lights for ceiling? (kind of long, sorry!)

kschwedic

Hey everyone :)I'm having a minor dilemma with reception ceiling lighting.  Our reception is taking place in a 60X60 meeting room at our local community center (it was the cheapest, closest option for our budget).  I really like the space of it, but it's going to need a lot of decoration and lack of lighting to hide the fact that it's not pretty in any way.Right now, we are trying to figure out what to do about lighting.  Our reception will be around 5pm or a little after, and by then it will be close to dark (wedding is in January).  We would really like to avoid turning on the overhead lights because there is only one setting--bright, and we would prefer it if it were darker, with candlelight, etc.The ceiling is really high (not sure of the exact measurement) so we're planning on bringing it down quite a bit by stringing up whatever lights we decide on at about midway down the wall.  Originally, I wanted the strands of lights that have the round bulbs (they use them at Olive Garden) and I can't find them for rent anywhere.  I don't plan on using them after, so purchasing them (at an outrageous price) wouldn't be logical. So, now I'm considering the white Christmas hanging icicle lights (you know what I mean?).  We've gotten some of the 8" white paper lanterns that we are going to use also.  I just wanted some opinions on the hanging lights, because I'm not sure of how it will really look...Anway, I'm sorry this is so long! Thanks in advance for any help

Catwoman708

I've seen it done with strands of Christmas lights, white icicle ones hanging from the ceiling. It looked great. You can easily use up all of the money you saved on a cheaper venue trying to dress it up, so I woldn't even try, except for maybe in the backdrop for your "photo op" spots. Like behind the cake table, and the head table or dancefloor, if you have one. Just keep the lights dim and keep the focus on the tables and away from the ugly walls/other elements. If there are any really ugly areas, like giant cluttered bulletin boards, ugly paneled walls full of ugly plaques, buy inexpensive sheets and drape over the eyesores. (But get the wrinkles out first or they will look terrible in photos.) Afterward you can use them, donate them, recycle them, or sell them. Borrow or rent as many large floor plants as possible and cover up other areas (you can string Christmas lights on them too). You can make, rent, or borrow folding screens. Lattice panels can be purchased cheaply and hinged together, but they can look a little dated.

Catwoman708

Oh, I mentioned Christmas lights because they are relatively cheap, easy to find, and can be reused over and over again, or sold afterwards. Other type light might look great too, but if they are hard to find, or more expensive, make it easy on yourself.

ExpatPumpkin

If you have a fabric outlet near you, you could buy a bunch of their cheapest light-colored fabric and hang it on the ceiling. That would look really nice with the Christmas lights. Maybe you could use the fabric for something else later? Here's a picture from our wedding of the ceilings: [img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2514/3930923002_8731b4d5fe.jpg[/img]

Catwoman708

Covering flourescent lights with material can look beautiful! (Picture is awesome). For a 60 x 60 room, it would take 20 yds to stretch from one side to the other, more if you want it to swag. Times the width, so that's a whole lotta material.

2dBride

Just a warning on the paper lanterns:  If they are the battery-operated ones, the batteries will probably run out after about 5 hours.  They also are not terribly bright, so you can use them for decoration, but they don't really help in lighting up surrounding areas.

kschwedic

Thanks for the suggestions ladies! I really like the fabric idea, but I'm not sure my FMIL (who has basically paid for EVERYTHING) would want to spend the money on the fabric--even the cheapest.  But I'll definitely take a look at your suggestions. StageManager--aren't you in AR? I am, too! Where are you? I will talk to FI and FMIL about DIYing the uplighting, and I might get in touch with you

kschwedic

Lonoke--about twenty-five minutes east of Little Rock.

kschwedic

I would LOVE to hire someone to deal with all of the lighting, but it would really be up to FMIL.  She's been a huge lifesaver and has paid for absolutely everything (except for dresses and hopefully flowers).  She's allowed me to pick everything, but obviously I don't want to go wild with it all because she is paying.  But I can talk with her and get her opinion on hiring someone.  If anything, I can just get some opinions from you. I don't know that any info can really be found concerning our venue--it's at our local community center in a room that is used for large meetings and various exercises.  And the center is fairly new, so I don't even know that it can be found online!  Thanks for helping

ExpatPumpkin

OP - Stage is right about the lighting. The picture I posted was of uplighting onto the fabric. The lights were not behind the fabric. Some sort of filter was used on the lights to create the leafy pattern. Stage could advise you about all of that...