wedding lighting

Spotlight on Bistro Lighting

Photographer: Erin Hughes Photography

Photographer: Erin Hughes Photography

Bistro lighting is most often used to adorn outdoor patios, but did you know that these gorgeous lights are great for weddings and events as well? Bistro lights are a type of string light characterized by large, circular bulbs that provide a charming and romantic atmosphere which couldn’t be a better fit for any wedding, held indoors or outdoors.

Providing a unique style and aesthetic of their very own, bistro lights are incredibly versatile. Especially when used indoors, bistro lighting is great for brightening up your space and can even be dressed up by adding draping, canopies, florals, or any type of decor. If you have lounge seating at your reception, bistro lights create an instant vignette by framing your furniture and creating the ultimate place for guests to relax.

When used outdoors, bistro lighting can establish a sense of structure to an open area and create the perfect setting for a night under the stars. There are many ways to hang your bistro lights, including straight across, crisscross, tent, or maypole patterns - the possibilities are endless! You also have the option to use just a few strands of bistro lights for a subtle elegance or go all out and glamorous with a multitude of lights.

We love using lighting to highlight focal points at weddings and bistro lights are one of our favorite ways to do this. For a whimsical, romantic aesthetic, light up your sweetheart table, dessert station, or even welcome signs with bistro lights. They are also great for drawing attention to key elements of your venue, such as vaulted ceilings, archways, fireplaces, and pools. 

Whether you are hosting an indoor or outdoor wedding, bistro lights add a touch of classic elegance to your event and provide you with so many decor options. Excited about incorporating bistro lights into your wedding or event? Our lighting pros at Illuminate Events would love to help you brainstorm ways to brighten up your event!

Light the Way: The Importance of Event Lighting

Photographer: Lin & Jirsa

Photographer: Lin & Jirsa

Everyone loves a good before and after photo, and never is that truer than when the lights go on. Not only does lighting perform an important practical function in allowing your guests to see where they are going, it also provides an aesthetic that immediately sets the mood for your event. These two features, functionality and ambiance, are the key elements to making your event beautiful and lighting is the way to do that.

From a practical standpoint, lighting is critical in making sure you and your guests are able to see their surroundings and move from one space to another with ease. That doesn’t necessarily mean your room needs to be lit brightly from all angles! Your lighting professionals can create pathways and illuminate signage with strategical placement of different types of lighting to ensure safety and ease of movement. Lighting can also be used to camouflage parts of your space that you don’t love, from outdated wallpaper to shag carpet and beyond. Using lighting to highlight major players at your event is also a great way to draw your guests’ attention, be it the bridal party entering your reception or a key note speaker ready to wow the crowd. 

On the aesthetic side, lighting creates an instant mood, which elevates the emotions and heightens the energy of your guests as they step into your space. Using lighting can set the mood for your guests as soon as they walk in the door, be it with bright and fun colors for high energy events, casual washes for an intimate setting, or dynamic shadows for lounging and chatting. Lighting can also be used to change the tone of your event when you switch activities, such as using color to transition from dinner to dancing or focusing spotlights from a grand entrance to speeches.

Overall, your lighting choices define your event and set the tone for whatever activities you have in store. Not sure what type of lighting is best for your event? Check out our latest post here for an event lighting guide that is sure to help you figure out what you are looking for: https://www.illuminateeventservices.com/blog/2019/3/6/guided-by-the-light-the-perfect-lighting-for-your-event. If you have any questions about lighting, design, or anything party related, leave us a comment or give us a call; we’d love to chat with you and help you plan your perfect event, lighting and all!