First of all, we need to explain stage lighting and stage design separately.
Stage Lighting: Generally speaking, stage lighting refers to the lights on the stage and various props. It's an auxiliary tool for stage performances and plays a certain role in coordinating with stage performances. In weddings, stage lighting means the application and effect processing of lights used to enhance the on-site atmosphere. For example, the follow spotlight is used to highlight the newlyweds, achieving the effect of highlighting the key points. The moving head light is also an effect light, which is a controllable light used to create an atmosphere.
Stage Design: Stage design refers to the sensory enjoyment that dance brings to people. It's the sum of body shape, choreography, meaning, movements, and art. In weddings, stage design refers to the performance of the newlyweds on the stage. On the wedding day, the couple is the leading actor and actress on our stage that day. Their sensory enjoyment, body shape, and artistic conception are the soul of the whole event. So the rehearsal is also very important.
Stage lighting is crucial in a wedding. It can make a wedding a great success or ruin it. Therefore, stage lighting and stage design are also criteria for evaluating a wedding planning company.
Stage Lighting Technicians and Their Assistant Members
Stage lighting technicians are one of the important staff in stage art design. Someone once said that light is the blood of the stage.
The so-called lighting technicians refer to lighting designers, lighting assistants, lighting operators, and so on. Actually, in a performance, lighting is a group, called the lighting group, and its members are as follows:
- Lighting Designers: Lighting designers are the core figures in the lighting group. From script analysis to rehearsal and then to the performance, it's the ideas and concepts of the lighting designers that run through the whole process.
- Lighting Assistants: They are the assistants of lighting designers. Under the leadership of lighting designers, they complete the production of lighting layout diagrams, lighting distribution diagrams, effect diagrams, cue sheets, operation management sheets, etc., and are responsible for directing workers to set up the stage on site.
- Lighting Operators: They are the personnel responsible for operating the lights during the on-site stage setup and the performance process.
- Follow Spot Operators: They are responsible for operating the follow spot lights.
- Stage Setup Workers: They are responsible for setting up the lights on the stage and adjusting the lights, following the instructions of assistants or designers.
Basic Knowledge of Stage Lighting
Configuration of Stage Lighting
Firstly, it's necessary to understand the common light positions of stage lights. This is an important link for correct selection and configuration.
Front Light: The light projected onto the stage from the top front of the audience. Its main functions are to provide front lighting for people and to spread the basic light for the whole stage.
Side Light (Also Known as Ear Light): Located on both sides outside the stage opening and obliquely projected onto the stage. It's divided into several layers from top to bottom. Its main function is to assist the front light, strengthen facial lighting, and increase the three-dimensional sense of people and scenery.
Side Light (Also Called Column Light): The light projected from both sides inside the stage opening. It's mainly used for lighting the two sides of people or scenery, increasing the sense of three-dimensionality and outline.
Top Light: The light projected onto the stage from above the stage. It's divided into the first row of top light, the second row of top light, the third row of top light, etc., from front to back. It's mainly used for general lighting of the stage, enhancing the illuminance of the stage, and solving the fixed-point illumination of many scenery and props.
Back Light: The light projected in the reverse direction of the stage (such as the reverse irradiation of top light and bridge light). It can outline the contours of people and scenery, enhance the three-dimensional sense and transparency, and can also be used as a specific light source.
Bridge Light: The light projected onto the stage from the fly galleries on both sides of the stage. It's mainly used to assist the side light, enhance the three-dimensional sense, and is also used in directions where other light positions are inconvenient to project. It can also be used as a specific light source.
Foot Light: The light projected onto the stage from the stage floor in front of the stage opening. It mainly assists the front light in lighting and eliminates the shadows formed on the faces and chins of people due to the high-position irradiation of the front light and other lights.
Top and Bottom Cyclorama Lights: The light projected onto the cyclorama from above and below the cyclorama. It's mainly used for the lighting and color change of the cyclorama.
Moving Light: Located on the moving light stands on both sides of the stage. It mainly assists the bridge light, supplements the light on both sides of the stage or provides other specific lights.
Follow Spot: The light from the audience seats or other required light positions. It's mainly used to track the performance of actors or highlight a specific light. It's also used for the host. It's like the finishing touch in stage art.
