As you’re putting together the team for your wedding, it’s important to know your vendors well and make sure that you’re all on the same page. Your lighting designer is no different – you’ll want to get an idea of how they’re planning for your special celebration, as well as what can fit in your budget. Here are some of the questions you’ll want to ask your lighting designer.
My event is at [venue]. Have you ever worked on an event there?
This is perhaps one of the most important questions you can ask. If your lighting designer is familiar with your venue, you can rest easy knowing that they know their way around the site. If they have never been before, then you’ll want to set up a site tour so they can get an idea of the space before planning out the design.
What would you suggest for my space?
You may have some great ideas (thank you, Pinterest!), but it’s always best to see how feasible it is for your venue. While you may love the idea of ornate chandeliers everywhere, your outdoor space may be more difficult in terms of logistics and perhaps your lighting designer has an idea with LED string lights that will blow your mind. They are the expert, so don’t be afraid to ask for suggestions!
My lighting budget is [number]. How can I best utilize the expense for maximum effect?
Very few of us go into an event with an unlimited budget, so it’s important to be upfront about how much you’re willing to spend on lighting. Otherwise, you may find yourself getting carried away with inspiration, only to be disappointed that you can only afford a fraction of the vision you dreamed up.
Do you own your own lighting equipment?
The best lighting designers will own their equipment, so this can help you qualify who is the best fit. Plus, if the equipment belongs to them, there will be more flexibility with pricing and availability as there’s no worries about rentals.
Do you have insurance?
This is something you should be asking all of your vendors, including your lighting design. This is a surefire way to safeguard your event should anything go wrong. If a vendor is insured, they’ll be able to show you a certificate of insurance – it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Can you light up our space in our wedding colors?
More often than not, the answer is YES! However, if you don’t ask early on, your designer may not know exactly what you want and your pricing quote may differ. Be specific about how you imagine your big day.
How does the on-site crew dress and act?
Again, this is a question you should ask most, if not all, of your vendors. The last thing you want is for your vendors to show up looking sloppy or being disrespectful. Look for signs of decorum among the staff and, if there is no dress code, request that the crew wears black to look uniform.
Of course, there’s surely going to be some questions that are specific to your event, so don’t limit yourself to this list. Use these questions as a foundation to your meeting and let the conversation flow – now is the time to get to know everyone on your wedding team!
Proudly serving Bay Area Weddings for over twenty years, Fantasy Sound aims to be engaged couples’ first stop- offering Disc Jockey, Videography, Event Lighting Décor and Wedding Planning services. They are fueled by great ideas paired with strong coffee, and will never turn down a piece of red velvet wedding cake.
