Help! Are uplights an absolute necessity or just a waste of money?

Im concerned with this too! It wasn’t in our original budget but I think this may be necessary if we have any extra space as we get closer to the date!

There’s absolutely no decor item that is a necessity. Whether or not you have uplights, signs, centerpieces, whatever, you’ll still be married at the end of the day. The only necessities when it comes to wedding planning are two consenting adults, an officiant, and a marriage license.

Definitely not a necessity, but in our case I don't consider them a waste of money either because they are contributing to the ambiance more than flowers or other decor (a lot of them will be out in the swamp area around the deck to highlight the beautiful surrounding after dark). It's all about what you want and your priorities.

Our dj actually told us that up lighting is totally unnecessary. He said either people are going to get up and dance or their not, no amount of lighting is going to change that. And he’s right, and I’m grateful he was honest with us about it! It saved us a couple hundred dollars!

(1) They are NOT necessary

(2) Yes, that money can be used for something else such as more flowers or other decor

(3) They will not make the pictures BETTER, the pictures will still be pretty without them. In fact, it can make it harder on the photographer.

If you are struggling so much with it, talk to your photographer about it.

The only good photo received with lighting was this:

Otherwise they were kinda weird with the colors, like why??? For example, the green is cool for "Irish" with the bagpipers but uhm, totally unnecessary and even odd now.

I personally decided to coop without them. Your photographer will have the need lighting for your pics.

Sorry, meant go without them

Our venue is throwing in the uplighting for us; which is very generous. If they weren't, I'm not sure if it would have made our list of priorities or necessities. The venue is beautiful on it's own.

FYI, you can rent cordless ones from RentMyWedding for $25 each (free shipping). Personally, I think they can enhance a reception space a lot. It’s a nice glow for a gorgeous venue but can really transform a not-so-lovely one (hall, community center, loft/warehouse, plain hotel ballroom, etc).

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My thoughts exactly! it was in our initial budget but along the line, some budgeted things ended up costing more meaning we might have to shift around some of our costs

Gosh! Wedding planning is turning us brides into finance analysts haha

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Right?! I just wish it was that simple really.

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I can picture the scenery in my minds eye from your description already. Beautiful!

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Hahaha. yes the bottom picture is definitey helping me make my decision for sure hahaha. Thanks for sharing

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That's the thing for us as well. The venue is very beautiful with lovely chandeliers and glass walls overlooking the forest. It's an evening wedding as well

However, one of the staff recommended us getting up lights to add to the ambience. Problem is each is going for $75

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Oh awesome! thank you so much. I'll check them out

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Yes you're right. Il speak to him as well

I don’t think they are necessary, if you trust your photographer I’m sure they’ll make it work without. If it’s in the budget comfortably then great but if it’s an on the fence thing, I think it can definitely go elsewhere

View Quoted Comment Did the staff give you a suggestion on how many you'll need?

Would you be interested in only having the uplighting in a certain area(s)? Possibly around the bar, your sweetheart table (if you'll have one), the dj booth (again if you have one), or a focal point in the room.

Unless you have a very dark venue and are having a really late night reception I wouldn't worry about it at all. I'm skipping it, my venue looks good as is and is bright.

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They suggested about 6