Lights Commonly Used in Weddings
Stage Lighting, Stage Design and Special Effect Equipment in Weddings
Many wedding decoration packages include stage lighting and stage design. Commonly seen ones are ground row lights, follow spot lights and reflector lights. In higher-end packages, moving head lights and LED lights, as well as other stage special effects will be added.
Ground Row Lights: They are mainly used for lighting. They are small lights placed on the ground. Usually, they are used on the stage, in the display area, and at the sign-in desk to increase the light. If there are Roman columns or other aisle markers without lights in the hall, a ground row light will also be placed under each aisle marker. Different wedding planners use different numbers of ground row lights. Some use more, making the scene very bright, while some use too few, making it look dim. It won't be obvious during the day, but the difference can be seen at night. So, the use of ground row lights depends on the venue and the lighting effect of the hotel. If the hotel is not bright enough and the venue is large, more ground row lights should be used. Using LED wall washer lights and LED uplights is okay, and both of these products can now have built-in wireless, battery and WIFI control.
Follow Spot Lights: They are mainly used when the bride enters the venue. That is, all the lights in the venue are turned off, and only the position of the bride is brightly illuminated by the follow spot light, forming a big bright circle. Then, as the bride walks towards the stage, the light slowly moves forward. Follow spot lights are usually used at this time. If there is no special design in the middle of the wedding, they won't be used. Some only provide one follow spot light, but it's better to have two, shining light from both sides. In this way, the effect of taking pictures of the bride will be better. If there is only one follow spot light on one side, shadows will be cast on the bride's face, which doesn't look good.
Reflector Lights and Par Lights: They are used at the same time and are also used when the bride enters the venue. They are called front lights and are used to light up the newlyweds. However, reflector lights are used less and less in weddings nowadays.
About Special Effect Equipment
Dry Ice Machines: They are usually used when the bride enters the venue. When the bride walks out of the four-corner pavilion and slowly comes to the stage, thick fog will be released, creating a feeling of walking on clouds. Coupled with the colorful lights, it looks very dreamy. The advantage of the dry ice machine is that it won't make people choke, and the fog released will slowly dissipate after a long time.
Smoke Machines: This is different from dry ice machines. It's the kind of machine that can spray a beam of smoke upwards, which is often seen in variety shows. The effect of this kind of smoke machine is not as good as that of the dry ice machine, and it will make people choke, so it's not very suitable for weddings. It can be used in celebration performances.
Bubble Machines: Bubble machines are a new product in recent weddings. Bubbles wrap the smoke. When the bubbles burst, the smoke spreads, which is extremely romantic.
Cold Spark Machines: Since 2016, it has been a very popular special effect product, suitable for all kinds of celebrations. It's very safe and won't ignite any objects or burn the skin. It's very suitable for weddings.
Colorful Smoke: If we say that celebration nowadays is an art, then electronic colorful smoke is definitely an indispensable decorative technique. Looking at the beautiful pages of the celebration industry and looking back on the glorious past, now this era is already a technological era, an e-era. The traditional celebration methods have already completed their mission in that era with the end of an era, and what comes is a new era, a new colorful era.
Electromagnetic Curtains: It's a wedding product that can create special effects in weddings. It can be used for the appearance of the newlyweds. One set consists of 8 electromagnetic clips. When in use, it can be decorated according to the size of the pavilion. One set (including 8 electromagnetic clips and a remote control operating system). By installing electromagnetic clips on objects and the curtain, the curtain can be separated instantly and fall down. It's usually used for special effects in the appearance and unveiling ceremonies of the newlyweds. This product is mainly used in wedding venues as a prop for the bride's appearance.
Bursting Balls (Air Burst Balloons): It's a wedding prop, also known as the wedding climax ball.
Then, are all these lighting equipment necessary for a wedding? How to choose lighting equipment for a wedding?
Then, are all these lighting equipment necessary for a wedding?
How to choose lighting equipment for a wedding?
