I recently coordinated a couple of weddings held in the ballrooms of local hotels. As you know, most hotel ballrooms look alike – same nondescript beige or light brown walls, airwall tracks in the ceiling. Some hotels try to improve the look by installing decorative light fixtures, which help to lessen the “conference room” look.
For these events, the clients chose to use decorative lighting to toally change the look of the room. One couple used columns of purple light shining upward, against the walls, creating a deep purple glow near the floor and suffusing the room with a soft lavender glow. The room looked elegant and inviting. The other couple, who were married on the beach, chose orange lighting to add to the tropical theme of their reception.
You can use lighting in various ways to add to the ambiance of your event, wherever it is held.
Though lighting an entire room can be expensive, there are ways to minimize cost, such as using only a few strategically located spot lights shining upward from behind a screen or curtain or focused on an architectural feature. Most any color can be used, though some are more flattering and inviting than others. Colors such as blue tend to make a room look cold, while red adds energy and keeps people moving.
If you want to do something to set your event apart from the ordinary, consider adding special lighting. One of the Wedding Party Show vendors offers colored lighting and event decorators can help with spot lighting.
© 2009 Glenna Tooman, Memory Makers Event Planning, LLC