Make Your Wedding Flourescently Lit Up

Fluorescent lighting is a staple of many venues, but it can be unflattering and difficult to photograph. However, there are ways to improve the look of fluorescent lighting and even use it to your advantage.

One way to improve the look of fluorescent lighting is to add other light sources, such as lamps, wall sconces, or pendant lights, to create a warmer atmosphere and reduce the need for overhead lighting. You can also install a dimmer switch to better control the lighting and reduce its brightness.

If you're looking to get creative, you can replace the fluorescent tubes with LED tubes, which are better for your eyes and provide more consistent lighting. You can even find LED tubes in different colours and intensities to add a unique touch to your wedding.

For a more dramatic transformation, you can replace the entire light fixture. Pendant lights and chandeliers tend to look best, especially if you're dealing with a concave light box.

If you want to embrace the fluorescent lighting, you can use coloured gels with your flash to add an interesting effect to your wedding photos. You can also try the backlit method, where you use a backlight to create subject separation and dimension, resulting in a sense of depth in your images.

With a bit of creativity and some simple cosmetic or minor renovation projects, you can make fluorescent lighting work for your wedding and even create unique and memorable photos.

Fluorescent lighting and photography: how to get the right colours

Fluorescent lighting is one of the most unflattering forms of light for photography, especially when shooting portraits. The cold, harsh, white light given off by fluorescent tubes can cast an unwanted hue on your photographs, making them appear a certain colour. However, there are several ways to get around this and ensure your photos turn out great. Here are some tips and tricks for getting the right colours when shooting under fluorescent lighting:

• Use your camera's white balance settings: Fluorescent light gives off a certain cast that will affect your photographs. You can compensate for these unwanted effects by going to your camera's menu and selecting the white balance. Look for the fluorescent tube lighting icon and select it. This will colour-correct or temperature-correct your photos to make them look natural.
• Adjust your shutter speed: Fluorescent tube lighting doesn't light up all at once; the light starts on one side of the tube and pulses to the other side in a cycle. By slowing down your shutter speed, you can ensure that you're capturing the full-colour spectrum. Try setting your shutter speed to 1/60th of a second or slower.
• Use a tripod: Fluorescent lighting can be inconsistent, and you might see pulsating or flickering in your footage. Using a tripod will help ensure your camera is steady and prevent blurry photos.
• Add other light sources: Layering in additional light sources, such as lamps or wall sconces, can help warm up the space and reduce the need to rely solely on harsh fluorescent overhead lighting.
• Install a dimmer switch: Adding a dimmer to your fluorescent lighting can help you better control the mood of the space and reduce brightness when needed.
• Use filters or gels: If you're using off-camera flash, you can gel your flash with a green filter and set your camera's white balance to fluorescent. This will neutralise the colours, and you can then warm up the photos during post-processing.
• Shoot in RAW: Shooting in RAW gives you more flexibility during post-processing, as it allows you to manipulate light sources and colours more easily.
• Correct colours in post-processing: You can use photo editing software to adjust the white balance and colour temperatures in your photos. Try using brush tools or graduated tools, especially if you have multiple colour temperatures within a single image.

DIY fluorescent light signs

Planning and Materials

First, plan out the design of your sign, including the shape, style, and size. For a wedding, you might want to include the couple's names, a romantic quote, or the wedding date. Once you have your design, gather your materials. You will need a backing material such as acrylic or wood, LED neon flex lights in your desired color, tube cutters, a soldering kit, wire, and a hot glue gun. You will also need a power source for your lights, such as a battery or outlet.

Advanced Method: Soldering

If you have experience with soldering and electrical wiring, this method will create a more durable sign. Cut the LED neon flex lights to the desired length using tube cutters, being careful not to cut off too much. Solder the wiring to the lights to create a secure connection. Use a hot glue gun to attach the lights to your backing material, ensuring they are properly aligned and secure. Connect the wires from the lights to your power source, following the manufacturer's instructions, and test your sign to ensure all lights are working.

Medium Method: No Soldering

This method is more accessible for beginners, but the final product may look less professional. Instead of soldering, you will use zip ties to attach the LED lights to a shaping wire. Create your design using the shaping wire, then fasten the lights at the peaks and bottoms of each letter or shape to ensure the sign holds its form. Use hot glue to attach the lights to your backing material. To connect the power source, attach plastic wire clips to the end of the power source and the end of the LED lights, then connect the two together. Test your sign to ensure the lights are working.

Additional Tips

• You can add a dimmer to your sign to control the brightness and mood of the lighting.
• Consider the color of your lights. Traditional neon signs use red neon gas, while other colors such as blue, green, or yellow can be achieved with different gases like argon, mercury, or helium.
• For a wedding, you might want to incorporate the lights in your backdrop, table decor, or photo displays.

With these methods, you can create a unique and personalized fluorescent light sign for your wedding.

Fluorescent lights: how to make them look chic

Fluorescent lights have a reputation for being harsh and unattractive, but with a few simple cosmetic upgrades or minor renovation projects, you can make them look chic. Here are some tips to make fluorescent lighting work for your wedding:

Use Decorative Light Covers

Fluorescent tube light fixtures usually come with a plastic light cover to diffuse the light and hide the tubes. These standard covers can be replaced with decorative light covers in various styles, such as faux stained glass, nature-inspired scenes, or abstract designs. This is an easy way to add a stylish touch to your lighting.

Add Other Light Sources

Layering in additional light sources, such as task lighting and ambient lighting, can help reduce the industrial feel of fluorescent lights. Incorporate lamps, wall sconces, pendant lights, or string lights to create a warmer and more inviting atmosphere.

