Illuminate Your Event: The Powerful Impact of Lighting
Have you ever had to use a candle to read the menu at a restaurant that took dim lighting too far? Or spotted someone from across the room that seemed to have just the right glow about them? If so, you’ve experienced the transformative power of light and how it can make or break an experience.
In the world of experiences, light does more than illuminate the room so people can see what they’re doing and where they’re going. It’s a key element in creating your desired atmosphere and guiding guests through the story you’re trying to tell. Using the power of lighting design, you have the power to transform your event space, influence guest behavior, and enhance the overall impact - even if you’re only executing these concepts on a small scale. Let’s dig in.
The Psychology of Light: The Subtle Power of Consistency vs. Change
One of the many things I touch on the in the Experience Planner is event psychology - small ways you can manipulate your event to steer your guests. How your venue is lit is a huge part of that psychology, and there are many ways that you can leverage it.
For example, consistent lighting can affect the perception of time. During a course I took on lighting, I remember writing down when the instructor said, "people stay longer when the light isn’t changing" - essentially, a stable environment can alter a guest’s perception of time, making them stick around longer than they realize.
On the flip side, changes in light can act as cues and signals, if you choose to use them that way. A change in lighting can signal that something is about to happen, such as cueing a toast or teeing up a guest of honor to enter the room. Think of how a theater flashes the house lights to signal showtime is close and then slowly dims the lights as the first act begins. In night clubs, the lights may slowly turn on or get brighter when the evening is over and they’re about to close. Some ways that you can include cue lighting in your event include dimming the lights and using a spotlight for a special moment or guest, maintaining even lighting in a windowless space to keep guests there longer, or even brightening and dimming the lights to mimic daylight in a windowless room if you want guests to keep up with the passage of time.
In the photo below, Kanye West’s lighting designer for the Yeezus tour used a single beam of light shining on him to give him an ethereal, almost God-like glow as he stood on a ‘mountaintop’ above his audience.
The Interplay of Light, Color, and Temperature
It’s important to know that your lighting choices should compliment the vibe you’re going for, so on a very basic level stick to cool or warm lighting depending on what you’re going for. Cool lighting is more suited for encouraging socializing, boosting energy, and increasing productivity, but in the wrong environment can sometimes feel sterile & impersonal. Warm lighting is more suited for coziness, intimacy, and lowered inhibitions, but has the potential to make people feel sleepy and / or closed in / claustrophobic.
Different objects and fabrics can also be perceived differently under various light sources and colors, so it’s strongly recommended that you stick to warm vs cool if you’re not comfortable getting that detailed or hiring someone. If you have room in your budget and the enthusiasm to pursue more, consider the existing colors in the venue and decor when choosing lighting colors. Generally speaking, if you’re hosting a theme party where everyone should wear a certain color, don’t also light the room that color because the fabric won’t look as vibrant (which means people will be less likely to look good in photos). For example, if you’re having an all red party, avoid red lights. If you’re not a theater nerd or working with a professional, just trust me on this one.
One final note on lighting - even if nothing else is controllable - is to consider the brightness of your light sources. When appropriate, turning off the “big lights” in favor of thoughtfully placed medium and small sources, or using a dimmer can go a long way. You can play with layering light sources as well by dimming the main source of light and supplementing with candles, spot lighting, or display lighting where appropriate. Illuminated bottle glorifiers, neon strip lighting, and gobos are all ways to play with light in a space for that extra oomph.
Notice how this space uses warm / yellow light in the center of the room, but creates bright, energized pockets of seating with the use of cool / white light on the outskirts.
Top Takeaways: Illuminating Your Vision
Make no mistake about it, thoughtful lighting design can be a pivotal contributor to a successful event. When making decisions for your day, consider the psychological, aesthetic, and practical aspects of lighting. Here are some wuick thought starters to mull over:
How long do you want people to stay at the event?
Do you want people to feel energized for networking and socializing, or relaxed and cozy for intimate conversations?
Is there anything special happening that is worth calling attention to with the help of light?
Are you planning to change the mood at some point in the event? Would it benefit you to raise or lower the lighting at that point?
Are you embracing specific colors throughout?
Finally, It’s always good to consider how your light choices will show up on camera. Your photographer & videographer are helping you capture & tell the story of your event - your venue and how you decorate supply the raw materials for that story. Be sure to allow them plenty of time in the space to dial in their camera settings and get some test shots ahead of doors opening.
Happy lighting!
P.S. - I’m just TWO WEEKS away from launching the digital planner! Don’t forget to sign up for notifications on the home page so you’re notified via email at launch. ❤️