Event Lighting Types
Up Lighting
Up lighting is considered the golden standard for lighting effects. It is created by placing lighting fixtures on the floor and pointing them up. This allows ceilings, walls, trees, statues, plants, and anything the light is shining on from the bottom up to be illuminated, creating the "up lighting" effect.
We believe up lighting is the first step in dramatically improving the ambience of an event space. Up-lights can be provided in virtually any color. Unless specified by the client, we will provide battery operated up-lights, which have an 8-20 hour runtime, depending on color.
Our up-lights are HEX lights (RGBAW-UV), which means each light contains 6 LED lights, allowing for the for the best color mixing available.
If you are really looking to WOW your guests, our up-lights also have wireless DMX control capability, meaning the colors can change throughout the event using a computer and an on-site technician. We can even tie the color changing to music beats.
Lighting fixtures are available in black or white exterior to match venue esthetics.
Italian String Lights / Bistro Lighting
Italian string lighting are overhead strands of lights that are popular in outdoor cafes and markets throughout the world. These lights are a great way to add a romantic ambience to any event space. Using existing buildings, arbors, trees, and/or rented poles, this overhead lighting is extremely functional for lighting a space of any size.
Our string light strands contain 15-watt bulbs, each spaced 24” apart, and can be used with an external dimmer, if desired. Power is required. If available, we can use onsite power. If not, Chic Events can provide a generator for an additional fee.
Please keep in mind that the team at Monterey Event Lighting and Chic Event Rentals is not responsible if the on-site power breaker trips due to an overload. We can only guarantee your electrical to be 100% functioning if a generator is rented through us solely for our lighting so that we have control of what is being plugged in to each outlet and we can calculate total power available vs required.
Click here to view our Photo Gallery for Italian String Lights
Pin Spot Lighting
Pin spot lighting is the perfect way to illuminate key elements of your wedding or event without being overpowering. Adding pin spots overhead and dimming the house lights will add highlights in all the right places. Pin spots allow your guests to focus on the important elements of the event while taking their attention away from empty areas. We recommend pin spotting bars, dessert tables, cake tables, and most importantly, centerpieces.
Our pin spots are American made and have a CRI of 95+. Unlike lower quality LED lights which do not allow the true colors to show as they would under natural light, our 95+ CRI pin spots do. An example of this would be red flowers. With lower quality LED pin spots, red flowers will look brown. But with our 95+ CRI pin spots, the red will show as it would in the natural daylight.
We use battery powered pin spots which have a 12-hour battery life. Ceiling mounting is required via magnetic mount or clamp mount. If the ceiling is unusable, rented light poles are required. We can also include a remote control for easy on/off or dimming if you decide you do not want an on-site technician.
Chandeliers
Chandeliers are a great way to add a grand, elegant statement to your wedding or event. Wow your guests by suspending chandeliers from trees to create a look of enchantment and sophistication to any outdoor area. If you are renting a tent (check out www.montereytentrentals.com for your tenting needs), dropping chandeliers inside look amazing in what would otherwise be a blank slate. Chandeliers are a way to give any space a stunning look.
Rigging points for chandeliers are required. Our chandeliers can either be used with electricity or battery operated. For our battery-operated option, we estimate a 10-hour runtime and we include a remote control for easy on/off and dimming. The best part about our battery-operated option is the significantly reduced setup time. For our electrical version, we will need to use on-site electricity or a generator. Electrical versions can be used with an external dimmer as well.
Please keep in mind that the team at Monterey Event Lighting and Chic Event Rentals is not responsible if the on-site power breaker trips due to an overload. We can only guarantee your electrical to be 100% functioning if a generator is rented through us solely for our lighting so that we have control of what is being plugged in to each outlet and we can calculate total power available vs required.
Gobo Patterns
Gobos are steel or glass stencils that are placed over a light to project a design or pattern onto a dance floor, tent top, wall, or any other solid surface. Custom gobos can be created as company logos, wedding dates and names, or monograms. Standard stock gobos are also available as textures to give an overall patterned wash. Gobos are a great way to add personalized and interesting lighting elements to your wedding or event.
Glass gobos are required if client desires two or more colors as steel gobos only allow for the color of light (or a single gel color) to be used.
When it comes to custom gobo’s, the image will show best when projected from straight across in order to avoid distorting the image. For example, if you want to project a corporate logo or a wedding date on the dance floor, we will need to hang our light right above on the ceiling or as close to this point as possible to avoid distortion. We will do our best to pick a location to hang the light to avoid distortion, however, hanging points are contingent on what is available at the venue or event space.
Using textured breakup patterns work especially well for tented receptions because the entire tent ceiling is a blank canvas that can be used for a large-scale pattern.
Rigging points for gobo lights are required. If we cannot rig to the ceiling or your event is outdoors, rented light poles are required. Our gobo lights can either be used with electricity or battery operated. For our battery-operated option, we estimate a 10-hour runtime and we include a remote control for easy on/off. The best part about our battery-operated option is the significantly reduced setup time. For our electrical version, we will need to use on-site electricity or a generator.
Please keep in mind that the team at Monterey Event Lighting and Chic Event Rentals is not responsible if the on-site power breaker trips due to an overload. We can only guarantee your electrical to be 100% functioning if a generator is rented through us solely for our lighting so that we have control of what is being plugged in to each outlet and we can calculate total power available vs required.
Wash Lighting
Wash Lighting is the cost-effective way to light up areas where light is lacking. Wash lighting is most popular in lighting up large outdoor plazas, courtyards, and tents. This form of lighting is also effective in lighting long walkways outside where guests will be walking at night.
Wash lights must be mounted as high as possible, and in most cases renting 12’-15’ high light poles or tent hanger kits will be needed. Most of the time, electrically operated wash lights are used as they are more powerful. So, on-site electricity will be required.
Please keep in mind that the team at Monterey Event Lighting and Chic Events Rentals is not responsible if the on-site power breaker trips due to an overload. We can only guarantee your electrical to be 100% functioning if a generator is rented through us solely for our lighting so that we have control of what is being plugged in to each outlet and we can calculate total power available.
We do offer battery operated wash lights, which work well for smaller remote areas.
Twinkle Lighting
Twinkle lights are the best way to create a romantic, starry sky ambiance in any tent, room with vaulted ceilings, or outdoor space. This classic lighting also looks stunning when intertwined with ceiling drapery, wrapped around tree trunks, or strung behind a sheer fabric backdrop.
Power is required, however, the strands we use are warm white LED and do not require a lot of power. If no power is available, a generator will be necessary.
Please keep in mind that the team at Monterey Event Lighting and Chic Event Rentals is not responsible if the on-site power breaker trips due to an overload. We can only guarantee your electrical to be 100% functioning if a generator is rented through us solely for our lighting so that we have control of what is being plugged in to each outlet and we can calculate total power available.
