All posts by lscjonathan

Do I need uplighting for my wedding?

Do I need uplighting?

Short answer: no. The only thing you need are a ring and a marriage license. You probably don’t need uplighting. But if you’re having a party, you may want to look into how lighting can drastically affect your event space. Uplighting is one of the more popular wedding lighting options, and for good reason too. The proper placement of the fixtures can do wonders for your space. And just as importantly: your pictures. Pair that with the relative affordability vs other decor options and you begin to understand its popularity. Uplighting services are among the many lighting options available for your wedding. Check out the many possibilities in our Color Picker!

Need uplighting science museum of virginia — Powerful narrow-beamed uplighting project all the way up the columns of the Science Museum of Virginia, in Richmond, Va.

Choosing the right wedding lighting service.

While uplighting is a popular option, if you think it’s not the right service for your event, you may be right. If you’re having an outdoor event, look into bistro lighting. String lighting effects such as bistro lighting are great for lighting rustic and traditional weddings. Perhaps you don’t need lighting at all. With custom drape, there are thousands of possibilities. A well-placed drape backdrop looks fantastic behind a head table, or as a backdrop for pictures.

Bistro lighting is ideal for outdoor events because of both its classic feel and it’s ability to cover large areas with light.

Your wedding

When it comes to your wedding, we know how tough it can be to manage your budget. Here’s an easy list to help you decide if you need uplighting for your wedding.

Amber uplighting commonwealth club wedding — Amber uplighting for a wedding at the Commonwealth Club, Richmond, Virginia.

You may need uplighting if…

Your venue could use some additional ambiance. Couples pick venues for dozens of different reasons. Couples sometimes pick venues for sentimental reasons. Sometimes they pick them based completely on the location. Sometimes a venue has fantastic food, but just needs a face lift. Uplighting can do wonders for a bland slab of drywall or an unimpressive corner, tying it into the look of the rest of your party instead of sticking out.
Your wedding is in a beautiful space. If you’re getting married in a remarkable old hotel, a modern gem or a building with some history, lighting will often highlight the beauty in an already impressive space. Architectural features like columns, windows, and ceilings can be lit for ambient effect. Materials like unfinished brick and plaster often look dynamic and beautiful when uplit. Like most things, if done wrong, uplighting can be tacky. If designed correctly, uplighting will take the look of your venue to the next level.
Your wedding is in a familiar space. Increasingly more couples are using old barns, non-conventional event spaces, or just using their parents back yard for their weddings. This offers a new perspective on familiar items. This adds a flash of drama that is crucial in an otherwise ordinary space.

Lighting drape ugly room — A little uplighting and drape goes a long way in an otherwise ordinary room. See the final product below!

need uplighting drape — Think big: Lighting and drape can completely change the look of your event space.

You probably don’t need uplighting if…

You need to cut costs to the extreme. Not everyone can afford everything they want for their wedding, we completely understand. Things like entertainment and rentals all need to be taken care of first and sometimes lighting doesn’t make the cut. That’s okay, uplighting isn’t a prerequisite to have a good time.
Your venue includes it. If your venue already provides uplighting, make sure they show it to you in action. Photographers often edit pictures to make dim lights appear to be brighter, so you’re going to want to see it with your own eyes. Venues can often provide uplighting packages included with your rental fee, just make sure they’re giving you the same thing a professional lighting company would.
You have a daytime wedding. While professional lighting companies carry powerful uplighting, fighting against the sun can be futile. Bistro lighting (because of it’s classic look) and drape are more effective choices for daytime events.

The Mill Fine Creek Uplighting Wedding Lighting — Sometimes daylight washes out uplighting, but other times it’s a fantastic accent. A designer can help you decide what’s best for your wedding.

Still unsure if you need uplighting or not? Reach out to one of our friendly designers to ask questions, or start planning for your perfect event…right now.

Lighting Company Richmond Virginia Cover

Lighting Company: Do you need one?

Why do I need a lighting company?

