Previously reserved for ultra high-end affairs, professionals are building entire businesses offering uplighting alone. It's all about the WOW factor. Put simply, uplighting refers to the use of floor-mounted lighting fixtures aimed skyward to light the wall(s) and ceiling of your venue. Any venue will benefit from properly placed and controlled uplights. Charges for these types of services vary wildly, and are usually based on the size of your venue, but also based on how widespread you want the effect to be. Now more than ever, even if your guests have been to your venue before, you can show it off to them in a way they have never seen it!
Here is a general idea of how much uplighting works best in some of the most popular venues in Berkshire County:
Berkshire Hills Country Club: 13 fixtures
Berkshire Hills Country Club w/lobby: 15 fixtures
Country Club of Pittsfield: 15 fixtures
Country Club of Pittsfield w/foyer: 18 fixtures
Cranwell -Sloane Ballroom: 12 - 18 fixtures
Crissey Farm: 12 - 18 fixtures
Holiday Inn & Suites Pittsfield - top floor: 12 - 18 fixtures
Holiday Inn & Suites Pittsfield - 1/2 ballroom: 12 - 18 fixtures
Holiday Inn & Suites Pittsfield - whole ballroom: 24 - 30 fixtures
Jiminy Peak - Crane Lodge: 12 fixtures
Jiminy Peak - JJ's Lodge 24 fixtures
Proprietor's Lodge - main room only: 12 fixtures
Proprietor's Lodge w/ lobby and bar area: 24 fixtures
Seven Hills Inn - Music Room: 11 fixtures
Seven Hills Inn - Ballroom: 21 fixtures
"with DJ package" shows the unbeatable cost when added to your DJ package booked with Chris. By far the best value! (for services rendered in Berkshire County ONLY)
Don't need a DJ, no problem. Add a $149 site fee and Chris will deliver and set up your lighting, then retrieve it at the end of your event. This allows Chris to DJ elsewhere that day. Chris can assist you if you need any help deciding on a color scheme and it remains unchanged throughout your event. (for services rendered in Berkshire County ONLY) The site fee includes an on-site visit with you weeks before your event to discuss where the lighting should be used, and for you to see a light and choose exactly what color(s) you want.
Uplighting shields come standard. The fit and finish of the entire event is important to me. A recent step was to invest in wireless lights for a cleaner install by eliminating the messy wiring. Now I've taken it one step further and invested in these shields. Brides and grooms probably don't care much about these--but venues remark on these all the time! Just one of many reasons why my company is among the most-referred DJ and lighting comanpies in my area.
While my lights work wonders in any venue the Berkshires has to offer, you're probably interested in seeing what they'll do in the venue you'll be using.
Use this link to see how they look in different venues around the Berkshires. It is important to note that these images may include other types of event lighting as well. The color schemes shown are always predetermined and agreed upon. Once the dancing has begun, the option to allow the lights to undergo color changes and slow fades is discussed and planned for ahead of time as well.
Aesthetically, the location of the fixtures should be based on highlighting the natural architectural features of the space: columns, corners, ornate framing, fireplaces, etc. Even though an alternative term for uplighting is "wall-washing," usually that is not the goal. Think of uplighting as a way to highlight certain areas of the room you would like to draw attention to (behind the head table, behind the cake table, near the entrance, near the bar, etc). You can also breathe life into areas that are otherwise boring or plain, such as the hallways leading into the main room, or those leading to restrooms or coatrooms. Of course, it's light, so it comes in handy to brighten up areas is needed.
Here is a general idea of how much uplighting works best in some of the more popular venues in Berkshire County:
Berkshire Hills Country Club: 13 fixtures
Berkshire Hills Country Club w/lobby: 15 fixtures
Country Club of Pittsfield: 15 fixtures
Country Club of Pittsfield w/foyer: 18 fixtures
Cranwell -Sloane Ballroom: 12 - 18 fixtures
Crissey Farm: 12 - 18 fixtures
Crowne Plaza top floor: 12 - 18 fixtures
Crowne Plaza 1/2 ballroom: 12 - 18 fixtures
Crowne Plaza whole ballroom: 24 - 30 fixtures
I.T.A.M. Lodge - main room only: 12 fixtures
I.T.A.M. Lodge w/ bar area & lobby: 18 fixtures
Jiminy Peak - Crane Lodge: 12 fixtures
Jiminy Peak - JJ's Lodge 24 fixtures
Occasionally, a venue lacks architectural interest, or is otherwise deemed too plain, drab, or "beige." Uplighting can work wonders to spice up these places. Without fancy elements to highlight, generally, lights spaced 15 to 25 feet apart will achieve results that are both effective, yet not overbearing.
Don't worry too much about how many lights are used, I have already done lighting jobs in most of the more popular venues in Berkshire County and will give you an idea of how many fixtures it will take to achieve the look you are going for. Prices for uplighting include custom lighting design, which entails a walk-through of your venue before hand, and a discussion of how I plan to light your space. Remember, it's all based on what you want! No one needs uplighting, they want it!