How to Use Wedding Uplighting on Your Big Day

Uplighting has become one of the most popular lighting techniques for wedding receptions, and today we explore how & why to use it!

Have you been busily browsing Instagram and scrolling through Pinterest looking for ideas for your wedding? What’s the one thing that you’ve noticed more than anything about the lighting? That it looks incredible? Well, if you’re wondering how that look is achieved, we have two words for you. Wedding uplighting. This clever lighting technique is how wedding stylists like us can take a standard room and create a space that reflects your wedding style – whether that be intimate, romantic and sophisticated or bright, bold and striking.

When planning a wedding, uplighting is something that should not be overlooked. It has the power to completely transform a room, create depth and highlight any details or features you really want to be seen. But what exactly is uplighting and how can you use it during your reception?

What is Wedding Uplighting?

Simply put, wedding uplighting is the placement of individual sources of light at the base of points of interest, or architectural details. These lights are normally found around the perimeter of a room, and they draw attention to certain details that may need it. It is called uplighting because that is the direction the light is projected.

What Are the Benefits of Uplighting?

One of the main advantages of wedding uplighting is its flexibility. It does not require any rigging, or structural changes to the room, it can simply be placed in the required locations. This enables a wedding stylist like ourselves to transform a space when used in conjunction with a standard lighting setup. Uplighting is also beneficial because it can create a much warmer, inviting ambiance, when compared with spotlights, for example. When using uplighting, you’ll be able to bathe a room in light, in a colour of your choosing, an effect that is often a lot more desirable than the wedding lighting of yesteryear.

What is the Best Way to Use Uplighting?

Uplighting is best used when it is lighting something. Be that a pillar, some curtains or your wedding cake – choose details that you love, and feel could be enhanced by a little highlighting (or uplighting). It’s also important to think about colour and which tone will be right for you. If you have a very strong colour theme, like pink for example, then by all means use a pink filter on your uplighting to really tie in the whole colour scheme. But if not, maybe consider tones that are the most complementary, like amber for example, a very flattering shade that adds a subtle glow to the evening. Remember also that the colour of your wedding uplighting can be changed during the evening. So if you want to change the mood as you transition from sit down reception into dance floor party that can be arranged.

Can I DIY My Uplighting?

If you are considering DIY uplighting on your wedding day, we urge you to instead speak to a professional. The final cost of hiring, having it set up and maintained will be far less than actually purchasing them yourself. Alongside that, professional wedding stylists will use high-quality, top of the line equipment that will simply create better results than any DIY alternative. Plus, it’s one thing you don’t have to worry about on your big day because someone else is looking after it for you.

We would love the opportunity to provide your uplighting, and become a part of your wedding team! Diamond Circle Weddings have the skills, decorations and knowledge needed to create the big day of your dreams, and remove any wedding styling stress you may feel. We are a team of professionals that take great pride in our unique ideas, and ability to transform spaces to reflect the vision of our clients. You are welcome to browse some of our past real weddings and also get in touch via our contact page.

Scroll to Top