You have heard that Beth & Jason (friends of yours), are having a wedding reception and the DJ is also providing LED uplighting, Beth told you that it was simply amazing the difference in the room before and after the lights.  You also recently were at a corporate event for your husband’s business that had very elegant lighting around the room that just set a great tone for the evening, or you were in Kent over the summer for one of the many events that they have downtown and noticed the image of a big black squirrel projected up onto the grain towers of the Star of the West Mill.
All of these are examples of special event lighting, be it up lighting or Gobo projection lighting, in this blog I will talk about both.

So what is uplighting?

Quite simply, it's a series of lights, set up around a room (or outside a building),  placed on or near the floor, shining up toward the walls. The lights could be any color, from a white to a red to green (or whatever else). When they're implemented, the house lights at the venue can be dimmed. When used properly, uplighting can greatly enhance the ambiance of the room in a very elegant way.

I should also note that there are two different "schools of thought" regarding uplighting. The first is to focus on subtlety. In this way of applying up lighting, the focus is on having the lighting complement the venue/event, but not allowing it to distract. One of the characteristics of this is that there will just be one color at a time. Although, potentially someone may decide that they periodically want the color of the uplighting changed (for example, red uplights during dinner, and blue uplights during dancing). Personally, when I provide uplighting, I fall into this first way of approaching uplighting, by putting my focus on applying it tastefully and in a subtle way.

While most A/V professionals share a similar philosophy, others shun subtlety and prefer to use up lighting in a way that that is completely opposite. Those that fall into this second uplighting "school of thought" will apply uplighting in a more flamboyant manor, programming the up lights to constantly change colors, and sometimes even using them to act like a strobe light (I'll include a video further down on this page to show you what I'm talking about). I'm not saying that one way is wrong and the other is right-but it's something to keep in mind, as the results between these methods will vary dramatically.

At this point, I'm going to post some pictures and videos for you to look at. After you view them, you can scroll down and I will further discuss uplighting.

 

 

 

 

So, is uplighting for me?

At best it can greatly enhance your event, helping to make it more lively, elegant, and visually stunning. At worse, it can potentially look tacky and essentially cheapen your event.

First off, no matter what any one says, uplighting is never absolutely necessary. It's a personal decision to make, as to whether or not you want it.

If you're in the decision making process, the first thing you'll probably end up considering, is whether or not you can fit uplighting into your budget. If you don't have it in your budget, well, it's not the end of the world.

Like many people, though, maybe you're a perfectionist and you want every aspect of your event to be wonderful on your special day. So in that case, my first recommendation is to consider what the character of the room is-does the room have character to it or is it a plain room. If its a plain room, than almost definitely up lighting would be an improvement. If you room already looks excellent as is-uplighting could potentially make it even more stunning (but at the same time might not be a big improvement, or might be a bad thing, especially if the color of the up lights clashed with the natural color balance of the room).

Should you trust your intuition? Yes, I don't see why not. If you have a gut feeling one way or another, it might not be a bad idea to go with it. Otherwise it's probably a good idea to consult with the venue manager (they'll surely have an opinion and also will be able to provide you with some perspective about whether or not their clients usually opt for uplighting). Of course you can get some good (but potentially biased) advice/perspective from a DJ, Audio Visual, or up lighting company too.

Regardless, don't rush into make a decision. Think it over and figure out whats feels right to you.


Another great lighting effect if the Gobo projection light.  This effect can be used at reception, dances, parties, corporate events and more.  A gobo is a template that is cut out of thin metal and placed inside a special lighting ficture that is designed to shine a light beam through the template to project the image of the template to a dance floor, wall, side of a building or the clouds (remember Batman)...
The effect can be dramatic and very memorable.  The templates (gobos) can be your monogrammed initials, specific words, company names, sayings, stars, or even basic pictures.
Here ar some examples.

