Uplighting.... What do I need to know?

RochelleAnn2302 · April 2010

So I am thinking about booking my dj who also can provide uplighting services at my reception. I know nothing about uplighting except the fact that I love the way it looks and it seems like an economical way to add a lot of color to your space. Does any have any idea of some important questions to ask about their services (obviously I realize I need to know the price and probably the number of lights) but other pertenant questions or a "checklist" would be helpful. Thanks!

lcorey · April 2010

What if a bulb blows out? Do they have extras?
Do they charge extra for set up and take down or is it included?

Thats really all I can think of right now. If I can think of anything else I'll let you know.

Blueyed228 · April 2010

Along with asking about set up/break down fee

* how many lights are in the package?
* who operates them
* is the package the same time frame as the dj package

2dBride · April 2010

1. Does this person use traditional PAR cans or LED lights?

Previously, traditional lamp PAR cans were used for uplighting. Traditional PAR cans are known for getting very hot, taking up alot of electricity and being a mild fire hazard. To change the color, its necessary to manually place a colored piece of plastic, known as a "gel" on the lamp. This means that changing colors is a bit of a production, involving turning the light off and manually changing the gel.

In recent years, LED par cans have become much more widely used. These LED cans consume a very low amount of power, do not pose a fire risk, and do not become hot. They are also much more flexible, as their color (and strength) can be controlled digitally, without having to use gels. However, they are also much more expensive than traditional PAR cans.

2. Does this person have the flexibility to use different types of lights for different colors?

LED PAR cans, in spite of their flexibility, do not do well in the yellow, gold, amber and orange ranges. Does this person have the ability to use both types as necessary?

3. What is this person's philosophy about how uplighting should be used?

There are really two schools of thought on this. The first is to focus on subtlety. In this way of applying uplighting, the focus is on having the lighting complement the venue/event, but not allowing it to distract. One of the characteristics of this is that there will usually just be one color at a time, although someone may decide that they periodically want the color of the uplighting changed (for example, red uplights during dinner, and blue uplights during dancing).

Others shun subtlety and prefer to use up lighting in a way that that is completely opposite. Those that fall into this second uplighting school of thought will apply uplighting in a more flamboyant manner, programming the up lights to constantly change colors, and sometimes even using them to act like a strobe light

4. Can I see pictures of previous uplighting you have done?

Like anything else, different people have different tastes. Seeing pictures of uplighting this person has provided in the past can help you decide whether you like the person's work.

5. What back-up do they have if something fails?

What if a lamp fails? Or a bulb burns out? Or a computer controller fails? Do they have extra equipment they can use while the problem is fixed? Do they have a person there who can fix things, or is a single person in charge of both changing the color effects as necessary and repairing equipment?

RochelleAnn2302 · April 2010

Thanks! Very helpful especially 2dbride! Is this your job?!? Thanks agan!

2dBride · April 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_uplighting-need?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:5814f1f9-1775-4c3c-82cb-1aaa573446b1Post:4977bbe8-0bcb-4ad1-a374-724eda37ee67">Re: Uplighting.... What do I need to know?</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks! Very helpful especially 2dbride! Is this your job?!? Thanks agan!
Posted by RochelleAnn2302[/QUOTE]Nope, it's not. However, I did my own uplighting as part of our reception (<a href="http://sites.google.com/site/2dbride/decor/lighting#TOC-Uplighting" target="_blank">details here</a>), and learned a lot about it.

Uplighting.... What do I need to know?

Re: Uplighting.... What do I need to know?

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