Uplighting Your Wedding: A Guide To Diy Success

Wedding uplighting is a great way to enhance the atmosphere of your special day. It involves placing individual light sources at the base of architectural details or points of interest, usually around the perimeter of a space, to draw attention to those details and create a romantic, elegant, or dramatic mood. While it is not necessary, it can elevate your wedding decor and bring out the beauty of your venue, especially if you have an indoor or covered reception during the evening.

Uplighting can be done in any colour and is typically used to highlight various points of interest, such as the head table, cake table, stage, dance floor, and side walls. It can be placed on the floor, creating a pillar effect, or used to accentuate flowers, drapery, or other decorative elements.

While you can DIY your wedding uplighting, it is recommended to consult a professional to ensure the best results and avoid any potential issues. Professionals can also offer additional features such as moving lights and colour-changing lights. The average cost of uplighting for a wedding depends on various factors, including the rental company, venue, and number of uplights needed.

Wireless uplights: Rechargeable batteries, remote-controlled, and no cables

Wireless uplights are a great way to achieve the desired lighting effects for your wedding without the hassle of cables. These uplights are typically battery-powered and rechargeable, offering a completely wireless solution for your special day. They can be easily set up and controlled remotely, providing convenience and flexibility in creating the perfect ambience.

• Completely Wireless: Wireless uplights eliminate the need for cables and wires, creating a sleek and trip-hazard-free environment. No more worrying about guests tripping over long extension cords!
• Rechargeable Batteries: With rechargeable batteries, you won't have to worry about constant battery replacements. These uplights can provide long-lasting illumination, ensuring your wedding venue remains beautifully lit throughout the event.
• Remote Control: Wireless uplights can be conveniently controlled via a remote, allowing you to adjust lighting effects, colours, and intensity without any hassle. This enables you to create dynamic lighting scenes and adapt the lighting to different moments of your wedding, such as dinner or dancing.
• Easy Setup: These uplights are typically designed to be lightweight and easy to operate. They often feature kickstands or adjustable brackets, making it simple to position them around your venue, whether it's on the ground, mounted on walls, or hung on trusses.
• Colour Options: Wireless uplights offer a wide range of colour options, including RGBW (Red, Green, Blue, White) or RGBWA+UV, allowing you to create rich hues and smooth colour mixing to match your wedding theme and décor.
• Long Working Time: Rechargeable wireless uplights can offer several hours of operation on a single charge, ensuring that your lighting lasts throughout the event. Some uplights can provide up to 26 hours of illumination, with quick charging times of around 4-5 hours.
• Safety: LED uplights are a popular choice for wireless uplighting due to their low heat emission, reducing the risk of burns or fire hazards. Additionally, battery-operated uplights eliminate the need for power cords, further enhancing safety.
• Versatility: Wireless uplights are suitable for both indoor and outdoor weddings. They can be used to highlight architectural features, create a romantic atmosphere, or add a dynamic club-like vibe to your dance floor.
• Cost-Effective: Wireless uplights can be a budget-friendly option, especially if you're renting them. They can also be easily resold after your wedding, making them a cost-effective choice for DIY couples.
• Eco-Friendly: Rechargeable batteries reduce waste and are more environmentally friendly than disposable batteries, making your wedding celebration more sustainable.

LED uplights: Safe, cool to the touch, and battery-operated

LED uplights are a popular choice for wedding uplighting, as they are safe, cool to the touch, and often battery-operated.

LED lights are a better option than traditional filament bulbs because they don't heat up, meaning there's no risk of burns or fires. They are also battery-operated, so you can avoid the clunky look and trip hazard of cables. This makes them safer, especially if you have young children at your wedding who might touch them.

LED uplights are also versatile and can be used both indoors and outdoors. If you're using them outdoors, just make sure they are waterproof, especially if there's a chance of rain.