- Necessary Equipment:
Obviously, it will cost a lot to use all these equipment in a wedding, which is unrealistic. Moreover, some equipment can achieve similar effects. So the use of stage lighting, stage design and other equipment should be selective. Usually, the indispensable lights in weddings are ground row lights, follow spot lights and reflector lights. They are usually included in general packages. If there are not enough, additional ones need to be added. Among other equipment, audio equipment is indispensable. Whether it's the existing one in the hotel or rented separately, it's okay. It depends on personal budget and requirements to make a choice. - Optional Equipment:
As for some stage lighting and stage design, I think it's enough to choose one or two appropriately. For example, in China, if we are holding a traditional Chinese wedding, some of them won't be needed. If you want to plan some personalized themes, you will need to use these colorful lights and special effect equipment. Usually, the cost of bubble machines and projectors is not very high, so they can be chosen for use. While the cost of dry ice machines may be higher. If you want to achieve a dreamy and beautiful effect, then it's necessary to use them. The most important thing is to make a choice according to personal budget.
What Should We Pay Attention to in Wedding Planning?
- Pay Attention to Safety:
When using these equipment, pay attention to the installation safety. Don't be tripped by the wires on the ground. Especially pay attention to keeping the aisle clear, because on the wedding day, the bride will enter the venue wearing a long wedding dress and high heels. The aisle must be flat and free of obstacles. In addition, ensure the accurate use and quality of the equipment to avoid malfunctions or short circuits. - Pay Attention to Power Consumption:
The power consumption of one follow spot light may be 800 watts to 1000 watts. The power consumption of reflector lights and ground row lights is also not small. Some hotels limit the power consumption. Of course, there are also many hotels that don't limit it. This problem should be asked clearly when booking the hotel. If the power consumption is limited, the use of lights and equipment should be selected, and only the most necessary ones can be chosen.
Skills and Taboos in Operating Lights
As the saying goes, nothing can be accomplished without norms or standards. Therefore, when operating lights, there should be no randomness, because there are unique operation specifications and skills for light operation. Otherwise, it may lead to the damage of bulbs, lamps and lighting consoles, and even cause fires and serious losses.
The following are the common misoperations in actual work. They are pointed out here for reference:
- When the bulb is cold, suddenly pushing the light to full brightness may cause the bulb to be damaged and not light up, or at least reduce the service life of the bulb-type stage lights.
Since the glass shells of bulbs are unavoidably uneven in thickness during the production process, the phenomenon of uneven heating will occur. When the bulb is suddenly pushed to full brightness, the glass shell of the bulb will heat up instantaneously, just like pouring boiling hot water into an empty glass in daily life. Some larger-power Igracelite moving head lights will have a built-in program: slow start of the bulb. - Avoid opening the silicon box power when the faders on the lighting console are pushed to the full position. The result is the same as the above, and it will also damage the bulbs. The faders on the lighting console should be in the off position before opening the silicon box power.
- Avoid reversing the order of turning on and off the lighting console and the silicon box power. When turning on the power, turn on the power of the lighting console first, and then turn on the power of the silicon box. When turning off the power, turn off the power of the silicon box first, and then turn off the power of the lighting console.
- Avoid shaking the lamps vigorously when the bulbs are on.
- Avoid touching the bulbs directly when replacing them, which will affect the smoothness of the bulbs. Another hidden danger is that it may cause the bulbs to burst.
Operation Skill: When replacing bulbs, be sure to wear gloves first and then touch the bulbs. If there are no gloves, you can wrap the bulbs with the sponge, plastic paper or soft tissue paper used for packaging the bulbs, and then install them. Remember to remove these wrappings after installation to avoid causing a fire when the bulbs are turned on. - Remember to keep a certain distance between hot light source lamps and flammable curtains. Years ago, in a performance in a school, a fire was caused because the lights ignited the curtain, resulting in hundreds of casualties. So it's extremely important to keep a certain distance between lights and curtains. For 300W lamps, the distance between the direct projection direction and the curtain should be no less than 3cm, and the distance between the side and the tail of the lamp (in a static state) and the curtain should be no less than 2m. If the curtain swings greatly and may get close to the lamp, it's best to set up a metal isolation net between the lamp and the curtain to prevent the curtain from falling on the lamp and causing a fire. For lamps with a power of more than 500W, the distance between the direct projection on the curtain should be more than 5m, and the distance between the side and the tail and the curtain should be more than 3m.
