Is Uplighting Necessary?

No.

No. Like you, I'm not a fan of uplighting.

No, it is absolutely not necessary. My DJ tried to sell me uplighting too. Your DJ is trying to sell to you how great it is because he/she wants to make more. But from the sound of you post, you really don't like it so don't get it. Another reason why I didn't get it was because it will take extra time to set up and I am on a very limited set up time.

However I did bought a DJ package with something called party lights.

Party lights-

The party lights are multi-colored, moving, sound-activated lights that will definitely enhance the area when it’s time to dance. These lights are perfect for the dance floor and motivate people to dance by transforming the space into a party atmosphere.

Hope this helps.

We aren't getting up lighting either. We are getting a few lights to shine up the pillars in the room... I think they are called strobe lights but they don't flash . We are also renting some trees from a nearby garden nursery for the evening and will put fairy lights in the trees. Maybe something like that could work for you?

I'd say no and depending on your venue you can string lights and put out candles

You absolutely do not need to have it if it does not fit your vision.

No, up lighting is not necessary that's your choice whether you want to include it in your wedding or not. We plan on having string lights and tea lights but that's because I want that. It's all up to what you and your FH want.

This is very helpful! Thank you!

I was going to say I hate uplighting, too, but I have to say, Wendy's photo is very nice and classy!

One thing to keep in mind about twinkle/string lights is to make sure you have the outlets you need before you get your heart set on them. Our venue has ONE outlet we can use. . . or, budget/plan for the battery operated kind. They're a bit more expensive, and have a slightly different look, but the overall feel is the same.

I will be using an amber "wall washing". The DJ I am using is the preferred DJ at my venue, and they have the lighting system integrated into the building. This comes free for booking the DJ at that venue, so i will be using a warm color on the walls to make it look like a candle glow.

I wanted the exact same feel to our wedding, and luckily, I'm an executive producer, so I knew how to create "the look"...here's what properly done uplighting does to a "twinkly-lit" room.

Honestly, all of the lighting combined made our "starry night/enchanted evening"-ish theme come to life.

My mom and FH said the same thing and I didn't agree with them. I think It makes the reception hall more beautiful and that's my opinion. Also if the up lighting person does it right it be well worth. I cant wait to see everything on the final day.

I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU POSTED THIS POST!!!

we are just now on the market for DJs and i have to say that this post helped alot - i didn't know what kind of look i wanted for my dancefloor- but i don't like the purple and blue glow either.... i'm going to look into twinkle lights too (and i must live under a rock because i didn't know there were battery operated strands!!!).

We WONT be having uplighting. One, because FH doesnt like it and two because our venue is at a golf course and has three walls full of floor to ceiling windows...even if we had wanted it, the lighting wouldn't be able to be turned on until 10pm or so and would have been a waste of our money

You do not need uplighting, however depending on the venue and your colors if can enhance the look of the reception. EVERY wedding is different and once you DJ understands that and you share your vision with him/her they should be able to present options that are the best fit for you. A few things they should share with you about lighting are:

- You can limit the lights for a soft enhancement of the venue (i.e. you may not need 16 - 8 will do)

- The intensity of the light can be adjusted for a softer look/ambiance

- There are over 60+ shades of one color that you can select from

I love candles as well and a softer LED light will work best with lots of candles.

Nope, luckily my venue comes with 4 pillars that light up in different colors. If you want that vision, do candles!

It's def not necessary but it does depend on the venue. If they don't have a lot of dim lighting it may be nice to have the uplighting so the bright harsh lights don't need to be on/it's not dark by having thm off. Our DJ was familiar with our venue and actually advised against the uplighting because he said it doesn't make a lot of difference there since they have very nice dim lighting already so he advised us to save the cost. My friend, however, really needed it because her venue didn't offer dim lighting so the uplights will create that effect.

It's not necessary but it just give the room more depth and nice decor. we will have white up lighting and the ambient glow of a pink or purple.

No, they are not necessary. They just usually make it look a little better. We are getting all of our uplighting for free because of negotiations we did with the DJ. So here is what you can do: Get quotes from lots of other DJs. And when you meet with the one you want, say "we are able to get ___ with the other DJ. What can you offer to make us go with your company? We would really love to go with you." or something like that.

But I would not be getting uplighting if it weren't free. We have uplighting included in our reception package, and the DJ gave us 4 free uplights for working with the reception hall since they were preferred vendors with each other. And because we booked with the DJ, the hall gave us a free ice sculpture! Lol. Just ask. The worst they can say is no. They are used to negotiating things. They'd rather give up uplighting for free (which costs them nothing) than lose your guaranteed business.

Honestly I really like uplighting! That said, we had no intention of forking out for it for our own wedding and then I won a free lighting package when I attended a bridal fair! YAY