1928 Planning has seen first-hand the impact that lighting design can have on a reception and believes that the finished product is invaluable. 1928 partners with local wedding lighting design company, Schades of Light to offer front-end communication to clients. We thought what better way for our readers to get to know Schades of Light than to have them guest blog for us and explain in their words the ultimate question: Do I Need Wedding Lighting?

Schades of Light Q & A

With Owner, Stephanie Schadler

dots

How did Schades of Light come to be?

In 2008, a mother of a bride asked if I would help decorate her daughter’s wedding. They had two bags full of lights and tulle fabric from a friend’s wedding and showed me how they wanted it hung. I thought, sure I can help out, this can’t be too hard and I got to work.  Well, five hours later, a few phone calls to family and friends and a couple of trips to the store, I was done!  After receiving payment I thought there has to be an easier way to do this!  So the following wedding season I bought my own supplies, setup a process of how to work efficiently and we’ve been at it ever since!

 

What local venues has Schades of Light provided services?

The Veranda @ The Whitcomb, The Boulevard Inn, Shadowland Ballroom, Blue Dress Barn, The Vineyard @ 12 Corners, Hidden Vineyard, and Harbor Shores.

4

Photo Credit: Jennifer Mayo Studios (top) | 430 Studios (bottom)

Why do you love what you do?

Every event is a happy one!  Each one is different and unique in their own way and I love getting to meet the bride and groom and their family.

 

What would you say is your favorite part?

Seeing the finished product! I love going back just before the wedding starts to see how everything came together.

 3

Photo Credit: Ben Pancoast Photography (top) | 430 Studios (bottom right) | Woodnote Photography (bottom left)

Some couples don’t see a need to have lighting at a reception. Make your case. Why is it important?

In the summer months (our busiest season), couples often think that since the sun sets around 9:30p that they don’t really need any additional lighting.  Although the sun is setting late, only on a perfect sunny day will you have a lot of natural light. What about cloudy, overcast, or rainy days?

We try to avoid turning on any permanent lighting in a venue because although it is functional lighting, it just doesn’t have the ambiance that most couples are looking for.

Some couples will also say they have a lot of candle light planned for their tablescapes. What if it’s a windy day and the candles can’t stay lit?

Local venues that have a separate lounge area are usually dark, and by adding a few stands of café lights it’ll make the space welcoming for guests and add a safety factor too.

 

For someone who knows their venue needs lighting but doesn’t know how to get started choosing what will work best, what would you suggest to them?

Gather pictures – either inspiration photos online or from another source so we have a clear idea of what they are looking for.  We show them pictures of the venue from other events with lighting options to give them a realistic view.  Most of the time the venue is empty when they view it and that makes it hard to visualize the space all decorated. That’s what we are here for – to help you see your ideas!

 2

Photo Credit: Dan Stewart Photography (bottom) |  430 Studios (top right) | Zachary Photography (top left)

What is your most popular service?

Paper lanterns. We offer a variety of color options to our clients that typically match their color schemes. It’s more of a casual look and complements most venues.

 

Where do you see wedding lighting design going?

A move towards simple elegance, using lights, fabric and chandeliers. We recently added a group of chandeliers to our services! We are super excited to begin offering them for the 2015 wedding season!

 1

Photo Credit: Jennifer Mayo Studios (bottom) | Bjlr Photography (top right)

Anything else you want to share your expertise on?

What we often hear are brides and grooms wanting to save money and purchase their own lighting decorations, install and tear it down themselves. It usually takes a lot more time than they think – time they could be enjoying their big day.  At the end of the night they really don’t want to worry about tearing everything down, especially after a few drinks! With our pricing, we include not only the inventory but the setup and tear down. You won’t have to lift a finger!

For more on Schades of Light and how they can be a part of your wedding day, contact us!

daniellesig-01

 

 

 

 

 

I can’t stress enough to brides how important wedding lighting is. From my experiences, I feel like I’ve seen it all… those that go all-out and put a great portion of their budget on wedding reception lighting and others that stick to the natural lighting your venue offers. One of my favorite aspects about my job is that no two days are ever the same. Each day brings another much anticipated wedding, another new family celebrating a special day and new reception themes and décor. Since every couple’s personality is completely different, it’s guaranteed that their vision for their wedding will vary as well. No matter what, every couple looks to create an inviting atmosphere and appealing ambiance for their guests.

Think back to when you first started your wedding planning. What were the first items on your to-do list? I’m assuming securing the venue, creating the guest list, selecting the perfect wedding vendors, deciding what décor to have and the list goes on. One of the most overlooked décor elements when planning is the wedding lighting design element.  I think a lot of people view lighting at their reception as a luxury rather than a necessity. I’m here to prove that theory wrong!

Whether the reception is indoor or outdoor, wedding lighting will not only enhance the look of the venue, but also enhance the décor elements you spent so much time creating and designing. Lighting can also help focus on important areas you want to make sure are emphasized, like the cake table or head table.

Couples hire the best photographers to capture their special day, so they can look back and remember how amazing it all was. Guess what? Photographers LOVE shooting with lighting elements – it only makes the pictures have that much more of an impact. Check out some favorites where wedding reception lighting design was used to enhance one of our partnered venue: The Veranda courtesy of  Jennifer Mayo Studios, 430 Studios and BJLR Photography.

Lighting Design

Lighting Design

I bet you are wondering who was responsible for that incredible wedding lighting design… don’t worry, I have you covered! We adore the work and lighting design of Schades of Light and it’s no surprise why they top our list of local wedding vendors to work with!

As part of making coordination for the big day even easier, 1928 Planning Co. handles vendor coordination for Schades of Light! Schades of Light does a variety of decor and lighting design options, including draped fabric, paper lanterns, chandeliers, uplighting, swaged lights and fabric, etc. Their lighting designs make receptions look truly beautiful and create a warm atmosphere for guests. 

Contact us today to learn more about Schades of Light and how they can doll up your ceremony and reception space!

 

As always, happy planning!

 

❀  Danielle