Weddings

Wedding themes can vary depending on the lucky couple, but assuming you are going for a traditional wedding ceremony with sharp suits and white décor, then we would suggest our beautiful white dancefloor with LEDs embedded into the surface like precious diamonds.

This dancefloor is so beautiful that even those relatives who generally prefer to avoid parties will be sure to get up and join you there. For a wedding that truly sparkles, you want this dancefloor to make your first dance truly magical.

If you have decided against a traditional wedding and are looking forward to something a little different, there are plenty of different styles to choose from which you can view from our dancefloors gallery.

Birthdays

Birthday parties for all ages can be benefitted by a dancefloor. If you are organising a big party for some under-tens, then you should look forward to tiring them out by investing in a spectacular dancefloor like the one featured in this image:

For teenagers aspiring to grow-up quickly, you might want to opt for more glamorous dancefloor designs and woo them with a trendy soundtrack list instead.

Proms

It isn’t prom without a dancefloor, so don’t disappoint those kids who have worked so hard to attain their grades by failing to secure a dancefloor. For any prom, you want a dancefloor that says ‘success’, and you achieve this look by lighting it up:

Why wish these students a bright future when you can make it so on their prom night – adding uplighters for hire in Essex to your venue will add that extra level of glamour and attention to detail that will make the difference on an evening they will remember for the rest of their lives.

Graduations

Very similar to proms, a good graduation can be made even better by adding a dancefloor. Graduation can be a tense time for a lot of students, but providing them with a dancefloor at the end of it all gives them the chance to exorcise all that nervous energy in a positive way. Make it so that they dance from one part their lives into the next with one our stunning dancefloors.

Big Reunions

Meeting people you haven’t seen for a while can sometimes cause a little anxiety, but the best way to get around that is to dance it out first. Whether you are part of a big family that has splintered across the world and is meeting again for the first time in years, or if you’re hosting the school reunion party to top all others, make the dancefloor a safe space to reconnect with old friends.

Communicate to your party that you want them to let loose and have some fun by hiring a dancefloor. We have more than one style suitable for every event, so be sure to contact us for more information about our stock; we look forward to hearing about your plans!

So, in order to make sure your special day goes off without a hitch, here are some things to consider when it comes to planning that dream spring wedding:

Colour Palette

Spring is synonymous with beautiful pastel colours; lavender, pale pinks, egg-shell blue, coral…but you’re not limited to just these colours for your wedding day. This time of year is truly a day to break the mould when it comes to your colour palette. You have the entire spectrum of colours to choose from, including bold, bright colours and muted browns and greys. What could be better than butter yellow and a pale grey combination? Or a deep navy blue and pale yellow? If pastels aren’t your thing, don’t let that put you off opting for a spring wedding, this time of year lends itself to so many stunning colour combinations. And given that it’s spring, you’re certain to find some beautiful flowers that are in bloom to complement your chosen palette.

Venue

The changing of the weather brings with it the opportunity to embrace an outdoor wedding. However, even with the delicate sunshine and the banishing of the cold, spring is an unpredictable season. If possible, it’s a good idea to make your venue as versatile as possible, should the worst happen. Consider an indoor venue for the ceremony with outdoor venue facilities that can be enjoyed throughout the reception, so you can make the most of the nice day. Otherwise, you and your guests can stay inside if cold weather makes an unwelcome appearance.

Alternatively, if an outdoor wedding is what you’ve always dreamed of, opt for a marquee. Marquees can be heated in case it gets chilly, and they offer a beautiful blank canvas for you to decorate and customise to your heart’s content to get that wedding venue of your dreams.

Spring Flowers

Spring is the best time of year for flowers; everything is in bloom including a huge variety of stems that are in season, such as peonies, tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. The right combination of floral arrangements can really have an impact on the décor and overall feeling of the day. You can create a feminine feel with arrangements of hyacinths and lilacs, or an elegant vibe with lilies and ivory. Chat with your florist to figure out what combinations are right for your spring wedding.

Lighting

When the night draws in and your guests are partying the night away, you’re going to need appropriate lighting to keep the right atmosphere going. For a marquee or indoor venue, you should consider a fairy light canopy. These beautiful, twinkling lights hang from the ceiling or even drape down the walls and add a magical effect to any venue. Their gentle glow provides enough illumination, but their low light creates a warm, atmospheric feel. Wedding lanterns are another great choice. They can be incorporated into the décor and make great additions for marquees or garden trees, as they fill the venue with colour and light. If you’re looking for lighting hire in Essex, Monitor Lighting has everything you’re looking for.

Food and Drink

With the rising temperatures, spring is the perfect time to indulge in some pre-meal cocktails with a crisp, refreshing taste. Cocktails (and mocktails) are a great way to get guests in the party spirit. Sangria garnished with fresh fruit is the perfect choice for this vibrant season, or flavoured martinis in colours that match the chosen colour palette of your wedding.

For the meal, speak to your caterer about designing a delicious spring menu. Make use of all the in-season vegetables like asparagus and artichokes, as well as in-season fruit, such as strawberries. Perhaps indulge in a delectable strawberries and cream desert. A lightly seasoned trout with vinaigrette or a grilled lack of lamb with asparagus would both make fantastic spring-inspired main courses. Work with the season to create the perfect menu for you and your guests.

We hope we’ve helped you come up with some great ideas for your spring-time nuptials. For all your lighting a PA hire needs, Monitor Lighting has everything you’re looking for to make sure that your big day is perfect.

Drinks

For the majority of party-goers, what they will be drinking will be high on their list of priorities. When it comes to throwing a great New Year’s Eve party, you should make sure you’ve got plenty of drinks for guests to choose from. Themed cocktails are a great way to get your guests in the party mood; match the drinks to the style of party you’ve chosen. For example, if you’ve gone for a Christmas theme you could serve mulled wine with a cocktail inspired twist. But make sure you’ve got some non-alcoholic options on offer for those who don’t drink, such as delicious mocktails.

Finally, don’t forget to have plenty of champagne ready for everyone to ring in the New Year at midnight.

Lighting

No New Year’s Eve party would be complete without some spectacular lighting incorporated into the celebration. Start the New Year in style with some dazzling lights to really get the party rocking. Consider hiring some uplighters, perfect for venues such as marquees and halls. Uplighters wash an entire wall, ceiling or floor in your choice of colour, completely transforming a blank space into a fantastic light show. Your guests won’t be able to resist dancing the night away as these lights spin and shine around them.

For a more sophisticated, lighter atmosphere, consider a fairy light canopy. Whether it’s in the party venue or a marquee outside, where guests can retreat to get some fresh air, a fairy light canopy adds a touch of magic to any event. These beautiful, twinkling lights create an enchanting effect as they sparkle away in the background. Make sure your party really lights up a room as you welcome in the New Year.

Music

A crucial element to any New Year’s Eve party is the choice of music. When you’re celebrating the New Year, you need to do it to the right tunes. Party anthems and powerful ballads that everyone can sing and dance along to should be high on your list of song choices.

To ensure your party stays rocking all night long, you can’t go wrong with hiring a band or a DJ. Having a professional in charge of the music will ensure everything runs smoothly, and they will be able to respond to song requests from your guests as the night progresses. They will also be able to feel the atmosphere of a room and determine which songs to play next to keep the party going. For a state-of-the-art-sound system, consider PA hire in Essex from Monitor Lighting.

Dancefloor

New Year’s Eve parties are about one thing: celebrating the end of a year and thinking about all the possibilities the next one will bring. So, what better way to achieve both of these than getting a venue full of people dancing together and having an amazing time? Well, you’re going to need a decent dancefloor for your party.

Why not hire an LED dancefloor? Add an extra touch of fun with dancefloor hire in Essex from Monitor Lighting. They light up beneath the feet of your guests, showering them in shimmering, glowing spotlights. Your guests can dance the night away on a sparkling dancefloor and bring in the New Year in true style.

Countdown

The grand finale of the New Year’s Eve party and the moment everyone looks forward to, the ten second countdown to midnight. No party would be complete without something to mark this occasion. Whether it’s a big screen that can display the countdown, a large clock (set exactly to the right time) that can be seen by all, or even just someone with a microphone on stage, there should be some way of letting your guests know when the big moment is at hand.

Once the exciting countdown is complete and your guests have embraced and clinked glasses in celebration, they can carry on partying the night away at your fabulous New Year’s Eve party. From all of us here at Monitor Lighting, we hope you have a fantastic end to the year.

Types of Christmas Event

There are different types of Christmas event that you might want to arrange this year; perhaps you’re a manager organising the yearly Christmas Do, or maybe you’re looking for something more family orientated? Maybe you’re organising the next nativity play. Depending on your guests, you will be looking to create a different kind of mood, which will affect the kind of lighting you will be choosing.

Formal Christmas Party

For the formal Christmas Party, you might prefer to choose dramatic lighting options such as uplighters and stage lighters. At a formal dinner party, being able to see what everyone is wearing can be just as important as the meal itself.

Cosy Family Do

To create the perfect cosy Christmas atmosphere, you might want to focus on warm lighting rather than bright lighting. Create an atmosphere that mimics the gentle twinkling of a homely Christmas tree to ensure that your guests feel at home, wherever your event is.

Nativity

If you’re making a nativity this year, be sure to look into stage-hire, but you’ll also be wanting some bright lighting so you can be sure that the cast can be seen by the audience.

If you’re celebrating Christmas religiously, why not remember the importance of the star of Bethlehem with one of our beautiful star cloths?

Lift the Mood with Lighting

Different kinds of lighting can have different effects on the human body. It is speculated that bright light can heighten emotions, leading people to react more intensely than they would in neutral or dim lighting. If you’re confident that your Christmas event is going to be one for the ages, then take a risk and choose some bright lighting – your guests may remember you’re great event as a fantastic one. Bright lighting options that may interest you include stage lighting and uplighters.

If you’re a little less confident about your event – perhaps this is your first time hosting – you can still use this nifty science fact to your advantage: human emotions are less intense in dim lighting, so perhaps you might want to switch off and sit beneath some lovely festoon lighting this Christmas.

Wake-up with Blue Light

If you’re hosting a late night event, you might want to look into getting some blue lights for when your guests start nodding off in the early hours. Blue light suppresses the production of the hormone ‘melatonin’ which induces sleep. Being able to turn on the blue lights when it starts to get late will keep the party going all night long.

Light Up Letters

Make sure that everyone knows what your event is for with some light up letters. These letters are a big attraction that take up quite a lot of room, so you might struggle to find the space to spell out ‘CHRISTMAS’ in its glorious entirety. Instead, we recommend using ‘XMAS’ for a fantastic backdrop that will fit on your dancefloor.

Don’t let your business competitor get all the attention with their illuminations when you can do better, and don’t be put off by your neighbour’s massive light up Santa. It’s easy to find lighting hire in Essex with Monitor Lighting, but it’s up to you to choose lighting that will make others glow with envy. Don’t be outdone this Christmas; ask us for further advice on the kind of lighting you’ll need for your event.

Lighting might seem like an afterthought, but it can often make the difference between a good party and an incredible one. Never underestimate what appropriate lighting can do for the atmosphere of an event.

With that in mind, we’re sure you’re keen to find out what we can do for you. Take a look at our extensive range of lighting that you can hire from us to make your next event an occasion to remember.

Uplighters

Uplighters are a popular form of lighting for marquees and halls; they are perfect for creating ambient lighting for any event. Uplighters wash an entire wall, ceiling or floor with colour, completely transforming a space from dull and neutral to vibrant and dazzling. You can set them to your choice of colour and they can even change colours throughout the night to switch up the atmosphere. If you’re looking for uplighting hire in Essex, there really is no better place than Monitor Lighting.

Star Cloth

Star cloths are an amazing addition to any event. They can be easily hung up or draped anywhere to create an atmospheric space that sparkles and shines. These unique lighting features provide a gorgeous, warm glow, making them a fantastic way to light your venue. They are the perfect addition to any event to give your location a touch of elegance.

Stage Lighting

We provide professional stage lighting to turn your gig, party or wedding into a truly rocking event that will leave guests remembering it for years to come. Our expert technicians use high-quality lighting equipment to create lighting solutions that will fit flawlessly into your theme and create the right kind of atmosphere for your event. For stage lighting hire in Essex, contact us today.

Fairy Light Canopy

For larger events, a fairy light canopy adds a wonderful touch of magical sparkle throughout any venue. Whether it’s a wedding or a special event, these beautiful twinkling lights will create an enchanting, fairy-tale like atmosphere as they glitter away in the background.

Light up Letters

Do you really want to push the boat out for your next event? Consider adding a touch of magic with some light up letters. These illuminated letters will bring some glamour and sparkle to any occasion. At Monitor Lighting, we have letters, numbers and shapes such as hearts and stars. We even offer a bespoke service that can provide you with custom-built, one-of-a-kind items tailored specifically to your needs. So, if you want to see your name in lights, or just want to add something extra special to your next event, contact Monitor Lighting for light up letters hire in Essex.

Lanterns

Lanterns make the most wonderful lighting option for weddings. These beautiful lights serve as the perfect backdrop for your big day, making a huge impression on your guests and providing a great background for all of your photos. A truly magical look for marquees, party venues or garden tress that will fill your venue with colour and light.

LED Dancefloor

Lights aren’t just limited to hanging from walls and ceilings, the floor can get in on some of the action, too. Our durable starlit, LED and chequerboard dancefloors can be hired to bring some disco-feel party vibes to your next event. You and your guests can dance the night away on top of a sparkling dancefloor that will bring out the fun side in everyone. Contact us for dancefloor hire in Essex.

At Monitor Lighting, we have lighting solutions to suit all of your event needs. We don’t just stop at lighting, however; we also do PA hire in Essex, providing you with everything you need so that your music and sound goes off without a hitch. We can provide equipment that best suits your function and your budget, from mics, amps and speakers to equalisers, feedback suppressors and much more.

We have everything you could ever need to make your event the best it can possibly be. Contact us for all your lighting and PA equipment needs today.

Your event deserves the greatest care, so no stone is to be left unturned. The music needs planning, the food needs ordering and the guest list needs finalising. There is a whole host of components that must be considered to ensure your day is as special as your reason to celebrate!

Make your event that extra bit special with Monitor Lighting, who specialise in lighting for events in Essex and London.

Event Lighting

There are hundreds of reasons why you might want to commemorate something big in your life. It could be a wedding, an anniversary, a big birthday, or even a new job – there is never an invalid reason to celebrate your achievements, no matter what size they are.

For a Birthday Party

Birthdays are a great reason to celebrate as they are a celebration of your life so far. Your friends and family will want to join in on the fun, and whatever size of your party, ensuring that the lighting is perfect can take the event from standard to superb!

If you are lucky enough to have a birthday in the warmer summer months, why not take the party outside? Head to your garden and opt for a Fairy Light Canopy, which proves most effective as you light up the skies once the sun has left for the day.

For a Wedding

If it is meant to be the most important day of your life, why would you not give it every opportunity to be just this? Lighting plays a vital role in any wedding, as it injects your personality into the big day.

For inside the venue, these increasingly popular Light Up Letters consistently provide your guests with a stunning piece of you and your betrothed’s love, whilst creating a fantastic backdrop for those all important pictures.

For outside the venue, these simple but remarkable Wedding Lanterns throw a unique component into your big day, promising that you and your guests will have memories to treasure forever.

For an Anniversary

Another year, another anniversary. As we inevitably grow older, it can sometimes seem that the years are flying by. Make sure that you make memories that you will never forget with your own anniversary party, appreciating the years that have passed in excellent form.

Get the party started with your favourite band, but don’t forget to set the scene with Lighting Stage Hire, so you and your guests can dance the night away in style.

Contact Monitor Lighting for all of your event lighting needs.

The shortest month in the year, the month of pancakes, and the month we (fingers crossed!) begin to see better weather upon us.

But for some, February 2018 will be even more of a month to remember!

Love is in the Air

For those who may have forgotten, February 14^th is Valentine’s Day; a day in which love is celebrated across the world.

So how are you spending your Valentine’s Day?

You might be excited at the prospect of the latest box set to binge on, and be treating yourself to a well-deserved takeaway. You might be looking forward to an evening of being wined and dined at your favourite restaurant.

Both equally enticing dates!

Yet for some, Valentine’s Day signifies the day that they are going to finally pop the question.

This evokes one of the greatest struggles known to mankind – how exactly are you going to do it?

It’s probably a bit late to plan that dream trip abroad if you are planning on asking this V Day, but this quick list of our favourite proposal ideas should give you some inspiration should you be thinking of asking later in the year and need a bit more time to prepare!

The Proposal

1. Abroad

Unsurprisingly, one of the most popular ways to propose on Valentine’s Day is whilst on holiday.

Enticing your partner to some unknown city could provide the perfect backdrop for a romantic event to remember.

Whether it’s Paris, Venice, or somewhere of special importance to the both of you, a surprise weekend away could help you ‘put a ring on it’.

2. Food for Thought

For some, sweet and simple does the trick.

A survey by wedding website The Knot revealed that 31 percent of women would want to be proposed to at their favourite restaurant.

Alternatively, cooking your partner their favourite meal at home proves how much thought and effort has gone into the process. Definitely, something to consider.

3. PDA (Public Display of Affection)

Planning a public spectacle may sound like a scene from a horror movie to some, yet for others, it is the perfect way to celebrate your love.

Organising a proposal in public immediately throws off suspicion, and can provide some fantastic video footage for years to come. Take a look at the brilliant effort below.

4. With a Little Help From My Friends

With family being one of the most important aspects of our life, it is no surprise that devoted partners look to those we love the most for help at such an exciting time.

Whether it is for further inspiration or much needed support, or you even rope them into the proposal itself; both can be an effective way of asking for your partner’s hand in marriage.

5. Hobbies Help

Perhaps you met at your local gym, or are both music fanatics.

Maybe you are both keen cyclists or enjoy painting together.

Proposing through a common hobby that you share adds a personal touch to your proposal, and, if you have plans to continue the hobby, creates warm memories to reflect on together for years to come.

With such a wide range of specialist lighting here at Monitor Lighting, we can help set the scene for one of the biggest questions of your life.

And when the big day eventually arrives, you can count on our professional team to help create the wedding of your dreams. From fairy light canopy hire to light up letters, all of your lighting dreams in London can be achieved by us.

Contact us today to see what we can do for you.

