Planning your wedding decor? Don’t overlook uplighting wedding add-ons. It’s the type of lighting that changes everything, like, literally. You’ll see it mentioned in wedding forums, but here’s what matters: uplighting for a wedding reception can completely elevate your space. Think wedding uplights that project light upwards behind the cake table, around the head table, or across your dance floor. Whether you’re working with a DJ or just want to enhance your vibe, using uplighting is a smart move. It’s one of the most flexible wedding rentals, with LED lights in different colors and setups.
Why Uplighting is a Must-Have for Wedding Decor
Uplighting is commonly used in weddings for one reason: it works. It’s not just about pretty lights. It changes the look of a space without needing to bring in more decor. When you put uplights around the perimeter of a space like The Jefferson Hotel or Melrose Georgetown, it gives your eye somewhere to go. Columns, ceilings, and even brick walls all become part of the design. Uplighting can also be done in any color to match your wedding colors. In Georgetown venues with lots of old wood or exposed brick, amber or gold uplighting softens the space. At sleek downtown venues like the Marriott Marquis, you might want blue or purple uplighting to match a modern look. It’s about making the space feel like your wedding and not just being trendy.
Creates a Romantic Ambiance
Lighting sets the mood. If your ceremony is in an outdoor wedding space, warm wedding uplighting colors illuminate the trees or pathways and make the space glow. Inside venues benefit from deeper shades like amber uplights behind center tables to give off a candlelit effect. Purple uplighting near the LED dance floor creates a romantic and intimate atmosphere when the music starts. One fixture placed on the floor can completely change how a room feels especially at night. You don’t need thousands of flowers. Just enough light in the right spots. Contact Electric Events DC and get started with the planning today!
Makes Your Venue Look Expensive on a Budget
Uplighting can fake “luxury.” That’s the trick. A basic ballroom in Hyatt Regency Washington On Capitol Hill can feel like a high-end venue with just a few uplights for events placed around the room. At The Fairmont, adding LED uplighting behind the drapes gives the space depth. Blue uplighting on the ceiling makes it feel like a designer came in. Even budget venues feel custom when you control the color choices. Want bold colors like deep purple or bright blue? Want to accentuate the bar or highlight features of your venue like a fireplace or exposed beams? Uplighting helps. And unlike florals or centerpieces, lights change the entire room at once. Just flick the switch.
DIY vs. Professional Uplighting: Which Saves Time & Stress?
DIY sounds easy until you’re the one crawling under tables with extension cords in a wedding dress. It’s one thing to light your living room. It’s another to figure out lighting in a 200-guest wedding venue. Especially if you’ve chosen a historic venue where access and power are limited. If you want to rent uplights online and try the DIY uplighting route, go for it. But just know what you’re walking into. If you’re a wedding planner, you already know that our professional lighting in DC saves time. If not, just ask any couple who tried setting up 20 lights the morning of their wedding. It’s not worth it.
Cost Comparison: DIY vs. Rental
DIY sounds cheaper until you add up everything: cords, shipping, setup and takedown time. Plus, if something breaks or doesn’t work, you’re the one fixing it. A rental company like ours at Electric Events DC may cost more upfront, but that price includes delivery, setup, teardown, and support. For big spaces like the Washington Marriott Marquis or the Hamilton Hotel, it’s worth it. You don’t want to be figuring out gel placement while guests are walking in.
Setup Complexity: What You’ll Handle Alone
If you go DIY, here’s what you’re handling solo:
Picking the right event uplighting quantity (too few and the room looks patchy)
Figuring out where to place each fixture
Making sure all extension cords are taped down safely
Matching the uplighting color to your theme
Testing lights beforehand (some require syncing)
Dealing with bad outlets or blown circuits
It’s a lot. And if you’re in a tight venue, that setup eats into your timeline fast. You can always turn to the professionals. Contact us today!
Wedding Uplighting Rental: Costs, Setup, and Pro Tips
Uplighting for a wedding depends on space size, layout, and vibe. Smaller venues may need only 6 to 10 lights. Large spaces like the Grand Hyatt or Walter E. Washington Convention Center need 20+ fixtures. Cost also depends on the features. Do you want a static look or lights that change colors for the dance floor? Do you want coverage around the perimeter or just accent walls? Let’s talk today, call us at 301-370-1125.
Average Cost of Wedding Uplighting Rentals in DC
The number of wedding lights you’ll need depends on your venue size. An intimate space like The Jefferson might only need 8 to 12 fixtures. A mid-sized ballroom like Melrose Georgetown typically takes more, and huge spots like the Marriott Marquis or Convention Center may require 30 or more. Some setups are simple. Others need layered lighting or lights that shift throughout the night. The more complex the space, the more fixtures and planning it takes. Curious about the average cost of uplighting wedding? Contact us now, we’ve got answers. We’ll break it down, no pressure.
Delivery, Setup, and Tech Support Questions to Ask
Not all event services in DC include the same support. Ask us everything you need to know about uplighting before booking:
Will someone be on-site for setup?
Is a technician available during the event if something fails?
Can you change colors during the night (dinner vs dancing)?
Do you coordinate with the wedding venue staff?
Are your lights wireless or do they require cords?
It’s important to voice out your concerns. If the setup access is tight, you need a team that knows the layout already. At Electric Events DC, you’ll get all the support you need.
Best Uplighting for Wedding in DC: Why Electric Events DC Stands Out
At Electric Events DC, we know these venues. We’ve done weddings at the The Hyatt Regency Bethesda, Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center, and more. We understand DC rules, like when a venue only allows setups during a 2-hour window. Our team handles everything from rental, delivery, testing, and removal. If LED uplights fail mid-reception, we’re already on-site to fix it. We will place each light where it matters: behind the head table, near the cake table, or along the perimeter of a space.
Custom Color Matching for Your Wedding Theme
Colors matter. Want soft amber uplighting for cocktail hour at The Conrad? Deep purple and blue uplighting for your dance floor at Sequoia? Or classic gold uplighting for dinner at the Willard? We will match the color to your decor, dresses, or florals. We will show you samples. And they won’t settle for close-enough. Exact matches only.
How to Book Stunning Uplighting for Your Wedding
Booking is easy. Here’s how it works:
- Pick your chosen venue (around Georgetown, Capitol Hill, Dupont Circle, Rockville, College Park, Arlington, Rosslyn, and the surrounding areas).
- Contact Electric Events DC with your date and venue.
- Schedule a lighting consult go over your needs, venue layout, and uplighting color.
- Get your quote. Confirm your uplight count. Choose if you want the lights to change to different colors later in the night.
Relax. We will deliver, install, and remove everything. Your only job? Walk into your wedding reception and enjoy it. Let Electric Events DC plan your special day!