Preface
As the saying goes, laymen watch the fun while experts look for the tricks. Every time we attend other people's weddings, we may pay more attention to the on-site atmosphere and some intuitive feelings, such as whether the flower arrangements are stunning enough, whether a crystal stage is used, whether the hall is spacious and magnificent without pillars, and so on. Besides, we also focus on the bride's dress, makeup on that day, and the performance of the wedding emcee.
However, the vast majority of people really know very little about the lighting props used in weddings. So our topic today is lighting.
When it comes to lighting, people will surely think of some well-known wedding planning companies around them. Is the lighting of these companies recognized as good by everyone? Today, let's talk about lighting.
The Design of Stage Lighting in the Wedding Ceremony
In an outstanding wedding, stage lighting is a very important element. The quality of lighting application is directly related to the on-site effect and the effect of post-production images. Nowadays, the lighting used in weddings is no longer simply limited to one or two types of wedding stage lighting. As newlyweds' requirements for weddings are gradually increasing, more and more weddings are developing towards specialization and being more like stage shows. Weddings are increasingly resembling artistic galas. Therefore, newlyweds' requirements for lighting are also gradually rising. This article will briefly introduce the application of stage lighting in the wedding ceremony.
Generally speaking, if the newlyweds choose an outdoor venue, lighting is usually not needed, and at most, some stage special effects such as smoke machines can be paired with it, unless it's a wedding held at night. Even for indoor venues, there are two situations. One is a sunny hall, and the other is an enclosed hall. A sunny hall usually has windows, and sunlight can directly shine into this kind of hall. There is no need for too much lighting to brighten it up. For such a hall, it is generally recommended that the newlyweds have a bright wedding scene, that is, the entire ceremony is carried out under bright lights and daylight, giving guests a warm and open feeling. In this case, generally, there is no need for follow spotlights or other lighting fixtures. However, if the stage in the hall is relatively dark, in order to highlight the stage and make the shooting effect better, it is recommended to use front lights for supplementary lighting. In a bright scene, if you want to present a dazzling lighting effect, it is usually not very suitable. Another type of hall is the enclosed hall. An enclosed hall refers to a hall where sunlight cannot shine in and can only rely on the lighting inside the hall to brighten it up. Such a hall is very suitable for creating a dark scene, which can present dazzling lighting or pearlescent effects, giving guests a romantic and mysterious feeling. For this kind of hall, moving head lights, follow spotlights, LED color wash lights, etc. can be used to present different effects. The following will discuss the design of stage lighting in the wedding ceremony from the perspective of the enclosed hall.
Lighting Design for the Main Stage Area
The lighting in the main stage area is an important part of the lighting design in the wedding ceremony. Because the newlyweds and the host have a relatively long time of communication and interaction on the stage, lighting is particularly important here. If there is a front stage and aisles in the main stage area, moving head lights can be installed on both sides of the aisles. The function of moving head lights is to swing in the air and project various patterns on the walls and ceilings, creating a dynamic effect for the stage. They can be used with computer-programmed settings or a DMX console plus a light library. Different swinging modes can be set. With the change of the swinging modes, different atmospheres such as cheerful and romantic ones can be enhanced. Note that if conditions permit, the moving head lights should be hung up so that there is no obstruction and the effect will be better. Moreover, it is best to cooperate with color wash lights. However, it is better to use a single color. If there are too many colors, not only will it fail to create a colorful effect, but it will also look messy and the effect will be very poor.
If you want some colorful effects, you can partially incorporate small areas of other colors, and it is best to choose relatively similar colors, such as adding a small amount of purple to red. For the background lights in the main stage area, PAR lights will have a better effect. You can choose some PAR lights with soft light. Whether the hall lights are on normally or when the follow spotlights are used after the lights are dimmed, the light of the PAR lights can make the brightness contrast of the entire stage softer and not give people a sense of abruptness. They can be used together with color wash lights to create different atmospheres with different colors. LED color wash lights can also be used to highlight the background effect of the main stage. There is an even more radical approach: We once had a client who used LED city lights to decorate the wedding venue.