Whether you’re looking to create a magical space for a special event, a business frontage or your home over the festive season, no winter wonderland is complete without stunning twinkling lights. For many years, people have celebrated the festive period with large and elaborate lighting displays. Here, we go through some ways you can create the perfect winter wonderland:

Fairy Light Canopies

There is nothing quite as beautiful as a fairy light canopy at night. Whether you are looking to decorate a walkway or the ceiling of a room, twinkling fairy lights will create a beautifully illuminated focal point. A canopy will make a great entrance to a space and could add a beautiful final touch to the interior of a room.

Lanterns and Strings of Lights

If you are looking to decorate walls or create hanging balls of light, white lanterns look elegant and stunning. When the lighting is turned down, these balls of light will create a magnificent display. Lanterns are available as individual items, which can be hung in key locations or on strings to decorate a pathway.

One of the most stunning sights during the festive season is strings of outdoor lights around homes and shop fronts. If you are looking to quickly create a winter wonderland around the exterior of your building, light strings could be hung around the eaves and then the windows. Next, you could move to the planted areas, such as bushes and trees, and wind lighting around for a delicate and magical effect.

Star Cloths

A twinkling star cloth is an ideal way to section off a large space or create a stunning backdrop to a focal point. It is ideal for festive events, such as dinner dances and weddings, that include a top table. The stunning lights look beautiful in photographs and will guarantee your guests have a memorable winter wonderland experience. Star cloths are very versatile and can also look beautiful wrapped around columns or stairways as part of an entrance design.

Light-up Letters

Whether you are a business looking for a magical sign or you are hosting an event and want your name to stand out, light-up letters will make your space look unique and can help you display a key message in a way that keeps in with the winter wonderland theme. These large letters make great photo opportunities and will create a stunning element to your venue design. The simple white lighting and retro feel will give your wonderland a touch of glamour.

When it comes to creating the perfect winter wonderland, there is no such thing as too many lights. A professional lighting company like us at Monitor Lighting can take the stress away of hanging and removing lights, leaving you time to enjoy the effects, so get in touch with us today to find out more.

So, if you’re wondering how to do this, look no further! Here are our tips for creating the perfect fairytale wedding.

The Little Mermaid

Ariel – the first mermaid to spark the love of a generation! The Little Mermaid has served as the inspiration for countless weddings, and it’s not hard to see why. The addition of touches such as seashells and nautical items can help to really bring your theme to life.

And, for the lighting, who can forget the ultimate romantic scene when Ariel and Prince Eric are serenaded by Sebastian the crab and friends with the song Kiss the Girl, as fireflies light up the sky. With this scene in mind, a fairy light canopy would make the perfect addition to your fairytale wedding!

Tangled

Tangled tells the story of Rapunzel – a princess unaware of her identity, locked in a tower and looking for adventure! This exciting tale makes the perfect theme for a romantic and magical wedding. If you’ve seen the Disney film, you will know that lights are important to the story as the princess watches the ‘floating lights’ take to the sky each year on her birthday.

Recreating this film can be relatively simple with the use of plenty of flowers and wedding lanterns.

Frozen

Frozen captured the hearts of millions of children and adults alike with its catchy songs, exciting story and loveable characters. So, with so many magical elements, this fairytale is sure to make a perfect inspiration for your wedding theme.

Blue and silver are obviously important colours if you want your guests to feel as though they have just stepped into the spectacular kingdom of Arendelle, and you can really make the theme come to life with our star cloths. These fabulous lights bring a magical feeling, and even look as though glistening snowflakes are falling.

At Monitor Lighting, we know that you want your special day to be just as magical as your favourite fairytale, so whether you’re planning a fairytale-themed wedding or not, we know that our light hire can bring a touch of magic to your big day.

If you would like to find out more about any of our services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team who will be happy to help. Simply call us on 01206 820212 or email us at info@monitorlighting.co.uk.

In the meantime, make sure to keep checking our blog for more wedding inspiration and advice on how to light it up!

A post shared by Lindsay Irvin (@lindsayirvin) on Feb 14, 2017 at 8:56am PST

There are many elements that can help heighten and contribute to the perfect winter wedding, and if you are thinking of getting married during the winter season, we at Monitor Lighting have compiled five tips to help you create the perfect day. 

The Right Colour is Everything

Colours are an important factor to represent the theme of the wedding, and they come to life in the outdoor wedding photos, as within the winter, snowy landscapes and effects present a neutral backdrop. Here is a tip to keep in mind regarding colour:

• Bright colours can be used depending on your preference, as these can really stand out against a white background. The great thing with colours is you can really try different ones out to see what you prefer, and it can really speak your personality.

Think About Layers

As we all know, winter is a cold time of the year, and staying warm is an extremely important aspect of the wedding, especially if some parts of the day are to be outside. The trick is to balance warmth with style, enabling you and guests to enjoy the celebrations in warmth and in fashionable style. Here are some options for layering throughout the day:

• Faux fur shawls
• Pretty lace scarfs
• Matching tailored coats or blazers for both the groom and bride.

Season Theme

Winter weddings can give you a truly unique day and experience, as you can incorporate the season into the décor – making the day a total package. There are many ways you can work winter effortlessly into your theme, giving you a huge variation of ways to make your wedding more like you. Think about ways you can be creative to bring the winter theme by:

• Include décor which is glittered, delicate, and incorporates the frosty effect to reflect snow
• Provide a hot chocolate bar with delicious fixings to really create the hygge effect.

Flowers and Bouquets

Throughout winter, there are numerous types of flowers which decrease due to the change in climate, and this can limit your choices for the day. However, there are many options you can choose from which will not stretch your budget, here are some choices and alternatives you can consider brightening your winter wedding:

• Silk flowers offer a realistic look, and they can last longer and withstand weather better
• Vintage badges and hair ties with gems create gorgeous bouquets and centrepieces. They add sparkle and are incredibly fun to create.

Beautiful Lighting

As the light in the days is shorter throughout the winter, your choice of lighting is an essential part of your wedding day. Winter darkness is a fantastic opportunity for introducing your creative lighting options. You can incorporate them into the winter theme by using:

• Vintage lamps
• Large candles
• White Christmas lights

At Monitor Lighting, we have a large array of light options for you to consider throughout your decoration, including:

• Fairy light Canopy
• Light up letters
• Uplighters
• Wedding lanterns
• Stage lighting

We hope you found these tips from Monitor Lighting useful when it comes to planning your winter wedding. If you would like to know more about our wedding services, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today, and we will be happy to help. In the meantime, browse through our gallery to get a better idea of what we provide.

11. Centre Around Your Theme

Choosing a theme that portrays you is a great and fun idea for your reception, and if you really want to impress with your venue, use décor relatable to your theme throughout your reception. A simple way you can create this is by using exotic flowers or colours reflecting your theme. An example of this is if you’re embracing a fall theme, you can use autumn hues and fall foliage.

12. Play Around with the Dinner Tables

Your reception gives you the freedom to express your imagination, especially if you have a chosen theme; one way to do this is through mixing up the dinner tables. The classic choice would be round tables, but if you want to be different, you can change the flow of the reception by mixing round and square tables, or choosing banquet tables for an intimate feel.

13. Candle Lights

Candles come in a huge array of sizes and colours which you can use throughout the room. By being creative, you can design a beautiful flickering glow for the whole room to enjoy. You can even use wedding lanterns for a different choice, and when teamed with fairy light canopies, they beautifully fill your venue with light and colour.

14. Chandeliers

Hanging chandeliers are another addition to your wedding reception which can come in different styles and designs, whether they are modern wrought-iron chandeliers or antique style, these stunning lights hang over the dinner tables to create an elegant ambiance throughout the room.

15. Variation of Centrepieces

Flowers are a perfect addition to any event, and featuring these at your wedding reception can create a dramatic personality. With such a variety to choose from, you want your centrepieces to be breath-taking. This is easy to achieve by working with your florist and to create a differing mix of tall and low centrepieces. However, if you’re not a huge fan of flowers, you can include sculptures or other uses of lighting to transform your reception.

16. Colourful Glassware

Your glassware is another simple way to transform your reception, and it another way to work your imagination. Instead of choosing clear glassware, try something different, such as an unusual shade of black or red to match your theme, which can instantly add personality to your table settings. Also, by adding little bits of colour throughout the room, it can create a bigger impact through a consistent design.

17. Stylish Chairs

Even the choice of your chairs can bring the desired elegance or fun to your reception. Chiavari chairs tend to be the classic choice, but this gives you the opportunity to pick something different and unexpected for a new look. There are numerous options to choose from, such as brightly coloured vintage chairs, or clear ghost chairs. By providing eye-catching seats, it can completely change the style of the room.  Or, you add decorations to chairs to make them perfectly fit in line with your theme.

18. Backdrops

A backdrop gives you a fun way to transform your reception, and it can be a real focal point of the room. You can go for a big and bold custom backdrop, or a big panel of fabric that matches your wedding style, the choice is completely up to you!

19. Artful Columns

You can transform your reception by creatively decorating your columns. You can achieve an artful décor by wrapping strings of lights, greenery, or colourful fabric around them.

20. Detailed Décor

By hanging unexpected décor, you can completely transform your reception and make it mesmerizing. There are other options than just hanging chandeliers and lanterns from the ceiling, an idea can be strings of flowers or colourful ribbons to create a lasting look.

We hope you found these tips from Monitor Lighting useful when it comes to planning your wedding reception, be sure to read part one for the full list! If you would like to know more about our wedding lighting services, please do not hesitate and get in touch with us today, we will be happy to help. In the meantime, browse our gallery to get a better idea of what we provide.

1.Hanging Fairy Lights

Chandelier or hanging fairy lights can create an instant change of atmosphere and create a more intimate and romantic feeling, even more so if the ceilings are higher up, like a loft. A fairy light canopy is sure to give that extra touch of magic in the air.

2.Festoon Lighting

Festoon lighting is similar to bistro lights can transform your venues and your photos and work well with any type of venue, tying in with every theme or look. Festoon lights can be draped, structured in lines or decorated how you want! They can add a vintage and rustic feeling to an evening, creating instant style.

3.Bring the Outdoors In

Whether you work with a florist for you wedding or not, by bringing in a spot of nature including wrapping items with vinery or plants, you are sure to make the room stand out. It will not only lift the space but make everything seem fresh and light.

4.Focus on the Details

Once the room is lit up, try using smaller lights or uplighting to accentuate some smaller details in the room. This could be anything from a sweetheart table or maybe even the cake stands or guest book.

5.Draping

It’s not just lights that can be draped, you can make use of cloth and other varied materials too! Combine the two in a creative way and you can create a whole other world. Pick a fabric which matches your wedding colours, or even white for a clean crisp feel.

6.Star Cloths

While sat on the top table, the background can sometimes seem a bit dull. This is where a star cloth can come in to create that enchanting atmosphere. Simply get the right colour material for a background and a star cloth will not only make that sparkle, but the whole evening.

7.Dividing the Space

Whatever the space, large or small, make sure you cleverly divide this up . Consider straying away from the conventional round table and dance floor division, and maybe instead opt for a lounge area, a cocktail zone and a food area.

8.Add Some Sparkle

Everyone loves a bit of sparkle, especially on their wedding day. So why not give your blank canvas a fabulous makeover with some crystal curtains, dangling centrepieces or sequin table runners. Once your lighting is added to the mix, you will have sparkle and shine to last the whole evening.

9. Repetition

The saying “there’s strength in numbers” is certainly true when it comes to wedding décor. Make use of repetition for decoration, any lanterns, motifs or centre pieces. This has a huge visual impact, and is much simpler!

10.Decor Displays

Be sure to add a few signature group décor displays around your reception. This can bring serious personality. An example of this could be to surround your guest book by floral arrangements, or make use of a vintage cabinet to display family photos and props.

Keep checking in for the second part of our top 20 tips, but in the meantime if you would like any further information about our wedding lighting services, simply get in touch with us. We would love to be the reason your wedding reason is lit up perfectly. We look forward to hearing from you.

But do you know why dancing is often a recommended exercise?

Reason #1: Keeps Your Mind Active Too

The review of 39 studies has found that, when the muscles and the heart are exercised frequently, your memory skills and your thinking processes are improved. This is particularly true for people over 50, as it helped to reduce the risk of some forms of cancers, type-2 diabetes, and help to slow the brain’s natural decline with ageing.

Reason #2: Helps You To Socialise

When you dance, you typically meet new people – dancing is, after all, a great icebreaker! You will find like-minded people and make friends who also love to dance. ‘Dance like no one is watching’ is always a perfect reminder of what dancing is all about; having a fun time with people who also love to dance.

Reason #3: It’s Great Exercise

If you want to exercise regularly but find going to the gym isn’t for you, then why not take a few dancing lessons? When you dance, your body works muscles that might not have worked for a long time. You get more blood pumping through your veins, refine your motor skills, and increase your balancing skills. And you know what people say about exercise – it’s good for your mind and body, keeping you feeling happy and buzzing.

Reason #4: Boost Your Confidence

Regardless of what type of dancing you decide to tackle, when you start to get into the rhythm and become more proficient you are sure to start feeling more confident. You will feel a great sense of success, which will carry over to your day-to-day life. And, who knows, you might find that you want to take on other dancing styles and begin to teach people yourself.

Reason #5: It’s Fun

Most of all, dancing can be quite fun – particularly when you get your friends and loved ones together for a dancing showdown. Weddings are always great occasions to see family members you’ve not seen in a while and socialise with them through group dancing.

If you want to make your event memorable and get your dancing shoes on, why not hire a dance floor and start planning your party? Here at Monitor Lighting, we provide an expert service that includes LED, starlit, and chequerboard dance floors for your events.

Get in touch with us today to know more!

Having a positive event will help you to have further success in future events, so we have compiled a few suggestions of what you should and shouldn’t do when planning a corporate event.

Do: Plan Your Entertainment

Entertainment is a needed component in events, regardless of what form suits your event the best. Whether you have several speakers or a band playing, you will need to consider several factors such as stage hire and dancefloor hire.

At Monitor Lighting, we ensure that you have the professional hire of every component needed to guarantee that your corporate event runs smoothly.

Don’t: Plan Your Event Near a Holiday

Booking your corporate event near a holiday will increase the prices of venues and lower event attendance. A Friday or a Monday is also typically not good days to choose, as people often leave for long weekends with their families. Similarly, summer months need to be considered carefully, as it is a season where most people take their holidays. You want to make sure people attend your event, and trying to plan yours for after the vacation season is always a good idea.

Do: Stick To Your Budget

You’ve worked out your budget and you know exactly how much to spend on everything you need, plus a bit of emergency money. It can be tempting to go over budget but, unless strictly needed, there’s no point in going extravagant and wasting your money.

Don’t: Forget to Be There

Planning the event is, of course, extremely important. But so is being there on the day or days. You want to ensure everything goes well, and that’s not limited to great planning. Being present at the event on the day will make sure that you can tackle any unexpected issues.

Get in touch with us to know more about our services! We’re always happy to help you find the perfect solutions for your event. Give us a call on 07950 729708 or 01206 820212, and we’ll make sure that your corporate events in Essex and London are completely covered with everything you need to give you piece of mind.

If you’re in charge of planning an event, regardless of whether it’s a birthday party or a work event you’ll have to plan more than just the theme.

Here are five top tips to keep in mind if you’re in charge of planning your next event and want to guarantee it’s as successful as it can be:

Plan in Advance

Factors such as budget are vital to ensure that you can organise your event fully. Depending on your budget, you’ll be able to know how much you can spend on the venue, the entertainment, and other things such as decorations. The earlier you plan the more likely you are to book your first choice.

Don’t Forget the Details

Knowing how your guests are going to get to the venue will allow you to compile a detailed route by car, bus, and other public transportation options. If you have a big venue or a multi-site event, consider having the right number of stewards or volunteers to help move your guests around.

According to your event’s theme, you might need to consider stage hire, dancefloor hire, or light up letters for a special touch.

Consider the Food and Drinks

How many people will be at your event? Depending on choices – like vegetarian, vegan, or other – you will have a wide variety of options to provide your guests. If you have a more informal event, you can have themed food choices that are sure to be the talk of the party.

Be There on the Day

As much planning as you put into organising an event, you must be there on the day. Last minute emergencies or changes are a high possibility and if you’re not there, how can you know they get fixed? As someone who planned every detail, you’ll be the most knowledgeable to ensure that your guests have the best possible experience.

Get Feedback!

There’s nothing like getting feedback from your guests to know what the positive and less positive areas were. When running a recurring event, it’s vital to understand what works and what doesn’t to guarantee your guests have a great experience and want to return.

And feedback also gives you insight into ideas you might not have thought of otherwise, leading you to organise an even more successful event. Don’t forget to ask for feedback from the venue and its staff, and they will have noticed small details you didn’t.

Regardless of what event you’re organising, we’ll be here to help make your life easier. Get in touch with us if you want to know more about our services and how we can help you to plan an extremely successful event!

The Rooftop Film Club

For an alternative trip to London, why not take a detour to the Rooftop Film Club. If you consider yourself a bit of a film buff, what better way to enjoy the summer than to combine the warmer weather with a film, a drink, popcorn and friends … all on a London rooftop! When the sun goes down, the lights come on and the film reel will begin. Spectacular views both on the screen and surrounding you. Is there even a better way to relax through summer?

British Summer Time

June and July brings an abundance of musical vibes, artistic brilliance and stunning surroundings to Hyde Park. Barclaycard presents BST, which is held over two weeks in the infamous park in London. This fabulous festival was the first event AEG held in the park from first getting the rights to host there. There have been some smashing headliners here, even some of the greatest, such as The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi and Take That. This year sees artists such as Phil Collins, Green Day, Blondie and much, much more.

Hay-On-Wye Literary Fest

This Festival is one of a kind. It aims to bring readers and writers together in a celebration of story sharing and ideas in sustainable events worldwide. Inspiring and entertaining, its sheer imagination and cultural exploration makes for an enlightened world of wonders. Hosting Nobel prize winners, novelists, scientists, historians, musicians and politicians, Hay-On Wye Literary fest gives everyone an expressed voice and an exchange of ideas. Think art means science meets print and digital.

Y Not/Kendal Calling

These two festivals have similar vibes; Y Not in the scenic Peak District and KC in the picturesque Lake District. Both supply old school music vibes mixed with modern musicians from every region. From steady growths and humble beginnings as over spilling house parties, they have both grown to massive events, both sure to bring light to your summer. If you want a weekend of no cares and good times, one of these is the one for you. All you need to provide is the memories and a killer fancy dress outfit, and they will do the rest. Whichever you’re closest too, we recommend grabbing your wellies and prepping for the ultimate classic festival.