- Avoid installing lights with a power exceeding the power specified by the manufacturer. The power that each circuit on the lighting silicon box can bear is clearly stated in the instruction manual. Generally, each circuit can bear a power of 1KW, 2KW, 3KW, 6KW. Taking 6KW as an example, the silicon-controlled rectifier (also known as the solid-state relay) in the silicon box is 60A. Calculate it, and the bearable power is 13.2KW. Anyway, with such a large power space, some people may think that lights with a power higher than 6KW can be installed on this circuit. I think it's one-sided to only consider the current generated at the moment when the bulb is fused. Besides, the manufacturer won't leave such a high-power silicon-controlled rectifier for no reason. There is a certain reason behind it.
- Avoid causing three-phase imbalance when connecting loads. As we all know, the power input to the lighting silicon box is mostly three-phase four-wire system. When connecting the lamp loads to the silicon box, if the loads are connected blindly without distribution, the phenomenon of three-phase imbalance may occur. Then, when the lights are turned on, you will notice the difference in brightness among the lights.
For example, there is an 18-circuit lighting console. Each circuit can bear a power of 6KW, and the input power is 380V. Its 1-6 circuits are on the C phase. Before connecting the loads, use a multimeter to measure the voltages of A, B, and C phases to the neutral wire, and they are all 220V. Suppose the 1-6 circuits of the silicon box are connected with a total of 36KW of light loads, the 7-12 circuits are connected with a total of 18KW of light loads, and the 13-18 circuits are connected with a total of 6KW of light loads. In this case, when all the lights are turned on and then measured with a multimeter, the measurement result of the A phase to the neutral wire is 200V, and the measurement result of the C phase to the neutral wire is 220V. This is the phenomenon of three-phase imbalance. This phenomenon tells us that the more the loads are, the more obvious the voltage drop is. The illuminance of the lights on the phase with a lower voltage is obviously lower than that on the phase with a higher voltage.Operation Skill: The total power of the installed lights divided by 3 is the power allocated to each phase. Taking the above example of power numbers: 600KW divided by 3 is 20KW, that is, the 1 - 6, 7 - 12, and 13 - 18 circuits each load 20KW, so that the three-phase voltage is balanced. - Avoid randomly adjusting the rated voltage of the lights or adjusting the current of the lamps by yourself.
- Remember not to use the lights when the common neutral wire (ground wire) is not properly connected.
Reason: When the common neutral wire is loose, the induced electromotive force generated by the inductor of the transformer reaches the neutral wire of the lamps, forming a loop, and a high voltage is formed in the phase with a lighter load, burning out the bulbs and the transformers of the silicon box.
Operation Skill: When installing the lights, drive a 1.5M-long iron rod into the ground at the place where the light frame is in contact with the ground. Connect a 6MM2 copper wire to the iron rod, and connect the other end of the copper wire to the common neutral wire of the light frame. In this way, even if the common neutral wire falls off for a short time, there is no need to worry about burning out the bulbs and electrical appliances.
Dazzling Stage Lighting and Design, Creating a Tasteful Wedding
The first impression that guests have when entering the wedding venue is definitely overall. The clever use of lighting and stage design effects will catch people's attention immediately and successfully attract the attention of the guests. It is worth mentioning that the proper use of lighting will create a colorful visual effect. Coupled with stage design props, the rhythm of the on-site music, and the ups and downs of the wedding process, it can present a dreamy and beautiful scene and lead the guests into the love festival of the newlyweds together.
Frequently Asked Questions
1: What are the common light positions in stage lighting for weddings?
The common ones include front light, side light, top light, back light, etc. They have different functions in illuminating and enhancing the stage effect.
2: Which lighting equipment is essential for a wedding?
Ground row lights, follow spot lights and reflector lights are usually necessary. Audio equipment is also indispensable for a complete wedding setup.
3: What are the taboos in operating stage lighting?
Avoid sudden full brightness on cold bulbs, wrong power-on sequence, shaking lamps when on, and exceeding power limits. Also, keep proper distance from flammable curtains.
4: How to choose optional lighting and special effect equipment for a wedding?
It depends on the wedding theme and budget. For example, bubble machines and projectors are cost-effective. Dry ice machines are good for a dreamy effect but cost more.
5: Why is stage lighting important in a wedding?
Stage lighting can create a romantic and dreamy atmosphere, highlight the newlyweds, and enhance the overall visual effect, making the wedding more memorable and attractive.