When many couples begin the planning process of their celebration the first thoughts that come to mind are usually the venue, the menu, the photographer, the colour schemes and of course the dress.

Something that doesn’t receive the attention it duly deserves is lighting. Lighting adds a theatrical element to your celebration, it highlights the moment, it amplifies the beauty and makes simple elements really impactful. It identifies spaces through soft glowing effects filtering through light-coloured fabrics, bouncing off walls, scenic elements like tables and flowers or architectural elements like tent tops, arches or columns.

Lighting can add colour to create moods, brighten the bride’s dress or enhance skin tones. For outdoor Cape Town weddings, the concepts and trends are to have chandeliers adorned with crystal hung from trees or above tables within tents, suspended at differing heights. Lamps of multiple heights clustered above dance floors, buffets or lounge spaces create attention and shades can be designed and personalized. Lighting simply is a subtle but vital key element to a fantastic wedding ambiance.

Tips on Effective Lighting for your Celebration

Choose Your Mood!

Fairy Light become Table Decor

Whether you’re planning a romantic evening or a sultry affair, it’s important that you   communicate to your planner or lighting team the exact look and vibe you want. To change the energy in the room during the night, intelligent lighting needs to be in place. Most companies allow a dimmer function for your lights. So as the sun sets on the evening of your celebration, the ambient lighting begins to take effect and with a dimmer, you can control this function throughout the night. As an alternative, why not create an exciting lighting palette of reds and oranges, to energize your guests, or a calming “in-between-courses” palette of blues and purples, which can soothe guests and facilitate conversation.

Use Flattering Hues

Golden and amber tones allow you and your guests to look their best. Warm colors, such as gold, flatter everyone and highlight decor beautifully. Shades of pink are also complimentary. Use these shades to color an entire space and invoke a sense of warmth and comfort.

Light to Enhance

To highlight dark coloured centerpieces and food displays we choose to employ a technique called pin spotting, in which a tightly focused light makes darker decorative touches shine.

Gorgeous light isn’t relegated to reception space only. Hallways and courtyards can, and should, be embellished. If your party is a subdued one, choose to illuminate these areas to complement your reception lighting and decor. If you opt for a funkier vibe, however, change the colors and moods of each area.

A wonderfully lit space is sure to create a desirable ambience and enhance your reception decor. Nothing is better than allowing your guests to walk into a room that is lit properly and beautifully to enhance all the detail you have spent months planning!

Tags: Inspirations, lighting