Here, we can also use bubble machines or smoke machines to create a romantic atmosphere. It should be noted that the bubble machines and smoke machines need to be placed properly so that the bubbles can only be blown onto the stage. Because when the bubbles are blown, there will be small water droplets splashing around. If they are blown to the main table, it will affect dining. Also, they should not be blown onto the faces of the newlyweds, as this will make the newlyweds feel uncomfortable. We can also use follow spotlights to do facial supplementary lighting for the newlyweds to highlight them. In the main stage area, the video of the newly married couple can also be played on the projector. Before the opening, as the video plays along with a dynamic opening music, computer lights can continuously change colors and patterns to match the rhythm of the music, bringing a strong visual impact and leaving a deep impression.
Lighting Design for the Newlyweds' Entrance Area
The entrance of the newlyweds is the beginning part of the wedding. In order to create a mysterious atmosphere, it is recommended to create a dark scene here. Part of the lights in the hall should be turned off, but of course, some small background lights still need to be kept on, such as the spotlights on both sides of the aisle. This kind of light can make the light shine softly from the bottom to the ceiling of the room, which is much more pleasant than the light shining directly from the top to the bottom in the hall. If the light shines directly on people's faces, it will make people feel dazzling and create a sense of spatial constraint and depression.
So we can do the following:
✦ Follow spotlights can also be used on both sides of the aisle and are arranged symmetrically left and right. The advantage of this is that it will not cause the newlyweds to have a "yin-yang face" when walking in the middle. The light is evenly distributed on both sides, making the newlyweds look more three-dimensional and enhancing their facial features.
✦ Generally, the newlyweds enter separately. The bride waits at the flower arch accompanied by her father until the groom comes down from the front stage to meet her. So it is recommended to use two follow spotlights. The main function of follow spotlights is to highlight the newlyweds or create other prominent effects or do supplementary lighting for the newlyweds. Therefore, if only one is used, a so-called "yin-yang face" will be formed on the stage, which will greatly affect the visual effect. If two are used, just like the shadowless lights on the operating table, the light on both sides is symmetrical and there will be no "yin-yang face". Moreover, the follow spotlights should be set up higher to avoid being blocked by people so that their effects can be fully exerted. When all the lights in the hall go dark, the follow spotlights are aimed at the newlyweds and form a bright area within 2 - 3 meters around them. The purpose is to highlight the groom and the bride. And when the two follow spotlights overlap, attention should be paid to the angle and the way of following the newlyweds. They should be staggered when following the newlyweds.
✦ We can also use dry ice machines to create a smoke effect, making the bride walking out of the smoke look like a fairy. However, the temperature of dry ice is relatively low, so safety precautions should be taken. In the guiding area of the T-stage, several ground row lights can be used according to the actual situation. When the newlyweds enter and it's all dark, if a few ground row lights are added to embellish it and then the follow spotlights are used, the effect may be better and it will also be safer.
Creating the Overall Atmosphere of the Wedding
Before and after the wedding ceremony, the lighting effect should highlight warmth and romance. During these two processes, colored lights such as amber, peach, and gold are often used to replace the dazzling incandescent lamps. They are not only colorful and beautiful with soft light but also can create a spatial effect and a changing artistic conception. The lights can also be dimmed appropriately. Dim all the lights by about 30% to create an overall comfortable and harmonious environment. The light can be made to shine softly from the bottom to the ceiling of the hall, which is much more pleasant than the light shining directly from the top to the bottom. If the light shines directly on people's faces, it will make the guests feel dazzling and create a sense of spatial constraint and depression. Finally, don't forget that candles are also good at enhancing the atmosphere. Place several exquisitely shaped candlesticks or decorative candles in the middle of each table according to the color of the tablecloth. The soft and flickering candlelight casts faint shadows, presenting a romantic and graceful wedding atmosphere.
How to Choose Wedding Lighting in a Hotel?
Let's first talk about the lights in the hotel. Whether it's a new hotel or an old wedding banquet hotel, they are nothing more than ordinary downlights, old-fashioned chandeliers, simple small crystal chandeliers, or luxurious large crystal chandeliers, regardless of whether they are red, gold, or pure white. All these lights are turned off when the newlyweds enter. This dark scene is originally intended to highlight the romantic atmosphere of the newlyweds' entrance. However, if it is not handled properly, it will be a big failure. Because the effect of the bride and groom's entrance depends on all the lighting and effects achieved by the wedding stage lighting. Think about it, right? When the bride enters, it's the lighting of the crystal stage, plus follow spotlights and some floor lights, etc. to enhance the effect and atmosphere.
