Reinventing the Disco Ball

If something is good then don’t change it, just make it better…like we did with the infamous disco ball. I’m sure you’re probably thinking “with all the lighting technology out there, you’re talking about disco balls?” But think about it…disco balls, a staple in the 70s, combined with today’s LED technology, can create effects like never before.

Bay Stage Lighting offers 4 different size Mirror Balls (today’s term for disco balls) to rent, a 12”, 16” 21” and 36”; the larger the ball the larger magnitude of effects.

We have used mirror balls for a lot of recent events and when guests realize that it’s not some high-tech piece of equipment, they are blown away.

Our Colorblast 12 LEDs illuminate the Mirror Balls with high-intensity, producing a dramatic effect projected all over an event space.

Here at the Florida Aquarium’s 2011 Sea Grapes Festival, the 36” Mirror Ball created a fun, yet elegant ambiance.

Media Servers: An Event Decor Secret

For many brides and grooms, the purpose of having a wedding is to:

a.) express and commit their love to one another

 b.) celebrate with loved ones

 c.) create a night they will never forget.

Tying in personal elements and paying tribute to those close to the newlyweds is a way to achieve such a purpose; but how is this done in a unique and fun way, you ask? Well, by completely submersing guests into an interactive and personal environment with a push of a button.

 I’m not talking about just lights here; Bay Stage Lighting utilizes what is called a “Media Server” to project static or moving images, as well as videos (pre-recorded or live). Whatever you can image, can be programmed and projected by a media server and go throughout an entire venue space. Don’t think “typical” projection and screen…think IMAX Theater and the feature presentation being whatever you desire.

Here are some ways media servers can create a personal, memorable and interactive wedding.

1.)    Pay tribute to loved ones or show special home videos by projecting them onto every wall, as if the entire venue space was one big IMAX screen. Guests would literally be the center of the video, giving the sense they are the ones taping it.

2.)    Stream live videos or photos with added special effects onto a surface framed by one of Bay Stage Lighting’s custom décor frames. Bay Stage Lighting can work with a videographer or photographer to showcase live photos and videos; to create one massive photo-booth for everyone to see.

3.)    Decorate furniture and other elements by completely wrapping them with projections. Make lounge chair look like moving water while having the bar “on fire.” Guests won’t believe their eyes and will be entertained like never before.

4.)    Enhance any theme by using projections to wrap the room from floor to ceiling (floor and ceiling included) creating a realistic environment.

Three simultaneous projections, 2 showcased in our small silver decor frames

Large gold-leaf decor frame projecting event seating chart

Media Server projection on dace floor to create illusion

Trying to explain Media Server technology, its anatomy and effects is almost next to impossible. Hopefully the pictures due some it justice (even those don’t capture the full essence of the Media Server).  But what I can tell you is that its possibilities and impacts are endless and priceless. Media Servers are on the horizon for today’s weddings due to the high demand of wanting the “special day” to be interactive and entertaining for guests.

The Colors of Spring & What They Mean

Spring is here and that means a new color palette for event designs, but this season expect to see an interesting marriage of warm and cool tones. According to Pantone Color Institute warm colors like: Honeysuckle (vibrant pinkish-red); Coral Rose (sophisticated orange) and Beeswax (honey-yellow) will be seen paired up with cool tones like Regatta blue or classic Lavender. A fresh yellow-green (Peapod) is also expected to be seen frequently.
But how do these popular spring colors incorporate with your upcoming spring event? As a professional lighting company, we can guide you to decide which of these colors to avoid and which can take your event from mediocrity to success.
The bright pink-red Honeysuckle is said to increase excitement and to encourage action. This would be a great color to use for a corporate function or fundraiser. Coral Rose has the potential to encourage socialization; however, we advise to use this color with caution as it can create a “love it” or “hate it” atmosphere! Get the creative juices flowing or instill positivity by incorporating warm tones of yellow like Beeswax or Amber. Again, this would be a good color for corporate event design.
Complementary cool colors like Regatta blue can create a sense of serenity and intimacy. We would suggest using blue tones at personal functions like weddings or parties, as the color can relax guests a little too much (if you know what we mean). Lavender, or any purple tone for that matter, is at the top of the popularity charts right now. This is a color that can result in a successful outcome at any type of event . Green tones like Peapod are refreshing and natural, being a great backdrop to both warm and cool colors. But again, we advise to use with caution as many people associate this color with formal institutions like a government agency. So it all depends on what type of environment you want to create.
And there you have it….so spring into action and get to creating a colorful and meaningful event!

Bon Appetit!