Africa Oye

This is the UKs largest free celebration of African Music and Culture, and is sure to be an uplifting summer vibe for all. Starting in 1992 as a series of small gigs through Liverpool, the event has become an enormous success and now takes place in its home of Sefton Park, Liverpool. Bringing balance to representations of African music, this festival of brilliance highlights the fantastic feeling that African music can bring. Culture, music, food and inspiration is brought to the city from Africa Oye; isn’t that what summer is all about?

None of the events could have set their high reputations without the wonder of lighting. The ambience, vibe and uplifting feelings are enhanced by the technical aspect of lighting; on stage and off.  From poetry reading by fairy-lights to full stage lighting, at a world class music festival, we can cater to every event; and we love to do it! We would love to help you get your event ready for the world. You can get in touch with our team on 0845 094 1162, and we would be more than happy to help you on your way.

Lighting isn’t always at the top of the list when it comes to event planning, but it should be! It’s what creates the atmosphere and gives your event a professional edge. There are a few questions you should ask yourself first; What lighting equipment should you use? How should you use it? What mood do you want to create?

Here are some tips on how to incorporate lighting into your event.

Spotlights

The stage is what every event generally focuses on, and the use of spotlights are imperative to give this the importance it needs. Using lights to highlight the stage and darken the audience to draw their attention. There are various types you could use giving you plenty of options for your event. Spotlights can be adjusted to suit the room and your individual taste, giving you the perfect way to show off your individual style. They can bring out the best and hide the worst, letting you light a room exactly the way you want it.

Lanterns

The use of lanterns is a unique way of brightening up your event, giving it a more romantic feel. This is commonly used for the more intimate events, setting the tone for the guests.

Uplighters

These are great for adding colour throughout a room. Being ground based, they can be used to highlight specific features of your choice, but they can also be used in different colour combinations to effectively add an atmosphere to your event.

Colours

The lighting you use don’t have to be plain white to be effective. Colours can differentiate event space which can help people find where they need to be. Also, it can be quite mesmerizing to view the beauty of separate colours, if worked well for your event.

Star cloths

These are often used for discos and gigs. Star Cloths can also be draped over areas of the room to add a touch of class and really change the look of the room. They can be very effective and give a magical glow.

Disco Balls

Disco balls represent dancing and at events, some people just need a little nudge to get on that dancefloor. The disco ball works wonders in doing just that! This is a great way to get the fun started and works really well spreading light where needed.

There are numerous ways you can incorporate lighting into your event, but it all takes planning beforehand to answer the questions of what lighting you will use and how you are going to use it. Get in touch with a member of the team to help you with any enquiries.

So, take one of your successes and start planning a celebration with your loved ones that they’re sure to never forget!

There’s a Lot of Dancing

With celebrations often comes dancing – what’s a party without a dancefloor? Additionally to having fun with your loved ones, dancing gives you some healthy exercise time that makes your heart and lungs fill with blood. And you might start it as a new hobby, and keep up an exercise routine that makes you happy!

Dancing is known to positively impact mental health, as it drains the stress and worry from your body and allows you to just feel the happiness of the moment. And when your venue of choice or your home are beautifully decorated, the atmosphere is sure to keep the buzz going through the night.

You Laugh and Smile

A big factor in positive thinking and happiness, laughing and smiling lowers your blood pressure and stress. Lower blood pressure means a lower chance of heart illnesses, keeping you healthier and happier at the same time.

In addition to getting your heart pumping, laughing also decreases the level of stress hormones in your blood. And fewer stress hormones leads to a healthier immune system and a higher chance of you catching fewer colds and feeling ill.

Quality Time with Your Loved Ones

Celebrations are a time of happiness, which you tend to share with your loved ones. Friends and family you might not see often will go to your celebration and you’ll be able to spend quality time with everyone. With the busy, modern lifestyle, celebrations are the perfect time to gather everyone you love and create memories you’ll never forget.

No occasion is too big or too small to celebrate, as celebrations give you a boost of confidence and happiness. Surrounded by everyone who wants to see you succeed even more in life, you have the perfect environment for a lovely evening.

If you want to add an extra twist to your celebrations and hire a stage, at Monitor Lighting we have years of expertise in providing affordable solutions. We want you to have a fantastic celebration, so don’t hesitate to contact us!

The same goes for any relationship you have; whether it’s your friends or your family, it’s always fun to get together with those you love the most and have a huge celebration. After all, is it really a celebration if you aren’t surrounded by your favourite people in life?

So, if you’re looking for an excuse to have a bit of a party and you’re falling short of ideas – we can help!

Significant Anniversaries

We’re not just talking wedding milestones here – although, they’re also a perfect excuse for a party, too. If you’ve had some sort of relationship with someone for a long time, then why not celebrate it? Just because you haven’t gotten married to your best friend, it doesn’t mean that you can’t celebrate the years that you’ve known each other!

It’s even better if there’s a large group of you that have been through thick and thin over the years – the more people you can invite, the better! Why not head to your favourite venue and have a proper party? Let’s face it, being friends for over 10 years after high school has finished is some feat – and it is a great excuse to get together and celebrate!

Life Events

Life loves to keep us on our toes; along the way, there’s a lot of ups and downs and it can often feel like an emotional rollercoaster – so why not celebrate those highs?

Whether it’s a job promotion, a new baby, graduation – or even a farewell party for someone who is jetting off on a trip of a lifetime, get your party on and invite all your friends and family for an evening of fun and frolics!

Celebrating the highs makes those boring bits in life a little bit less significant – we know we’d rather remember a fantastic party where we enjoyed ourselves rather than a mediocre week where we did nothing but worry about work!

Hen and Stag Parties

No matter how big or small your group of friends or family is, there’s always going to be a wedding cropping up. Before you even think about heading to the wedding reception, there’s the small task of organising the pre-celebrations – namely the hen and stag parties.

Now, the typical hen and stag dos often involve jetting off to a warm country and spending a week in the sun with a beer in each hand, or alternatively a night out on the town with your best friends to celebrate your last night out as a single.

However, this type of celebration isn’t for everyone, and rather than trail around trying to find bars to go into, you could hold a private party at a venue of your choice instead. That way you’ve always got a seat and won’t be bothered by other people who aren’t in your party!

It’s also the perfect opportunity to try some of your vendors – why not ask your caterer to put on a meal for you and your party, or see how you feel about the lighting options that you’ve chosen!

There are plenty of reasons to celebrate – so why not take the opportunity and enjoy yourself?

Anniversaries

Anniversaries are always important events; from the first wedding anniversary to a fantastic 60^th, as an event planner ensuring your clients have a memorable day is vital. Light up letters are a great way of marking how special the anniversary date is!

Weddings

Absolute perfection is needed for weddings, as they are extremely important in couples’ lives. Complex and detailed planning, including decoration, food, wedding lanterns, and music are needed for wedding planning, as this event requires planning to start around a year and a half before the special day arrives.

Valentine’s Day

One of the most romantic days of the year, St Valentine’s day is a day to celebrate love and romance. This globally celebrated day is an important celebration for any couple, and one that requires perfection and attention to detail.

St Patrick’s Day

Celebrated all over the world on March 17^th, St Patrick’s Day celebrates Ireland’s patron saint and marks a national holiday. Beginning in the 17^th century as a religious feast day, it has become an international celebration of Irish culture. Dancing and special foods are aplenty in the midst of greenery and fun.

Halloween

The spookiest day of the year, Halloween is always celebrated with a fun party filled with friends and family. Themed costume parties are fun to plan, as there is complete freedom of choice when it comes to accessories, food, and other things such as dance floors.

Bonfire Night

Bonfire night is held on different dates, depending on the country. In the UK, November 5^th marks Guy Fawkes Night and is typically associated with food such as black peas, toffee apples, and jacket potato. Fireworks illuminate the night sky in a wonderful display, providing the perfect end to a fun day.

Christmas

Whether it’s a family Christmas party or a corporate one, Christmas is all about happiness and joy and should be celebrated as such! Add style and create the perfect environment with a stage, in which musicians can entertain the guests for the best possible addition to the party.

New Year’s Eve

Still part of the wonderful festive season, New Year’s Eve is an important day. The last day of the year always marks the potential of revitalising one’s life and renew any resolution. A fairy light canopy is ideal for a touch of magic and a hint of Christmas.

Get in touch with us on 07950 729708 or 01206 820212 to know more about our wonderful event lighting and PA equipment that will allow you to plan any event to perfection. Our friendly team is always happy to answer any query you might have!

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To help out any budding event planners out there, we’ve put together a guide to the most common mistakes that event planners tend to make, and given advice on how you can avoid making them!

#1 Not Starting Planning Early

Think you’ve got plenty of time to plan that big, important event? You probably haven’t got as much time as you actually think. One of the biggest mistakes that new event planners make is not starting their planning early enough! The earlier, the better! If something goes wrong, it’s better happening weeks before the event, rather than days or hours before.

#2 Not Having a Plan B

As we wrote above – something could go wrong! You should always hope for the best but prepare for the worse. Having a backup plan or “plan B” is essential for any successful event planner. Don’t assume that everything is going to run smoothly and/or on time, it’s always best to be prepared with a backup.

#3 Blowing the Budget

Learning to stay within the budget is event planning for beginners 101. You cannot afford to blow the budget, especially if you’re hoping to be hired again. You should come up with an estimate budget and then compare this with the one your client has set aside. This will allow you both to set expectations for the event to avoid disappointment. If surprise costs do come up, speak to your client ASAP. You should never go ahead and spend their money without permission.

#4 Neglecting to Think About Important Details

Organising music and entertainment is often the first thing that planners will think about when it comes to putting an event together. Whilst this IS important, a lot of event planners neglect to think about the smaller (but even more important) details, such as audio systems and space. Do you have working microphones and loud speakers? Are the cables all in working order? Is there enough space to hold everything?

#5 Forgetting to Arrange Lighting

Lighting can make or break an event, so it’s essential that you make it a priority on your checklist. From venue decoration to stage lighting, we suggest you make lighting decisions as early as possible. You will also have to factor this into the time it will take to decorate the venue on the day!

#6 Trying to do Everything Alone

You’re not a superhero or an inhuman – you can’t possibly plan an event all by yourself, no matter how fantastic you are! All professional event planners have a team with them, whether it’s staff or volunteers. Whilst you make the decisions and oversee the work, your team will all have a specific area in which they are in charge of, whether it’s lighting, entertainment or decorating.

#7  Not Thanking Everyone Involved

Chances are (and fingers crossed) that this is not going to be your only event. Hopefully, you’ll be planning bigger, better and more extravagant events in the near future. This means that you will want to maintain a good relationship with the different vendors that you used during the planning process. The easiest way to do this? Saying thank you! A brief thank you note will go a long way – and will make it easier to reach out in the future!

Choosing the right event lighting can be the difference between a good event and a fantastic event. At Monitor Lighting, we understand the need for high quality and effective event lighting.

Specialising in everything from stage lighting to fairy lights, we will be more than happy to help you find what you need. Just contact us on 07950 729708 and we will be more than happy to help!

If Halloween is your favourite time of the year, why not incorporate it into the most important day of your life?

It doesn’t have to be childish or cheesy, Halloween themed weddings can be both elegant and spooktacular! Check out some of our favourite ideas!

Dare to Go Black

Who says that your wedding dress has to be white? We say dare to be different and fully embrace the Halloween theme by choosing a black wedding dress! If you still have your heart set on white, you could just add a black birdcage veil instead. Bridesmaids dresses are another way to incorporate black into the wedding!

Pumpkin Seating Plan

Your seat assignment cards (telling all your guests where to sit) are the perfect way to have some fun and show off your theme. For Halloween weddings, there are a few different things you can do. Our favourite idea is to attach names to tiny little pumpkins. These incorporate your theme and look ridiculously adorable.

Choose Spooky Lighting

Create a spooky atmosphere at your wedding through your lighting choices. Wedding lanterns are the ideal choice, as their floating nature already gives them the “eerie” nature that you’re going for, whilst remaining elegant and breath-taking.

Don’t forget candles! Nothing says Halloween more than lots of eerie candles lighting up a room. Just be careful that your guests aren’t left completely in the dark!

Create a Frightening Menu

Your food and drink choices are the perfect way to really push the Halloween theme. Anything pumpkin related will work – so serve up some pumpkin soup for starters and some pumpkin pie for desert. You could also opt for apple flavoured food, such as apple pie or toffee apples!

Create some hair-raising cocktails that will get everyone up on the dancefloor – Bloody Mary anyone? There are some fantastic recipes on the internet, so get looking for inspiration. We love the Zombie Cocktail. Apple flavoured cocktails are also a huge hit – both alcoholic and non-alcoholic! You could serve apple juice for the young children!

From intimate weddings to worldwide corporate events, Monitor Lighting can provide you with high quality and beautiful lighting solutions. We specialise in creative and affordable lighting, which includes wedding lanterns, fairy lights and stage lighting. So, if you’re planning a Halloween themed wedding or putting on huge outdoor festival – we have you covered.

Contact us today on 07950 729708 for more information!

Use Autumn Colours

Take a look at the beautiful autumn colours in nature and use these to inform your wedding colour scheme. Use deep, rich, warm colours to complement your wedding and create a magical atmosphere. Classic dark reds are a romantic favourite, while a rich burnt orange is a unique colour for weddings, with gold perfect for adding detail. Use autumn colours in your wedding stationery, for your bridesmaids’ dresses and in your table decorations for a beautiful and sophisticated theme.

Enjoy the Outdoors

In autumn, the weather is still okay for spending time outdoors, and it’s a lovely way to make your wedding extra special. Make sure you’ve got stunning outdoor lighting or lanterns to set the perfect outdoor mood as day turns into dusk. Imagine a stunning canopy of hundreds of twinkling fairy lights on a beautiful clear autumn night. Don’t forget to buy yourself a lovely bridal wrap or faux-fur cover up too, for beautiful wedding style that keeps you warm as well as fabulous!

Use Nature to Accessorise

For unique (and free) table decorations, mother nature has you covered. Find conkers, beautiful leaves and pine cones to incorporate in your wedding table decorations. Press autumn leaves and write on them in permanent marker for unique place settings, have guests throw a rich array of coloured autumn leaves instead of confetti, and use natural materials like burlap for a rustic feel.

Your autumn wedding will be absolutely beautiful and you want to know that all of the details will be perfect. Make sure you have a great company for your lighting hire, PA and dance floor hire so you can concentrate on having the autumn wedding of your dreams.

Monitor Lighting are experienced, trustworthy and will work with you to create the perfect atmosphere for your beautiful autumn wedding. Contact us at Monitor Lighting today to discuss your autumn wedding.

Plan Your Space

First thing’s first; assemble your guest list! This will give you an indication of how large your party space needs to be. This is applicable to indoor parties and outdoor ones too. As well as this, make sure to arrange enough spacing for your guests; nothing spoils a party like cars being ticketed for blocking the street or other people’s driveways.

Decorate the Party Location

No matter what size your party, you don’t want everyone clustered in one spot or spend the party encouraging people to move around. The solution? Seating, food and drink to create locations that guests will naturally gravitate to, and decorate the venue.

Once you have sorted the seating and various zones, decoration is key. This can be anything from elegant banners, bunting, balloons, and centrepieces to stage hire for your outdoor party. You should also consider getting uplights to illuminate the party venue when the sun goes down.

Make Sure the Menu is Taken Care of

This is one of the most important aspects of a party, as your guests will most likely want food and drink. If the party is small, then you could do the prep work yourself, or with the help of family and friends, but if the party is larger than anticipated, then you could consider hiring a caterer for the occasion.

Another thing to consider when planning on providing food to your guests is that you need to consider the dietary requirements of your guests. One of the worst things that you could do is provide some food, such as meat sandwiches, but then realise some of your guests are actually vegetarian.

To combat this, provide information for your guests discussing what foods they can and can’t eat, create a menu that is specifically tailored to their needs, and be accommodating. If you are an accommodating host, that will be the thing that your guests will remember more than anything.

Parties are a great way to entertain your family and friends during times of celebration, or if you just want to have some fun after a hard week’s work. At Monitor Lighting, we are able to provide lighting and stage hire if you want to spruce up your party and truly make it the perfect autumn party. If you would like to know more information, get in touch today on 01206 820212 and we will be more than happy to help with any enquiries you may have.

Light helps to set the mood, enhancing the mysterious and frightening aura of Halloween, when the veil between the dead and the living is most fragile.

The Traditional Pumpkin

Whether you’re a fan of carving pumpkins or you prefer to buy a plastic one, Jack O’Lanterns have been a Halloween tradition for many decades now.  If you love carving them, getting a spooky template will help you get accurate designs. With the appropriate tools, you can carve the simplest to the most intricate design, ensuring that your home reflects the scary feeling of the season.

If you’re concerned with using a real candle, you can buy battery powered candles to light the inside of your Jack O’Lantern. It’ll provide you with the same spooky glow, but give you peace of mind that your home won’t accidently catch fire.

Scary Silhouettes

Easy to do, silhouettes give your windows an extra spine-chilling vibe. All you need is strong, black paper and a creative idea. If you need extra inspiration, you can get a terrifying image template from the internet. Whether you want to draw a zombie or a menacing murdered wielding a knife, all you need to do is trace around the image and cut it out.

Tape the silhouette to your window and add a white sheet behind it. The final step? Add a light behind it and you have the perfect light up decoration to scare your neighbours. Don’t forget to use a battery powered light instead of a real candle!

The Right Atmosphere

If you’re planning a Halloween party, you will need different types of lighting to create the right ambience. You can tape cut-outs of bats, spiders, and other creepy-crawlies to the inside of your lamps and change the lightbulb colours for an unsettling atmosphere.

If you want to add a bit more mystery to the night, fairy lights transform your ceiling and transport your guests into a magical realm. They surely won’t forget the sparkling lights above their heads as they enjoy their Halloween night.

Scary Garden

The outside of your home is just as important to decorate as the inside, and you can create a truly creepy atmosphere. Save empty paper towel tubes and choose where you want to place them. All you need to do is cut eye shapes on them. Vary the designs to have the feeling of many terrifying beings in your garden!

Place a battery powered light inside the paper towel tubes and tape them together to make sure they don’t move. Light them up at night and you’re ready to frighten your loved ones!

Light Up Letters

For that extra special touch to your Halloween night, there’s nothing like light up letters for a memorable event! With a wide range of letters available, you can easily form any word you need – and you can add shapes, too! Planning your hair-raising party has never been easier; all you need is a theme and you’re about to have the best Halloween party possible!