So you’re planning an event and wondering if you should hire a lighting company? If you want your event to have a visual impact, chances are you should! If you already know you need lighting, hiring pros is the way to go. Professional lighting companies have experience and rugged equipment that will ensure your event runs smoothly. They also have the knowledge to handle unexpected issues. Lighting companies hire designers that can work with you to achieve your vision. If you can’t picture what you want, designers can help find the lighting that best suits your event. Lighting will affect every aspect of your event, so if you want to stand out, hire a pro.

Lighting companies like The Lighting & Sound Co. field trained and experienced crews for coordinated event setup.

What kind of events should I hire a lighting company for?

Every company is different. Some companies work exclusively on weddings. Some work exclusively on concerts. Companies like The Lighting & Sound Co. are made up of many different departments that service any type of event. This can include, but isn’t limited to: concerts, weddings, corporate events, sports events, conferences, meetings and galas.

bistro wedding lighting john marshall ballrooms

Experienced crews like The Lighting & Sound Company can service any type of event.

Where can I find lighting companies in my area?

The Lighting & Sound Company is based in Richmond, Virginia, but services the continental United States. You can also check sources like Richmond Weddings for more wedding lighting information.

An LSC tech sets up for a concert at VCU’s Siegel Center.

What should I look for when hiring a lighting company?

You should hire a lighting company the same way you buy anything else. That is to say: do your research. Don’t just believe what companies tell you- verify it. Since most professional production companies maintain social media accounts, be sure to check those out. Ensure that the company you hire has up-to-date pictures and reviews proving what they are capable of. You want a company that responds to you quickly. One of your vendors is taking a while to get back? That’s probably not the vendor you want on the day of your event.

Virginia Beach Wedding Lighting

Planning your Virginia Beach wedding lighting design.

In Virginia Beach, wedding lighting is more popular than it ever has been before. Many brides are adding drape accents to their oceanfront ceremonies. The drape billowing in the ocean breeze looks fantastic in person and pictures alike. Others are getting full design packages for one of Virginia Beach’s many fantastic venues. There are so many possibilities with light, it’s hard to know where to start. Professional lighting companies employ trained lighting designers to ensure no detail is missed. Designers draw on their years of experience to make a seamless lighting design that brings the wedding look to the next level. Read on to learn more about what lighting options are available in Virginia Beach.

Add some drape…now add some more.

Drape looks great, but it can be functional too. You can protect your guests from the harsh rays of the sun with some drape shades. With drape, you’ll get a nice canopy that blends in to the gorgeous landscape. However, this effect can be limited to nice weather. Drape won’t stop the rain! Most production companies that set up drape offer several color, fabric type, and hang options. Drape is a good look for both indoor and outdoor weddings, so don’t be afraid to use your imagination.

You can’t go wrong with string lights.

Peanut butter and jelly. Chips and dip. Rum and coke. Weddings and string lights.

String lighting has become the go-to for covering event spaces all over the country. It’s an effective and elegant way to cover large spaces with lighting that doubles as amazing decor. There’s a certain charm that comes from a sunset wedding covered in string lights. Maybe its reds from the sun. Or perhaps its the sparkling reflection of the sun off the ocean waves. The warm incandescent glow of classic Edison bulbs strung across the landscape definitely has an impact. Many Virginia Beach wedding lighting designs are utilizing bistro lights (also referred to as market lights, cafe lights, or Edison lights.) Bistro lighting is popular, and its one among dozens of string lighting options you can pick from to make your wedding look exactly how you want it. The beach reception below uses “globe-style” string lights and paper lanterns to add to the festive ambiance.

Wedding String Lighting: Everything you need to know about stringing up your event.

Chandeliers add elegant beauty to your wedding lighting design.

Chandeliers have always been a popular addition for weddings. Virginia Beach wedding lighting designs have recently featured more chandeliers. Chandeliers let you customize your event with a classic centerpiece. In addition, Chandeliers make stunning decor displays when grouped together. Most high end lighting companies offer a diverse selection for your to choose from, usually pulling from 4 main themes: Industrial, Rustic, Modern, and Classic (or Traditional.) A chandelier’s style can set the tone for the whole event, so choose wisely.

