Category Archives: Wedding

Top 5 Rustic Wedding Lighting Looks

Explore the Top 5 Rustic Wedding Lighting Looks of 2018

Rustic & barn weddings have never been more popular. You want your decor to stand out and there are almost endless possibilities with rustic wedding lighting. We put together this short-list of wedding lighting & draping options for your rustic feel.

1. Bistro Lighting

Bistro lighting tops the list, and for good reason. Not only do most rustic weddings have bistro lighting, most outdoor or tent weddings do too. Some of the reasons may be less obvious than you think. Obviously, bistro looks amazing when done right. It also fits into most themes, and you can set it up in almost any venue. Bistro lighting is also one of the easiest and most aesthetic ways to cover large areas. Because bistro lighting is strung overhead, it doesn’t get in the way of festivities.

Bistro light provides a warm, incandescent glow that makes it one of the best rustic wedding lighting options available.

Learn more about bistro lighting here.

2. Chandeliers

Chandeliers are #2 in the rustic wedding lighting category. With a little help from the florals, the possibilities are endless. Chandeliers come in all shapes and sizes, so there is a suitable match for any theme. You can use chandeliers at your wedding to add accent and drama. Decorate with a single chandelier, group chandeliers, or hang them from distinguished areas such as tents, arches or gazebos. You can also suspend chandeliers from trees to create a look of enchantment and sophistication.

Learn more about chandeliers here.

3. Pendants

Pendants are those classy old school Edison bulbs hanging from above, and you just may need them for your rustic look to be complete. It’s hard to top the vintage charm of this effect, and because of that, it is number 3 on our list. With dozens of classic bulb options available, pendants can fit any kind of rustic or vintage wedding. Pendants are great over bars, head tables, and buffets. They can add a subtle accent to a bistro look, or stand alone for an intimate low-light look.

4. Marquee Letters

There is no better way to light up your dance floor than a set of full-sized marquee “LOVE” letters. The warm incandescent glow creates a perfect center piece for your dance floor. Marquee letters are a good fit in both indoor and outdoor venues.

5. Drape

Last but not least, drape is a fantastic way to add to your rustic theme. Canvas drop clothes can cover up ugly barn walls, and sheer waterfall curtains serve as awesome backdrops for your head table. Custom drape displays are a great way to have a unique look and feel.

Learn more about drape here.

Chandeliers for Weddings & Events

Using Chandeliers at Your Event

You can find beautiful chandeliers in homes all across the world. They represent elegance and class in a way no other fixture can. It’s no wonder that hanging chandeliers for events has become increasingly popular. While event chandeliers are popular among those planning the event, providing chandeliers for events is difficult for many companies due to the expense of acquiring them and the delicacy of transporting them. This, however, is not an issue for The Lighting & Sound Company. We saw the writing on the walls many years ago and have not only acquired the prettiest chandeliers, but have developed ways to transport and hang them to be efficient and safe, allowing us to bring the cost down to the client!

Creating That Extra Spark

Do you feel as if your event is missing that one statement piece? Or the venue you picked is almost perfect but could use a little more spark? Chandeliers can lift your venue into the place of dreams and create memories for you and your guest forever. You will have known you chose correctly when your event is taken into the next level and the warmth and light from your chandelier is spread throughout the event venue.

The Right Style for You

When many people think of chandeliers, they think of the large crystals ones that hang in ballrooms. But the truth is there are several different styles that make picking the correct one for your event an easy task. Are you having a wedding? A rustic event? A gala? There’s a style that is right for your event. From elegant to rustic, the many styles The Lighting & Sound Company can offer will make a statement in any venue or any type of event you may be having. Below are a few examples of the several styles out there:

To see more pictures, head over to our gallery!

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.

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.

Draping for Weddings & Events

Draping for weddings and events is an extremely useful tool to structure and customize your event to exactly the way you want it. Use it to create a unique backdrop for your dessert table or divide a room in half to separate the ceremony and reception. Use it to be a great backdrop for a concert or to make a grand entrance through a doorway. Let The Lighting & Sound Co. come up with a great design for your event.

Draping in Motion

At this wedding at the John Marshall Hotel, we used draping to direct the room to the ceremony, then removed it before the reception to open up the room again. Resizing the room and using uplighting helped make the ceremony feel intimate and shifted focus to the bride as she walked through the drape doorway. Finally, after we removed the drape, we redesigned the room for the reception and highlighted the floral centerpieces with pinspots. Because of the easy set up and take down, draping is an effective way to build a temporary, yet elegant barrier in the event space.

Versatility in Draping

Independence Golf Club Wedding Drape

Try combining draping with bistro lighting or uplighting to add a dramatic and unique feeling to your event. Remember that drape can be hung anywhere, so it can look great anywhere. Want to see it on the roof of a tent with string lighting or uplit along the walls? Head over to our gallery to see examples and ideas.

Drape complimented by a string lighting curtain.

A drape & bistro look in a clear tent for a wedding at Tuckahoe Plantation.

Work with the designers at The Lighting & Sound Co. to come up with a special look that fits your event.

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.

Event & Wedding Lighting at the John Marshall Ballrooms

Lighting the John Marshall Ballrooms

The beautiful historic ballrooms at the Hotel John Marshall are a Richmond, Virginia institution. They make for a very lovely venue for wedding ceremonies & receptions, corporate parties, and other special occasions. With two stunning ballrooms, a pre-function lobby space, bridal suites, and a hip-looking lounge, there’s plenty of room to fit most events. The Hotel John Marshall provides plenty of space for any event and the authentic look of the historic building brings a next-level amount of class not found elsewhere in Richmond.

As a selection for a venue, you can’t get much better than the John Marshall. However, as is the case with almost all venues, the ambiance can be improved dramatically simply by adding a few lighting features. Check out the details of the most popular services below.

Uplighting

An especially popular technique to use in this space is uplighting. Using LED lighting, you are able to set the mood using the colors of your choosing. In addition, uplighting has the power to make a large room feel intimate. Beyond that, choosing your uplighting colors can be fun! Try out our powerful Color Picker tool and explore the many different possibilities uplighting can provide.

Custom Gobo

Custom gobos are also relevant in the world of wedding lighting. They are a fantastic way to make your event personalized and memorable. Frequently, a monogram gobo is projected on to the curtain on stage. This location is desirable as the gobo is centered and presented in a way the entire room can see it. Gobos can also be aimed on the dance floor or even in the lobby so guests may see it as they enter.

Pin Spotting

If you are planning on spending a great deal of money on beautiful centerpieces, you don’t want to have them washed out by keeping the work lights on full in the ballroom, and you definitely don’t want them to be overlooked if the lights are a little dimmer. With pin spots, you are able to keep the lights at romantic level while having your magnificent centerpieces pop out of the background and create an eye catching effect. Consequently, pin spotting will allow your guests to admire the centerpieces all night and have them stand out in photos for years to come.

Bistro Lighting

Bistro lighting has the potential to have the biggest “wow” factor. When done correctly (and safely), bistro lighting creates an unparalleled experience. Working with the large ceilings and beautiful chandeliers, bistro lighting hanging from the balconies in the John Marshall produces a very intimate feel. Many popular Pinterest posts also feature bistro lighting.

Draping

The large space provided by the Virginia and Marshall ballrooms can sometimes feel massive. Custom drape features be can added to the space to reduce the expanse or transform the space. Furthermore, drape for weddings are completely customizable and many colors are available. Drape can have bunches and gathers, door arches, complement existing pieces, or create pieces of their own.

You can visit the website for The Historic John Marshall Ballrooms here. See the pictures from this post and many more in our galleries here.