If you want an extra bit of help to add a magical touch to Halloween, here at Monitor Lighting we provide lighting hire in Sussex. Just get in touch with our team by giving us a call on 07950 729708. Our friendly team is always happy to answer any query you might have!

Alternatively, you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter to see our latest news and updates.

At Monitor Lighting, we know how important it is to have the best party with the best features, from uplighters to stage hire, which is why we can provide some of the best themes for end of summer or autumn parties.

Autumn Harvest

This type of party is a great way to decorate your house, garden, or conservatory with whatever you want. Use autumnal colours to cover any tables, chairs, and other furniture you may have. If you want to display your organisation skills, then you can have excellent lighting features that portray the autumnal theme.

Autumn Equinox Party

On 22^nd September, the Autumn Equinox will be upon us. It’s one of the four most special days in the solar calendar, as it is the day where there are equal amounts of day and night. It is also a time in some cultures, where you should make a fresh start; forget about any bad or unfortunate things that have happened during the year and look forward to all of the good things that will happen.

If you are into parties, this is a fantastic way to celebrate with your family and friends with a stage and beautiful lights. A great example would be to have a band playing and fairy lights surrounding the garden.

Halloween Inspired Party

Halloween is one of the most celebrated holidays in the year – possibly even on par with the celebration of Easter and Christmas. It’s a time where people get to dress up, go trick or treating, and have lots of fun. Because of all of these aspects, a Halloween inspired party is a perfect accompaniment to months of celebrations.

Guy Fawkes Inspired Party

It may seem a bit unusual, given the fact that Guy Fawkes night is less than two months away, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get some fireworks or have a nice camp fire outside. A great example of a Guy Fawkes inspired party is if you were to hire a band and have your family and friends celebrating with you.

All of these party ideas will be a great way to show off your creative side, as well as a way to celebrate any occasion with your family and friends. If you have the perfect idea for an end of summer or autumn party and you want to make it a reality, then Monitor Lighting have the expertise and knowledge to make that come true.

Make sure to contact us on 01206 820212 and we will be able to help you out with any enquiries you may have. Also, to keep up to date with the latest news and updates, make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

If you would like to speak to us in further detail about any of the lighting solutions that we have available, please do not hesitate to contact us. Just give us a call on 07950 729708 and we will be more than happy to help.

Use Uplighting

If you’re opting for an indoor reception, consider uplighting. It’ll not only give a cosy, intimate feel to your room, but it’ll also drench your walls in a beautiful orange colour, echoing the tones of the leaves outside. If you’re keen to match your lighting colour to your exact colour scheme, you could always opt for shades in the colour (or colours) of your choice too.

Opt for Fairy Lights

Fairy lights offer a magical glow to any wedding, and the possibilities are endless. Use to drape across tables, among the branches of trees or hanging in outdoor gazebos and other structures for a truly beautiful feel.

Consider Candles

If you’re worried about tables catching fire, you can always opt for electrical or LED versions of the real thing instead – or choose floating candles in high vases. Flickering candlelight immediately sets the mood to romantic, and candles combined with autumnal coloured centrepieces give a great seasonal vibe to any wedding.

Create an Indoor or Outdoor Canopy

If your venue has a wooden beamed ceiling, or if you have the space outdoors, consider creating a canopy of lights: they’ll give your whole venue a truly inviting glow and keep the area well lit, even late into the evening.

Suspend Lanterns from the Ceiling

Pretty glass lanterns can be filled with candles and suspended from the ceiling – either at the same height or at different heights. They make an instant impact, and the theme can even be carried through to any outdoor areas as the sun goes down.

Great event lighting should be dramatic and make the right impact – and wedding lighting is no different. If you’re looking to make your autumn wedding truly shine, contact us to find out how

Wedding lanterns provide the most magical mood lighting. As friends and family begin to unwind and enjoy the celebrations, wedding lanterns dotted around your venue can diffuse soft pools of light to create a romantic and elegant setting, which is the perfect way to round off a special day.

A Top Choice for Newlyweds

A couple’s big day is often many months, if not years, in the planning, with everything from writing the vows down to the table decorations and favours for guests carefully thought through. Lighting is one of the biggest things you have to consider when decorating your reception venue, as the effect lighting can have on mood and atmosphere is well documented.

Wedding lanterns are an increasingly popular choice among newlyweds, because they help cultivate that beautiful, romantic feel which is ideal for helping guests relax once the more serious side of the day is over. Particularly when combined with a fairy light canopy, wedding lanterns form a stunning, memorable visual display and the ideal backdrop for those final professional photos.

Adding a Glow to the Aftershow

If you’ve seen photographs of wedding lanterns and feel inspired to use them at your own wedding reception, finding a source of high quality lanterns to hire and decorate your venue with is the next step.

Whether you’re decorating a wedding marquee, your local village hall or even hanging them from the trees in your own back garden, wedding lanterns are a simple, stylish way to add much-needed sparkle to the wedding aftershow.

With some of the most elegant wedding lanterns to be found anywhere, Monitor Lighting serve the whole of the county of Essex and can provide all the lanterns you’ll need to help create that stunning display of illuminations. For more information or to arrange your own lantern hire, please get in touch, and let us help you brighten your big day.

However, when deciding what would be the best theme you may find yourself completely clueless. There are so many different people in your company that it might seem impossible to please them all!

1. Be Creative

Never underestimate the surprise factor! Because it is summer, it might seem very tempting to go for the usual picnic style but, really, how many times have people seen that already? Instead, try to come up with some awesome theme that will make the party unique. Don’t do all the thinking on your own but share your ideas – or even better, organise a brainstorm – with the event planners who are going to help you.

2. What’s on Trend?

Do you want a truly WOW theme? Then check out what’s on trend; what’s the most recent film breaking the box office, or the most favourite series at the moment and so on? By choosing a theme that is everywhere around, you will be making your party relevant and up to date.

3. Colours

Nothing can give more cohesion to your theme than colours, so don’t choose them randomly. For instance, warm colours such as yellow and pink are very summery. Black and white will guarantee you a classy event. Also, consider the colours of your company, perhaps they can be added to the theme! And, when the night starts falling down, project some colour lights to create a unique atmosphere.

4. Food

If you are really struggling to come up with a great theme, why not choose the food first and then pick a theme inspired by it? After all, everyone loves eating! For instance, nachos and guacamole would be perfect for a Mexican party, whereas burgers and pancakes will Americanise your event – you can even try a Japanese theme with sushi: everyone gets to dress up in kimonos and the ladies can wear geisha-inspired make up!

5. Lights

If you want to create a proper atmosphere to suit and enhance your theme, lights are your perfect allies. How you illuminate the space will have an impact on your guests: if the lights are strong they will be more on alert, whereas if they are soft they will tend to relax.

Here at Monitor Lighting we have a wide range of options. You can hire our uplighters – a subtle way of creating an atmosphere – or more noticeable things such as a fairy light canopy and light up letters.

6. Magic Is in the Details

The best way to assure a successful theme is to pay attention to every detail to make sure they are in harmony with it. For instance, you could name each of the tables after something related to the theme – such as locations, characters and so on. Decorations are also great to transport your guests directly to the atmosphere you are after. You don’t need to have lots of them, though, just the essentials that will reinforce your chosen theme.

If you want a team of dedicated technicians who will ensure that the lighting at your corporate summer party is nothing but outstanding, contact our friendly team today and we’ll be pleased to help!

What is an LED?

A light-emitting diode (LED) is a light source that is governed by a semiconductor. When a voltage is applied across the LED, light is emitted from the semiconductor. Because of the physics behind the LED, there are a lot of advantages associated with it compared to other light sources.

What Are The Benefits of LEDs?

The main benefit of using an LED is that they have a greater luminous efficacy than other light sources such as light bulbs. The luminous efficacy is a measure of how well a light source produces visible light. Another benefit of using an LED is that they are relatively small compared to light bulbs and fluorescent lights. This means that multiple LEDs can be arranged to form a grid, which is perfect for LED lighting.

As well as this, LEDs have a relatively long lifespan. This is because there are no components within the LED that can break easily. In a standard light bulb, the filament inside heats up and after a few months or years, it can start to become fragile and even break due to the heat. However, with an LED, this isn’t the case. The light is emitted due to electrical flow rather than heating, meaning that components and the LED itself can last a very long time.

Why Are LEDs Used In Stage Lighting?

Because of the LED’s greater luminous efficacy, they can be used in stage lighting to provide more light with less power compared to traditional light sources. Another benefit of using LEDs in stage lighting is that they produce a lot less infrared light and radiation compared to traditional stage lighting, reducing the amount of heat present on the stage.

Another reason as to why LEDs are used in stage lighting is because LEDs of different colours, such as red, green and blue (RGB), are able to switch between colours very easily, meaning that a lighting engineer is able to switch from a green light to a red light easily and efficiently, without waiting for the new light to heat up and function properly like traditional stage lighting.

LED lighting has a lot of great benefits and is much preferable compared to traditional stage lighting. At Monitor Lighting, we are able to provide high-quality stage lighting for any event you may have, from a wedding reception to a business event. If you would like to know more about the services we offer, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Just give us a call on 01206 820212 and one of our friendly members of staff will be more than happy to help.

Don’t believe us? You may not notice it, but even movies and stage productions put a lot of time and effort into their lighting. This understanding of the importance of lighting is inspirational – and we want you to get inspired, too!

On Screen: Skyfall

There are so many films that have incredible lighting that it was quite hard to whittle our choice down to just one. However, Skyfall is one film which instantly sticks out in our mind when we think of popular films which have an intense understanding of how lighting can affect a scene. If you haven’t seen the film – and if not, you totally should – there will be a few minor spoilers following, so watch out!

This makes the battle feel more intense; you can only see the outlines of the two men as they battle it out. You can tell which character is which simply by the outline, but the lighting really ups the tension – who’s going to be the victor? Is that really Bond getting pushed out of the window? Or is it Patrice?

It really adds to the mystery that surrounds the series, Bond is a secret spy, after all! He also uses the lighting to “disappear” at the end of the scene when he’s spotted! Sneaky Bond!

On Stage: Matilda

Stage productions rely on lighting to create mood and atmosphere. Unlike films which can have their lighting tweaked and edited in post production, the audience is witnessing the play first hand, meaning that lighting has to be spot on to create a mood or fulfil a specific purpose.

The Broadway show Matilda takes lighting to a whole new level. The lighting designers have created and implemented an intense light show to accommodate the emotion, atmosphere and feel that the play requires.

It makes the stage seem much bigger than it is, drawing the audiences attention in and making them forget their surroundings and making them feel an integral part of the story!

Although you may not be putting on a full laser light show, or directing a blockbuster movie, it’s still important to think about the role of your lighting within your event. If you’d like to find out how Monitor Lighting can help wow your crowd with wonderful lighting effects, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today – we’ll be more than happy to help!

Unless living in Scotland, you can’t legally get married outside in the UK unless it’s under somewhere with a fixed roof – marquees do not count. Because of this, a lot of couples choose to do the “legal” part of the wedding in a registry office, leaving them free to celebrate their wedding exactly where and how they want.

Some couples have their ceremony inside and their reception outside. Whether you do this or have the whole thing outside, it’s important that you plan it to perfection.

Prepare for Unpredictable Weather

As we said earlier, the weather in the UK isn’t always the most reliable. Even during the summer, there is still a very good chance that it will rain for a good portion of it. This can be very frustrating when planning an outdoor wedding.

Even if the weather is guaranteeing sunshine the entire day, we urge you to always have a back up option. This could be a marquee or a barn – somewhere that offers shelter and warmth throughout the day. You can then take advantage of both the outside and inside space!

Don’t Forget the Toilets

If you’re planning for your wedding reception to take place outdoors, you will have to consider your toilet options. If it’s taking place in the grounds of a hotel or other venue, you’ll be fine but what about those planning a festival inspired field wedding reception? You can hire portable toilets for your guests (which are a lot nicer than the ones you find at actual festivals). Get separate ones for men and women – the more the better!

Spend Time on the Decorations & Furniture

You want your wedding reception to be as romantic as it would be inside, so it’s essential that you spend time choosing the right decorations and furniture. If you’re having the entire party outside, you’ll need tables and chairs for people to sit down and eat or just take a break from all the dancing.

Decorating an outside venue is the exciting part – you can take advantage of all the natural beauty around you! Flowers are still as important as ever – pop colourful plant pots around your outdoor space!

Choose Magical Outdoor Lighting  

The lighting is probably THE most important part of making sure that your outdoor wedding is perfect! It’s going to go dark and unlike if inside, you can’t just automatically switch on the big light. This is your opportunity to transform your outdoor venue into a magical wonderland with your lighting choices.

Wedding lanterns are by far the most popular choice by couples who come to us for wedding lighting. Installed by our expert lighting technicians, your guests will be amazed by the breathtaking image of them as they light up the dark night time sky. Hanging lanterns can be teamed with fairy light canopies that add a twinkling and sparkly fairytale atmosphere to your venue.

Contact Monitor Lighting today to find out more about our outdoor wedding lighting options. We have lots of fantastic options available to add that magical touch to your special day.

Just give us a call on 07950 729708 and we will be more than happy to help.

1. Save the Date

Summer is that time of the year when most of the employees decide to take holidays, especially because of the good weather and children being out of school. So, if you don’t want to be alone at your work summer party – and having to drink all the Champagne by yourself – decide on the date early in the year so people can accommodate their plans around it!

2. Budget

Everybody knows it: money is important. If the price of the venue is high then you may decide you don’t need aerial artists to pour the drinks… Sit down, think about the numbers, and this will definitely narrow down your choices.

4. Venue

It’s summer, so don’t even consider an indoor option! Buildings can be especially suffocating at this time of the year, plus everyone will be happy to have a change of setting. If you’re worried about the rain (everyone knows it will rain at some point, to be honest) there are lots of creative solutions. For instance, you could distribute branded umbrellas at the beginning of the event. Or you could have a canopy or marquee where everyone can run into in the case of a summer storm. Don’t forget to lighten up the inside with beautiful fairy lights!

Also, as the day advances and the light fades, the temperature will naturally decrease. You don’t want people freezing just when the boss is going to give his talk to the staff! A good idea is to bring heaters outside and even blankets.

Finally, to set the mood, why not have the name of your company in light up letters? This is an original way to branding the event and creating an atmosphere when the sun is gone.

5. Menu

Catering for an array of dietary restrictions can be challenging, and making sure that everyone can tuck into some delicious grub is important for any event. Fresh food is your best friend, since heat can spoil dishes that contain things such as cream and sauces.

We suggest you go to your local market and select seasonal veggies and fruits. It will be cheap plus this is the kind of food everyone craves during summer. Make sure to have plenty of water and fresh drinks too!

Of course, if you’re planning a large scale event, hiring a caterer may be the most sensible option.

6. Entertainment

As the day advances, you want to keep everyone entertained. There are multiple options such as a magician for that unique ‘wow moment’, or a band that can play old favourites that everyone will love. More adventurous things include acrobats and stilt walkers. And, if you want everyone to enjoy the show, we can make sure that the stage lighting is perfect for the artists.

7. Gifts

Finally, you want people to keep the best memory of the work summer party – in the end, these kind of events are held to celebrate the spirit of the company and make everyone feel that they are part of a big family. Photo booths are a popular and fun choice, and you can also have goodie bags to share with everyone at the end of the night.

Here at Monitor Lighting we pride ourselves on being experts in setting the lighting and PA systems for corporate events. Contact our friendly team at any time and we’ll be delighted to help you organise this memorable occasion!

But what about the other half of the year? Well, here’s a few ideas, as well as some tips on how you can start planning early for an amazing corporate party.

Halloween (31^st October)

Halloween’s not just about scaring others – even though that is part of the fun! You can organise a fun fancy dress party for the company and include your employees’ families. People enjoy dressing up and Halloween has a unique, mysterious vibe that will provide an extra dose of fun to the night as everyone dances away the evil spirits of Halloween.

The important thing about a Halloween corporate party is that everyone feels involved and like they helped make the night fun. Part of the success is everyone’s well thought out costumes and finding who everyone is supposed to be. Decorating the venue with themed embellishments will add to the environment, alongside with music, food, and drink with a touch of horror.

Bonfire Night (5^th November)

Remember, remember, the fifth of November…in your calendar! A bonfire night party is a perfect, relaxed environment for team bonding. It will help newer hires feel like they belong and know who everyone they work with is. And who doesn’t love fireworks? An open space with picnic areas is the ideal location for a bit of a rest eating toffee apples and enjoying the smell of burned wood filling your nose while watching the fireworks show.

Christmas (25^th December)

A Christmas corporate party can be very versatile. Whether you enjoy a more formal party or a casual, fun-filled day, you are sure to have a successful event where the entire company gets to know each other and their families.

This time of the year is perfect to show everyone how you appreciate how much they’ve worked throughout the year and start the new one the best possible way. And you can’t forget about the traditional lights to adorn the venue and give it a real Christmas glow!

A fixed calendar of events is always useful for amazing ideas for a corporate party. They shouldn’t, however, limit your creativity! Here at Monitor Lighting we provide stage hire in Essex among other services like light up letters and stage lights that are sure to elevate your corporate party to a whole new fun level!

Get in touch by giving us a call on 07950 729708 or 01206 820212 to find out more about how we can help make your event stress-free. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up-to-date with our news.

A tent or marquee is the perfect outdoor venue; it’s light and airy for a sunny day and protects your guests in the case of rain. The question is: how exactly do you illuminate a tent for a summer party?

LED String Lighting

The best way to make your marquee look elegant without too much fuss is with some delicate LED string lighting. These look amazing hanging in the canopy of your space, they are subtle and don’t create a glaring light which may be too bright in the summer. The magical atmosphere that these lights can create is also a priceless commodity.

Bottle Lights

If you want to create a unique atmosphere then bottle lighting may be the option for you. This is a unique style, whilst also creating a comfortable environment that feels more rustic and in tune with its outdoor venue. A more unusual lighting choice is also a great talking point for your guests to enjoy!

Lantern Globes

Chinese lanterns are a beautiful aesthetic; they are an amazing way to light up the night sky in a flock of lanterns. Lighting that imitates this style has become very popular over recent years. They have become a style asset in many homes, but they would also make an amazing lighting option for a tent environment. It can infuse your party with the friendly mood you want to promote.

Table Lights

LED sticks are a perfect choice for a fun and interesting table light. They can be moved, laid out in interesting designs and even be a nice takeaway souvenir for the night if your guests wish. Teacup lights are also another option for this. Classic table lighting can be found, of course, in the candle. Candles come with an additional fire hazard and so should not be used in overabundance. Lighting that won’t burn the tent down is always preferable.

Here at Monitor Lighting we want to make sure that it is an event that you and your guests will remember. If you have any questions regarding your lighting needs don’t hesitate to contact us on 01206 820212. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Vimeo and YouTube for all of our latest news and updates.

Where Are You Holding the Party?

First things first. Do you want your work party to be held indoors or outdoors? Because it’s summer, you should definitely take advantage of the beautiful weather and head outside – if you’re worried about a change in weather, there are plenty of options you can consider, such as marquees, which can keep everyone dry in case of a sudden downpour!

There’s another benefit to holding a summer work party outside instead of indoors: your employees will feel much more at ease, as it’s easier to feel like you’re at work if you’re inside a building, comparing to being surrounded by nature.

What Mood do You Want to Set?

Decorating your venue is essential if you want to create a memorable event! The right decorations can create the perfect atmosphere and ensure that everyone has fun, and this includes picking out the lighting. If you’re holding the party outdoors and need to decorate a huge marquee or hang a few lights in trees, there’s always something to meet your needs.

A fairy light canopy can provide a more intimate setting, while a star cloth is perfect as a background for a live band! Lighting can set the perfect mood, from romantic and warm to energetic and vibrant, so you can use it to accentuate your decorations and create the perfect space for your guests. If you choose to hold the party indoors, the same applies. There are many lighting options out there, and you just need to choose the one that best suits you.

What Entertainment Should You Choose?

A great way to ensure that your guests have the time of their lives is by providing entertainment. The possibilities are infinite. You can host a day of fun games everyone can participate in, have a live band liven up the party, hire a magician, hire a dance floor and watch your employees loosen up and show off their dance moves… No matter what you choose, the important thing is that the party’s entertainment is fun and memorable.

You can create an unforgettable summer work party by asking yourself all of these questions! Carefully planning and organising this event will no doubt make your employees happy, and show how much you appreciate the work that they do every single day. At Monitor Lighting we want to help you create the perfect party, so feel free to get in touch with us and we’ll provide you with everything you need!

Lighting can have a huge impact on the atmosphere of your big day. It can influence the overall feel and look of your wedding. Whether it’s used to enhance a certain feature or just simple bring a room together; it can help create that romantic atmosphere that you’re looking for.

The Different Stages of a Wedding

A lot of weddings have three distinct parts; the ceremony, the wedding breakfast and the evening reception. It’s essential that you look at these as being separate events, as you will want your lighting choices to reflect each part of the day.

The Ceremony

Creating perfect lighting for the ceremony is really important for a number of reasons. Firstly, it will help make it easier for your photographer to take the best photos. Lighting plays a huge part in getting them all important pictures spot on. Secondly, you want your lighting choices to reflect the romantic feel of your wedding. You want to create a warm and magical atmosphere.

The lighting at the point of the day is often minimal, as this often takes place earlier in the day, so you have a lot of natural light.

The Wedding Breakfast

The wedding breakfast is the part of the wedding in which everyone comes together to eat and listen to the speeches. This takes place several hours before the evening reception; very often between 1-3pm.

Lighting for this part of the wedding should be subtle; everything else will come later on. A lot of people choose to use uplighting during this stage of the day. Uplighting allows you to colour the venue so it matches your colour scheme. It can be as discreet as you like and can then be changed for the wedding reception to look completely different.

We also think that wedding lanterns are a fantastic addition to any wedding, but especially those taking place in a marquee or barn venue. They provide a rustic look that adds a soft and delicate glow – perfect for when people are eating their meal!

Candles are also an affordable way to add a warm glow to the tables during the wedding breakfast. You can be as creative as you like; use the candles to create a fantastic centrepiece.

The Evening Reception

The evening reception is when the party really starts. For a lot of weddings, it means more guests arrive in the evening. This is when the first dance is carried out and the cake cutting takes place. This is the perfect opportunity to WOW your guests with your lighting choices.

To add a disco vibe to your wedding reception, we suggest hiring a LED dance floor. Available in different colours and designs, you can find the one that fits your venue perfectly.

If you have opted for a wedding band or singer for your reception, you can make them the focus by lighting up the stage with high quality lighting. You can choose something as simple as a cloth backdrop or a full lighting rig.

If you would like to learn more about the lighting options that we offer here at Monitor Lighting, please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can give us a call on 07950 729708 and we will be more than happy to answer any questions that you have.

Do you want your guests to be talking about your wedding for years to come? Of course you do! Grab yourself a cup of tea and spend some time looking at our pick of fantastic and fun wedding reception ideas.

Opt for Food with a Difference

When you think of a wedding reception, you think of a sit down three or four course meal. Whilst this formal type of meal is a time honoured part of a wedding, we love the idea of doing something a little different.

Some people are now opting to hire food trucks for their wedding, giving their guests a unique experience. You can hire different types, depending on your requirements. Our favourite idea is hiring a pizza food truck; everyone can choose their own toppings!

Other ideas include having a live chef station where people can see what is being cooked – this is a fun way to get people talking at this part of the wedding.

Choose a Memorable Guest Book

A guest book is traditionally a paper based book that is signed by the guests. They usually write congratulation messages and well wishes for the future. These days, people are being a lot more creative with them. There are lots of different ideas to choose from but here are some of our favourites.

• Pebbles – Everyone writes a short and sweet message onto a pebble. These can be kept as decoration in your house.
• Postcards – Ask your guests to write their congratulations onto a postcard. You can then hang these up for everyone to read.
• A Globe – We just think that this looks amazing. Instead of signing a book, you ask your guests to write their messages on a globe. It can have pride of place in your house afterwards.

Your guests will be Wowed at the effort that you have put into creating something different and memorable.

Create a Magical Atmosphere with Lights

Lighting up your wedding reception is something that needs careful thought and planning – you don’t want any old lights! The lights you choose will act as a part of the wedding decor – so you should think carefully about it beforehand. The right type of lighting can make everything look so much better!

Here at Monitor Lighting, we provide lots of different lighting options that are perfect for weddings. These include:

• Fairy light canopy – Fairy lights are perfect for adding that magical touch to your venue. They will give your wedding a fairytale feel that your guests will be enchanted by.
• Light up letters – Light up letters have recently become very popular in weddings. They can add sparkle to your wedding and leave your guests amazed. You can choose from a number of letter, shape and number combinations.
• Star Cloth – This lighting option is fantastic for weddings. It helps to set the romantic mood of the wedding and is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on your guests.
• Wedding Lanterns – Amaze your guests with our breathtaking wedding lanterns. They provide a unique and beautiful backdrop for all those special wedding photos.

These are just some of the options that we have available.

To find out more about the wedding lighting options that we have here at Monitor Lighting, please contact us today on 07950 729708 and we will be more than happy to help you out.

There are ways you can make a business event exciting for your customers and for them to see how your company cares about them. Business events are always good opportunities for marketing your products and your company, and they will leave your customers seeing you in a positive light.

Networking

Networking events are beneficial for your business; you can direct them at your customers so that they can meet who works in your company. They can also meet other like-minded people with interests in the same industry. It’s also a great time to find out what your customers would love from your company and to know ifthey are happy with your services and products.

Inviting prospective partners and investors to a networking event will help your business expand and you might be able to make strong, important connections. You can choose a fun or a serious environment, depending on the approach that you are going for.

Introducing a New Product

Big events are always an eye-catcher, and introducing a new product can be exciting and get your customers talking. People enjoy interacting with products and seeing how they work before buying them, and an interactive event does just that.

You can set up displays to show how your product works, have samples for your customers to try, and see how customers receive your product first hand. The instant feedback will be extremely important!

Just For Fun

If you don’t have a product coming out, but you feel like your employees have worked very hard and deserve a break, you can always plan a business event just for fun. It’s the perfect excuse to get out of the office and relax!

You can invite your customers to your event and have them see your company and its employees interact. A relaxed environment with music and dancingwill create a good vibe for your company; if your business is family-oriented, thinking of the little ones and providing activities for families will make your customers appreciate you.

If you want to plan a business event and add a touch of magic and creativity to impress your customers, we provide a wide range of affordable internal and external lighting, stage, and PA equipment hire. You can contact us on 07950 729708 to speak to our friendly team, or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

1. Know your target audience. This is the most important factor because it decides everything else. Maybe this is an internal event to celebrate the company’s achievements; in that case, everyone will know each other, so friendliness should be the norm and less formal things are allowed. On the other hand, if the event is to launch a new project to your clients or to gain more investors, perhaps you prefer to organise something classic to assure success.

2. Schedule wisely. You might think any date that suits you and the organisers of the event is good, but you should check that it’s not too close to bank holidays. Avoiding popular vacation times is also reasonable. Besides, consider other events your target audience may be interested in attending so you don’t put yours on the same day!

3. Control the budget. Let’s be realistic about this, because money is not infinite. Before organising anything you need to sit down with your accountants to go through every cost from the catering to the venue, the lights, the sound… Always put an extra 10% on your budget because surprises will happen – so you’d better be prepared!

4. Market your event! If you don’t spread the word around no one will know about your incredible event. Make sure the marketing department at your company is working on this. Social media is also very useful to reach more people in case you’re looking for potential customers and investors.

5. Branding. Everything should reflect the brand of your company, but nothing is more boring than putting your logo on everything. Instead, try to be more creative, using the colours of your brand in the decoration and ensuring that the style of the event outlines the values of your company.

6. Choose the right venue. Firstly, how many people are attending? Nothing would be more awkward than not having enough space to accommodate everyone – or having booked a massive conference room for just a dozen people! Once you are sure about this, you can pick a venue that will make your audience feel comfortable. Hotels and conference centres are classical choices. More adventurous audiences will enjoy things like cruises. And if the event is for your company’s employees, what about a resort where everyone can enjoy a well-deserved rest?

7. Catering. And last but not least… food! This is what is going to make everyone happy. You don’t want to bring just a few cookies if the event lasts all day, or mix sushi with red wine for dinner. A buffet is ideal if you want to be able to discuss business and network easily, whilst a plated meal can be a better choice to enjoy with your company or sponsors. In any case, it’s a good idea to distribute food throughout the event – first starters, then a main dish, a late dessert – so no one feels hungry and miserable!

If you want to make sure your event shines make sure you also have the right lighting to create exactly the atmosphere you want. We have uplighters that will make your event classy and create an occasion that your audience won’t forget. And to make sure nobody misses the boss’s big speech, you can also contract our PA services. Contact us today to discuss your expectations and we’re confident your event will end up a great success!

We believe that good planning is the key to the success of any party. This is especially true when it comes to corporate events – you can never be too organised. If you’re the (un)lucky individual who has been tasked with making sure that all of these corporate parties go off smoothly, it’s more important than ever to be organised.

Here are some very important yearly events that bring about the perfect opportunity for a corporate party!

New Year’s Party (January)

We’re not talking about NYE, as most people already make plans for this night months in advance with their loved ones. We think the beginning of the New Year (in the first few weeks of January) brings about a perfect opportunity to plan an intimate corporate party. This should be a small gathering just for employees. It’s a good way for people to catch up after the Christmas break, as well as a good way to get them excited and geared up for the 12 months to come.

Valentine’s Day (14^th February)

Valentine’s Day brings about the perfect excuse to organise a classy corporate ball! Guests should be encouraged to bring along their special someone for a romantic and entertaining event. It’s a good way for people to introduce their partners to the men and women that they work with, as well as a reason to get all dressed up on the most romantic day of the year! And if you’re single, it’s a good way to mix with people that you probably wouldn’t otherwise. We suggest hiring some romantic fairy lights - perfect for dressing the venue and setting the mood.

Easter Fun Day (March/April)

Easter is the time of the year in which you can organise events that are perfect for people of all ages. Do you have a lot of colleagues who have young families? Whilst they may feel excluded from some of the evening events throughout the year, Easter gives you the perfect opportunity to get them involved. A corporate event doesn’t have to mean drinking and dancing, why don’t you plan an Easter fun day out? Everyone can bring their families along! By planning lots of fun activities throughout the day and providing lots of chocolate, you’ll certainly be a favourite in the office.

Summer BBQ (August)

The longer (and brighter) days in summer offer you another opportunity to host a corporate day event – perfect for people to bring along their family! Keep your eye on the weather forecast when planning your summer bash, as you don’t want bad weather to ruin the event! Big summer corporate events often seen companies hire out stages and put on live bands, put on food stalls and other activities – like a huge festival but for the day! It can be a casual or dressy as you like – casual summer clothes are usually a hit!

Keep checking back as we will be exploring even more important events for your corporate party planning calendar! Until then, if you’re looking for outstanding event lighting, please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can give us a call on 07950 729708 and we will be happy to discuss your requirements.

In order to host the perfect event, you’ll need to make sure that the mood you are setting is the right one. If your guests feel uncomfortable or the right level of professionalism – if that’s what you are wanting to go for – isn’t achieved, you could end up with an empty function rather than a busy one!

Want to get that mood perfect right from the start? Here’s our professional advice!

Is the Location Right?

Location, location, location. We’ve heard it all before, but it really is true that where you host your event can have a huge impact on the success, as well as setting the mood and atmosphere for your whole event.

Let’s face it, if you are holding a prestigious business event with some of your biggest clients in attendance, you are going to want to impress them. In this case, you will want to look for a grand building that oozes class and professionalism; don’t settle for the church hall if it doesn’t create the right atmosphere!

Choose the Perfect Lighting

Did you know that you can change the mood of a setting simply by adjusting the lighting? You can go from sultry, professional atmosphere to party central in an instant, simply by adapting the way your venue it lit!

Lighting is essential for creating the right atmosphere as well as giving your guests a way to see what is in front of their faces. Whether it’s a feature enhancing uplight or a star cloth backdrop on the stage, the way you light your event will really affect the mood and atmosphere that your venue is creating.

For a more professional look, why not highlight some of the architecture in your venue using uplights? It’s an effortless look which gives off an air of class and style – and what’s more, the mood can be changed and customised with the simple addition of a colour filter!

Don’t Forget About Music

Even the most professional of events can benefit from the inclusion of music; not only does it give some background noise to avoid any awkward silences, but it also helps keep the atmosphere calm and relevant to the event.

Try to choose music that isn’t too in your face or loud -  you want the music to complement the atmosphere, not dominate it. Calming, classical tunes are a great choice for background music, with more upbeat snippets for more important parts of the evening, such as awards ceremonies.

If your business has a jingle, then it’s a great opportunity to make it an earworm and get your guests humming along!

Atmosphere and mood doesn’t have to solely come from the people attending the event; in fact, it’s better if you can give your guests a hint as to what kind of event they are coming into by setting the mood before the event has properly started!

If you feel like you could use the help of our effective lighting solutions to set the perfect mood at your business event, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us today by calling 07950 729708 – we’ll be happy to help you!

A summer event is new and refreshing, and it gives your employees a memory for a lifetime; good weather puts anyone in a good mood!

Building Teamwork

A company picnic, for example, gets everyone together under the sun and helps your employees get to know each other. The informal location is great for starting conversations and loosening up any possible nerves and stress; after all, picnic food is very relaxed, and the environment reflects it.

The good thing about a summer event is that it invites casual clothing; every employee, no matter their position in the company, will dress according to the warm weather. It helps to level the playing field, and it might change any views and opinions your employees could have had about each other once they start talking!

Improving Morale

Having a casual and fun day in the sun is the perfect time for your employees to take a much needed break. You’ll show them you appreciate how hard they work, and it will boost their energy so that they can keep working at their best.

Your employees will appreciate the hard work you put into organising them an exciting day and music and activities are a great way to keep spirits up. Keep your employees dancing with each other and with their families; involving loved ones in the party is always a great way of allowing your employees some valuable extra time with their family.

Everyone Benefits!

A corporate event isn’t just for employees; your partners and investors will also be grateful for a day out of the office. A company that engages everyone shows caring, and you want your partners to know you care about their happiness.

Everyone will have a chance of talking and having fun together, so your partners and investors will get to know the faces of your employees and learn more about who they are. It will make them more comfortable with doing business with your company. And you can even take advantage of having the whole company gathered together to introduce new products, and let them know all about what’s going on.

If you need to hire any of our event services to help you plan the next big summer event in your company, contact us on 07950 729708. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter to let us know all about your event, and to keep up to date with our news.

Often your biggest concern can be whether your friends and family are enjoying themselves and having a good time. As such it might be an idea, when you’re planning your wedding, to hire a little bit of entertainment to keep your guests occupied until you get chance to speak to them.

There are several forms of entertainment you can invest in, and a lot of them depend on what kind of atmosphere you want to inspire at your wedding. For example, if you’re lucky enough to have a spot of good weather on your side, then entertainment that would be well fitted to the outdoors might be something to think about. However, if you’re planning something for the evening, then you might consider something that can be enjoyed while guests are sat at their tables.

Magician

Everybody loves a bit of magic, no matter how old you are. A popular entertainment choice for weddings is to have a magician circulating the venue, perhaps whilst guests are sat down at their tables so that everybody has a chance to see the different tricks.

It’s a fun and simple idea, as it’s a subtle way of entertaining guests, and is a good way to break up the meal in between socialising – and it gives them something to talk about afterwards too!

Kid’s Entertainment

Even though the kids are bound to enjoy the tricks of the magician, you may need to have something that they can engage with a little more. If you have a lot of guests who are going to bring their children, then it might be an idea to hire a face painter or a balloon modeller for the afternoon, or have a separate kid’s entertainer to keep them amused to give the adults time to socialise.

Having a separate kid’s playlist would also be a good idea to have so that they can have some fun on the dance floor, or if you decide to invest in stage hire, you could schedule a time spot for your kids entertainer.

Circus Performers

This one might depend on the theme of your wedding, but if you’re having your wedding outdoors or in a large event tent, then this would give you plenty of space for entertainers like jugglers, fire performers, or mimes! This way people can watch their routine at their leisure, with no need to stop proceedings. Having circus performers would definitely be a more alternative choice for your wedding party, but one that would undoubtedly impress your guests!

Table Games

Table games are a great way to get people involved in the evening. Stand up, sit down is a game that’s easy to organise and only requires someone to read out a list of statements, or quiz questions that people have to respond to, and depending on their answer they either have to stay standing or sit down. The last one standing out of the entire room is announced the winner!

These are just a few ideas you may want to consider whilst you’re preparing other things for your party, like food, music and lighting which are all essential to throwing a memorable reception! From lanterns to fairy lights, we can provide all kinds of lighting to illuminate your venue, so don’t hesitate to get in touch at 07950 729708 for any enquiries about our services. Otherwise you can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus!

A big party needs much more thought putting into it to create the perfect atmosphere and ambience, which is why there are a few factors to consider tweaking so they’re tailored to the type of event you’re trying to host.

Food

Depending on your venue and how your function room is set out, you can either have a formal sit down meal with dressed tables, or a buffet which automatically sets a more informal tone to your party.

A more formal event might call for a three course meal with traditional recipes on the menu, however if you’re planning an event in the afternoon, then perhaps an afternoon tea-style menu would be more suited! An afternoon tea is still reasonably formal, but the small finger food such as delicate sandwiches and cakes suggest a more relaxed atmosphere.

Lighting

Lighting can do a lot to set the mood in a room, as low lighting suggests a more intimate setting which would be ideal for a wedding or a prom. Having low, glowing lights from lanterns or a fairy light canopy would give a room the perfect finish and would be suited to an evening do where you can really appreciate the romantic lighting.

However, you can create a completely different setting with stage lighting and uplighters which will create the perfect party room! This type of lighting can look extremely impressive and will leave guests astounded and feeling like there’s a concert taking place at your party.

Music

Music is important at a party – it provides a pleasant backing to break up the din of chattering guests, and can be turned up a notch at the pinnacle moment of your party. Again, it’s vital to choose genres that are fitting to your event, as well making the decision to either have a DJ playing popular tracks, or a live band or singer as your musical entertainment.

A charity ball, for example, might call for a live jazz band to suit the ages of all the guests in attendance, whereas singers with instrumental accompaniment covering tracks in the charts might be better for younger guests.

At Monitor Lighting, we’re experts in helping you set the right theme for your event, and can provide various kinds of lighting to illuminate your night. If you have any enquiries about our services, then feel free to get in touch today at 07950 729708, otherwise you can find us on Twitter, Google Plus and Facebook.

If you’re considering light up letters hire in Essex as a viable option for your wedding but aren’t sure how best to place or use them, here are a few of our suggestions on how to make your big day look spectacular!

Signposting Different Areas

Giant light up letters are great for numerous reasons, but when you break it down to the size and aesthetics it helps you to decide on which element you want to focus on at your own wedding.

For instance, having giant light up letters are a sure way to draw attention to a certain area, so you can use them as signposts to direct your guests to where they need or want to go. A place that many guests will be searching for once the meal and speeches are over is the bar, so direct them with arrows or ‘BAR’.

Using Your Initials

A beautiful way to personalise your special day is by using you and your other half’s initials side-by-side. Not only does it show that you’ve put thought into how you’ve decorated your wedding reception, it also makes a great backdrop for some gorgeous photographs of the bride, groom and guests!

Creating Romance

A wedding is a day that is filled with love and well-wishes for the future, so why not spell it out? Having ‘MR & MRS’ or ‘LOVE’ in light-up letters is a sure way to create the desired atmosphere at your reception.

Make Sure That You’re the Star of the Day

It’s not just letters that you can choose from; there are also stars and hearts that you can dot around your venue. Having shapes rather than letters allows a bit more flexibility with where you want to place them since you can spread them around the venue more.

Something Else

If you already have an original idea for how you’d like to light up your big day, we can also create custom built, one off items to make sure that your wedding is precisely how you want it to be.

So if you’re looking to add a bit of sparkle to your big day, look no further than Monitor Lighting for your light up letters and shapes. For more information about these or any of our other lighting ranges that are available for hire, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling 07950 729 708.

You can also keep up to date with our latest news by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!

The soundtracks for the most popular wedding themed films are full of romantic classics that may make the cut for the dance floor, or even for your first dance! Here’s a run-down of our favourite getting hitched-flicks with their most iconic tracks.

Love Actually

Even though the movie only features the one wedding at the beginning of the movie, Love Actually has captured the hearts of many since its release in 2003. ‘All You Need Is Love’ was originally sung by The Beatles, but was covered by a choir and band as Keira Knightley and Chiwetel Ejiofor made their exit down the aisle.

The classic Beatles anthem, ‘All You Need Is Love’, is known worldwide and even if you can’t pull off a full-band rendition inside the church, then it would still make for a perfect choice to play on the dance floor for everyone to get up and join in with.

Four Weddings and a Funeral

‘Love Is All Around’ by Wet, Wet, Wet is technically played in Love Actually, except with a Christmas ‘twist’, but it also features in another classic Hugh Grant movie, Four Weddings and a Funeral.

But the song that really signifies the ‘happily ever after’ theme of the romantic ‘dramedy’ is played in the end credits. ‘Chapel of Love’ provides the backing as images flash up on screen showing the loved up futures of the main characters.

My Best Friend’s Wedding

Originally sung by Dionne Warwick, ‘I Say a Little Prayer’ features in My Best Friend’s Wedding when most of the main cast give a comedic rendition of the song with Rupert Everett as lead singer.  The song is also played at the end of the movie at the wedding party to create a touching moment between Jules (Julia Roberts) and George (Everett).

The uplifting track would be a great addition to your playlist to inspire a sing-along amongst your friends and family, perhaps during dinner like in the movie, or on the dance floor!

Also used in My Best Friend’s Wedding, ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ was lent by Julia Robert’s character to the newly wedded couple until they found their own song, but it also plays in Father of the Bride movie soundtrack.

This is the perfect track to introduce a slow dance, and is a popular choice for couples for their first dance as husband and wife.

Father of the Bride

This romantic comedy has plenty of songs to choose from in its soundtrack. ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ is covered by Steve Tyrell at the end of the movie when the fun and festivities are over, but also features songs such as ‘(Today I met) The Boy I’m Gonna Marry’ by Darlene Love as well as ‘My Girl’ by The Temptations.

During the latter, the movie shows a tender moment between George (Steve Martin) and Annie Banks (Kimberly Williams) on the basketball court, and could easily make for the ideal Father/Daughter dance at your wedding.

The film itself focuses on the relationship between characters played by Martin and Williams, so really any song from the Father of the Bride soundtrack could be picked for this heart-warming moment.

Wedding films make for the best inspiration when picking songs for your playlist, from the most classic tunes to novelty tracks in the more modern movies. But to make sure you highlight these moments properly, Monitor Lighting provides lighting hire for all kinds of events to help you create the perfect atmosphere as well as sound system hire in Essex to really bring your songs to life. For more information about our services, be sure to contact us at 07950 729708, otherwise you can find us on Google Plus.

Photo Booth

Photo booths are fun, novelty items to have at a party as it’s something that everyone can take part in if they want to. As they are hired for the entire night, guests can come and go as they please, having pictures taken with friends without having a designated time set aside for photos to be taken.

With instant image development, guests have a souvenir to take home with them at the end of the night, and they can have as many as they want! A good idea to make their photos special is to have a selection of props by the booth – these can be things like signs, silly hats and novelty glasses, or if you want you can make them themed to your event.

Caricaturist  

Hiring an artist to draw guest’s portraits is a way to give people a giggle during your party. Of course attendees can choose whether or not to have a drawing done, and those that do can keep it at the end of the night.

Having a caricaturist to approach everybody’s tables is a great way to get people talking and is a good way to break the ice if guests sitting together haven’t been introduced.

Goodie Bags

These don’t have to be particularly extravagant or expensive, but are a thoughtful way for guests to remember your special day, especially if you’re throwing a party to celebrate your wedding. You can include sweets, small customised gifts, party poppers and other novelty items for your friends and family to take home.

Games with Prizes

Introducing different games, whether they’re games that people can do at the table or on the dance floor, and having prizes for winning teams gets people to socialise as well as giving them an incentive to get involved.

Whether you provide small prizes for the victors or a round of drinks from the bar, they’ll still have something to take home, even if it’s a self-inflicted headache the next day.

To get your guests talking about your party weeks later and with souvenirs they can treasure, why not hire a few party extras to make it a hit? Party extras help create the atmosphere, but lighting plays a huge part too. You can’t draw portraits in the dark, and people will be too self conscious to get up and play dance-floor games if it’s too bright! With Monitor Lighting’s lighting hire in Essex, we can help illuminate your event to your requirements. To enquire about our services feel free to contact us at 07950 729708, otherwise visit our Twitter and Facebook pages for more information.

The festive period offers plenty of opportunity for celebrating – and what better way than throwing an amazing NYE party? We’re just a few weeks away from bringing in the New Year – so it’s time to get planning if you want to make your party a success!

We’ve put together a party planning guide to help take the stress out of planning – all you need to worry about is having a fantastic evening!

Choose a Venue First  

The first rule of any party planning is to decide where it’s going to take place. Choosing where to host the party often depends on the size and scale of the party. Do you want an intimate occasion with just close friends? If so – we would suggest doing it within your home. Is it a massive occasion in which lots of people will be invited? Then you definitely will be looking for an external venue. You will want to get this booked ASAP – places will be filling up quickly.

Plan Entertainment

So you’ve sorted a venue – what’s next? You obviously don’t want a room full of bored looking people – you need to provide some kind of entertainment! Depending on how much you want to spend, you should start arranging the entertainment as soon as possible. For larger parties, a DJ is always a brilliant idea; they will be more than willing to play all your Christmas classics. If you’re looking for something a little different, how about a live band?

Why not hire out a dance floor? Here at Monitor Lighting, we specialise in LED dance floor. These dance floors will liven up any party – guaranteed!

Lighting

Lighting is a brilliant way to keep all your guests in a festive and party mood. We believe that good lighting can actually set the atmosphere of the night – so it’s definitely worth putting some thought into it!

We love LED uplighters – you can have some that strobe and pulse to the music, or choose the ones that actually change colour randomly throughout the evening. These are really good for getting your guests into the party mood!

We also suggest using fairy lights – they add a festive and magical finish to any venue.

Whether you’re looking for lighting, dance floor hire or PA hire in Essex – we have you covered. From huge outdoor events to small functions – we cater for every type of occasion. Just contact us on 07950 729708 and a member of our team will be happy to help you out.

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest Monitor Lighting news!

Here at Monitor Lighting, we love hearing about Christmas proposals and as providers of uplighting hire in Essex, we can’t wait to get stuck in with all the resulting weddings- providing magical lighting solutions for your venue.

But how can you find that perfect venue? If you want to be super organised and start looking sooner rather than later, here are our venue choosing tips!

Think About Practicality

Although somewhere tropical and warm might seem tempting- especially at this time of year- you need to think about how practical it will be for all your wedding party to get to.

Think about the preparation that they will need to do to get to your wedding, is it practical for everyone you want to be there?

Visiting Is Important

Although you may have found the perfect venue online, but it is extremely important to go and look at the venue first hand.

The camera is known to lie, and you never know what state the venue is in. Who knows, those pictures may have been from years ago when the venue had been refurbished. You need to make sure you know what you are paying for, so schedule a visit and check it out for yourself before putting down a deposit.

Will It Fit Your Theme?

You’ve probably already got an idea for the theme of you r wedding, but you need to make sure that the venue you have your eye on matches your expectations of that theme.

It is much easier to look for a venue when you have an idea already in mind, and search for a setting based on the requirements of that theme. You may want a classy, traditional themed wedding, so it wouldn’t make sense to book an ultra modern venue.

Even if you haven’t yet thought about decorations, you may find yourself imagining the venue on your wedding day. If you do this and like what you’re thinking- bingo! You’ve probably found your perfect venue!

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

You will be spending quite a lot of your wedding budget on your venue, so it’s important that you are completely sure that it is what you want.

As the saying goes – “there’s no such thing as a stupid question”, so be sure to ask the venue provider anything that you may need to know. The more you ask, the more you will find out and the more at ease you will be, knowing that the venue is perfect for the most important day of your life.

Once you have found the perfect venue, you can start thinking more about the aesthetics of the venue. Would it benefit from a little something extra? Would you like it to be a little bit more illuminated and intimately lit? That’s where we come in!

For more information on our event lighting service, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team here at Monitor lighting by calling us on 0845 094 1162. Be sure to check us out on Google+, Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo and YouTube!

As beautiful and fairy like as these lanterns are, our wedding lanterns are just as magical and they come with a couple of perks Chinese Lanterns can’t offer you.

There’s No Risk of Fire

Chinese Lanterns are like mini hot air balloons. The small flame at their centre lifts them up into the air where the air currents carry them out of your sight. Unfortunately sometimes the lanterns don’t extinguish themselves before they land in an unsuspecting field and along a hedgerows.

Wedding Lanterns, however, are lit from within with the power of our friendly electricity. Not only does this allow us to control when they’re turned on and off, but they also pose no risk of fire to the environment.

No Risk of Harm to Livestock

As beautiful as Chinese Lanterns are, there’s no guarantee they’ll land in a bin a few miles from your venue. Most of the time they find their ways into gardens and fields full with curious, hungry livestock. This imposes a great danger to animals through ingesting the lanterns.

Wedding lanterns are secured in place via their hangings preventing them from flying off anywhere.

You Can Appreciate Them All Day

Wedding Lanterns are the perfect accessory for a magical atmosphere all day long. A stunning, fairy-tale decoration for any venue or wedding reception, our wedding lanterns are powered by electricity, meaning you don’t need to watch their light diminish throughout your celebration, and they’re firmly secured in place via wires, allowing your first, second or even third dance to take place under their soft light.

Here at Monitor Lighting, we want to make your day a memorable one, we can supply you with glittering lighting, sturdy stages and a quality pa hire in Essex. Contact us on 0845 094 1162 to find out more or, for the latest news and updates, follow us on Google+, Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo, YouTube,

Don’t fret! As leading lighting experts and providers of illuminated dance floor hire in Essex, we have all the lighting techniques covered. Here are some lighting industry secrets that will help you find that perfect lighting solution!

News Readers Are Perfectly Lit

Have you ever noticed how flawless news anchors seem to be on your TV screen? Believe it or not, the reason that they look so perfect is thank to the lighting that is used.

Using a soft, even light, lighting experts create the illusion of flawless skin and coupled with a darker, dimly lit background, your focus is drawn to the news anchor rather than what is going on behind them. Cool, huh?

Artists Also Use Lighting Techniques

The light that artists use within their studio can greatly affect how other lighting will make the painting look. Different lights will make all the difference when it comes to exhibiting their art, as certain aspects may be enhanced or dulled down for the person viewing the piece.

For example, incandescent lighting can really make the red and yellows in a piece of art stand out, whereas halogen lit areas can enhance the white tones. Fluorescent lights can also greatly distort the colour.

Photographers Use Lighting to Their Advantage

We’re guessing you already know this one, but great photographers know how to get the best shots by altering the lighting to make their subject fit the look and feel of the photographs that are required.

For example, a photographer may use soft, natural-looking light for wedding photos to make the couple look natural and flawless, but may make use of shadows and more dramatic lighting for a more grungy, striking shoot.

Although photographers can edit the lighting conditions in post-production when editing the images, but it is helpful to get the lighting right initially so that your photographer doesn’t need to do any additional, unnecessary editing.

Theatre and Film

Lighting is incredibly important in film and more so in theatre for creating and enhancing atmospheres in different scenes.

Much like in photography, lighting is key in depicting the subject in the scene in a particular way, and even the colour of the lighting can dramatically change the way that viewers will perceive how the character is feeling or acting.

As you can see, lighting is important in many different industries and should be one of the first aspects of your event that you plan. Make sure that you are choosing the right lighting option for the mood and atmosphere that you want to create for your event.

If you are looking for the perfect lighting solution, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Monitor Lighting. From beautiful up lighting options to funky dance floors, we have all your lighting needs covered.

Call us today on 07950 729708 and a member of our team will be happy to help you with your enquiries. Be sure to also hop on over to our Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube and Vimeo pages to keep up to date with all our news and events!

Amongst the calendar celebrations and birthday parties there are many reasons why having a party is a great idea.

Get Your Creativity Flowing

Planning a party is a great way to get your creative side up and into the middle of the excitement. There’s so much you can do, so many themes, decorations and music to plan and organise that throwing a party is the one true way you can turn into the host/hostess with the most/mostess!

It’s the Perfect Excuse to Dance the Night Away!

Ever felt the need to get up and boogie with your friends and family? Perhaps your favourite band has just released their brand new album or maybe you’re over the moon that records have started to hit the musical shelves again? Throwing a party is a great way to gather those you want to enjoy your music with and dance until you can’t dance no more!

You Get to Have Fun with Your Friends and Family!

The fundamental point of a party is to celebrate with people you love and care about. It’s the perfect setting to form friendships, to catch up on the goss, and to have a generally good time. Put on your dancing shoes and hit the dance floor underneath bright lights and a catchy beat. Who knows, you may find that your acquaintances turn into lifelong friends!

It’s Something to Look Forward To

Throwing a party is a great way to break up your everyday mundane activities. No longer are you simply working 9-5 and returning home for the evening, now you have something to look forward to at the end of the working week!

A party can help you take your mind off of your busy life and give you a chance to relax, dress up and enjoy the company of friends. After a busy week, you might need it!

Because You Can

There are many reasons why you could throw a party, and many different party themes. From the smallest reason such as your favourite TV show starting back up, to the biggest milestone in your life, such as your wedding or your birthday, at the end of the day, you don’t need a solid reason to throw a party. Simply party, because you can!

If you want to add that little extra flare to your celebrations, why not invest in affordable stage lighting hire in Essex? or maybe you’d prefer to deck out your venue with amazing light up letters! Whatever you decide on, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today on 07950 729708 and we’ll help you find the best lighting for your party!

If you’d like to keep up to date with the latest celebration ideas, don’t forget to follow us on Google+, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Vimeo!

It’s also the perfect time to have a wedding. Whether you want a full on Christmas themed blowout, or you just want a winter wonderland intimate affair, there are plenty of cool ideas that you can incorporate.

Are you considering a winter wedding? Let us provide you with some inspiration…

Get Creative With Your Wedding Dress

Winter weddings are the perfect chance to step away from the traditional style dress and experiment with something new. The weather is going to be chilly outside but you don’t want to miss out on the important outdoor wedding photographs. Instead of shivering away throughout the whole photograph session, why not add something warm to your outfit selection? Faux fur wraps and capes are set to be extremely popular during this year’s winter wedding period – they look amazing in the photos!

Don’t forget your footwear! Swap the traditional heels for something more winter appropriate. Winter boots can be hidden by your wedding dress or they can add a creative touch to your photos.

If you don’t want to do anything dramatic, we suggest choosing a dress with sleeves. This keeps you warmer whilst remaining elegant and traditional.

Look After Your Guests When They Arrive

Most guests are offered a glass of wine and cold canapés when they arrive at a wedding. We think winter weddings are the perfect chance to honour this tradition but adding your own wintery twist.  Instead of handing out wine or Prosecco to your guests, why not offer them mulled wine instead? Nothing says winter and Christmas like the taste of a hot mulled wine.

You can also change up the selection of canapés too, offering them hot food straight from the oven. This will warm them up and let them know that you have considered their needs.

Use Lighting To Your Advantage

A lot of couples desperately wish for snow for their winter wonderland wedding, but unfortunately it rarely snows here in the UK. Those who still want snow to play a part in their wedding decor need to start looking for different ways to achieve this.

Star cloths can make it seem like your room is full of glistening snow, adding a beautiful touch to your wedding reception. We also suggest the use of fairy lights – you can add them throughout your wedding venue. Enchanting fairy lights can add a magical touch to your wedding, making it look like the stars are shining throughout your evening ceremony.

Think About Winter Decorations

When it comes to winter decorations, there is plenty for you to choose from. If you want to be simple, you can easily choose things that are wintery coloured – think whites and silvers, or red and green for Christmas themed.

Other ways to set the mood for winter includes using scented candles as table decorations, candy canes as wedding favours, as well as snowflakes and pine cones.

Monitor Lighting specialise in brilliant and high quality wedding lighting hire in Essex. We have the perfect lighting solution for your winter themed wedding, helping you put the finishing touches to your special day.

For more information on our wedding lighting services, please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can give us a call on 07950 729708 and a member of our team will be happy to help you out.

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest news and information

In our previous blog we spoke about the typical dancing we see on a daily wedding basis, the Cha-Cha Slide, the Macarena, the robot… In recent years, it seems, the wedding world has combined these fabulous dance moves with a performance you’ll never forget. Ladies and gentlemen, we present you with modern day traditions.

A Twist to your First Dance

At a wedding it’s tradition for the bride and groom to open the dance floor with their first husband and wife dance. With your couple’s song playing a lulling, romantic tune in the background, traditional ballroom dancing is how the bride and groom are expected to start of the reception celebrations.

Except recently, this opening dance has transformed itself into an energetic, comic and completely original first dance. Showing off their individual moves the bride and groom, opening the floor to laughter and showing off their individual personalities.

Even the father and daughter dance, the traditional passage signifying the father passing his little girl on to her new life with her husband has taken a modern twist as of lately. The key in all of this? To show the world there’s more to their personalities than traditional slow dancing.

We have to say, this is a pretty cool twist.

Show Off Your Skills with Your Bridesmaids and Groomsmen!

Every now and then you’ll attend a wedding where the bridesmaids and groomsmen decide they’re going to send off their beloved hen and stag in the best way they can, with an amazing dance for the other half (and all of the guests to laugh at).

So while the bridesmaids take to the stage with their combination of the latest pop songs to imitate, the groomsmen take to the floor to show off their dance skills.
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For lighting hire in Essex, contact us today on 07950 729708, or, if you’d like to stay up to date with what’s happening in the world of event lighting, be sure to like and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+ and Vimeo!

And as providers of wedding lighting hire in Essex, we appreciate a good old dance routine as much as anyone else, but because everyone has their own moves and bogeys in their own way, how do we know which ones are the best. Well, as goes with our territory, we’ve been to a wedding or two so we can act as an authority on the subject here.

The Macarena

Yes this Spanish dance song is absolute classic; and it’s perfect for getting everyone involved and doing a routine that’s pretty simplistic! While we know there was recent news about the song’s meaning, schools around the country have been playing this song at their discos for years, and that feeling of nostalgia is a nice addition to any wedding. So, get everyone up, keep the tempo up, and prepare for someone to jump the wrong way on ‘Aye’.

The Cha-Cha

Another one for the group! The Cha-cha is a little easier than the Macarena as all you need to do is follow the instructions that are spoken to you. Of course, the most fun that comes from this dance is all the different interpretations when you’re told to ‘cha-cha real smooth’- some people dance on the spot, some people shake their hips, some even make the dance floor theirs and just go wild.

The Robot

If you’re the kind of dancer that likes to show off, there’s no better move than the robot. We don’t know what it is about this move that gets everyone opening up the dance floor for more, but we do know that all eyes will be on you. This one looks good and it can take some skill to pull off so expect to get a lot of applause once your routine is finished.

The Worm

Another one to impress all those around you. If you can manage to make this one look smooth, then you deserve all the attention you get! Of course, it can look a bit weird if you don’t know how to do it properly, but just go with it! Weddings are about fun and making memories, and a poorly performed worm can make someone’s night so either way, you’re in for a win!

These are just a few of our favourite dances moves, but in all honesty, there is no bad dance move for a wedding. As long as you’re having fun and so is everyone else, nothing else matters.

When it comes to your wedding and its dance floor, we know that everything needs to be perfect. If you want to find out more about the services we provide, contact us on 0845 094 1162 today!

Throwing a party is always fun and exciting. It’s not all about hanging streamers from the ceilings and covering tables with delicate dolly cloths and glitter however, being able to create the perfect atmosphere to captivate your guests is important, so is the entertainment. So before you jump head long into your party planning, before you run to your ipods to create a rocking party playlist; here are a couple of things to consider.

How Many People Are Coming?

Knowing your numbers is a sure fire way for you to make sure there’s plenty for everybody. The last thing you want is to book an awesome venue only to find it’s not big enough to fit all of your guests in comfortably.

You also don’t want to under or over prepare for your party if there’s only  a smattering of people attending. Is a huge town hall really necessary for ten people? Is the upstairs of your local pub really big enough for your entire family, friends and friends of friends?

At the end of the day, with your out-of-this-world entertainment and a night of dancing, you’re going to want to make sure everybody has a seat.

What Entertainment Do You Want?

It’s one thing putting all of your friends and family in one room, it’s another thing keeping them entertained. Whether you’re looking to have a live band play or dancers perform, think about how you’re going to present your entertainment.

Keeping everything at floor level may work in some venues but, more likely than not, a stage will be needed to place your entertainment at easy eye level for everybody to see. We specialise in supplying stages, lighting and even bands to help you make your evening amazing!

What Decorations Do You Want?

We know it’s the people that matter, but if you really want to help your guests get into the party mood, your decorations will speak volumes.

Whether you chose to adorn your venue in robust balloons, flowing streamers, glittering confetti or magical lighting, your colour schemes will help to set your party heads and tails above the rest!

Your deserve the best party possibly and thinking of the little things can help make that happen. If you’re looking to rent staging in Essex, or for more information on how we can help you make the best out of your party, contact us on 0845 094 1162 today!

Winter Wonderland

We might still officially be in summer, but autumn is just a couple of weeks away, and in no time, winter will be upon us again. So it’s as good a time as any to start thinking about your winter wonderland wedding!

THE ESSENTIALS: Think about using plenty of glitter and fake snow and maybe even pine cones in the centrepieces. You could even serve mulled wine instead of champagne to make sure your guests keep warm during the celebrations. For the colour palette, deep red, silver, white and dark green are perfect!

THE LIGHTING: For that look of glistening snow, our star cloths are perfect. Not only do they fit in with the theme, but they also add that extra touch of elegance.

Party Time

For some couples, the wedding day has to be a party! There’s nothing better than bringing all your loved ones together and having a night to remember.

THE ESSENTIALS: This theme is all about the entertainment, so you want to make sure that you’ve got plenty going on. Set up activities for children – the adults are sure to join in with any party games!

THE LIGHTING: As well as plenty of fun lighting options such as uplighters and light up letters, a light up dance floor is an absolute must, and here at Monitor Lighting, you can also rent staging in Essex and the surrounding areas, so you can really make it a party!

Rustic Chic

The rustic look is a particularly popular wedding theme at the moment, so there’s plenty to take inspiration from. This is a great theme for an outdoors wedding and offers the freedom of that DIY element.

THE ESSENTIALS: The key with a rustic wedding is the natural details, so chopped logs, mason jars and wildflowers make great decorations for this theme. Think green, yellow and cream for the colour palette.

THE LIGHTING: Our lanterns are ideal for a rustic wedding, giving a soft glow to your venue as well as fitting in perfectly.

Whatever theme you choose for your wedding, here at Monitor Lighting, we have the perfect lighting options to tie everything together. So, whether you are planning a DIY rustic wedding or a glamorous winter affair, get in touch with us for truly magical lighting! Just give us a call on 0845 094 1162 to speak to a member of our team today.

In order to get your guests into the party mood, there are a few things that you can consider to create a really fun wedding reception. As providers of event lighting solutions such as our popular uplighting hire in Essex, we definitely know a thing or two about event preparation.

Here are our 3 tips on how to put on fun wedding receptions that will really get your guests talking!

First Dance Surprise

It’s the moment everyone at your wedding reception has been waiting for, so it’s a given that all eyes will be on you during your first dance together.

This gives you the perfect opportunity to surprise your guests by changing up the format that your traditional first dance would usually take.

You could start off with a beautiful, traditional tune that everyone will “aww” at… and then snap into an a more upbeat, lively tune with some perfected choreography that you have practised before the big day. Your guests won’t know what has hit them when you start swinging your partner around during an amazing Latin number!

Keep Your Toasts Short

You may have many people that you want to thank on your big day, and that is completely understandable.

However, rather than toasting every man and his dog who helped you get to this particular moment in your life, try to keep any toasts short and sweet to avoid people beginning to get bored.

Try to ask people in advance to keep their speeches under two minutes so that all the important people who need to be mentioned are, and to keep those long, hilarious stories from the past for another get together such as a pre-wedding dinner or later on during the night.

Plan for the Kids

Whoa there… we aren’t saying start planning your life around kids! Weddings can be an incredibly boring even for younger children, especially those who don’t really understand what is going on.

What we do know is that most kids love to party, so your wedding reception needs to cater for them as well as your adult wedding guests. Play a few songs that the kids can get involved with, such as the Macarena… you can teach the new generation the dance routine!

You can also set aside an area that the kids can go and play together (supervised of course) giving those children who may not want to be in a disco atmosphere somewhere to go and enjoy themselves.

Weddings should be filled with fun from start to finish, including your wedding reception. Part of the fun comes from creating the perfect atmosphere with decoration and lighting of your venue.

If you are looking for an attractive lighting solution that creates a vibrant, exciting atmosphere, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Monitor Lighting. We have a wide range of lighting solutions to suit all requirements and venues, so call our team on 07950 729 708 and we will be more than happy to help you find the perfect lighting for your event.

Whether you look for inspiration on Pinterest, in wedding magazines or by watching MTV shows about millionaire birthday parties, there are a few things that add that extra dimension to any event that will set it apart from the rest.

Lighting

A lot of people will make do with the lighting provided by a venue, but adding your own spark will create a much more forgiving filter in photographs and take you from day to night.

Here at monitor lighting, we offer light up letters hire in Essex that will not only add a piece of decor, but provide soft lighting around your party to create ambience. Whether you want to choose from our already extensive range, or have bespoke ones custom built for your event, they are guaranteed to add a beautiful unique feature to your party.

Also consider using fairy lights or lanterns for those final touches that will create a stunning atmosphere for your venue.

Entertainment

Don’t just hire a DJ and think that’s your entertainment covered for the night. Think about the details, such as whether you’re going to include an LED light-up dance floor. Providing an obvious space for your guests to dance is guaranteed to make any party memorable!

Include other activities for your guests to partake in as well. Photo booths are an increasingly popular way for your guests to enjoy themselves. Kit it out with some props and frames for them to pose with and they will have the time of their life. Print them out on Polaroid and you’ll have some beautiful keepsakes to remember your big night.

Food

Making sure your guests are well-fed and watered is crucial for them to enjoy themselves. Don’t just think about having a main meal, but have some sweet treats everyone can help themselves to throughout the night.

Everyone loves a good chocolate fountain to dip fruit and marshmallows in, so make sure you add one to your set up. It will look fantastic and keep your guests tummies happy!

Here at Monitor Lighting, we have the perfect selection of products to add memorable details to any event. Contact us on 07950 729 708 and a member of our friendly team will be happy to help!

Here is our guide how to make your event look stunning on film.

Soft Lighting

Having multiple light sources around a room will prevent glare from overhead lights and create a stunning setup in person and on your pictures!

Fairy lights are the obvious choice for a fairytale wedding but consider venturing into other areas as well. Our uplighting hire in Essex would create the perfect ambience for any marquee or hall. You can pick a colour to fit the theme of your surroundings or change it up throughout the night. To take your party into the evening, the LED uplighters can be set to pulse in time with the music – perfect for creating an array of backdrops in your album of photos.

If you have a photographer, be sure to let them know about your lighting arrangements so that they can tailor their services to your set up. For those going it alone, be brave with your pictures and try and experiment. For instance, you could create silhouettes by having your subjects stand in front of a light source.

Decorations

Having an eye for detail when it comes to decor will allow your photographer to take multiple close-up photos and create an elegant backdrop. Whether you’re a thrifty bride planning on making bunting or a birthday boy who wants a bit of bling on all the tables, make sure there’s always something to look at!

If you’re taking the pictures yourself, experiment with angles and the distance between your camera and a piece of decor. Most cameras come with autofocus and are a lifesaver when taking snaps of centre pieces or other items in extreme close-ups.

Just be sure to have a running theme as it will bring everything together.

Action Shots

Don’t just stick to the staged photos on your big day, try and throw some action shots into the mix!

Whether it’s people partying on the dance floor or catching your bouquet, try and get pictures of people actually doing things. It’ll trigger a lot more memories when looking back through them, as well as allow for a wider range of photos than just people saying cheese.

Here at Monitor Lighting, we have the perfect range of products to help you create the best possible pictures at your event. Contact us on 07950 729 708 and a member of our experienced team will be happy to help.

Whilst it’s important to have a wedding reception that stands out from the crowd and shows off your individuality, there are also a few staple features that we believe every wedding reception should include. These are key elements that guarantee that your wedding reception will be a brilliant event.

Want to know what these are? Read on!

Venue Decor

The decor of your wedding reception is extremely important, no matter where you are holding it. It’s the first thing that guests notice when they arrive, and you want them to be saying nothing but positive things about it. Your decor should either match your theme, or remain elegant and classy. We suggest hiring a professional to ensure that your ideas are executed in the best possible way, as their experience will make sure that your venue looks amazing.

Music

The music that you will be playing throughout the evening is important, as it’s what will keep your guests entertained. This is especially important for those who don’t have any other entertainment planned. You want music that is relaxing to begin with and then upbeat as the evening goes on and people start moving more. Hiring a DJ is a good idea as they will be able to be play songs from the past and present – depending on tastes of your wedding guests. We also love the idea of hiring a band – you can’t beat live music!

Lighting

A well decorated venue also needs brilliant lighting. We think that lighting is one of the most important things to consider, and getting the lighting right is crucial for your wedding reception being a success. Not only can it make any venue look amazing, lighting is also good to use in any kind of space. We like the idea of using lighting to draw your guests’ attention to certain features – framing an area to make it stand out. As a company who specialises in wedding lighting hire in Essex, we know that lighting can make or break an event.

Food

This is probably the most obvious, as a meal is usually a staple part of a wedding reception. Everyone loves food right? It’s likely that your guests will be hungry after your wedding ceremony, so food is always a brilliant idea. It’s also a good way for people to relax and talk before the evening events take place. A lot of people opt for a three course sit down meal, but this isn’t always the case. You can choose whatever kind of food you want for your wedding, with some people choosing buffets, banquets, BBQs or even hog roasts.

Photographer

You’ve probably spent a lot of time and money on this wedding, so you want to have photos and videos that capture every brilliant moment. This is why a photographer is a must have for your wedding reception, as they will be able to capture every memorable moment as they happen. A photographer who starts the morning with you and ends the evening with you is a fantastic idea – as they get pictures of everything!

We hope that this has made your wedding planning a little easier, and that it has pushed you in the right direction. Whilst we wish we could help you with all your planning, we can help you choose high quality lighting. Here at Monitor Lighting, we specialise in creative lighting options for any event. No matter what your preference is, our lighting technicians will be able to help you choose something that suits your individual taste.

For more information on our services, please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can give us a call on 07950 729708 and a member of our experienced team will be happy to help.

Without a doubt, lighting is one of the most important features to consider. More and more people are looking into creatively lighting their event venues, especially as the advances in technology are allowing lighting specialists like ourselves to produce more attractive, creative lighting options.

So why is lighting so important? Let’s take a look, shall we?

It Sets the Mood of the Room

The lighting of your event will determine how your guests will feel when they enter the venue, as well as affecting the decorations and the overall colour of the room.

Lighting can make even the most boring of rooms look spectacular; bringing in colour and interesting visual cues for your guests to look at.

As we have already mentioned in a previous blog, the colour of lighting can determine the mood that you feel, so make sure that you are projecting an appropriate atmosphere into your room with your lighting options.

It Benefits the Photographs and Videos of your Event

Not only will you have a great experience at your event thanks to the lighting options that you have used, you will also have some amazing photographs and videos from the event to act as a reminder.

Great lighting makes for great photos, so make sure that you inform your photographers and videographers of your lighting arrangements so that they can tailor their services to your specific set up.

Long gone are the days of simple lighting at weddings, why not inject some colour into your wedding of event  venue to give it some unique character. This will make your event stand out from all the others that have been held there, making it look like a completely different place!

Suits Any Venue

No matter if you have a large venue to deal with or a small room, there will be a lighting solution for you. From spotlights to fairy lights, lanterns to colourful dancefloors; there is a lighting option for every venue and taste.

There are different lighting options available depending on what you want to achieve with your lighting, as well as looking at the natural light that the venue already has. If you are looking to create the perfect ambience, your lighting technician will be able to tailor your lighting solution to your venue and it’s natural light to help you create the perfect atmosphere.

It Can Set the Focus

If you have a certain area of your event that you want your guests to pay particular attention to, lighting is the perfect way to draw their gaze.

Without being too intrusive, lighting can frame an area or object and make it stand out. This could also extend to the projection or images or logos onto a surface. Having an illuminated version rather than a simple banner will grab your guest’s attention.