Event Chandeliers in Virginia Beach Area

Speakers on the beach: getting the right AV for your Virginia Beach event.

For most weddings and events, the sound system the event DJ brings is more than enough sound. Events that cover larger outdoor areas might find that a normal DJ sound system (2 x 12″ speakers is what most DJ gig with), is insufficient. If your event covers a large space, ask if your lighting or production company can fill in the gaps that the DJ leaves. A professional production company will carry the gear you need to make sure your wedding looks and sounds great.

Cutting the cord: is wireless the right solution for your beach event?

With wireless technology, anything is possible. We’ve come a long way since the days when you had to drag out a generator or run hundreds of feet of power cable for a beach event. These days, having lighting, or even audio on the beach is no problem. A well-equipped lighting company has the quiet-run generators needed for any event, anywhere. But sometimes events don’t call for all the bells and whistles, and budget is almost always a factor. The good news is wireless or battery-powered solutions make events with limited power options affordable. LEDs, string lighting, speakers and area lights are available with batteries that will last the entire night.

Outdoor Uplighting outside of Independence Golf Club

Don’t forget to add some color.

Uplighting is one of the more popular wedding services this year, and for good reason. With a huge selection of colors, uplighting can fit pretty much any event. Along with standard LED uplighting, most lighting companies will have wireless options available for areas where there is limited power, and waterproof lights that can be used outside in any kind of weather. Uplighting is a great choice as an accent, or even as a primary lighting element. Surrounding a room or event space with lighting is one of the best ways to control the ambiance of the space. LED lighting isn’t limited to pointing up, however. Feel free to get creative with the design, washing areas from above with different lighting looks can help define spaces within an event. At the very least, it looks amazing!

The Lighting & Sound Co. provides Virginia Beach wedding lighting, audio, video, and drape.

About The Lighting & Sound Co.

The Lighting & Sound Company provides high-end wedding lights in the Virginia Beach area. We’re here to help make sure it’s perfect. With an extensive portfolio of beautiful events, we serve events of all sizes. From small beach weddings with a touch of bistro lighting and sheer drape, to extravagant weddings and more. We offer a very large selection of options and want to help make your special day as easy as possible. Lighting, drape, uplighting, gobos, projections, audio, string lighting and marquee letters are just a few of our wedding lighting services. Our wedding lighting designers are some of the best in the business.

The Lighting & Sound Co. offers many custom design solutions for weddings and events, such as custom drape backdrops and chandelier displays. Take a look at our portfolio and give us a call to start designing your wedding lighting. Featuring a 5 minute quote process, and easy online payment options. Our knowledgeable and friendly designers that will walk you through the process. Our extended office hours mean you can reach us at almost any time of day.

Main Street Station Event Lighting, AV

Main Street Station, Richmond, Virginia.

The Lighting & Sound Company can meet all of your Main Street Station Event Lighting and AV needs.

Originally opened more than a century ago in 1901, Main Street Station remains an iconic and historic landmark in Richmond. The train shed has recently been renovated, and is now one of Richmond’s largest and most popular event venues. Main Street Station is a fantastic venue for large corporate events and meetings. Our crew loves working in this beautiful space. MSS is located right down the street from our Richmond Office!

Richmond Magazine held the 2018 Elbys in the renovated train shed.

The new event space is pretty large, seating nearly 2,000. The old shed roof is easy to rig from, and most types of shows can fit between the glass-encased walls. Since it’s re-opening in 2017, the popular venue hosts political events, weddings, awards shows, charity auctions, corporate meetings & parties and more. Many annual and biannual events, such as the Richmond Wedding Expo, are moving from smaller venues to the new space.

The Lighting & Sound Co. provides production for the Richmond Weddings Fashion show and has since 2015.

Because of it’s convenient location down town, MSS is the perfect venue for corporate events. Main street station is walking distance from many hotels, restaurants, and bars. It’s also a train station, which originally worried us because of the noise. Thankfully, the trains aren’t loud enough to be distracting from any event we’d done so far. For a production company like us, ease of load in is very important. The train shed doesn’t have loading docks, but it does have multiple loading entrances that are easy to access, making it easy to load in alongside other vendors.

