What Is Uplighting?
What is up lighting? For those who aren’t familiar, it is a wonderful way to create visual depth, generate viewer interest, and provide optical drama for your event. Uplighting is literally painting your event space with lighting. Uplighting turns an ordinary, boxy event space into art. It can add a unique vibrancy to an ordinary room.

For your photographs, this lighting adds excitement. It cannot be edited into the art later. It adds a feeling of fun energy to the event and the photos. Uplighting can be one of the most cost effective ways to decorate your venue.
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• ROLE MODEL – Without question, you, as the bride and groom, will be the center of attention. Therefore, you will have a tremendous influence on the mood of your reception. If you both simply sit around, chat with guests, and socialize, your guests will likely do the same. If the happy couple is up, dancing, grooving to the music, and having fun, everyone else will be more likely to join you on the dance floor. Some couples will even go into the crowd to grab the hands of friends and family, inviting them to come out and dance with the couple.
• SCHEDULING – Consider scheduling your wedding ceremony for late afternoon or early evening. The fact is, wedding ceremonies can be held at almost any time of the day. Interestingly, it seems (at least to me) certain ceremony start times tend to work really well: 4:30 PM (during the Fall, Winter, and Spring) or 5:30 PM (for Summer weddings). Generally, the reception will start about 60 – 90 minutes later. This is a perfect time for serving food. Then, you can move smoothly on to the traditional wedding reception events and special dances, and from there, keep the atmosphere fun and the guests dancing into the evening hours.
• PHOTOGRAPHS – Get all (or as many as possible) of your formal pictures done prior to the time dancing starts. Many parties can lose momentum rapidly if the bridal party, family, and friends leave to have more pictures taken. It may take a little longer earlier in the day, but put out some finger foods and ask the DJ to play some light jazz and adult contemporary music. This can keep you from losing guests who get bored waiting for the photography to finish.
• SIZE DOES MATTER – Choose a reception venue that is the right size for the number of guests expected. Don’t rent the Georgia Dome if you are only inviting 50 people. If the area is too large, guests may feel intimidated. A smaller room encourages interaction and socialization; it also gives the reception a intimate, cozy feel, and may prompt your guests to be more likely to loosen up, chat, and enjoy themselves. Similarly, the size of the dance floor matters.

  
  A smaller floor can create the impression that the dance floor is full. People are more likely to dance when the dance floor “feels” crowded. Obviously, neither the room nor the floor should be “too small”, but I have seen a lot of dance floors, and recognize the power of crowd psychology… I’m not a venue manager, trying to sell you a bigger dance floor! Seriously, if your guests end up dancing on the carpet and in between tables, that’s going to make all the stories about your dance floor being packed sound even better.

• LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION – Don’t hide the entertainment back in a corner, or in another room. A good DJ works hard to get people dancing, moving, and having fun; the DJ must be seen as part of the show – not just a side show. Put the DJ beside the dance floor, easily accessible to your guests. This makes it easier for your family and friends to make requests, to interact with the DJ, and for the DJ to better read the crowd.
• R-E-S-P-E-C-T – Respect the musical opinions and knowledge of your DJ. That may sound a bit arrogant, but think about it: THIS is what DJs do for a living… A DJ probably won’t walk in to your office and tell you how to do your job, because you are the professional there. Your DJ is the skilled, knowledgeable, trained professional here. A DJ can really help make your reception a success. Some couples try to cut out the “cliché wedding music”, or the “cheesy songs”, but getting rid of too much may actually have a negative impact on the dance floor. When making the list of requested songs and/or types of music for your event, be sure to include selections most everyone will enjoy. People like to dance to songs they are familiar with. A good host or hostess is considerate of all of his or her guests. Keep the music happy and upbeat.
• IF IT’S TOO LOUD… Seat older guests away from the dance floor. Sounds simple, but this is often overlooked.
• LET THERE BE LIGHT – Lighting is a key factor for a wedding reception. During the early part of the reception, lighting levels should be appropriate for mingling and serving (and enjoying) food. Later, consider lowering the lights to change the mood. Generally, a darker room is better (and more romantic). Family and guests are more likely to relax, dance, and have a good time if they do not feel like they are “in the spot light”. Lowering the lights (especially around the dance floor) also enhances any special lighting system your DJ has set up. Ask your DJ about fog or haze machines for additional lighting enhancement. Also, check with your venue; not all venues allow lighting, fog, or haze.
• DISTRACTION – Outside distractions should be kept at a minimum. Distractions may include: An outdoor patio, desserts in another room, etc. If possible, keep all of the attractions (including the DJ) in the same room. A great example is the bar… Bars are like kitchens – people are drawn to them. So, put your dance floor and your bar close together, if possible. Don’t make your DJ compete against the draw of the bar on the opposite side of the room or worse yet, in another room.
• SWEET STUFF – If possible, schedule the cutting of the wedding cake around the time family and guests are finishing their meals. This will allow everyone to enjoy desert right after dinner and will generally keep the reception flowing. Be sure the wedding cake is set up away from the flow of traffic so it doesn’t get bumped, and keep it out of direct sunlight. Consider doing the bouquet/garter immediately following the cake, as the dance floor is usually empty, as your guests want to watch you cut the cake. Ask your DJ to do a “fake toss”, and then a “1,2,3″ countdown to really toss. This helps out the photographer to get an action shot of the toss (during the “fake toss”) and the catching (because the “1,2,3″ lets them know exactly when you will toss it).
• FINALLY - End the party before it’s over. That is… generally you should plan to end your reception about 4-5 hours after it starts. Most of your guests will be ready to wind things down at that point. It simply feels better when everyone is left wanting a little more and saying “that was a great time!” versus being completely worn down and burnt out, and saying (or thinking) “is this thing EVER going to end?!“.

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Mae West, Lady Gaga, WC Fields, and DJ ILLEET

Guests entered the theatre via the red carpet, and were greeted by the paparazzi.

After their arrival, they were ushered into Hollywood, Taylor’s Farm style.



So, how did we do? Let’s ask our client…

Other photos can be seen here on our Facebook page.

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Cass High School Band Boosters, Big Mike Elzey’s BBQ cooking team, 1270 AM WYXC, Louie’s Cafe, Hyper Jump, Fun Services, Created by You, and Sirius Diversions would like to welcome the Bartow Business Connection and Bartow Contractors Association for a free, fun, family-friendly networking event, in association with Cass High Band Boosters.

The event will feature…
fresh made, slow cooked BBQ sack lunches from Big Mike Elzey’s expert BBQ cooking team only $6
crafts for the kids by Created by You
a “bounce rodeo” by Hyper Jump
a bounce house by Fun Services
espresso, specialty coffees, and treats from Louie’s Cafe
great music by Sirius Diversions

If you are a business owner, or want to do business with those in the Bartow business community, this is also an opportunity for some family-friendly networking. The kids have some fun activities to participate in, and you have the chance to meet other business people for a relaxed networking opportunity.

Proceeds go to help Cass High School with their band program.

Click here -to book Sirius Diversions for your next event!

DJ Illeet (Andrew Thomas) entertained the crowd with his music.

BBC at Johnny Mitchell's

Click here -to book DJ Illeet for your next event!

Click here -to book DJ Illeet for your next event!