Having catered food at an event is one of the most expensive & memorial aspects of the night, so it needs to be illuminated…with proper lighting. But there is an oxymoron here. Most of the time, you want to create an environment/ ambiance so the room is on the darker side; but no one likes to eat in the dark. If it is dark people won’t be able to see the amazing cuisine you paid big bucks for and therefore won’t eat it. But yet if the room is too light, people won’t dance and the overall look of the room won’t be as impactful. 

What we suggest… using spotlights, hanging the fixtures from the ceiling or truss to shine directly down on the food. Using colored lighting on food can make it more appeal and appetizing. Light colors like a soft pink or icy blue are great colors to really make the food “pop”. However, experts suggest staying away from heavy colors like red, yellow and green; such colors tend to make the food look dull and unappealing.

Ask Your Venue About Lighting

Lighting is a very important decor element for weddings and other events, especially if your wanting guests to interact with one-another. It is a proven fact that people are very self conscious about dancing and/or mingling with people they don't know. Lighting can help with this problem. By lowering the brightness of a room and adding LED  lighting to create a certain mood, can make guests feel more comfortable in the event space.

Make sure your venue doesn't have a policy about lighting brightness, some venues require their house lights to stay on 100% for liability reasons. If they require something like this, you might want to re-think booking that location. If your space is too bright, guests wont be as comfortable dancing and interacting with others.

But at the same time, you don't want complete darkness because that will make people just as uncomfortable. That's why LEDs are the perfect solution!

LED up lighting is the in thing right now and will be for a very long time. These lights are small, cost efficient and generate no heat. LEDs can be programmed to fit the color of your decor and give off ample amount of light, making a big impact. LEDs can change colors as the event progresses, creating appropriate moods at any given time.

Most venues don't supply their own LEDs, so hiring an outside vendor will  be necessary. Many DJs will offer lighting as a part of their service. While their service is offered at a cheaper price, we are advising people to steer-clear of getting their lighting through a DJ. Just like anything else, you get what you pay for. A lot of the time, their LEDs are not good quality and don't illuminate as bright or as sharp of a color. It is best to leave lighting up to lighting professionals.

A Large Venue Space is a Blank Canvas, Paint it with Lighting

After recently reading the Completely Unveiled blog about a wedding we lit in July, made us want to share some tips-and-tricks for those of you dealing with large reception sites. Katherine and Cam had their wedding reception in the conservatory at the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts located in St. Petersburg, FL. When the bride & groom, along with their planner, Sandy Rule of Sandy Rule Events came to us, we looked at the space as a blank canvas. We used gobo designs which projected onto the large walls and incorporated the reception colors by using LED up-lighting. The lights changed as the evening progressed to accompany the desired mood.

The ceiling at St. Pete Museum of Fine Arts is such a wonderful architectural characteristic that we used lighting to highlight it and to also tie the whole area together. With such a large area like this, there is a chance that the space can feel “empty” and “distant”, even with all the décor accessories available. The lighting in this case created an intimate feel, bringing the guests “closer” to the bride & groom; as well as, tying all those beautiful décor pieces together, making one unforgettable and colorful reception.

The bride & groom also used one of our small custom décor frames as a great photo-op. Our frames are intricately carved out of Styrofoam and have a gold-leaf finish; making them lightweight and easy to suspend like the bride & groom did for this wedding.

So the next time you are dealing with a large event space, look at it as a blank canvas and paint it with lighting.

 

Credits:
Origional blog post: Completely Unveiled by Weddings Unveiled. Photography: Aaron Lockwood Photography. Wedding Planner: Sandy Rule Events. Paper Goods: Not From A Box. Venue : St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts. Linens, Chairs and Florals: conceptBAIT.

Illuminating Light for our Future

Giving a complete sponsorship for the Calendar for a Cause Soiree that benefits the Children’s Cancer Center (CCC) of Tampa, is the least we can do for these brave children and their strong families. On the Evening of March 10, the Grand Ballroom at the Don CeSar Beach Resort will be all glitz & glam; enjoy great entertainment, food & drink and fabulous company, all to support these future leaders and their strong families. Works of art from CCC’s own patients will be auctioned off and 100% of the soiree’s proceeds will be donated to the Children’s Cancer Center.  This event is open to the public and everyone is encouraged to attend; tickets are $60/ person and can be purchased online.

Georgia Watson, owner and coordinator of Georgia Watson Events Inc. started the calendar idea; now developing it into a public charity cocktail event which launches the calendar while also raising money for the cause. Being a professional in the event industry can be stressful and very time consuming; however, Georgia Watson sets a great example that no matter how demanding your professional life may be, there is always time to give to those in need. We support her efforts, the CCC and all others who share the passion for this cause.