With its warm weather and long days, summer is a popular choice for clients eager to host outdoor weddings and events. However, in some cases, there are certain challenges that may come up when planning the lighting design for the gathering.
Here are some of the common challenges of event lighting in the summer, as well as solutions to ensure that they don’t get in the way of a perfect celebration.
Inclement weather
Rain, heat, and wind – all sorts of weather may pop up in the summer, so it’s important to plan for any risks that may be faced. While your standard ‘plan B’ procedures are certainly effective (like having a tent on call or bringing in fans), you’ll want to be extra careful with the lighting and décor to ensure your client’s vision isn’t affected. Wind, for example, can be difficult for candles, so be sure to plan ahead.
Will the candles stay lit outside if the wind kicks up? Photo Laura Catherine Organic Photographs
Placing pillar candles in hurricane lanterns is a great way to shield the flame from going out, whereas opting for battery-operated LED candles will ensure that nothing will affect the soft candlelight your clients love.
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“Once the sun goes down, you can really let the lighting design take over, but until then, keep it simple in the places that are most noticeable.”
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Later sunsets
While longer days and more sunlight is definitely a perk for summer events, it can be difficult to plan the lighting design for an evening event when the sun is out until eight o’clock. Accommodate the later sunsets by using candles and LED lights within the indoor spaces and tented areas, so that they can have maximum effect. Colored uplighting can also pack a punch, no matter what time of day is. Once the sun goes down, you can really let the lighting design take over, but until then, keep it simple in the places that are most noticeable.
Inside a vessel, an open candle will fare much better. Color and patterns can also be projected from inside. An LED will work well in this situation, too. Photo Alexis June Weddings
Sticking to a theme
Many summer events revolve around a bright and dynamic theme that captures everything that is great about the season. While floral design often dictates the color scheme and the overall feel of the event, lighting is the perfect way to complement the chosen blooms for an all-around summery vibe. Don’t feel obliged to stick to any one type of candle—in fact, a blend of pillars, tapers, and votive candles is a lovely way to mix and match and is sure to go with any number of centerpiece styles.
One word of caution: Regardless of whether your clients are hosting their event indoors or outdoors, it’s essential to discuss the lighting design with the venue coordinator prior to making any real plans. You’ll need to be sure to stick to the fire code and, in some cases, it may mean using only LED lights instead of risking any open flames.
Audrey Isaac is the spokesperson of 100 Candles, a wholesale market for candles and lights. Since 2002, thousands of wedding and event professionals have entrusted 100 Candles with their wholesale candle accounts. For more information, please visit https://www.100candles.com/.