Install a Dimmer Switch

Adding a dimmer switch to your fluorescent lights is a great way to control the brightness and mood of the lighting. Installing a dimmer switch is a relatively simple DIY project, but if you're unsure, you can always consult a professional electrician.

Add Trim for Architectural Interest

Fluorescent lighting can have a cold and industrial look. Adding trim or crown molding around the fixture in the same color as your ceiling can give it a more decorative and built-in appearance.

Replace the Light Fixture

If you want to get rid of the tube lighting altogether, replacing the entire fixture is the best option. Consult an electrician to remove the old fixture, add a new electrical box, and install a new light fixture. Pendant lights, chandeliers, or pot lights can be excellent alternatives to fluorescent lighting.

Transform the Light Box

If you're open to removing the fluorescent light fixture, you can get creative with the leftover light box. Trim, crown molding, wood paneling, wallpaper, bold paint, or LED strip lighting around the edges can give the space a trendy and unique look.

Bonus Tip: DIY Neon Signs

If you're feeling crafty, you can even make your own neon signs using EL wire or neon flex. This allows you to personalize your wedding decor with custom quotes, names, or designs that will surely impress your guests.

Fluorescent light alternatives

Fluorescent lights are common in many spaces, but their harsh, industrial feel and negative health effects have many people seeking alternatives. Here are some options for fluorescent light alternatives, especially useful if you're planning a wedding:

• Natural lighting: Sunlight is essential for human health and productivity, so try to incorporate as much natural light as possible into your space. This can be done by installing larger windows, adding skylights, or using glass doors to let in more sunlight. You can also remove window screens and bulky curtains, trim back any plants blocking the light, and add houseplants to brighten up the room.
• Halogen bulbs: These bulbs are similar to incandescent bulbs but are more energy-efficient and last longer. They provide bright, crisp light and can be dimmed, making them a good alternative to fluorescent lights. However, they are more expensive upfront and don't last as long as LED bulbs.
• Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH) bulbs: CMH bulbs closely mimic natural sunlight and are often used for growing plants. They have a high colour rendering index, producing true, natural colours, and are energy-efficient. However, they are more expensive upfront and don't last as long as compact fluorescent bulbs.
• Incandescent bulbs: These traditional light bulbs are cheap, but they are very energy-inefficient and don't last long, resulting in higher electricity bills and more frequent bulb replacements. They are also difficult to find due to federal rules phasing them out in favour of more energy-efficient options.
• Candles: Candles provide soft, natural light that is calming and perfect for creating a relaxing atmosphere. They are inexpensive and versatile, with many scent options available. However, they don't provide much light and are better suited for mood lighting or supplemental lighting rather than illuminating an entire room.
• LED bulbs and tubes: LED (light-emitting diode) technology is the most energy-efficient and long-lasting alternative to fluorescent lights. LED bulbs can be used in any fixture, including decorative installations and chandeliers, and they are dimmable and easily disposable. They also don't contain harmful mercury, lead to lower utility bills, and produce less heat, making them a safer and more comfortable option for offices and other spaces.

Fluorescent lighting and skin tones

Fluorescent lighting is notorious for making people's skin look bad. This is because fluorescent lights bring out the green and yellow tones in our skin, and some fluorescent lights also have magenta in them, which makes it even worse. Blue light, which is present in fluorescent lighting, tends to make scars, freckles, wrinkles, and skin damage more visible.

However, there are a few things you can do to mitigate the unflattering effects of fluorescent lighting at your wedding:

• Use decorative light covers. Most fluorescent tube light fixtures have a plastic light cover, but these are usually simple and unattractive. You can replace the standard cover with a decorative one, such as faux stained glass or nature-inspired scenes.
• Add other light sources. Layering in additional sources of light, such as task lighting and ambient lighting, can help to warm up the space and reduce the need to turn on the overhead fluorescent lights. Try incorporating lamps, wall sconces, pendant lights, and more.
• Install a dimmer switch. Adding a dimmer to your fluorescent overhead lighting will help you better control the mood of the space and reduce brightness when needed.
• Add trim for architectural interest. You can combat the cold, industrial feel of fluorescent lighting by adding trim or crown molding around the fixture in the same colour as your ceiling. This will give the lights a more decorative look at a fraction of the cost of replacing them.
• Replace the light fixture. If you want to get rid of the tube lighting altogether, you can replace the entire fixture. This will likely require hiring a qualified electrician to remove the fluorescent light fixture, add a new electrical box, and install the new fixture. Pendants and chandeliers tend to look best, but you can also opt for pot lights or any other fixture that fits the space.

If you are taking photographs at your wedding, there are a few additional things to keep in mind:

• Shoot in RAW format. This will allow you to make adjustments and fine-tune the images during post-processing.
• Expose for accurate skin tones. Make sure your images reflect the skin tones of the bride and groom accurately. Don't overexpose to the point where the bride's dress is detailed but the faces of the wedding party are too dark.
• Feather your light source. Instead of blasting your shoot-through umbrella directly at the couple, set it at an angle and slightly feather it across and in front of their bodies. You will still get the wrap-around lighting effect without washing out the bride's dress or losing detail in the groomsmen's suits.
• Gel your flash. To minimize the background fluorescent lighting, you can put a 30cc gel on your strobe or use the green plastic cut from a two-liter bottle of Sprite or 7-Up. This will make everything 30cc green, which is easily neutralized by setting your camera to its fluorescent setting or balancing it out when processing your RAW files.
• Set your camera to the correct white balance. If you are using a gel, make sure to set your camera to the correct fluorescent colour temperature.
• Test your equipment before the wedding. Visit the site before the wedding and click off a test frame to verify the light balance. Also, practice "feathering" the light to capture textures before the wedding.

Frequently asked questions