Rigging in Main Street Station is made easy by the multiple on-site lifts.

Gobos (Monogram Projection) for Weddings and Events

Event lighting doesn’t just have to be a column or circle of light. The skilled designers and technicians at The Lighting & Sound Co can customize the output of some lighting fixtures to project a pattern of light. This element is often referred to as a “gobo,” though it’s also called a template, light pattern, or texture. Gobos can be created from nearly any design, and most flat surfaces are a great place to display a gobo.

Monogram Gobos

Perhaps our most popular gobo service is a custom wedding gobo, often including a monogram. These designs can be chosen from our catalog of custom layouts and fonts, or provided from client artwork. A typical wedding gobo might have the bride and groom’s names in a stylized font, and the wedding date.

Custom Monogram Gobo

Pattern Gobos

A common corporate event service, but also seen at many high-end weddings, is a pattern or design displayed on the walls or ceilings around the venue. The design might be a scenic element, or an abstract projection that creates texture on the wall.

Pattern Gobos projected on the ceiling of The Hotel John Marshall

Logo Gobos

Many events need to display the logo of the event sponsor(s) or the company holding the event. A custom logo gobo makes it easy to project the logo. Most corporate events need a logo flanking the stage, or at the building entrance.

Custom Logo Gobo Projected on Building

Aerial Gobos

Most concert lighting will include a haze or other atmospheric effect, which allows the beams of light to show up in the air. We can slot a pattern into the light path, and consequently make fantastic aerial effects possible. Our powerful moving head fixtures have numerous pattern choices that, when combined with prisms and rotation available from the fixture, have the ability to take a show to the next level.

Aerial Gobos in use at a concert

Contact Us Today!

If you would like more information about any of our custom gobo services, feel free to get in touch with us via email at events@lightingandsoundco.com or by phone at (804) 893-5066.

Jazz Nativity Lighting

We just wrapped up this year’s run of Jazz Nativity with Gayton Church. This is our second year providing production for this amazing performance that benefits Feed My Starving Children. Every year our team looks forward to working with this group of talented performers.

Some pictures below taken by Katelyn James. The full collection can be found on her blog.

Uplighting for Weddings & Events

Uplighting, out of all of the lighting services The Lighting & Sound Co. provides to its customers, is the most popular option. It’s also one of the quickest and most affordable ways to add the “wow factor” to your event. A perimeter of uplights can change an event space from dull & drab to magically beautiful. There are thousands of choices to make for your event, but uplighting is a great place to start.

Wedding and event uplighting science museum richmond virginia

There are thousands of choices to make for your event, but uplighting is a great place to start.

Uplighting is Decor Item

Like most lighting services, it is usually set-and-forget to one color. There are also options available to have the lighting change throughout your event. Perhaps you want one color for dinner, and a different color for dancing. Going with a few colors? The lights can be set to automatically change colors throughout the night, requiring no extra day-of staffing.

wedding and event uplighting at the commonwealth club richmond va

Uplighting can be virtually any color.

The Sky is the Limit with Uplighting

With 6-color LEDs, virtually any color is possible. You can pick from a range of sample colors and see the impact different colors have on your event space using our one-of-a-kind color picker. You can also use the color picker to see the impact of Pin-Spotting, another important lighting service.

This is one of the more versatile lighting services. It fits into any space, and suits every type of event from corporate events to large and extravagant weddings. No power available? No problem. Wireless battery-powered LEDs are an option that fit into most event budgets.

Wedding and event uplighting ward center pertersburg virginia

String lighting is a great compliment.

Uplighting and Other Lighting Services

Great as a standalone decor item, uplighting is even better when combined with other services such as bistro lighting and other string lighting.

Take complete control over the ambiance of your event space. While other decor items help make your event space look amazing, only lighting can make your event both look and feel magical.

The Hotel John Marshall

Want to see more? Check out our uplighting gallery!

Wedding String Lighting

Wedding String lighting & bistro lighting have taken over the special event industry- learn about the different types of string lighting available so you can make the best decision for your event. When it comes to string lighting, little decisions can make a big difference. Let’s start with the basics.

