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There are some companies you can rent from and set up yourself, I bet that would save a bunch of money! Do you have a planner or DOC? She should be able to point you to local companies. If not, google!
Choke!! I have no idea what they usually go for but that seems over the top!
@kirabee: I would love to set it up myself, but I am worried I will not have time. I only have a couple of hours at my venue prior to my ceremony (which starts at 530) and I will be taking pics. Maybe it is something I could have a bridesmaid do? I'm not sure. How labor intensive would this be? Is it difficult to set up?
That seems really high! My DJ/entertainment group package includes 4 lights, and I've purchased the rental of an extra 10 for a total of 14. They charge $30 a light (slightly discounted when you get them in multiples of 10).
I see about 7 or 8 lights in that picture unless I'm totally missing some and I imagine the room has another 7-10 not shown. I think that quote is high.
ETA- have you checked with DJ companies? They seem to rent lights out cheaper than decor people who apparently have a license to rob us brides to be!
How many actual uplights is that for? If your room is really huge, that might be reasonable (but it still sounds like a LOT of money for uplighting). My reception is in a pretty big ballroom (seats over 200) and they said I would need somewhere around 16 LED lights at $35 a light for a total of $560. That seemed pretty standard to me when I was comparing uplighting costs. Oh and I'm getting mine through my DJ.
@Nicoley1985: It's for a lot of lights, but I think they are trying to convince me that I need way more lights than I actually need. I know that they are the experts, but really only two of the three walls in my ballroom can be lighted- one wallhas a giant staircase and entrance (no lights could possibly be put against it and the other wall is a full length window (again it would not really need uplighting). So, I cannot imagine needing more than 10 pink uplights. The company said I would need 25 pink uplights, a pink wash, and some other type of light. But, like the girl said above, I only count a few uplights on each wall in my inspiration picture
You may want to check with the DJ I used, The Smart DJ. I used his DJ services as well as his uplighting, but I know he offers uplighting services without DJing if you prefer and he is EXTREMELY reasonable.
I got a quote of $1000 minimum to put drapes on the ceiling... not a ton just 4 from the center of the room to the corners to drop the 22 ft ceiling a bit... I feel your pain
=(
As an event planner, I rent them out from a local rental company for $25 each. Sometimes I will just use them to draw emphasis to something, like behind the head table, etc.
I got a quote for $400 but the venue I choose MADE us get it from them... $1200!!!
As someone who used to work with lighting, you need 1 par can for about every four feet of wall (depending on what size of light you choose) and a coloured gel filter for each light. Ensure the lights you rent have stands. More and more frequently, LED striplights that are programmed for a specific colour are being used, and they are usually brighter so you can get away with fewer (although, they are MUCH more expensive.) I agree with previous posters - call a few production companies (theatre & concert supply companies) and they will either rent the lights out to you or set them up, probably at a much lower cost than a decorating company.
The advantage to Par Cans is that you can plug them directly into the wall with no programming needed - you just have to be careful that you don't overload a circut. It won't take more than 20 minutes to set them up.
For pricing - I know that the last time FI bought Par Cans, he bought them wholesale because he was working for a production company, and the lights were $25, the bulb was $5 and the gels were $7 a sheet (1 gel will generally give you enough colour filters for at least two lights). So don't pay more than $32 a light, because otherwise you could purchase the lights for less!
This is a really easy DIY project. If I were purchasing for it, I'd buy:
http://www.stagelightingusa.com/catalog/product/view/id/23025/s/bulbamerica-short-par-38-can-black/category/1619/
$14.55 x 12 = $174.60
http://www.stagelightingusa.com/ge-150w-par38-fl-e27-light-bulb.html
$15.65 x 13 (in case one breaks) = $203.45
As for your gel, go about four shades darker than you think, since they really do wash out when they're lit up. If you can, get a diffusion gel - it will help the colour to spread and not just look like a dot on the wall.
http://www.stagestore.ca/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/29/products_id/463
http://www.stagestore.ca/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/29/products_id/493
$6.70 x 7 = $46.90
And... for fun, if you wanted to:
http://www.theatricalprojections.com/acb1_06/stores/3/Valentine-79651-P1354C313.aspx
$13.95 each
We make stands for our lights out of 3 2x4s - you cut them into half foot long lengths, and then put them in a pattern like this and screw the light into the center piece of wood:
Cost: Minimal, but some work.
So all in all, the most you're looking at for a DIY is $500.
Don't pay $1200. Do the work ahead of time, and then plug your 12 lights into the wall and enjoy them. Plus, if you can buy them, maybe you can sell them.
