The proposal’s been made, the date and Clearwater venue have been set, now all there is left to do is…well, a lot actually. Whether you’re planning a wedding to host 20 or 200, getting every detail right takes lots of time and energy.
One of the most important details is lighting, but how can you make sure the lighting set-up is done the right way?
Let Gabro Event Services take a little off your shoulders. Below are five of our favorite ways to illuminate your special day, grouped into the three decisions that matter most: what hangs above your guests, what glows on the table in front of them, and the one statement piece everyone remembers.
Light From Above
Overhead lighting does the heavy lifting at a wedding. It sets the height of the room, warms the whole space at once, and it is the first thing guests notice when they walk in.
Suspended lanterns are a soft and celestial way to set the mood at any wedding, whether indoors or outdoors. Many suspended lanterns have the option of battery power, so there will be no concern over outlets — which matters more than you might think at a Clearwater beach or garden venue, where the nearest power source can be a long run away.
Chandeliers are the other way to fill that space. Contrary to popular belief, chandeliers don’t have to be the opulent, crystal type to make an ostentatious impression. In fact, if you’re looking to create a more rustic atmosphere, you may want to consider a rattan chandelier that you can adorn with additional market or string lighting as you see fit.
One statement fixture over the head table or the dance floor almost always reads better than several small ones scattered across a tent. And if you are under a tent, plan the draping and the lighting together — the fabric is what softens the light and hides the rigging.
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Candlelight at the Table
You can use candles and luminaries along pathways and atop tables. This will add a touch of elegance to your wedding. Placing matching lighting throughout the reception area or along the outer contours of the ceremony can add ambiance and consistency. You can also place candles in glass holders to increase luminosity and chic.
Glass holders are not only about the look. On the water in Clearwater there is almost always a breeze, and an unprotected taper will not survive dinner. Hurricane glass, votive cups, and enclosed lanterns all keep a flame steady outdoors.
Check with your venue early, too. Some indoor spaces and most historic properties restrict open flame entirely. In that case flameless LED candles give you the same low, warm pool of light without the conversation.
When you group them, vary the heights. Three or five candles at different levels down the center of a farm table reads far richer than a single row at one height, and it leaves room for place settings and chargers to catch the light.
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Light That Makes a Statement
String light rentals — also called bistro lights — are a romantic and affordable way to transform any Clearwater space, whether a patio, yard, or ballroom. They can be hung throughout or above the reception area in a canopy, used as a backdrop, or incorporated into an archway or the altar itself. They can also be threaded through and draped across palms and trellises to glitz up a beachside reception.
Because they cost so little per foot, string lights are the easiest way to make a large open space feel intentional. Strung tight across a tent they read as architecture; swagged loosely between poles they read as a garden party. Same product, completely different evening.
For something more personal, consider gobo projection lighting to hit the altar, line the walkways, or sit behind the bride and groom at the reception. Also known as a projection pattern, a gobo can be made from plastic, transparency film, metal, or glass, and is placed in front of a rental projector to cast a unique image out onto a wall. Best of all, gobos can be customized to say or show just about anything, so they are an ideal way to add a personalized touch to any affair.
A monogram on the dance floor is the version most couples ask for, and it photographs beautifully once the room goes dark and the floor starts to fill.
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Which lighting idea fits your celebration?
From bistro strings to uplighting and chandeliers, our Clearwater lighting rental options can transform your wedding atmosphere in exactly the way you envision, and we’re here to discuss what works best given your venue, guest count and schedule.