String Lighting Color

Picking the right cable color for your event string lighting is the first decision you need to make. Traditionally, bistro & string lighting comes in black & white colors, with specialty colors such as gray available in some areas. There really isn’t a bad choice here most of the time. Some people want the cables to blend into the background, some people like them to stand out- the decision is yours. Black bistro is great against the backdrop of the night sky.

Garner Pavilion SMOV Wedding Bistro Lighting

Black Edison Bistro strung in a zig-zag pattern for a wedding at the Garner Pavilion in Richmond.

String Lighting Varieties

Like everything else about your wedding lighting, Lighting & Sound Co. offers a large variety of options to ensure that your event turns out perfectly. Scroll through some of the options below and find the style that fits your event.

Black & White Edison Bistro

Black Edison bistro is by far the most popular type of string lighting used for events. The classic look and soft incandescent light at a magical ambiance that is impossible to capture using other methods. Edison bistro is popular mainly because it not only lights the space well, its affordable and looks fantastic in pictures. This type of wedding string lighting is best for traditional looks, such as zig zags & parallel styles. For more on bistro styles, check out our article on Bistro Lighting Styles For Weddings, Corporate Events & More!

Black Edison Bistro at the Valentine musuem

Black & White Globe Bistro

Globe bistro is the diet version of string lighting. Smaller bulbs than Edison bistro provide slightly less light, but make the strings lightweight and versatile. Globe bistro lighting is great for accents, & tracing bistro lighting styles.

The globe bulb can also be replaced with a candelabra style bulb, for a slightly different look:

A white globe bistro accent for a drape canopy at Independence Golf Club

White Globe Bistro as an accent to a drape canopy at Independence Golf Club

Globe bistro on a tent for a wedding at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.

RGB LED Edison Bistro

LED bistro is a low-power solution for bistro, with an added bonus: It can change colors! These string lights looks just like Edison bistro. In addition to providing a lovely incandescent look, they can also change to brilliant colors to fit your theme. Great as accents where there is already enough light and you want to add a wow factor.

RGB LED Festoon Lights

Festoons are the most versatile string light available. Festoons have a slightly different look than Edison & Globe bistro, and they can be used for pretty much anything. These lights are fully controllable, with each individual bulb being able to be changed to a specific color. RGB mixing means pretty much any color is possible, making Festoons an extremely versatile string light.

RGB LED Festoon bistro string lights pink

Festoons in pink for The Love Story at Short Pump Town Center.

Black & White Mini String Lights

Traditional Mini Lights, more popularly referred to as Christmas lights, can be used for a ton of different purposes. These lights not only come in strings, but in nets and drapes too, giving you even more options for your event. Great for making drape canopies sparkle, for waterfall effects, and for wrapping around columns or just draping in vertical sections.

String light drape canopy as a backdrop for the wedding party table.

Wrapping the bases of tree with mini lights is another fantastic effect to add some detail to your wedding.

These are just some of the most popular options for string lighting, reach out to an LSC Designer to learn more about string lighting for your wedding.

6 LIES Your Wedding Vendors May Be Telling You

More than once a day we’ll hear a bride or groom mention something about one of our local wedding vendors that makes us scratch our heads. Since some of the things we’ve heard have been rather outrageous, we decided to compile a list of things you need to watch out for.

1. Wedding Vendors who say specialization in events is vital.

Some wedding vendors may try to convince you that their services are superior because they only serve wedding clients. While you don’t want your caterer to be bringing in the lights, it isn’t unusual for production companies to serve different types of events. For the most part, the design concepts you’d see applied to lighting large corporate dinners are similar to ones used for weddings, just on a different scale. Many production companies have different departments that handle various event styles. This allows them to deal with different client types on their own levels, while still having access to the same professional-grade equipment, resources and event partners.

Design concepts are typically similar from one event type to another.