A Wide Variety of Wedding Lights
Firstly, there are floor lights. Floor lights are placed on the ground and are mainly used in two places, one is the stage at the wedding site, and the other is the sign-in desk or the display area for the newlyweds. No matter how the stage is decorated, it is mainly themed with a lot of gauze curtains. Use floor lights to shine upward to bring out the beauty and romance of the gauze curtains. I personally think it's very charming. In a large hotel hall, the sign-in desk area is relatively large, and there should be a photo display area set up beside it. When the floor lights are turned on, they can use the weak light to illuminate the gauze curtains and photos. With the addition of fresh flowers, a romantic feeling can be created. Although the effect of floor lights may not be very bright, it is dreamy. I personally think that floor lights should be widely used in weddings. The cost of this product is not high, so from a financial perspective, it is affordable. It not only saves money but also has a great effect. However, it should be particularly reminded that when going on the stage, you must avoid the floor lights. Although they don't look impressive, they are very hot. If the bridesmaids or the bride accidentally touch them, they will jump in surprise.
Secondly, there are LED ellipsoidal. LED ellipsoidal are actually not used very frequently in weddings and only appear in some high-end weddings. They have a good effect on softening the on-site light, but it's not easy to describe it simply. LED ellipsoidal can be positioned at any angle, looking up or down, to create stage effects and can change many colors. Generally, they have colors such as red, yellow, green, blue, and purple... However, some photographers say that it's not good to use too many LED ellipsoidal. Why? Because of the variety of colors. Just think about it. When you take photos and look at them on the computer at home, there are all kinds of colors, a mess. It doesn't look like wedding photos at all. It feels like a peacock spreading its tail, all kinds of colors everywhere. Many photographers should have a deep understanding of this. But most brides who are preparing for their weddings, which only happen once in a lifetime, probably won't understand this very well. Because with too many colors, the photos will look a bit scary, but this is a matter of personal opinion. This is also a suggestion from a wedding photographer when I communicated with them last time.
Next, let's talk about follow spotlights. Follow spotlights are one of the most frequently used lighting fixtures. There are now many types of power for follow spotlights, such as 2500W and 1200W, and the color temperature can be adjusted by yourself, so that the light shining on people's faces will not be a pale white. Here, it should be noted that the light behind people needs to be relatively even and should not suddenly become dark. If you still don't understand, then from a theoretical perspective, the so-called follow spotlight is to project a circular light to illuminate a certain area. This is suitable for when the newlyweds enter. When all the lights are turned off, the follow spotlight shines on the newlyweds, making them the focus of the whole venue. Follow spotlights are the most commonly used. The light shining on the newlyweds also changes as they walk, giving a feeling that all eyes are on them. Generally, follow spotlights are used when the newlyweds enter and after all the lights are turned off, so that the newlyweds become the focus. Almost all hotel weddings can see them.
The fourth type of lighting fixture is the moving head light. When it shines on the gauze curtains, it can change different colors and create different feelings, which is very romantic. Currently, both moving head lights and follow spotlights on the market belong to the kind used in relatively high-end weddings, and their prices are all above 160 US dollars. However, if we are to be willing to spend so much money on lighting, there really needs to be a good reason. Actually, we think that not many of these high-end lights are needed. For a wedding, 10 - 20 sets are enough. If it's a very large hall, at most 40 sets will do. If there are too many, it will be both extravagant and wasteful, and there will be no room for the wedding planner to play. If everything relies on props, there will be nothing unique. In that case, it's better to directly find a lighting designer to handle it.
What Should Be Noted in Wedding Lighting Design?
