Well look who decided to host the biggest party of the year – you! You have decided to hold your event in a clearspan tent, knowing it will allow you to create the perfect space! You have been busy designing the layout for the event, picking out your theme, your decorations, your centerpieces, your food, and your tent lighting. Everything seems to be falling into place.
You saved the lighting decisions for last. After all, you know what look you are going for, but you are unsure of your options and what will work best for you. Your party is taking place after the sun goes down so you must have sufficient tent lighting or you will have some unhappy – and possibly scared – guests!
Tent lighting can take on many forms, depending on the look you are going for and the mood you are trying to set. Here is a list of a few of the more popular options to help you make your decision.
Setting a Romantic Mood in a Clearspan Tent
Some parties and events such as weddings, dances or balls require soft and romantic lighting. There is just something magical about outdoor, soft lighting such as light displays during winter holidays. For example, using fairy lights around your centerpieces – even placing them inside empty lanterns for a soft glow. Depending on your level of concern for fires, you may choose to use candles to light your way (or you could always opt for the flameless variety). String lights and bulbs roped across a clearspan tent in decorative fashion can add that warm glow and a giddy, romantic feel.
The Spot Light is On
Are you hosting an event that you will need a focus light? Are you wanting to display an item – a special piece of art, a cake, etc.? Maybe you’re wanting to draw your guests to a specific area once they are under the event tent? Spot lights can make that happen. When you think of these lights, don’t think solely of the light that follows your favorite musician around the stage. Think about it like this – throughout your clearspan tent you have the soft, romantic lights mentioned above, then BOOM – a single bright light shining over the wedding cake. In other words, you would use this spot light to grab attention of your guests as soon as they walk in the room.
Another idea for spot lights is to use smaller versions to hang over centerpieces on the table, letting guests see your beautiful design, while also allowing them to enjoy their meal with a dimmer light – since the light will not be focused in the middle of the table. This is known as pin spot lighting.
Colored Lights, a Disco Ball, and a Dance Floor
If you want to get funky and keep the vibe flowing on the dance floor you must kick up your light game. Lights can push the energy almost as much as music can. So, whether you are looking to have your guests waltz or do the cha cha, you may want to pay attention.
People tend to not dance as much when the venue is light. If it is dark outside, people think no one can see their dance moves. So, keeping the lighting low at the ground level is a good idea. Uplighting allows you to light from the floor upwards. At the base (the floor) it will be darker and as the lighting extends up, it branches out. This lights up a space, with most the light toward the ceiling. The great thing about uplighting is that you can usually use a variety of colors – which allows you to keep with your décor.
Wash Lighting to Get that Glow
It is likely that the clearspan tent you rented for your event will be white. However, what if you don’t want it to be so white and get creative instead? This is where wash lighting comes into play. This is a neat tent lighting trick that can paint the whole area a new color. Blue, pink, soft green? The choice is yours. Wash lighting does just as it says – it washes (or paints) the whole space with a color. Choose the color based on the decorations or theme of your party. You can also choose the color based on the mood you are trying to set:
Blue – calm, tranquility
Red – sultry, passion, lust
Orange and Yellow – energy, sunshine, happiness
Green – growth, freshness
Purple – luxury, royalty, power
Decorative Tent Lighting
If you are trying to create a space using the lighting as part of your decorations, then you are in luck! A few options are:
Chandeliers. Chandeliers come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. They can be hung high or low, and offer a feeling of extravagance. Many times, chandeliers can be used as the focal point in the tent.
Lanterns. If you want to keep with the outdoor feel, lanterns can help. They can add a bit of ruggedness to your beautiful event. The great thing about lanterns is how versatile they are. You can fill them with many different things – candles, 1 light bulb, fairy lights, etc. They can be placed on tables, on the floor, hung from the ceiling, etc.
Candles. Real or flameless, these things just scream romance. Candles can be used in candleholders, candelabras, in lanterns, on platters, or even by themselves. You can use 5 or 500; scented or unscented. Candles provide many, many options.
String lights. Known as “bistro style,”string lights can add a uniqueness to any event. You can choose from many different size, wattage, shape, etc., of string lights and use them as you wish. You can string them from side to side, in a design, wrap them around poles, or wrap them as balls and hang them from the ceiling for a unique look.
Tent lighting for your party or event can be as unique as the event itself. Once you know the mood you are trying to set, you can easily select a lighting to match. Use your imagination and make it shine!