 

 



As you can see these Gobo lights can make a dramatic difference in your events look.  These special event lights are not for everyone but they will make a huge difference in the way that your hall, facility of room looks.  I provide uplighting and Gobo lights, lasers, smoke, bubles and dance floor lighting at VERY resonable rates.  If you would like more information and pricing, please feel free to contact me or go to my website at:
www.djexpress.us

Have you ever been in this situation?  You are invited to the wedding of a friend, the ceremony was beautiful, afterwords you arrive at the reception hall, have dinner and after the events are over you are looking forward to having fun and dancing away the rest of the night.  Once the fast music starts playing, there really are not too many songs that you are familiar with or would even enjoy dancing to, so you decide to call it an early night and leave thinking that the DJ was really bad, but was this really the DJs fault???
I started DJing in the 80s and was a DJ at the largest bar on the Ohio University campus for 8 years, during that time I also started my mobile DJing career and founded DJ EXPRESS.   20 years later I am still going strong and DJ / MC / Host and Coordinate approximately 40 events each year.  In my 20 years of experience as a wedding reception, I have seen this scenario played out a few times. 
For your evening to be a success you really need to think about three different styles of music and when they are played. 
First, is the music played while your guests are arriving at the hall, during cocktails or hors d'oeuvres and then though dinner.  I have compiled a play list that consists of some great music from the adult contemporary and light jazz greats, such as; Michael Buble', Frank Sinatra, Kenny G, Najee, Boney James, Nora Jones, Dean Martin, Louis Armstrong, Etta James, Chicago and such, this play list has about 8 hours of great cocktail style music.
Next we need to think about the event music, this is the music that is played in the background during the main events of the reception; Grand entrance, cutting of the cake, garter and bouquet tosses, bridal dance, bridal party dance, father / daughter dance, mother / son dance, anniversary dance. (the songs that are popular for these events can be found and played on my website).
Finally we need to plan the party music, the music that will be played after the events are over, the music that will keep your guests at the reception because they will be having a great time.

I was recently asked by a prospective client how I would be able to keep the guests at her reception entertained for the duration of her event, she wanted all of her guests to be dancing and having a good time from beginning to end.  The following is my e-mailed response back to her.

When planning for your wedding reception there are many things to consider, one of them being a DJ. 
The DJ can make or break your whole day. 
When shopping around for a good Disc Jockey, price should not be your top consideration, what you should consider is, does the DJ have the enough experience and care to sweat the small stuff?
At an event there are so many little things that a good DJ will do that you may not even know about and it all starts before you even sign the contract with them. 

Does the DJ that you are looking at have a good website?
    -Is the site in order and easy to use
    -Are there past customers that you can call to ask how the DJ was?
    -Do they have a calendar or do they want you to call them for availablity? ( An event calendar will show you how many events they have and if they are a hobby DJ or is this a true job for them)?
    -Do they take pictures of their events, ( a good DJ will send you pictures that they have taken of your event, so you have something to look at before you get your pics from the photographer).
    -Do they have Video on their site (so you can hear how they sound on the microphone)
    -Does the DJ rate the places where they have performed? ( food, service and past experiences are all things that you might want to know about a banquet center or reception hall, the big fancy places are not always the best).
    -Are there pictures of the DJ on their site (so you can see how they look and dress)
    -Do they have a song list on their site that shows you the type and style of music they play?

Are they willing to meet with you before you sign their contract?
    -You should meet with a DJ before you sign a contract with them, you are looking for the following.
        -Are they prompt and on time to the meeting?
        -Do they joke around with you too much? (this may lead me to believe that they will do the same on the microphone)
        -Are they professional
        -Did they dress appropriately, do they look professional.
        -Were they able to answer all you questions?
        -Did they make you feel comfortable with letting them host the most important night of your life?
        
After signing, are they willing to meet with you before the event?
    -A good DJ will schedule a meeting with you about a month ahead of your event to go over the following.
        -The events of the reception (a detailed reception planner or itinerary should be filled out by the DJ)
            -Does the DJ write down the names of people he will be announcing Phonetically (so he does not mispronounce them later)
            -Does he offer advise for different events to help them run smoother
            -Does he offer different events that you may not be aware of (Anniversary dance, Honeymoon dance, dedications to parents)
            -Do you go over a song list with Yes and NO songs so that there are no surpises.
    -what time he will arrive to set up at the hall.
    -what the layout of the room is and what he will require (power outlets, tables, chairs)
    -Directions to the Hall.

