids start dancing on cue, or when your whole wedding party busts a move.

Late night fun course

Don’t just order a few pizzas at the end of the night.  Entertain your guests with a late night course that’s fun and delicious, like gourmet pretzels, sliders, specialty fries, camp fire treats, or a fun feast served from a food truck.

Little people fun

Plan entertainment for the littlest people at your wedding. It’ll make their night (and their parents) a lot of fun, and give them something to do when they’re not on the dance floor.  Put out crayons, coloring and activity sheets, and other fun games they’ll enjoy.

DJ Trivia

To get even the most table-happy guests out of their seat, ask your DJ to lead your guests in a night of trivia.  Ask your guests to stand up and sit if they have birthdays in a certain month, are wearing red, etc., etc.  Or have your guests answer questions about you as a couple and give out fun prizes (bingo?).  To make it fun, hire a DJ that is as good of a game show host as an emcee.

Confetti

If your venue allows, a splash of confetti is sure to surprise your guests and give them something to remember (along with these other fun wedding reception surprises).  Coordinate the confetti drop with your DJ so the confetti drops at just the right time during just the right song.

Special appearance

For a fun touch, hire an entertainer to get your guests talking.  If you’re planning a vintage wedding, hire celebrity impersonators from the era to join your guests on the dance floor.  For a magical evening, hire a magician to make a special appearance (again, coordinate it with your DJ).

Cue cards

If you want to spice up the normal wedding toasts, use these tips for a great wedding toast and cue cards to get the guests in on the act.  Make up cue cards and have someone hold them up during the toasts or during another fun part of your reception.