2. Vendors who claim offering a smaller number of services is better

Some companies will tell you that because they only offer a select number of services, their services are of higher quality than their competitors. This is like saying Google can only be good at email, search engines, navigation apps, OR self-driving cars; it just isn’t true. Having a single production company with extensive resources to cover your lighting, AV, and drape needs makes life a lot simpler. Working with one vendor for all your related needs means one point of contact, one contract, and one vision. It also typically means lower cost to you through reduced delivery and labor charges.

3. Anytime someone tells you that you’re on a short clock to sign the contract

Many smaller companies can only handle one or two events at a time. Because of this, there is a possibility that they will book up during wedding season. Don’t let this pressure you into signing the contract to lock in your date. You only have one chance to get it right, so make sure you take your time and select a vendor who puts your satisfaction first. Select a vendor that won’t rush you into signing a contract.

4. Lighting providers that claim Wireless LEDs are preferable for uplighting

Taken from 7 Things You Need To Know About Wedding Lighting

Some wedding vendors mislead brides and grooms into thinking wireless solutions are the only way to go. Be wary of companies that claim to only use battery powered LEDs and use phrases such as “no messy wires.” Any professional production company should be able to offer both solutions. Wireless LEDs are often required for areas that are impossible to get power to. However, wired LEDs are far more powerful and brighter. Experienced lighting companies know how to hide all wires out of sight anyway, so make sure you go wireless for the right reasons!

Wired LEDs are far more powerful than their wireless counterparts.

5. Wedding Vendors that claim you always need an on-site technician

Some wedding services like catering or a band need on-site staff to provide the service. The same is true for some, but not all, wedding lighting services. However, if you have only ordered uplighting, this is considered a decor item. There is no need to have a technician watch over your wedding. Consider a production company that will provide a on-site tech at your request, but not force one on you by saying it is “included.”

6. Vendors that say an early setup costs more

If your event starts earlier, there may not be time to set up everything the same day. Hotels usually set all of the tables and place settings the evening before; lighting and decor can be done at the same time. This way, you can arrive and not worry about a set up crew rushing to finish. Some companies try to use an advance setup as a way to extract more money from a client. Choose a company that will set up at a time that is convenient for you and does not impede other vendors or guests. Production companies should typically only charge for use day in these circumstances.

Fourth at the Fort 2017 – Concert Lighting, Sound, & Stage Support

We spent this Independence Day providing concert lighting & sound support for Fourth at the Fort. Fourth at the Fort is an annual concert event hosted at Fort Lee in Petersburg, VA. This year the event featured country artist’s Maddie & Tae, and a 20 minute fireworks show. Our event partners at Temp Power provided generators: a 45KVa, and two 125KVa generators. Main Stage Productions provided the Stageline SL320 Mobile stage. Despite the morning heat, and heavy thunderstorms in the afternoon, our crew had no issues. The show went up and came down without a hitch.

Setup

Power

Our basic concert lighting rig is very efficient and operates on only a 45KVa three-phase generator. A separate 125KVa unit was used for sound, with another backup on an automatic transfer switch to ensure we would never lose power. Temp-Power provides highly reliable generators, so the transfer switch is mostly a formality to serve a special request by our client.

LSC Production Manager Jonathan Blake Coordinates with Temp-Power

The Rig

Concert Lighting Package

We brought out a full array of LEDs and a few Beam Movers. Our LED crowd blinders kept the crowd well lit at crucial moments in the show. The simple rig consisted of 20 Chauvet Colorados, setup in what we call an “Eye-Candy” style. For moving lights, we utilized 8 Elation Platinum Beam 5Rs. On our down stage truss we had 8 ETC Source Four Lekos for face light, 16 IP65 Elation SixPAR 200 IPs for color. Rounding off this turn-key concert lighting rig were LED Elation CuePix WW4 blinders.

LSC Lighting Designer Dylan Adams operates the lighting console for Maddie & Tae.

Concert Sound Package

For sound we utilized a flown Vertec Line Array. The main system consisted of 16 JBL Vertec 4889 boxes, and four JBL VRX932LA-1 tops for center fills. 16 JBL SRX 4719 subs provided the low end for the show. We brought out Venue SC48s for FOH and monitor mix.