The ambiance of a wedding reception is greatly influenced by the lighting design. From creating a romantic atmosphere to highlighting key elements of your decor, wedding reception lighting plays a very important role in setting the mood for your special day. To ensure that your wedding venue is aglow with enchantment, it’s essential to understand the do’s and don’ts of wedding reception lighting. Our team is here to explain party lighting options and how to make your wedding shine.

The Do’s of Wedding Reception Lighting

1. Layered Lighting

Embrace layered lighting to create depth and dimension in your wedding venue. Combining ambient, task, and accent lighting can transform the space from ordinary to extraordinary, highlighting focal points such as the sweetheart table, cake display, and dance floor.

2. Dimmable Lights

Opt for dimmable wedding reception lighting to control the brightness levels throughout the evening. Dimmed lighting during key moments like speeches and first dances adds intimacy and enhances the romantic ambiance of the reception.

3. Uplighting

Utilize uplighting to enhance the architectural features of the venue and add a touch of elegance to the space. Strategic placement of uplights can transform plain walls into dramatic backdrops, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

4. Highlighting Centerpieces

Illuminate your centerpieces with subtle pin spot lighting to draw attention to the intricate details and floral arrangements. Soft, focused lighting on table centerpieces can enhance their beauty and create a visually stunning tablescape.

5. Custom Monograms

Incorporate custom monogram lighting to personalize your wedding reception. Showcasing your initials or wedding date in lights adds a unique touch to the decor that is memorable and sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests.

The Don’ts of Wedding Reception Lighting

1. Overly Bright Lights

Avoid using harsh or overly bright lights that can detract from the ambiance of the reception. Opt for a softer, warmer lighting option that creates a welcoming and romantic atmosphere without overwhelming the space.

2. Inconsistent Color Temperatures

Ensure consistency in color temperatures across all lighting fixtures to maintain a cohesive and harmonious look. Mismatched lighting hues can create visual distractions and disrupt the overall aesthetic of the venue.

3. Neglecting Safety Considerations

Prioritize safety when incorporating lighting elements into your wedding decor. Secure cables, tape down wires, and use flameless candles to minimize fire hazards and ensure a worry-free celebration.

4. Excessive Flashing Lights

Refrain from using excessive flashing lights or strobes that may cause discomfort or sensory overload for guests. Opt for gentle, gradual lighting transitions to create a serene and enjoyable environment for everyone.

5. Forgetting Outdoor Lighting

Don’t overlook outdoor lighting considerations if your wedding reception includes an outdoor space. Enhance the natural beauty of the surroundings with string lights, lanterns, or pathway lighting to create a magical outdoor ambiance.

Contact Our Team Today

Ready to illuminate your wedding with an enchanting wedding reception lighting design? Reach out to our experts at An Enchanted Evening in Chicago, IL, at (847) 490-1000. We can help transform your wedding venue into a captivating setting, leaving a lasting impression on you and your guests. Let us guide you through wedding reception lighting and create unforgettable memories.

Trying to plan a memorable wedding reception? We’ve been privileged to be part of a few wedding receptions (or 10 or 1,000 or so…) Though each wedding reception is uniquely different, there are some steps you can take when planning to make your wedding reception an incredible and unforgettable night of fun.

Don’t put off hiring the best wedding reception entertainment (you want the best!).

The saying “if you snooze you lose” is very, VERY relevant to wedding reception entertainment. To get the best, and have a GREAT time, make sure to book your wedding entertainment early—as soon as you have a date, time, and confirmed wedding venue.

Set up kid fun zones.

Hire a babysitter to watch kids in another room, or set up tables with coloring books, crayons, and paper table cloths specifically for your youngest guests. If the weather is nice, you can also keep them entertained with bubbles and fun yard games.

Limit the time of wedding toasts, and photo slideshows, and videos, and…

There is such thing as too much (really!). To keep your wedding reception running smoothly, and your guests in a good mood, keep your dinner slideshows, toasts, and other dinner entertainment to a minimum. Finally, don’t get so caught up in your dinner program that you don’t allow time for your guests to enjoy each other’s company and talk.

Plan more food than just a dinner.

If you want your guests to have a good time and stay on the dance floor, plan on fueling their dancing moves with refreshments throughout the evening. Ask your caterer to set out finger foods periodically, or order a pizza (if your wedding venue allows) late in the evening.

Hire a GOOD DJ for the perks.

A good DJ is worth their weight in gold (read how you can tell the difference between amateurs and good DJs here). In addition to keeping your dance floor going, a DJ can also offer ceremony music, an emcee for the dinner and dance, a coordinator with your photographer and videographer (so they get the good shots), lighting, and an awesome sound system.

Give your guests more to do than just dance.

Since you’re providing your little ones coloring tables and fun time, do the same for the adults (minus the coloring books). Rent a photo booth (or contact a company that includes photo booths as part of their entertainment package) for a documented night of fun.

Surprise!

Give your guests a pleasant surprise at your reception: something unique that fits you and your fiancé and no one else knows about. It could be a choreographed first dance, a memory-filled table, video full of thank you’s, or a surprise ride for your first wedding night.

Enjoy yourself.

Relax. Have fun! Your awesome wedding reception is the culmination of all your hard work. Dance the night away with your friends and family and enjoy every second.

An Enchanted Evening

Category Archives: wedding reception

Wedding Reception Lighting: Do’s and Don’ts