Choosing the Right Lighting for Outdoor Events
When planning an event, the outdoor lighting system is an essential element that can transform your venue from simple to stunning. Lighting not only illuminates your space as evening falls but also creates an ambience, enhances the mood, and highlights the beauty of your outdoor setting. Whether it’s for weddings, festivals or outdoor parties, choosing the right lighting can significantly impact the success and atmosphere of your event.
What do I need to consider when choosing outdoor lighting?
Venue
The venue is your starting point in the selection process for outdoor lighting. Your venue’s size, layout, and existing lighting infrastructure will influence your lighting choices. Larger venues may require more robust solutions to ensure ample coverage, while more intimate settings can benefit from softer, more decorative options. Consider the venue’s natural lighting during your event and how different areas might need to be highlighted or softly illuminated for aesthetics and safety.
Colour
Colourful lighting can set the mood and ambience of your event. Warm colours like amber and soft yellow create a cosy, welcoming atmosphere, while cool colours like blue and green add a serene, magical touch. The colour of your lighting should complement your event’s theme, decor, and the natural surroundings of your outdoor venue.
Weatherproof
Outdoor events are at the mercy of the elements, making waterproof lighting an important consideration. Ensure your lighting choices suit outdoor use and withstand weather conditions like rain, wind, and extreme temperatures. LED lights are often preferred for durability and energy efficiency, but ensure they are specifically rated for outdoor areas.
Battery Operated or Solar LED?
Depending on your venue’s accessibility to power sources and the duration of your event, you can choose between battery-operated and solar LED lights. Battery-operated lights offer flexibility in placement but require monitoring to ensure they last the event’s duration. Solar lights, however, are eco-friendly and can recharge during the day, making them ideal for events that transition from daylight to evening. However, their performance might be limited on cloudy days or in shaded areas.
How many lights do I need?
Determining the quantity of lights you need involves considering the size of your venue, the level of illumination desired, and the type of lighting you’re using. For example, garden party lights, compared to festival lights will be substantially different. A general rule of thumb is to have enough lighting to navigate the venue safely while creating the desired ambience. For functional areas like walkways, entrances, and food service areas, ensure sufficient light for safety and comfort. Decorative lighting can then be added to enhance the mood and highlight features of your venue.
Control
Incorporating a control system for your outdoor event lighting is necessary for functionality throughout the event. The ability to adjust lighting levels, switch on and off, or even change colours can significantly impact the event’s mood and energy. Modern lighting solutions offer various control options, from manual dimmers to sophisticated wireless systems that can be operated via smartphones or tablets. Integrating a flexible control system allows for real-time adjustments to suit the event’s evolving atmosphere, enabling you to highlight moments, transition smoothly between different phases of the event, and ensure the lighting remains harmonious with the evening’s progress.
Different Types of Outdoor Event Lighting
Festoon Lighting
Festoon lighting, with its strings of bulbs draped across the space, offers both functionality and charm. Ideal for a wide range of events, from casual gatherings to elegant weddings, festoon lights provide ample illumination while creating a warm, inviting ambience. They’re versatile enough to complement any theme, whether strung above the dining area, around the venue’s perimeter, or through trees.
Floodlights
Floodlights are a practical choice for areas requiring significant illumination, such as parking spaces, entranceways, or the main event space. They ensure safety and visibility, making them essential for the functional aspects of your event. When used strategically, floodlights can also highlight architectural features or landscaping, adding depth and drama to the outdoor setting.
Beyond ensuring safety and visibility, floodlights serve an elevated purpose in concerts and musical performances. They can be strategically employed to enhance the audience’s experience, spotlighting performers and creating dramatic effects that complement the rhythm and energy of the music. By carefully positioning floodlights, event organisers can add depth to the stage presentation and landscaping, creating a visually appealing environment that resonates with the vibrancy of the musical event.
Fairy String Lights
Fairy lights are popular for adding a magical touch to your event. Their delicate glow can enhance the beauty of any outdoor setting, from gardens to beaches. String them in trees, along pathways, or over dining areas to create an enchanting atmosphere. Warm white led multi-function string lights are connectable and work well with other lighting types, offering flexibility in design and use.
Lanterns
Lanterns offer a timeless lighting solution ranging from traditional to modern, depending on the chosen style. They can be hung from trees, placed on tables, or used to line walkways, providing a soft, diffused light that enhances your event’s romantic or festive feel. Lanterns are also available in battery-operated or solar options, making them versatile for various outdoor settings.
Choose STLS for Lighting for Outdoor Events
When it comes to elevating your event with the perfect lighting, choosing a professional and experienced supplier is key. STLS has been providing lighting solutions for a wide range of events, from intimate gatherings to large-scale outdoor festivals. With a deep understanding of the transformative power of lighting, STLS offers innovative, customised solutions that can turn any venue into a breathtaking event space. For professional event lighting that captures the essence of your celebration and enhances every moment, trust STLS. With our experience and dedication to excellence, your event lighting will exceed expectations.
Ready to light up your next event? Contact STLS today and let us bring your vision to life with our expert lighting solutions.