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, 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.
There are thousands of choices to make for your event, but uplighting is a great place to start.
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.
Uplighting can be virtually any color.
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.
String lighting is a great compliment.
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 & 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.
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.
Black Edison Bistro strung in a zig-zag pattern for a wedding at the Garner Pavilion in Richmond.
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 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
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:
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.
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.
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.
Festoons in pink for The Love Story at Short Pump Town Center.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Memorial day weekend is always busy, and this year was no exception as we had a number of lighting and drape events. So we created this time lapse for one of our Sunday weddings with CCS Events to show you some of the craziness. Our crew creates a drape backdrop to cut the room in half for the ceremony, and CCS staff preps tables for the reception. Sheer champagne gathers and amber uplights complete the look. We also place amber uplights around the ballroom and hang pin spots and wash lighting for the ceiling in the balcony above. The wash lighting adds a warm amber glow and washes over the room.
Once the ceremony is over, there is a short window during cocktail hour for the event staff to reset the room. CCS staff relocates tables and chiavari chairs and LSC techs clear out the drape. The room changeover is completed with plenty of time to spare.
Are you booking a wedding or event at the Hotel John Marshall? Check out our services to learn more about what we can do to help make your event perfect. We have an extensive portfolio of events at the John Marshall Ballrooms, and other venues all over the state.
Venue: John Marshall ballrooms
Date: March 28, 2017
Planner: CCS Events
At The Lighting & Sound Co, we have provided event lighting and sound reinforcement for many years. Our start came from the concert and stage production world, which involves plenty of jargon and unique terms. Clients in that world typically have an idea of what their needs are and usually specify (often with a rider) exactly what equipment their production requires.
Weddings and special events, however, bring clients who have a vision but might be unfamiliar with the terms that describe what they want to see and hear. It’s our job to explain the services we can provide that will accentuate and exemplify a vision that is given to us. We “speak lighting” and translate for our clients.
Our design and sales team consults with clients every day who tell us where they are having an event, how many people are attending, and might share a picture that they saw and would like to replicate. We take this information and translate it into a complete event design, making it easy for our clients to have a perfect event. If the venue is a spot we haven’t worked at, we’ll do a site survey to get measurements of a space, evaluate the feasibility of different lighting products, plan electrical usage and loading access, and find any limitations of the event site. Many times it is useful to meet the client on site to demo some lighting products or get a feel for what colors will look good in an event space. Of course, we also provide our clients with a virtual color picker, to choose colors in advance of an event.
There are thousands of different styles of lighting fixtures and ways to add light or leave an area dark, as may be required. We might “wash” a wall or ceiling with a single color, or, accent just the columns of a room with sleek, narrow uplighting. We can shoot a client’s logo as a”gobo” on a wall of drape or put narrow spots on the centerpieces of tables. If a large projector screen is needed right on the edge of a seating area, we’ll be sure to use a rear-projection screen so the image isn’t blocked by people walking in front of it.
Once we have an idea of a client’s vision, and have taken a look at the venue, we’ll offer lighting, sound, AV, and decor options that align with the theme of the event, look sleek and classy without having unsightly components, and, most importantly, provide for a safe event. A portfolio of lighting options is available to examine a selection of choices. The client selects the style they prefer and we set it up at the event. In the background, our technical teams are taking the equipment specified by the sales team and determining the safest and most efficient way to set it up. Very occasionally we’ll find that we need to add a component to safely do a job or provide the best experience for the client. If we lose money doing the job right but the client is happy, we are also happy.
We specialize in delivering perfection, even with difficult or unusual requests. If you were told that a certain service couldn’t be done, give us a call. We imagine new ways to provide solutions that used to require significant expense or unsafe methods. Clients and venues often say to us, “Nobody ever did that here before!”
It pays to know people. If there’s a task we can’t handle, chances are we know someone who can. Our network of event partners spans numerous industries, hundreds of people, and multiple states.
Let us handle the complex or technical aspects of your event, so you can concentrate on other details. Tell us what you want to happen, and we’ll transform your vision into reality. Our promise is “Event Perfection” and we won’t stop until we achieve it.
Bistro lighting is one of the most popular wedding lighting options, and The Lighting & Sound Co provides every style of bistro lighting you may need!
Also known as string lighting, festoon lighting, or cafe lighting, what we refer to as bistro lighting, is an individual strand with bare lightbulbs dangling down at even intervals. Bistro lights provide a classic, timeless look with a warm glow. The lights are often hung over a reception area, but can also go over a dance floor, patio, or entrance area. Typically, our technicians will install multiple strings of bistro at an event site, arranged in a particular pattern.
