Continued from our previous post, here are some more questions to ask your potential lighting professional before considering them for your wedding.
5. Setup time
Ask how much time they take to setup. Make sure you allot enough time BEFORE YOUR GUESTS ARRIVE otherwise you may find yourself walking in while they are still setting up. A good lighting vendor will specify how much time they need and will make sure they are completely done at least 30 minutes before doors open. If one lighting vendor requests 1 hour and others request 3 hours, ask why the difference. You may be dealing with a lighting company this is not good at planning.
6. Onsite technicians
Ask your lighting vendor if a tech will be onsite all night. If not, ask what their backup plan is if something were to go wrong. Do they have someone on call? How long will it take for them to come to the rescue? Make sure you get numbers and names of on-call techs and pass on to your planner to make sure you are set! Remember it is always better to spend a little more dough and have peace of mind that your one-time event will go smoothly without interruption.
7. End time
Make sure you check on policies concerning your events end time and when your lighting company will take down. You only have the first impassion and the last impression to create your lasting memory. Don’t let your lighting company ruin it by striking (taking down) the equipment while you and your guests are in the room. This can be an embarrassing experience for you and your guests. Always plan on extra time, if your venue allows, for your guests to leave before your vendors strike (or remove the equipment).
8. What do they REALLY do?
Last, but definitely not least is one of the most important questions to ask. What ALL do you do? If you are looking for professional companies that are good at what they do, chances are, they will ONLY do one thing. If you get a florist who offers catering, you should run the other way! Pick vendors who are good at what THEY do. Your lighting company is no exception, to have the best, they must be specialized. Don’t use your DJ Company for décor lighting. DJ’s are good at music, let them do what they do best. If you make this mistake, you may find yourself regretting the decision to save a couple dollars on one of the most important days of your life.
Ask these questions and do some research and you will never regret spending money on one of the most important elements in your event; Lighting!
Until next time,
Keep it Light!
Ben Lawles














