Designs We Dig: Custom Lighting Solutions

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here are many factors that go into creating the right ambiance for your guests: on-theme decor, an immersive soundscape, eye-catching props and florals, and of course, a versatile venue that can accommodate it all. But perhaps the most important element — one that can make a big, if not the biggest, impact — is lighting. This can’t-miss detail is capable of transforming the most blank-canvas of spaces into magical wonderlands. Do it right, and you’ll create an environment your guests won’t forget.

At DCi, our event planners are experts at wielding the power of lighting and using it to bring our clients’ visions to life by creating custom lighting solutions. From elegant chandeliers to themed lighting elements, over the years, we’ve created so many “wow” moments with the flip of a switch. All to say, if you’re looking to elevate your next event with lighting elements that are designed, engineered, and built just for you, here are a few ideas to keep in mind — plus some tried-and-true tips from our event-planning extraordinaires.

Striking A (Colorful) Chord

For one of our clients, the DCi planning team orchestrated an extraordinary event — a modern-day festival meets Texas state fair, which featured 20 carnival attractions, dance performances, a beer garden, and over 18 food-and-beverage stations. One of the most show-stopping corners of the festival included a neon forest, complete with suspended guitars that lit up in a striking, multi-colored display. Not only did this creative installation drive home the music-inspired theme, it also created a visually arresting atmosphere while ensuring the space was illuminated through the night.

Lighting As Sweet As Honey

For another client’s welcome reception — part of a “Honeycomb Delight”-themed event — our team was tasked with creating an immersive, eco-friendly experience. DCi’s expert planners dreamed up a stunning installation of LED honeycomb panels and golden honeycomb spheres, which hung from the ceiling in varying sizes and heights. As the lighting changed speed and texture, the honeycomb chandeliers seemingly buzzed in the air. Elsewhere, our team created a glowing honeycomb unit, illuminated by custom video content projected onto the back side. This was then reflected on mirrors positioned inside the unit — creating a one-of-a-kind kaleidoscopic experience once guests stepped inside.

Bright (And Sustainable) Ideas

At a recent expo — which put sustainability front and center — our team got an opportunity to demonstrate their eco-minded and earth-friendly approach to event-planning. Inside a sprawling venue, DCi experts played with the nature-focused theme by transforming rental chandeliers into a striking lighting showcase. The geometric, caged fixtures were covered with a moss-like texture and suspended at varying heights from the ceiling.

5 Tips for Designing (and Executing) Effective Lighting Solutions

1. Consider the Theme

With the help of well-thought-out and executed lighting solutions, you can transform any ordinary, ho-hum venue into — well, anything you want. The first step to doing this is always the same: Start with the story. What narrative are you trying to tell? What theme are you hoping to communicate? When thinking of lighting, our team begins by jotting down the story and coming up with a through line that drives our clients’ goals forward.

2. Determine the Color Code

Think of how the theme translates to your color palette. That color code should work hand in hand with your theme and help establish your desired mood. When we’re planning events for our clients, we always use colors, patterns, and intensities that match the event’s “story.” We also use gobos — small stenciled circular discs, which are placed in front of a light source to project an image — to display images or motifs related to the event.

3. Understand the Logistics

To ensure your lighting design and vision comes to life as smoothly and as efficiently as possible, you have to carefully consider the logistics. Think: power requirements, rigging points, and control systems. When selecting a venue, make sure that it can support the required electrical load and that there are enough rigging points for your fixtures. What’s more, a centralized control system — which allows us to control switching, dimming, energy, and shade from a centralized controller — helps our team seamlessly operate any lighting fixtures during events.

4. Have a Contingency Plan

When planning a large-scale event — especially one with an ambitious lighting design — it’s likely to experience a few unforeseen situations along the way. Outdoor plans might be derailed due to less-than-ideal weather. Last-minute changes in venue layout can jumble up your lighting concept, and technical failures might disrupt your whole design. That’s why laying out a well-researched contingency plan — think: backup generators and alternative lighting options — is key to ensuring everything runs as smoothly as possible.

5. Streamline Your Communication

Still, potential issues may arise — but communicating every step of the way is key to avoiding them. By finessing our communication with venues and vendors, our team at DCi is able to anticipate and navigate all obstacles throughout the planning process. Together, we work to create an unforgettable experience for guests — and truly make them feel immersed from the moment they arrive. As our team puts it, “Lighting is not just about visibility; it’s about creating an ambiance that leaves a lasting impression.”

We hope that these ideas have inspired you to plan your next event with us. If so, reach out to our team to get the ball rolling.