6 Event Lighting Mistakes to Avoid

Most lighting regrets come from decisions made late, or made by counting fixtures. Here are the six we see most, and what to do about each.

1. Booking lighting last

Lighting often gets whatever budget and time is left. By then the layout is locked and the venue's load-in window is set. Bring lighting in while the floor plan can still move, so the stage, head table and dance floor land where they can be lit well.

2. Buying by fixture count

"How many uplights do I get" is the wrong first question. Twenty-four fixtures in the wrong places do less than sixteen in the right ones. Ask what the room will look like, then let the count follow.

3. Ignoring the room itself

Ceiling height, wall color, windows and house lights all change the result. Uplighting that glows at night can look faint in a room full of afternoon sun. A good plan starts with the venue and the time of day, not with a package.

4. Picking colors without thinking about photos

A color that looks great on a wall can look harsh on faces. Deep saturated color near the head table or stage shows up on skin in every photo and video. Keep strong color on the walls and architecture, and keep the light on people clean.

5. Leaving the decor in the dark

Florals, centerpieces and a custom cake cost real money. In a dimmed room they disappear unless something is aimed at them. Pin spotting is a small part of a lighting plan and it is what makes the decor show.

6. Nobody running the lights

A room set to one look at 5 pm is still in that look at 10 pm. If your event has an entrance, a first dance, a speaker or an awards segment, someone should be changing the lighting with the program. That is why our moving head designs include a technician who runs them live.

The fix for all six

Start with the room and the schedule, then choose the equipment. Tell us your date, venue and the look you want, and we will send a custom lighting plan within 1 business day.