ETA: Whatever you do, don't touch the lightbulbs with your bare hands. They are normally wrapped with a foam protector - screw it into the socket while it's still wrapped up.
I was in the same boat as you. My dj company quoted me $1300 and an event design company quoted me $1000. Lots of bees suggested renting them so I checked out Grand rental Station(not sure if they are only in my area or not) but the only problem with that is I didn't want to have to set aside extra time to try and set it up and the lights would have to be back that following Monday, the day we would leave for our honeymoon. I will tell you though, renting them will be cheap if you do decide that you have the time. What I did was I found an A/V comPany that have the same par lights as everyone else, but since they are a smaller company and not as well known its only going to be $650 and they will set up and take down too. So you might want to look at smaller companies in your area and get their price quotes.
Negotiate. You're inspiration pic has pin spots (in the roof pointed at the tables to make them stand out) as well as uplighters on the columns so if you've shown them that they may have included that on the quote (which will involve some rigging/focussing too) hence why they say you need this that and the other.
Discuss with them why they think you need 25 when you reckon 10, if they can't come up with a good reason say no, you can always ask for a mock up of what it will look like (pictures of similar events, Photoshop mockups).
Also, companies tend to charge over the odds, you should be able to get 20% at least off the list price (I'd try 30%). It's not difficult to set up, but I would worry that you have enough stresses to worry about without trying something new. There will be a different in price between different types of uplighters (some are battery operated and discrete so are more expensive, Parcans have cables but should be cheaper) so ask if there are an alternatives.
They will charge over the odds for staff too (my SO only gets paid 40% of what the company charge him out as) so negotiate that too, offer to have someone on hand to help to reduce costs.
They might say no to some of these things but it'll be good to try. I think most importantly you should understand why they've quoted for more equipment than you've asked for. They may be right, but they shouldn't expect you to blindly enter into it.
(This is from my personal experience in the Events Industry in the UK (London!), I don't know how relevant it is to the US, but it can't be all that different!)
I've see bees sell uplights for 200/set (8-10 lights) and then you just need to get the gels that you want. Setting them up is easy, you just need to plug them in, you will need extension cords. Ask several family members, or designate two groomsmen/bridesmaids to carry out this task while you are taking pictures.
It's not difficult, you can definitely DIY it! As others have suggested, try getting them through your DJ.
Yeah it's so expensive for some lighting. Luckily my photographer offers uplights for $20 a light
I got a quote of $700 for 14 uplights. We are on a tight budget so we said we would call them back if we want it.
Did someone suggest PAR CANS? How 1990s. I would agree that par cans have their place for SOME applications but the new LED uplights are comparably priced, low heat and low power. That's why they have taken the uplighting world by storm the last few years.
I think if you search around your local area you can get someone to do 20 or so LEDs for 500-700 bucks. And if you DIY, there are no gels, stands or heat shields needed. As with ALL lighting, try to see it with your own eyes first so you know exactly what you are getting.
I've been kind of confused about what the 'norm' is in lighting costs.
Our uplight quote has been high, too - but $750, not $1,000+. We have a room with 33ft ceilings, so we need the 'Best' LED lights to be sure some glow reaches the top- about 12 of them. Or so the lighting company says.
We're also only doing one color (warm amber) for the whole evening - color changing would really rack up the price.
I totally recommend just renting LEDs and doing your own uplighting. It's actually really easy and it takes about 30 seconds to set up each light. The newer LEDs even come wtih a color change option.
There is a tutorial on here on the DIY board for uplighting. You'll use flood lights $4, homemade wooden boxes, and extension cords. Good luck! It's work, but waaaaaay less than $1200, close to the $200 mark.
There is a tutorial on here on the DIY board for uplighting. You'll use flood lights $4, homemade wooden boxes, and extension cords. Good luck! It's work, but waaaaaay less than $1200, close to the $200 mark.
There is a tutorial on here on the DIY board for uplighting. You'll use flood lights $4, homemade wooden boxes, and extension cords. Good luck! It's work, but waaaaaay less than $1200, close to the $200 mark.
Our quotes have been $1200-$1750 all across the board except for one vendor who will do them for $650 total because he is trying to get his business off the ground!
Our venue offers them for $800 (+$240 tax). They are all LED and we need about 16 of them for our ballroom.
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I have been quote $1200 and $1500 for uplighting. I have attached my inspiration pic. I need help bees- I don't know if I will have the time to DIY but $1500 to arrange a few lights seems like A LOT of money.