Ah, the wedding reception. The hard part is over and it’s time to relax! It’s time to dance, catch up with family and friends, and eat. But chances are, at this time of the night, there will still be important moments that you want your wedding photographer to capture. First dance, Father/Daughter, Mother/Son, cake cutting…. just to name a few. The natural light is probably gone, and those iPhone photos just won’t cut it anymore.
So how exactly do photographers create those dreamy, natural looking reception photos? And what can you do to help?
Ambient light, my friends, is all it is! Photographers set their cameras to absorb (for want of better words) any natural light that is flooding the room. The aide of one or more flash is most definite, but too much flash and too little ambient light can lend to a very 1980’s vibe. Most venues have plenty of ambient light, yet some, usually those with outdoor dance floors, might be lacking. So here are some tips to set the room and get the most dreamy reception photos possible!
- Sting lights- It’s that easy! And bonus- it’s Christmas time, so lights are everywhere! Make sure and get white or warm- multi-colored lights will make your photographer cry.
- Candles- Not always possible, but candles add a warm glow around the tables and cut the shadows.
- DJ uplighting- Talk to your DJ/Band about the available uplighting they might have. Be wary of those laser lights with multi-colored dots- they can be a nightmare!
- Chandeliers- It’s a give-in. If your reception has them, keep them lit for the special dances!
- Lit walls- You know those blankets of twinkling lights? So so dreamy! If you are trying to dress up a more rustic space (think brick wall) and can’t install an chandelier, these lights could be the perfect backdrop to your dances!
For those outdoor receptions, I suggest stringing larger bulbed cafe lights across the dance floor and adding TONS of lighting around the dance floor in the form of candles, lanterns, lights, etc.
You can never have too much ambient light. Keep it soft, keep it neutral, and keep it in line with your vision. If your DJ and Venue plan to get the dancing going by turning off the lights, make sure and leave just a few twinkling.