One of the best features of bistro lighting is that it can be used nearly anywhere. We commonly install bistro light strings in tents, but have hung them in barns, over open fields and courtyards, in hotel ballrooms, on top of swimming pools, and around food courts and skating rinks. It also neatly complements other types of lighting including uplighting and chandeliers.
Following are several styles of lighting installations. This is by no means an exhaustive list but includes our most commonly-provided services:
Typically installed in a frame tent or other space with exposed rafters, this style follows the roof supports. This style uses simple bistro which, while not as bright as classic bistro, offers a great look when used for tracing, and is great for shorter tents.
Tracing bistro lighting on a tent for a wedding at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.
Often used outside, all of the strands of lights fan out from one point, on a building or other support structure.
Festooning Bistro Lighting for an Event at Tredegar Ironworks in Richmond, VA.
Our most common service which provides a classic glow in any space, be it a ballroom, tent, or open field. If there is no place to hang the bistro from, we will bring appropriate support structures that don’t distract from your event.
Commonly used to gather all the strands together over a key spot like a dance floor.
Gatherered Bistro Lighting for an outdoor event.
Effective where there are balconies, buildings, or roof structures that create a long rectangular area.
Parallel bistro lighting with paper lanterns over a dance floor.
An excellent style for tents, because some tents are shorter than others. A stylish way of hanging bistro lighting, great for frame tents and long but thin indoor or outdoor areas.
Crossing Bistro Lighting with chandeliers at a networking event for Richmond Weddings.
Also good for shorter tents, but works in any tent; bistro strings follow the angles of the roof to leave plenty of headroom for guest.
Bistro Arch inside a tent for an event at Tredegar Ironworks.
If your event needs to go off with a bang, we’ve got you covered (literally!) with our new Confetti Cannons! Streamers or confetti can be blasted from these compressed air cannons. Whether you need a concert confetti effect or bridal confetti for a wedding, we’ll ensure each money shot is right on target. The double-barrel Big Shots Cannon by Artistry In Motion is used at New Years events, Las Vegas nightclubs, and marathons across the country, and we are the first in the Richmond area to own this top-of-the-line confetti cannon.
Here are a couple clips of two cannons in use at a time:
We recommend streamers for the farthest distance shot or confetti for covering a smaller area such as a dance floor. If the ceiling is low, positioning the confetti cannons as high as possible will give the best hangtime.
Having a confetti effect for your event, combined with lighting and sound support is sure to provide maximum audience enjoyment and excellent pictures.
Club Effect,Wedding Sendoff, Concert Special Effect, Film and Video Production, Theatrical Shows, Sporting Events, New Year’s Eve Celebration
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Model
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Big Shots Cannon
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Weight
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50 Lbs.
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Size
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8” L X 16 ” W X 24” H
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Lighting Board Connectivity
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Yes
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Cannon Barrel Size
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2-inch Diameter
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Actuation
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Remote
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| Flame Resistant | Yes |
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Attendant Required
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No
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Duration of Effect
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Single Shot
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Confetti Height
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40-50 Feet
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Streamer Height
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65-80 Feet
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Effects
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Single Shot- Multiple Looks
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Truss Mountable
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Yes
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The Lighting & Sound Co headed out to the Hampton Roads area to set up some TV lighting for the Under Armor Brothers In Arms Classic football game between two top-tier football teams. Bleacher Report was televising the game live via webcast between no. 2 in the country IMG Academy of Sarasota, Florida and Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School of Virginia Beach. Both schools are high school football powerhouses; the IMG Ascenders have 30 players committed to college teams while the Bishop Sullivan Crusaders have 7 commits.
Gear for the tunnel unloaded and ready to be set up.
Working at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex, we provided a truss goalpost structure with an extensive moving head and LED strip lighting package so that the teams would have a tunnel-like archway filled with smoke and haze effects as well as effect lighting to run out of onto the field at the start of the game. Numerous TV cameras captured captured the entire scene, as local news stations and Bleacher Report’s photojournalists filmed from all angles.
Completed truss structure stood in the corner for both teams to run through as they entered the field
Lighting effects consisted of moving head beam units (Elation Beam 5R), moving head wash units (Chauvet Rogue R2 Wash), and LED striplights (Elation ELED QA Strip). Our lighting designer operated the rig live as the run out occurred for maximum visual effect and excellent looks for TV viewers. The colors were coordinated to match with the team uniform color.
Meanwhile, a powerful QSC KW153 active loudspeaker played upbeat music to pump up the players as they ran out through the tunnel.
The necessary electrical power for all of this professional stage lighting was not available nearby where it would be needed on the football field. Fortunately, our friends at Temp-Power had just the right size of quiet-run portable generators to provide the needed electricity while being quiet enough to not interrupt the event.