A good DJ should do the following on the Day of your event
    -Prepare for the event prior to the day of the event.
    -Arrive at the Reception hall at least 2 hours ahead of the time your guests will arrive.  (A good DJ should be set up and dressed before your first guests arrive).
    -Coordinate with all of the people that will be involved in different events at your reception (caterer, photographer, videographer, hall manager, father of the bride, the person giving the blessing before dinner and so forth).
    -look at the seating chart or table numbering to know where the people involved in events will be sitting.
    -Make sure there is a plate on the cake table (you would be amazed at how many BIG halls forget or do not put a plate on the cake table for your cake cutting)
    -Know where the cider or champagne is for the toast if the hall is not pouring for you (it becomes the DJ and the Best man's responsibility)
    -Know where the toss and anniversary dance bouquets are so he has them and they are not lost or (in the trunk of Mom's car).
    -Stand at the end of the buffett line to take the Bride's plate of food back to the head table for her (there should be no chance for her to spill food on her dress).
    -Have talked to the bar tenders about shots for the dollar/honeymoon dance (if there are shots being given) so they can be poured and ready before that event comes.
    -Have a redundant supply of the couples special music for that night, ( I make up a playlist on the computer as well as a cd that has all of the special event songs for the night, from the grand entrance music to the last dance of the night.  When the night is over I give this disc to the bride and groom as a gift).
    -Once your guests arrive, your DJ should be standing in front of his equipment (not behind it) to meet your guests and be able to direct them to their table, the gift table or any other areas that they might need to know.
    -Line you and your bridal party up for the grand entrance, going over all their names to make sure they are announced correctly.
    -Before your you and your bridal party walk in, he should have gone over all the events of the night with you all so that no one is caught by surprise.
    -The DJ should talk to the best man and maid/matron of honor about any events that they will be involved in. 

There are many other little things that a good DJ will do but these are some of the more important, not to mention the ability to keep your guests entertained and not bored.  Anybody can play music but learning to keep the reception flowing good, feeling the crowd and keep them dancing all night takes years of practice.  A good DJ not only entertains your guests but he is also your event coordinator and host.

Next month we will discuss music selection and flow, we will also discuss the difference between music we like to listen to and music that will keep your guests entertained and dancing all night long.

Thank you for reading and have fun planning.

Scott Simmons
www.djexpress.us

www.blog.djexpress.us
    

   

08/20/09

Hello world wide bloggers, this being my first ever blog and I thought that I would let you know who I am and where I come from.  My goal with this blog is to give me and you an area to express thoughts, ideas, hints, suggestions and rants about the world of parties, weddings, receptions and all that goes into planning them.  My goal is that hopefully you read this and learn about mistakes that I have seen or made myself or ideas that I have or have seen that might help your event run more smooth and stress free.

I started my business back in 1991 after years of working as a club DJ in the biggest bar at Ohio University (Athens). 
In 1997 I was hired as a firefighter for the city of Kent, at that time I had 6 DJs working for me and we had 3 DJ systems that were in use.  I sold 2 of the 3 systems and moved to kent to be a firefighter and to start the business all over again.  I have done quite well in the past 13 years up here, advertising only on the web and getting most business by word of mouth, last year (2008) performing at 42 events.  

I have performed at many events and weddings in my career as a DJ and have seen many different ways of doing parties and receptions.  I have found that I love working with people and helping them host the perfect night or party.  There are many little things that people are not aware of or just do not think about when planning an event and it is my goal through this blog to help pass those ideas on. 

Please remember that this blog is more for you than for me, so please feel free to use any of this info for your events and make comments on any of these ideas so that we may have a more interactive blog.

Thank you for reading.

Scott Simmons
www.djexpress.us

www.blog.djexpress.us