Community› Local Wedding Boards› Illinois-Chicago
Illinois-Chicago
New Discussion

Who Does Lighting?

morganalyxmorganalyx member
10 Comments
in Illinois-Chicago
I'd like to discuss possibilities for lighting the reception area, but I don't know who to contact.  Is this something the florist would handle, or do I need to contact an event vendor for this sort of thing?

Thanks!
Report Reply to Post

Re: Who Does Lighting?

  • butterflyfanbutterflyfan
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Our DJ is doing our uplighting. www.abdjs.com
    Report Reply
  • MobKazMobKaz member
    Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    edited December 2011
    Often times, your venue will have a list of vendors that they have worked with for past events.  Many DJ's include or incorporate lighting packages in with their services.  Florists may or may not have recommendations for lighting companies.

    We chose to go with an independent lighting company, recommended by our venue.  We prefer to contract with vendors that "specialize" in their domain.....we want our DJ to focus on the music, and not lighting, or photoboothing, or anything else. 

    We are using Elegant Event Lighting....eleganteventlighting.net  and have been pleased with his ideas and prices.  He also does draping/backdrops.  You can try googling "Event lighting" or look on the Knot boards for local vendors.
    Report Reply
  • morganalyxmorganalyx member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    @butterflyfan - thank you for that, but we're not going to have a DJ...we'll have our music selections playing through an mp3 player.

    @mobkaz - thank you for that recommendation.  I'll give them a glance right now.
    Report Reply
  • butterflyfanbutterflyfan
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_lighting?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:72Discussion:4a669a99-c962-441d-a955-9bf69f771e19Post:ecdf54ad-1db2-4784-92e7-0713f5b285a5">Re: Who Does Lighting?</a>:
    [QUOTE]@butterflyfan - thank you for that, but we're not going to have a DJ...we'll have our music selections playing through an mp3 player. @mobkaz - thank you for that recommendation.  I'll give them a glance right now.
    Posted by morganalyx[/QUOTE]

    They own a seperate uplighting division. You do not have to hire them for DJ.
    Report Reply
  • butterflyfanbutterflyfan
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_lighting?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:72Discussion:4a669a99-c962-441d-a955-9bf69f771e19Post:047e54f0-ef7d-48c2-81f5-1289cc6fef6a">Re: Who Does Lighting?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Often times, your venue will have a list of vendors that they have worked with for past events.  Many DJ's include or incorporate lighting packages in with their services.  Florists may or may not have recommendations for lighting companies. We chose to go with an independent lighting company, recommended by our venue.  We prefer to contract with vendors that "specialize" in their domain.....we want our DJ to focus on the music, and not lighting, or photoboothing, or anything else.  We are using Elegant Event Lighting....eleganteventlighting.net  and have been pleased with his ideas and prices.  He also does draping/backdrops.  You can try googling "Event lighting" or look on the Knot boards for local vendors.
    Posted by mobkaz[/QUOTE]

    Just to let you know...your lighting company is a DJ company. Same website. You should get your facts straight before you push a service!
    Report Reply
  • GJMLuckyGJMLucky
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Admit One DJ does great uplighting!
    Report Reply
  • Katie91980Katie91980
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We actually just booked out lighting today. We're using Frost Lighting
    Report Reply
  • Love is BaldLove is Bald
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_lighting?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:72Discussion:4a669a99-c962-441d-a955-9bf69f771e19Post:1a5ea3a4-dcc3-4ec6-89ef-7051dd07d21c">Re: Who Does Lighting?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Admit One DJ does great uplighting!
    Posted by GJMLucky[/QUOTE]

    I agree!!  Ive seen their lighting at bridal shows and two weddings and they do fabulous work!
    Report Reply
  • MattandTracy82910MattandTracy82910
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I don't know how to quote PPs as I don't post much but in regard to Elegant Event Lighting it is the same core group of people as Something 2 Dance 2 (DJ) but they ARE 2 separate companies.  I am using them for both DJ and lighting/drapery and I have 2 separate contracts/deposits/etc.  So far I would highly recommend them- I think I went through 20 back and forth emails with ideas/pictures/questions- before I even booked with them (planning my Chicago wedding from out of state).  All the reviews I found were great and once I went and met with them I was 100% sold (more so on the DJ part and just the fact that they worked so well with me I admit I did NOT shop around the lighting part- planning out of state I just figured it would be easiest to deal with the same people for 2 aspects of the wedding). Also the pics of the drapery/lighting they have done at the venue I booked sold me (and knowing they are familiar with the venue and have worked there before helped ease my nerves).

    Good luck in your search!

    Report Reply
  • MobKazMobKaz member
    Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    edited December 2011
    I don't know how to quote PPs as I don't post much but in regard to Elegant Event Lighting it is the same core group of people as Something 2 Dance 2 (DJ) but they ARE 2 separate companies.

    MattandTracy---Thank you.  Yes, Something 2 Dance 2 is a sister company.  We only spoke with the gentlemen from Elegant Lighting.  Not once did they ever mention their affiliation with the DJ company.  Nor did they try to push any type of "buy 2-get a discount" sales pitch.

