All About Chandeliers

Chandeliers not only bring light to an event, but also carry an element of drama no matter what shape or size. Their versatility makes them the perfect addition to any event – whether large, small, formal, or informal.

A lot goes into the lighting design for an event, so it’s important to know the basics of finding the very best chandelier to wow both the clients and guests alike.

Credit: Jasmine Lee Photography

Placement

Typically, chandeliers are used as a focal point to draw people’s eyes to a certain part of the room, whether it’s over the sweetheart table at a wedding, a bar at a social event, or in the center of the room at a corporate event. The placement depends on the client’s preferences and budget, but rest assured that even one or two can have a major impact on an event’s feel.

Credit: Tyler Vu Photography

Outdoor events can be a bit trickier because chandeliers have to be placed carefully at certain points around a tent. Typically, the best spot for a tent chandelier is the center, but they can sometimes be rigged up along the metal bars of the tent. If you’re going open air, look into chandeliers that can be hung from trees for a truly magical effect. Check with your lighting expert to see if it’s doable in your outdoor space, as you’ll need to be aware of the power needs as well.

Trends

These days, clients always want something different to truly impress their guests. Whether it’s a romantic wedding piece or an elegant formal piece, the key to meeting a client’s lighting needs is to be unique. We are always building, designing, and purchasing new chandeliers to meet their individual needs as they vary from event to event.

Credit: Ashley Druham Photography

We’ve also seen mixing and matching rise in popularity, not just in colors but in style and texture as well. For example, an iron chandelier dripping in crystals brings together two very different styles for a beautiful touch of rustic elegance. Most clients come in with a specific idea of what they want, so custom chandeliers are certainly having a moment.

Keeping the client in mind

When shopping around for a chandelier that best suits a client’s event, keep in mind that a lot of it falls on the lighting budget. You don’t want to blow everything on one gorgeous piece, but splurging a bit on a preferred piece can’t hurt as long as it fits in the budget.

Credit: Dana Todd Photography

Keep in mind the overall design style and what the clients are attracted to. It may help to tune into the keywords that they use (Rustic? Industrial? Glamorous?) to describe their vision or check out their Pinterest page to define exactly what they want.

No matter the event, there’s certainly a chandelier out there to fit your client’s needs. Get creative and think outside the box – a quality chandelier will double as a lighting fixture and a piece that wows the guests!

Kevin Dennis is the owner of Fantasy Sound Event Services, a full-service event company based in Livermore, California. Dennis is the current chapter president for Silicon Valley NACE, and the immediate past national president for WIPA.