You can find LED uplights in a variety of colours to suit your wedding theme and create the perfect ambiance. They can be placed on the ground and pointed upwards to highlight the venue's architecture and create a romantic, elegant atmosphere.

LED uplights are usually placed at the base of architectural details or points of interest, such as columns or other decorative features, to draw attention to them. They can also be used to wash the space with soft illumination and enhance the decor.

Overall, LED uplights are a safe, versatile, and stylish option for wedding uplighting, helping to create a magical atmosphere for your special day.

Amber uplighting: Adds a romantic, formal glow and flatters skin tones

Amber uplighting is a great way to add a romantic, elegant, and formal glow to your wedding venue. It is a warm, natural-earth tone that flatters skin tones and adds depth to any room.

Amber uplighting is a popular choice for weddings as it is a very neutral colour. It can provide a similar warm glow to candles, chandeliers, and string lighting, and can also bring out the detail in wood-panelled walls. Amber uplighting can be used to unify the colour scheme of a wedding. For example, if you are having a pink wedding, you could uplight the room in pink and tie the whole colour scheme together.

Uplighting is a great way to highlight the architecture of your venue. It can be used to light up columns or other interesting features, creating a romantic and intimate atmosphere. It can also be used to guide guests to different areas of the event, such as the bar or photo booth.

LED lights are a good option for uplighting as they don't heat up and are battery-operated, so there are no cables to trip over. If you are having an outdoor wedding, make sure your LED lights are waterproof.

Uplight placement: Position lights on the ground, pointing up to create a pillar effect

Wedding uplighting is a great way to create a captivating and romantic atmosphere for your special day. By placing lights on the ground and pointing them upwards, you can highlight architectural features, enhance your wedding's colour scheme, and guide guests to areas of interest.

When placing uplights, it is important to consider the venue layout and the desired effect. Aim for one uplight every 10 feet to ensure even coverage, and experiment with different angles to achieve the perfect lighting effect. Uplights should be placed at the base of walls or architectural features, such as pillars or alcoves, to create a pillar of light that accentuates the venue's best features. This technique is particularly effective for creating a stunning backdrop or highlighting key areas such as the head table or dance floor.

In addition to placement, the colour of your uplighting can also have a significant impact on the overall ambiance of your wedding. Warm tones like amber and gold create a romantic and intimate atmosphere, while cooler tones like blue and purple can give a more modern and serene feel. You can also use uplighting to complement your wedding's colour scheme, making the venue feel truly yours.

Remember, uplighting is meant to enhance the beauty of your venue and create a memorable experience for you and your guests. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can achieve a stunning and enchanting atmosphere that will leave a lasting impression.

Cost: Basic options are standard or wireless; cost depends on venue and number of uplights

When it comes to the cost of wedding uplighting, there are a few factors to consider. The basic options are standard or wireless uplights, and the cost will depend on your venue and the number of uplights you need.

Standard uplights require power outlets and have a button to set different colours. Wireless uplights, on the other hand, offer more flexibility and portability as they are battery-powered and can be placed anywhere in the room without a power cord. They also have rechargeable batteries and can be controlled via remote.

The number of uplights required will depend on the size of your venue and the number of guests. A good rule of thumb is to count the areas that need uplighting. For a wedding with up to 100 guests, 14 to 18 uplights are typically needed. If your guest list is over 100, you may need 20 or more. For smaller, intimate weddings of around 50 people, nine uplights should suffice.

The cost of uplights can vary, but they typically range from $25 to $50 per piece. Professional lighting design packages can start from $2,000 to $4,000. It's worth noting that uplighting costs can also be influenced by the size and existing lighting at your venue, as well as the desired colour and effects.

While DIY uplighting can be more affordable, it's important to consider the potential challenges and risks. Some venues may not allow DIY uplighting due to safety concerns. Additionally, professional lighting companies have access to state-of-the-art equipment and can help you achieve your desired lighting effects without the stress of setting up and troubleshooting on your big day.

Frequently asked questions