While you may be worried about the centerpieces and seating arrangement, there is one aspect of wedding planning that shouldn’t be left to the wayside: lighting. When it comes to wedding receptions, choosing the right type of lighting can enhance the space and create a more cohesive and beautiful ambiance. If you’re not sure where to begin, start with the guide below. 

What Lighting Options Are Available?

There are many different lighting solutions and styles to choose from, and you can use a combination of the following:

• Pin Spot: Pin spot lights highlight a small object like a centerpiece or a cake by shining directly on them.
• Spotlight: A spotlight is similar to a pin spot, but it illuminates a larger area like a couple on the dance floor.
• String Lights: Similar to Christmas lights, this type of lighting comes in various colors and shapes and can add festive charm to a space.
• Gobos: Gobos project a unique pattern on a surface such as a wall or ceiling by using a stencil to filter the light.
• Color Wash: Just as it sounds, a color wash light bathes an area in color to add to the decorations or emphasize a mood.
• LED: Short for light emitting diode, LED lighting features a vibrant and long-lasting type of bulb.
• Uplighting: Uplighting brightens the walls of the venue by shining light upward from the floor.

Other options include candles and chandeliers, which may be provided by your venue.

How Can You Use Them?

Choose a lighting style that will complement the theme of your wedding. Here are a few examples of common wedding themes and how you can use lights to enhance them: 

• Rustic: For a chic farmhouse feel, place candles in mason jars and use them as centerpieces at the dining tables, and line aisles and pathways with string lights. You can also use a gobo to create the illusion of a clear starry night on a wall or backdrop.
• Modern: Use vibrant LED lights to supplement your decorations such as flowers and centerpieces, and choose a color wash that goes with your theme. For a moving image that looks high-tech, use a gobo with spinning capabilities.
• Romantic: A color wash in a traditionally romantic color—like pink or red—will set the mood, and you can create a shimmering waterfall by hanging string lights vertically from an archway or ceiling. Additionally, uplighting can be used to complete the look.

If you need a venue for a wedding reception, visit Lake St Louis Banquet Center in Lake Saint Louis, MO. They’ve been serving clients in the St. Louis area for over 35 years, and their professional staff will make planning your event easy and affordable. As a bonus, their reception rooms are complete with dimmable chandeliers that will complement any of your lighting choices. For more information about their services, call (636) 561-6550 or visit them online.