Getting Your Special Event Outdoor Lighting Just Right

Outdoor lighting can make or break your event. It’s the first thing people see when they arrive, and it’s what they remember most about your event. Lighting affects ambiance and makes a huge difference in how guests feel about their experience.

If you are planning a special event, consider the lighting. Even if some (or most) of the event will take place in indoor spaces, the outdoor lighting is important. It creates a first impression and sets the mood. Poor lighting can make even a wonderful venue look dingy and unsafe. Great outdoor lighting can get people relaxed and in a party mood as soon as they arrive. 

Special event outdoor lighting can be used in unique ways:

  • A glowing pathway to lead guests through the event.
  • A dramatic array of lights under a canopy.
  • Color-changing lights for the dance floor.
  • Soft and subtle lighting for a romantic feel.

To get the best results from your special event outdoor lighting, choose quality materials and use proper techniques. In the St. Louis area? We’re here to help with all outdoor venue lighting and special event outdoor lighting. 

Here are some things to consider with outdoor lighting for your special event:

Get in the mood

What type of mood do you want to create? Is it a high-energy party? A formal event or a casual party? Do you need to create a soft, romantic glow or a pulsing, colorful atmosphere? Think through the overall mood of the event, as well as the different activities and the timeline. 

Get fixtures in place

Figuring out where to put the lighting fixtures can be a bit of a puzzle. You want to avoid causing a glare on any windows or reflective surfaces. It’s also important to avoid creating dark spots or shadowy areas. It’s common to underestimate the amount of fixtures needed to properly light up an outdoor event space. Think about the spread (how much area is covered by the beam of light) when you consider where to place fixtures. 

Get into LEDs

LED lights are the choice for outdoor lighting. They’re more energy-efficient, last longer, and emit less heat than incandescent bulbs. Modern outdoor lighting fixtures will all use LEDs. Don’t settle for anything else. 

Many LEDs are adjustable; you can use a smartphone app to adjust the intensity and color of the bulbs. We absolutely love all the possibilities for a special event. Think about how you could program the LEDs for different parts of the event, to set the mood for each activity. You can either use a timer or manually adjust the LED programming when ready. 

Get some help

For special event outdoor lighting, there are some aspects that will go much better with professional help. Find a local outdoor lighting company with the experience and equipment to handle the bigger parts of the job: overall design, install of support poles and fixtures, wiring and connectors, and ensuring you have adequate power to handle the lighting. The last thing you’d want is to overload the transformer and have the lighting go out halfway through the event! 

Get creative with DIY

Getting professional help will set you up for success. You can relax knowing the big components are being handled, and you’re free to explore some creative fun and DIY lighting ideas. Whether it’s tiki torches, twinkle lights, paper lanterns, or jar lights, you can put together some affordable and beautiful DIY lighting touches that are perfect for your event. 

Lighting makes the atmosphere, and helps people feel comfortable and at home. Great outdoor lighting is an extra touch of magic that creates a memorable experience for your guests. Get in touch for events in the St. Louis area and find out how we can help! 

Why Outdoor Lighting Matters for Corporate Events

Whether your corporate event is casual or formal, the proper lighting in the outdoor space can make a big difference. We have all been to boring and stuffy corporate affairs that could have used a little (or a lot) more ambiance. Luckily, you don’t have to make that mistake. We’re here to walk you through five ways to use outdoor lighting to make your next corporate event enjoyable for everyone. 

Welcome Guests to the Corporate Event

Bland entrance? No good. With that kind of first impression, your guests are already expecting a blah, ho-hum event. You can do better. Make sure your guests feel welcomed and have a good impression–this creates energy and expectation from the first moment.

Start with lights at the entrance to the property: is there a gate, a sign, or a formal entry to the driveway? Use well-placed spotlights to highlight it. Uplighting across the front of the building makes everything look finished, classy, and professional. Ensure that there are pathway lights in the right places so guests know where to go. 

Create the Desired Ambience

The outdoor lighting you use sets the tone for the event to take place. Make sure you are setting the right mood through your lighting choices. The style and finish of fixtures should support the feel of the event. For example, consider outdoor chandeliers over the patio and subtle landscape lighting for a more formal event. 

If a casual, party vibe is what you want, then explore bistro lights, twinkle lights, and colorful outdoor LED lights that can be programmed for different moods. You can create an ambiance that perfectly fits your corporate event with the right outdoor lighting. 

Direct Foot Traffic and Designate Areas

Corporate events can move through smaller areas, with a scheduled flow or with multiple activities going on simultaneously. Use lighting to direct your foot traffic and indicate important areas. 

Walkway lights are the best place to start; you need adequate lighting along pathways to ensure safety when guests are moving from one area to another. You can also use pathway lights to create temporary perimeters. String lights wrapped around railings, trees, and other structures can mark important areas. The final step is spotlights–set at the right brightness to provide visibility without blinding guests. 

Adjust to Shift the Atmosphere

Just as stage lights at a theater adjust for different parts of a show, your outdoor event lighting can change as the corporate event moves from one stage to the next. You may want a more formal, subtle glow around guests as dinner is served, and then shift into a lighter, party feel as the evening goes on. Professional outdoor lights can be adjusted for different levels of brightness, and many are programmable with a phone app. 

Make a Corporate Event Feel Special

Lighting is one of the most cost-effective ways to make your guests feel welcomed, interested, entertained, and safe. Because they can be used multiple times, and in many different ways, you get your money out of your lighting investment. That means that your Christmas party, annual company get-together, fund-raising dinners, and other events can always feel unique and original.

We love to help our clients with the best outdoor lighting to create great corporate events with just the right atmosphere. From custom mounting poles for getting lights in those tricky areas to permanent spotlights which can be adjusted, to temporary installations of string lights–we’re here to help. Get in touch to find out more.