Each wedding requires a huge amount of manpower and material resources. A perfect wedding needs to consider many aspects. Next, let's briefly understand the skills of using lighting in the wedding venue. Lighting design is a strange and difficult professional field for many people. It contains a lot of very professional knowledge and requires an understanding of the functions of various types of lighting fixtures and peripheral equipment. Many newlyweds and even wedding planners often don't know where to start when dealing with wedding lighting. However, when there is lighting in a wedding, it can really enhance the charm of the wedding.
Bride say: "This scene is the wedding of my dreams. I like having that spotlight on me when I enter..."
Grooms say: "I hope to use lighting to create the most beautiful memories for her at the wedding..."
Wedding planners say: "With lighting, we can match the theme processes of the two different styles before and after, and lighting can cover up many regrets at the wedding site."
Why Do We Need Lighting Design?
Lighting design can help create a romantic, warm, and elegant atmosphere at your wedding site. It can also be used to change your wedding site. If you don't like the color of the floor, the patterns on the walls, or even think that the banquet hall is too small or too low, etc., all these can be changed through lighting. Even if the chosen wedding banquet site is not ideal and has too many unfavorable factors, there's no need to regret. Let the lighting designer help you create a brand-new site!
At the beginning of wedding lighting design, site inspection is an essential step. The lighting designer needs to visit the wedding site in person, measure the size of the entire venue and its local parts. The details in the banquet hall also need to be recorded one by one, such as the color and material of the ceiling, walls, and floor, how the wedding site will be decorated, the construction and size of the stage setting, whether there is a T-stage for the newlyweds to enter, the route they will pass through, and other details should also be confirmed clearly on the site.
Next, enter the stage of lighting design. The lighting designer will finally determine the lighting scheme for each wedding according to the wedding theme, process, floral arrangement scheme, wedding music design, and other wedding details. The lighting scheme will include creating the overall atmosphere of the venue, lighting design for the main stage area, lighting design for the newlyweds' entrance area, lighting design for the guest area, and lighting design for the periphery of the venue, etc. The designer will also choose appropriate lighting equipment according to different needs and determine the lighting layout diagram according to the design scheme.
The specific implementation plan needs to be completed when the wedding venue is being decorated. On-site, the lighting designer needs to adjust his or her work progress and plan according to the layout of the stage, floral arrangements, and other details of the wedding. This is also the on-site secondary creation of the lighting designer.
Conclusion:
The application of wedding lighting is an artistic creation that requires careful crafting from site inspection, scheme determination to on-site adjustment. Through reasonable selection of lighting fixtures and ingenious layout, lighting can turn the wedding site into a dreamy place, make up for the deficiencies of the venue, and create a unique atmosphere. It not only illuminates the stage but also lights up the happy moments of the newlyweds, making the wedding an eternal beautiful memory. This is the value and charm of wedding lighting design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the common types of wedding lights and their uses?
There are various types such as moving head lights (create dynamic effects on stage), LED color wash lights (highlight stage background), PAR lights (soften stage brightness contrast), floor lights (add romantic feel to stage and display areas), and LED ellipsoidal (soften on-site light and create stage effects).
How to design the lighting for the main stage area in a wedding?
Install moving head lights on aisle sides if possible, use single-color or minimally combined color wash lights, choose soft PAR lights for background, and consider additional effects like bubble or smoke machines. Also, use LED ellipsoidal for softening and creating stage effects, but be cautious with color usage.
What should be noted when choosing wedding lighting according to the venue?
For outdoor or sunny indoor venues (sunny halls), usually less or no additional lighting is needed. For enclosed halls, more lighting options like moving head lights, follow spotlights, and LED color wash lights can be used to create a dark and romantic atmosphere.
Why is it important to consider the number of certain high-end lights like moving head lights and LED ellipsoidal?
Using too many high-end lights such as moving head lights and LED ellipsoidal can be wasteful and limit the creativity of the wedding planner. A reasonable number (e.g., 10 - 20 for a normal hall, 40 at most for a very large hall) is sufficient to achieve the desired effect without overdoing it.
How does wedding lighting affect the overall atmosphere and photography?
Good lighting can create a romantic, warm, or dynamic atmosphere depending on the design. However, improper use of lights like using too many colored LED ellipsoidal can result in messy and unappealing photos, so a balance needs to be struck to ensure both a great on-site experience and beautiful photographic memories.