Let There be Lights!

One way to take any event or gathering from “blah” to “ahhhh” is to add some professional and strategically placed lights.

The lighting world is currently brimming with options, from low-energy LED string lights to large stage lights. Below are some of our “go-to” lighting choices for spicing up any venue and event.

An easy way to influence the mood of room is with LED uplight bars that you can scatter around the walls of the space. The general rule with all lighting is the darker the space the more impactful the burst, but even in a room with high ambient light, a few LED color bars can help set the tone. For example, if it’s a corporate event, set the bars to the color associated to the logo or corporate identity. If it’s a wedding, let the bride and groom pick their favorite colors. Most lights today will color change with a built-in auto setting or change to the beat of music. If you are getting really technical and have a light board and an operator, use the lights to change the background scenery and vibe at different parts of the event on cue. 

A term you’ll frequently hear in the production world related to lights is “movers.” These are more common today with advances in remote technology and robotic motion. Movers can throw white light, colors, lasers, and even shapes and designs. They can spin/pan/tilt to music with built in programs, or again, if you have a light operator they can be programed to move in exact positions at specific times. Simply put, we love “moving lights” for their versatility, and they’re an event production staple for us. 

You may also hear the term “gobo” thrown around, but this doesn’t necessarily call out a type of light, rather it’s a stenciled or branded disc that slides into a light to blast onto a surface and brilliantly deliver a shape, design, or logo (see image below). Some of today’s lights have generic designs built into them (leaves, geometric shapes, etc.). Older theatre lights called Likos or Pars allow you to drop the metal or glass gobo into the light and have it display where desired. You could also add a “gel” to the basic white light and get a brightly colored gobo based on the gel(s) used.    

If you have a dark room and a stage, you can also use these Likos and Par lights to “wash” the area where your presenter will be talking. Fair warning: Setting stage lights requires a bit more of a technical know-how by whoever is putting up these lights, especially given the number of variables typically at play in every space. For instance, you can have different lens types that help focus the beam to a certain area, but doing so demands precision and an understanding of the various degrees of lenses. A 19˚ lens, for instance, is more focused than a 36˚ lens, so you would want to be sure you understand where and when to use specific stage wash lights. You certainly don’t want unflattering and awkwardly placed light beams on your presenter. 

Want a candlelit environment? You can now buy LED lights that give off that flaming flicker look and are reusable with a fresh battery. In fact, if you’re looking for unique ways to light up a table, we recommend using battery-powered, small LED string lights as center pieces, or as accents around photo-op areas, with no worries of cable-based power needs (just be sure to double-check those batteries before the event). The ideas and uses for lighting are limitless, as are the types of lights that are hitting the marketplace.  

Conclusion

Overall, lights do more than just illuminate an event—they can create a mood, cue a moment, or generate energy. If you want any help on your next event, dial us up and we’d be happy to lend a hand.