    I am sorry if I inadvertently "hit a nerve" with Butterflyfan.  I do not feel my post appeared "pushy", and "getting my facts straight" seemed a bit strong in attitude.  I merely meant to say that when we explored options for any aspect of our event, we preferred to work with people with expertise, rather than "jacks-of-all-trades".  I did not leave my recommendation solely with this one company.  I also suggested to the OP ways she could google and/or research other lighting companies.

    Jay had an extremely good designing eye, and offered many outstanding suggestions, while keeping within the parameters of our budget.  Tim, who is more of the technical engineer, had lots of good suggestions regarding placement, and overall layout of the lighting and draping.

    They had no problem at all meeting us at our venue for a "brainstorming" session.  Although what we saw online was fantastic, it was important for us to have them come out to the venue and draw up diagrams so we had a firm grasp of what to expect.  I would recommend them.
    Report Reply
  • Love is BaldLove is Bald
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Mob, I dont feel you were pushy at all.... you gave a very legit review and info! :)
    Report Reply
  • kellym050370kellym050370 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    MOB - there was absolutely nothing wrong with your post. I was going to offer that my DJ company also does lighting (I believe the larger companies do).  Don't worry about it! :)
    Report Reply
  • butterflyfanbutterflyfan
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_lighting?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:72Discussion:4a669a99-c962-441d-a955-9bf69f771e19Post:256f5b5d-d570-407e-b6ef-d54d95f870ae">Re: Who Does Lighting?</a>:
    [QUOTE]We actually just booked out lighting today. We're using Frost Lighting
    Posted by Katie91980[/QUOTE]

    Frost lighting is very good!
    Report Reply
  • Love is BaldLove is Bald
    1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Edited to add:  I should have known better to quote your post Butterflyfan because now I see that you've deleted what you wrote. My below post probably doesnt make a whole lot of sense to the rest of the community now,  but i'm going to keep what I wrote below because I meant it -- you were out of line with what you wrote and I stand by Mob that she is NOT a vendor as you claimed in your nasty post (that you've deleted) in responding to her.


    Butterflyfan, you are being WAY out of line accusing her of being a vendor. She stated what she knew about the vendor, why she chose who she did BASED OFF HER VENUE recommendation, and gave her opinion why she chose who she did. There is absolutely nothing wrong with her post and just because she may not post as frequently as you would like on this board, she is on many of the club boards contributing as well and is a regular around here.

    I don't know what your sensitivity to her post is but your accusations are unfounded. If anything, your post history is strangely consistent with promoting abdj's and you seem pretty upset she recommended another company and questioned the company you constantly promote. I'm more convinced you are a vendor than she is and YOU seem to be pretty riled up defending your vendor (who you haven't even used yet) ... kinda suspicious if you ask me. So please stop your nonsense. There is no reason to delete her posts as you've requested or to ban her, she has done nothing wrong. She has a different opinion than you and that's what it is. It's not a reason to take down a post.
    Report Reply
  • Golfer09Golfer09 member
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    When I was looking at lighting, I contacted Art of Imagination, Chicago Lighting Design, and Frost Lighting.

    Frost never got back to me, after two attempts to contact them.  Chicago Lighting Design (Len) was very attentive and got me a proposal that was reasonable.  Art of Imagination was not as attentive as CLD but Deborah's work was so beautiful plus she did pipe/drape, something I was also looking for. 

    I eventually went with Art of Imagination and they did a wonderful job - highly recommend though should caveat that she is not as responsive as many brides would like.  I would just say be patient....I heard she brought on some administrative support so hopefully that aspect will improve.

    All in all, I would recommend contacting both CLD and A of I.  Frost is on the higher end side but their work is also gorgeous.  I felt that I got a Frost comparable look for probably half the price.

    Good luck!
    Our wedding SDE: https://player.vimeo.com/video/8491081 Our wedding Feature: PW=demo
    Report Reply
  • MrsPapsMrsPaps member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    MDM also does uplighting separate from their DJ services.
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Planning Bio UPDATED with For Sale!
    Report Reply
  • Eener23Eener23
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Lava Event Lighting (I copied below from their Facebook page)

    Email
    lavajim@sbcglobal.net lavadean@sbcglobal.net
    Phone
    (630) 207-2110 Dean, (815) 791-1422 Jim
    Website
    Report Reply
  • TatiMarieTatiMarie
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011

    I also used Art of Imagination.  I would say she was the slowest with responses (I think it took over a month if not two to get a price quote) but we still went with her after some brides reassured us her work was good.

    We took a risk, and it was worth it!  We didn't brake the proverbial bank and everyone was commenting on how awesome the lighting was. 

    image
    Report Reply
  • morganalyxmorganalyx member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thank you all so VERY much with the recommendations!  I'll be doing some research this weekend.  :o)

    Also, MOB, I didn't find your post too pushy at all.

    Thanks, ladies!
    Report Reply
  • 2cultures2wed2cultures2wed
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We used Frost. They are a big company but have great references from some of the best venues and it was important to us that they had experience at our venue. They were fabulous and we both got so many compliments on the atmosphere of our reception room.
    Report Reply
  • jaguarxf2011jaguarxf2011
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Art of Imagination has been wonderful so far. Deborah is always prompt in communicating and has some fun ideas. She is even prepared for the venue flip if our wedding ceremony gets rained out and put indoors.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards