We are back at it today with a hot topic: our top wedding lighting ideas!
And truly, lighting is the best way to transform any indoor venue. Here's the best part: at an indoor venue, you have full control over the lighting. Walls, ceiling, hanging, etc. are all possibilities for wedding lighting and we have seen some incredible transformations. Ready to be enlightened? Ha, see what I did there.
First, hi! We're Olio, and we are a flexible indoor loft venue in a historic theater building in downtown Peabody, 25 minutes north of Boston, Massachusetts. We built our space as a blank slate New England venue specifically so that clients could have ultimate flexibility to create the wedding of their dreams. Without any lighting, the building shines through; with additional event lighting, Olio can be transformed into any theme.
At Olio, we have installed permanent hanging pendant lights from the beams which are perfect for our day-to-day use. They are on two seperate switches (front and back of the rooms) and highly sensitive dimmers so we can adjust to exactly the right setting throughout the event. From there, couples decide whether they want to add additional lighting and you can see below the impact lighting has!
Wedding lighting can set the mood, highlight the details of the building, and even create a sense of magic. Here are a few real examples of lighting at Olio:
Uplighting Wedding Lighting Ideas
Uplighting is a great way to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. It casts a soft glow on the walls and ceiling, making the space feel more spacious and elegant. This is a popular choice for weddings because it can create a romantic and intimate atmosphere or a club-like party environment. It is also one of the most budget-friendly ways to incorporate lighting into your wedding.
New as of fall 2023: Olio now offers uplights as an add-on service for clients who wish to add them!
String Lighting Wedding Lighting Ideas ✨
The oh-so-romantic favorite at Olio is string lights and we totally see why 😍 Give me a twinkle light overhead any day! There are different styles of string lights (holiday lights, café lights, fairy lights, and more) and they are most often strung either across or around the room to create a warm and cozy environment.
Pro tip: make sure to ask your lighting designer for dimmer switches if you have string lights over the dancing area! The lights that are perfect for dining may feel too bright for the dance party.
New as of fall 2023: Olio now offers string lighting as an add-on service for clients who wish to add it!
Candle Wedding Lighting Ideas🕯️
While we haven't figured out how to get candles to float around the room yet (Harry Potter reference), we do get to see couples play with candlelight as centerpiece and table décor in a big way. Candles at Olio may be real flame (enclosed in glass with the top of the flame 1+ inch below the top of the glass) or candle-like lights. They not only help to set the mood but candles throw off a fair amount of light and heat in the space. Perfect for sharing a romantic wedding meal, and especially ideal for a winter wedding!
Chandelier Wedding Lighting Ideas
With 30-ft ceilings and historic wood rafters, you can absolutely take advantage of the opportunity to customize your wedding lighting with hanging chandeliers. Chandeliers typically are suspended from our beams and the height can be adjusted by the lighting designer for varying effects. Chandeliers are so fun because they come in so many styles: modern, rustic, contemporary, classic, and more.
Disco Ball Wedding Lighting Ideas
Of course, we absolutely must give a nod to our favorite sparkly lighting fixture: the disco ball. Disco balls can be suspended from the ceiling or mounted onto stands but one thing is for sure... they make a GIANT splash in a big room like ours. Don't believe us? Take a look for yourself!
Neon Wedding Lighting Ideas
If you are looking for a way to make a statement at your wedding with lighting, neon wedding lights are a great option! These can be suspended on an archway or frame or may be hung from the wall, depending on the look you are going for. Some couples choose to purchase a custom wedding neon (your name or a special date or phrase) and some choose a standard neon sign that can be found in a retail setting. Either way, you can consider reusing the neon sign at your home after the wedding if you have a great spot for it!
Pro tip: neon (which is now made out of LED lights) needs to be plugged in to operate, or you can purchase a battery pack to have ultimate flexibility for placement.
Large Letters Wedding Lighting Ideas
So simple and such a statement piece! Guests will love to take a photo with giant light up letters or numbers that are significant to you. Most couples rent these but we have had clients buy or build their own to save and reuse after the big day too!
Gobo Wedding Lighting Ideas
Gobos are a specific type of projection using a stencil to create patterns or images on walls or ceilings. It can be used to add a touch of creativity and personality to your wedding. Many couples choose to project their names or wedding date onto the walls or dance floor. This is perfect for the dark, textured walls at Olio!
Projection Wedding Lighting Ideas
If you are looking to make a real splash 💦 consider a professional projection. You can create any pattern or environment on Olio's historic 17ft walls and it can be static or involve movement. Another great use for a wedding projector is to share a favorite video. We had a client elope and then project their wedding video and dance underneath it. Another couple expressed their love of video games by projecting their Nintendo 64 right on the wall and giving guests a chance to play.
Miscellaneous Wedding Lighting Ideas
Lastly, a few amazing wedding lighting ideas that simply can't be put in a box. Lasers? We've seen them. Neon table lights? Yup, so fun. Hanging lanterns and wall lighting? We love it.
A few extra tips to consider as you are researching wedding lighting ideas:
Many couples combine multiple lighting techniques to set the mood in the room or in different parts of the room.
With the current status of LED lighting, any color is possible! When you hire an event lighting designer, ask if they have an onsite tech throughout the event who will be changing the colors as the evening goes on.
Most couples work with a professional wedding lighting company. This is highly recommend as they are the experts! In addition, there are opportunities for lighting (especially uplights and candles) that can be done by the client or decorator.
Pro tip: Anything suspended from beams or hooks at Olio must be approved in advance in writing so that we can evaluate the weight/attachment for structural integrity.
Pro tip: overhead lighting (like string lights or chandeliers) typically must be completed before other vendors arrive and removed after other vendors depart. Make sure to budget for extra time at the venue, if needed!
At Olio, we truly embrace couples' unique visions and wedding lighting is a brilliant way to do that.
And now that we've shared some examples of things that have been done here before, we can't wait to see what YOU come up with!
Shine brightly,
Sarah Narcus,
Owner, Olio