Overall, the entire composition of how your lighting is set up will affect how your guests react at your event. Making sure that you strike the right tone and atmosphere is incredibly important, and lighting solutions are the perfect way to guide the guests  feelings and emotions while they attend your event.

Are you looking to host a breathtaking event that your guests wont forget in a hurry? Here at Monitor Lighting, we have a wide range of creative lighting options for your venue. If you are looking for event lighting or dance floor hire in Essex, look no further! No matter what event you are holding, our expert lighting technicians are on hand to make sure you and your guests are wowed by your venue.

From fairy light canopies to light up letters and dancefloors, we have something for every event. For more information, get in touch with our dedicated team today by calling 0845 094 1162 and we will be more than happy to help you.

Harry Potter

Who can knock a Harry Potter themed wedding? There’s so much that you can incorporate into your big day to give it that Hogwarts feel! Why not turn your venue into the Great Hall and use some of our star cloths for that regal yet magical touch. We love the idea of having a ‘potions’ table where guests can brew their own drinks – from Felix Felicis to Polyjuice Potion! You could even give out ‘wands’ as favours for the guests – each one with its own certificate so your guest knows whether they’ve got a phoenix feather or dragon heartstring core!

Now, this television series may not be known for ‘happily ever after’ storylines, and its characters don’t seem to have much luck when it comes to weddings, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t use it as inspiration for your wedding day! Ethereal dresses, outdoor locations and medieval accessories will put the finishing touches onto the wedding fit for a king and queen. Just make sure to get your guests in on the action and invite them to dress up as their favourite Game of Thrones character!

The residents of the Shire sure know how to throw a party, so where better to take inspiration from than J.R.R. Tolkein’s fantasy world of The Lord of the Rings?! The fireworks might not be quite as impressive as those that Merry and Pippin manage to get their hands on, but you could still put on a show for your guests. Whether you opt for a Shire themed day or feel that an Elvish wedding is more your style, a fairy light canopy would be the perfect finishing touch. Oh, and then there’s the ring of course!

There’s one song that seems to be a feature of pretty much every wedding – ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’. So, why not take things that one step further and incorporate it as a whole theme? Obviously, you’ll need brains, heart and courage, but why not turn the aisle into a yellow brick road and decorate your venue with hot air balloons and lanterns? Then you can choose this classic song for your first dance and complete the theme!

Every little girl dreams of having the perfect fairytale wedding, so why not use your favourite stories to inspire your big day? You can pick your favourite fairytale or throw them all together for the ultimate Disney wedding. Whether you choose a Snow White themed event with apple decorations or an Alice in Wonderland theme with ‘drink me’ bottles, the perfect way to tie it all together is with some magical lanterns to light up your venue.

We previously wrote a post on how to plan the perfect party, in which we gave tips on sending invitations, choosing a venue and booking entertainment. We are looking past the basics in this post, and focusing on what you can bring to your party that will make it a extra special and memorable occasion.

Hire a disco dance floor

How many parties have you been to where they have hired out a disco dance floor for the sole purpose of partying throughout the night? Disco dance floors put everyone in the mood to dance, and it’s a brilliant way to get people up on the dance floor. You can hire them in a variety of bright colours – perfect for creating that party atmosphere for you and your guests.

Here at Monitor Lighting, we specialise in dance floor hire in Essex, with a number of different dance floor types for you to choose from. Whether you want a standard design, or a unique starlit one – we have something to suit all individual needs.

Book a live band

Everyone expects a DJ at a party, so why not surprise them and book a live band instead? Whilst we understand why a DJ is a popular choice, we think a band offers something a little more special. Bands are engaging to watch, and it can feel like you are at your own private concert. The interactive aspect of a band is sure to get your guests excited! You can book a band who will take requests from your guests, or who will follow a specific set list that you have given them, or you can simply let the band take control and enjoy what they have to offer!

If funds allow, why not have a band and a DJ? A band can be an exciting change of pace, whilst the DJ can play music late into the night.

Go the extra mile with the lighting

Did you know that lighting can make or break a party? Having good lighting at your event is essential; it can entirely change the atmosphere of any room. Whether you want stage lighting that will keep your guests focused on the action, or you want uplighters that you can match to the theme and colours of your party – it’s always best to hire professional lighting. We guarantee that good lighting will put all your guests in a brilliant mood!

Go small with the food

Whilst everyone loves food, it’s not always best to put on lots of food at a party, or to serve a full meal. People like to drink and dance at a party, and food is often left wasted at the side of the room. We think that it’s a good idea to serve a selection of finger and party foods – easy for your guests to snack on and doesn’t break the bank. This can include; miniature pizza, sandwiches, sausage rolls, cheese sticks and small cakes. This way, your guests can pick and choose what they want to eat and don’t have to worry about finishing a whole meal.

Now that you have some inspiration for creating a wonderful and memorable party, we think you should start planning it as soon as possible!

Do you want to hire out a dance floor for that extra unique touch? Or hire professional lighting to make sure your party stands out from the crowd? Monitor Lighting can help you out.

We are specialists in providing lighting for an extensive range of events, as well as providing high quality dance floor, stage and PA hire. Whatever your needs are, we are sure to have the solution for you.

Please contact us on 07950 729708 for more information.

You’ve finally found a place that has the space, comes at the right price, but is probably the blandest and most boring looking room that you have ever seen.

Before you disregard the place, we have a solution! Read on for our favourite tips on how to turn a boring venue into something brilliant!

Choose high quality lighting

Lighting is probably one of the most significant parts of an event, so it’s important that you get it right. Investing in certain types of lighting will help make your venue look really cool, and take the focus away from places that might not look as good.

Lighting such as LED uplighters are the perfect choice for any event – you can have some that strobe and pulse to the music, or have them change colour throughout the evening. For those who want them for a wedding reception, they can also stick as one static colour – so it can match your theme.

Hire a disco dance floor

What would lighten up a venue better than a fabulous dance floor? Perfect for all events, it’s a guaranteed way to get people up on their feet throughout the evening. It’s a brilliant way to create a focal point in the room, so it takes attention away from a less exciting part of the venue

Here at Monitor Lighting, we specialise in a fantastic selection of dance floor hire in Essex, and a number of other locations. Whether you are looking for a disco style dance floor, a simpler and elegant style or a beautiful starlit effect – we have them all.

Cover the ceiling

Does your boring venue have an equally boring ceiling? Or does it have a ceiling that’s a little bit of an eyesore? If so, why not cover it up? There are several ways you can mask an ugly ceiling and turn it into something that is perfect for your fab event. This will probably only work for venues with a low ceiling, but we suggest running some lights right across which will brighten it up in seconds.

You could also get the ceiling draped – it’s often affordable and doesn’t involve fitting anything to the ceiling and therefore won’t ruin any fittings or features. You will be surprised about how much a little bit of fabric can completely change the look of a venue. Choose a bright colour for an event such as a birthday, or go for the traditional white for a wedding.

Use lots of flowers

Flowers are a brilliant way to transform a boring space into something that looks (and smells!) a lot better. The use of taller plants can help fill up spaces that are unused – who wants to stare into a blank space? Flowers are much more visually attractive! The sky is your limit when choosing what colour flowers – the brighter the better!

Now that you have our handy tips on decorating a boring venue, what are you waiting for? Get that space booked! To hire out a dance floor or special lights for your event, we have you covered!

Monitor lighting is proud to be a leading provider of affordable and high quality event lighting in the UK – providing you with everything you need to make your party or wedding extra special!

To find out more information about the services that we offer, please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can give us a call on 07950 729708 and a member of our team will be happy to help you out.

Muse

Now, if there’s any band that’s known for putting on a show, it’s Muse. These guys really know how to take advantage of every piece of equipment known to bands and they make sure that their fans are left completely in awe after paying the hefty price for a ticket to see them perform. The band has a habit of making sure that at some point during their set they bring up the lights, exposing the faces of everyone in the crowd, which, when at an arena tour or festival, looks pretty impressive!

Let’s take things back to around 40 years ago when glam rock was just about to hit the world, and you’ll find a band you may have heard of – Kiss. Their live shows tend to feature plenty of face paint, metallic platforms, fireworks and a touch of fake (we hope) blood! These veterans of rock still know how to put a show on, and continue to wow audiences year after year. One of their best tools has got to be their use of lights, particularly the notorious Kiss logo that sits proudly behind them, lit up for the crowd to see.

This list wouldn’t be complete without a good old trance group to show everyone how a light show is really done! Above and Beyond know how to treat their fans to a show and they put on quite the display of lights as they blast out their well known and loved tunes. The lights can go from completely down to full laser show within seconds, making sure that the crowd is always kept completely entertained!

While they may be known to some as being a thoroughly uninteresting band, Coldplay are pretty good at making sure that their live shows are anything but! Their use of lighting makes for a great experience as the huge crowds are lit up by wandering spotlights. The video below also displays some fantastic audience participation as the crowd hold up their phones to light up the venue.

You may not have heard of this progressive jam rock band, but think of Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa or early Genesis, and you have the type of sound this band are creating. But the thing that we’re most taken by is their incredible light shows that they put on for every live show. They’ve managed to create something that is almost, if not more captivating than the music that they play with the range of colours, shapes and effects they create in lights.

Dig out your dancing shoes and prepare to show off your moves, it’s time to bring out the dance floor and crank up the music at your event this year!
Looking for a good dance floor to hire in Essex can be tricky; there are so many dance floors you can invest in to spice up your party that you may find your head spinning. The best way to party like it’s 1999, however, is to know exactly what you can get out of your chosen dance floor. Are you trying to spread a little romance amongst your guests or are you wanting to get them up and jumping? The right dance floor can propel your party from the average world of plain wooden dance floors into the best party of the year!

Digital Dance Floors

One particular type of dance floor people love to move over has sensors placed under the panelled flooring. Sounds a little strange? Just wait until you step on them! Sensory dance floors light up where you step, making your dancing experience seem like pure, undiluted magic!

Projection Dance Floors

Projecting images onto a simple wooden dance floor isn’t a new concept. We’ve been projecting swirling lights and patterns onto the dance floor for decades and the broadcasting of TV programmes such as Dancing With The Stars and Come Dance With Me has only made the projection dance floor effect even more popular.

Solid Colour Dance Floors

If you want to liven up your venue, LED dance floor hire in Essex could be just what you need. We stock a range of flooring including LED, chequered black and white, and full on disco coloured dance floors. A coloured flooring doesn’t just offer one of the best atmospheres for a themed party, but for those of you wanting to get into the full party swing, why not transform your coloured dance floor into one big game board, anybody fancy a large scale game of Twister?

Themed Dance Floors

If, however, you would like to take a more relaxed approach to your celebrations, and create a calm, romantic atmosphere, we supply sparkly flooring to add that little bit of magic into your evening. If you want to make it even more spectacular, a fairy light canopy or star cloth can add that extra twinkle into your venue for a truly magical event.

Future of the Dance Floor?

With so many choices of daring, dramatic and delicate dance floors on the market for you to ogle over and try your best dance moves out on, what could possibly be the next step for our favourite event accessory? After all, how can you top disco floors or LED lighting? How can you wow your guests for a fun filled event they’ll never forget?
Here’s an idea for you to mull over: musical dance floors.
There are already musical floor mats in operation; you may have seen them in children’s stores such as the Early Learning Centre. We’re sure you must have seen the musical piano mat before if not, take a look at the video below.

Selecting the precise type of lighting to adopt is paramount to capturing the right vibe for your day,evening and into the night.  Too little light can make the room seem dull or lifeless, and there’s only so much camera flashes can aid in making the memories of the evening appear vibrant in your photo album.  On the other hand, too much light can over-expose all of your hard work and effort and could mean that all of the blood, sweat and literal tears have been shed in vain.  So it pays to get it right.

Gobo Lighting

Like every bride and groom since the dawn of Bridezilla, you will be looking at every little way you can make the event exclusive and unique to you.  Well, why not try Gobo lighting?  Or ‘goes before optic’ lighting, to give it its Sunday name.

This is a form of lighting which utilises a stencil which can be fitted over the particular light source to project any image you desire.  To give you a few ideas, you may like to choose a monogram or the date of your special day, or even select a starry night sky design to decorate and illuminate an otherwise dull wall.

Uplighting

As you may be aware, uplighting is a technique where light is placed low to draw focus. Naturally, on your wedding day, the temptation might be to carry a portable uplight at all times, but try to withstand temptation’s pull, just this one time.

Instead, consider using it to illuminate a focal or centre piece to really display your wedding day planning efforts, or perhaps adopt it to illuminate the red faced speakers during the “I remember when…” speeches.

Uplighting can also be incorporated as accent lighting to create a wash colour in various sections throughout your wedding party.  Maybe you would like to separate different sections of the party, making a more romantic dining area and a fun, vibrant and flashy disco dance floor.

When it comes to the day of your wedding, you’ve already spent incalculable hours on splitting hairs between eggshell and albumen white, so why leave it to chance through poor lighting?  We can help support your colour palette by turning a potentially dull, dimly lit, lifeless venue into that extra fun wedding party attendee you just couldn’t budget for.

It’s all about the vibe.  But that doesn’t mean you should limit it to indoors.

Outdoors

We’re aware that it may be tempting fate a little to assume that the wedding gods will shine on you long enough to grant you an outdoor reception, but let’s assume for a couple of well-intentioned paragraphs that they will (and not just with the help of a stand-by waterproof gazebo).

Paper lanterns (okay, fate-tempting again) can provide a dreamy and playful atmosphere with beautifully romantic and tranquil undertones; a perfect and fitting environment in which to allow your guests to share in your special day.

These lanterns can be incorporated and coupled with string and bistro lights, which are versatile enough to act as a subtle, soft glow over the outdoor seating area or as a bright canopy to illuminate over the heads of the guests enjoying the outdoor ambience.

We’re aware that to bring these ambience and lighting ideas to life may be a little ambitious, but that’s what we’re here for!  Not only can we provide you with ideas, but we would love to make any visions you may have on creating your dream atmosphere a reality.  So please contact us at info@monitorlighting.co.uk for more information on how we can make the best of your big day.

But what theme will work for you? Are you looking for a tried-and-tested, much-loved classic or something fresh and funky? Well, thankfully we’re on hand to help, with a guide to the best themes to make your party go with a bang!

Gangsters and Molls

Everyone loves fancy dress. And one of the most popular fancy dress themes is gangsters and molls. The lads can look dapper in pinstripes and phoney Tommy guns; the ladies aim for elegance, with feather boas and cigarette holders – although if you’re feelin’ frisky, you could always switch this up a bit and go drag. Hey, it’s your party, the choice is yours. The reason a timeless classic like ‘gangsters and molls’ works is because everyone has an idea of what those characters are like, which adds to the roleplay fun.

Lights, Camera, Dance

Going for a Hollywood red carpet theme is a great call if you’re looking to bring some glitz and glamour to your event. What’s great about this theme is that there’s so much iconography you can bring in, from clapperboards and film reels to red carpet entrances and invitations designed to look like cinema tickets. Dress up smart – or as famous actors and actresses – and dance the Hollywood night away. Just don’t go way overboard like some Tinseltown celebs do!

70s Superstar

Hey cat, disco is groovy. If this theme turns you on, that’s because you want a retro night of classic tracks and the opportunity to strut your stuff like you’re John Travolta on the dance-floor.  The 70s disco scene was seriously colourful, so you can really play around with this theme. Don your spangliest outfit, throw rainbow decorations at the wall, and check out our LED dance floor hire in Essex to really bring your party to life, man.

Summer Sunshine

Nothing says ‘party’ like summer – so really go all out with a summery bash that celebrates sun, sea, sand and…sandals? Ok, maybe not sandals. Going for a summer theme is bound to bring the best out of your party. Because no-one’s ever sad in the summer, right? And just like a Hollywood theme, there’s so much you can do with this theme, from picnic hamper buffets to the cheeriest music on the planet. Happy days!

And now you’re ready to get this party started! Our high-quality equipment will definitely help create an event you’ll never forget. Want to know more about how we can help? It’s easy – just contact us and we’ll be delighted to discuss your party needs.

Dr Victoria Revell, a chronobiologist at the University of Surrey argues that “light is critical for our health and wellbeing. Ensuring that we receive adequate light levels at the appropriate time of day benefits our alertness, mood, productivity, sleep patterns and many aspects of our physiology.”

The Blue Lights of Glasgow

In 1999 blue streetlights were installed in Glasgow in order to improve the overall aesthetics but it later emerged that crime in the area dropped as they appeared to have a much calmer effect than surrounding streets with traditional sodium yellow/orange lighting.

An interesting point, and by looking at the colour of lighting the discussion opens up further.

Colour Psychology as Therapy

Artists and interior designers have long understood how colour can dramatically affect moods, feelings, and emotions. Certain colours have been associated with increased blood pressure, increased metabolism, and eyestrain.

Several ancient cultures, including the Egyptians and Chinese, practiced chromotherapy, or the use of colours to heal. Chromotherapy is sometimes referred to as light therapy and is still used today as a holistic or alternative treatment. In this treatment:

• Red was used to stimulate the body and mind and to increase circulation.
• Yellow was thought to stimulate the nerves and purify the body.
• Orange was used to heal the lungs and to increase energy levels.
• Blue was believed to soothe illnesses and treat pain.
• Indigo shades were thought to alleviate skin problems.

If you’re planning an event, it is important that you choose the right lighting to complement the atmosphere and vibe you want to create. Monitor Lighting are industry experts when it comes to event lighting and provide lighting hire across Essex. Anyone can plug in a light but good event lighting should be dramatic and stunning. That’s why all of our lighting services include design, consultation, installation and operation. Contact us today to see what we can do for you.

As leading industry experts in providing lighting and PA equipment for events, we like to believe that we know what’s needed to throw the perfect party. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide to assist you in planning the party of the year!

Choose a Date

The most important detail of planning a party is deciding on what date you want it to take place.

Parties are usually best taking place on the weekend and in the evening, as this is when most people are likely to be available.

Make sure that the guests you really want to attend are available on this date, as once you book a venue it’ll be hard to change.

Choose a Venue

Where do you want the party to take place? This is an important step in planning the perfect party. You need to make sure that your chosen venue can hold the amount of guests that you’re planning to invite.

Also, think of the location. You don’t want to choose somewhere that’s too far out from where most of your guests live, as they might not be able to travel too far. If this isn’t possible, then consider nearby accommodation for those who may want to stay over, or parking for those who wish to drive.

Make a Guest List and Send Out Invitations

Now that you have a venue sorted, you need to decide who you want to invite to the party. We always recommend jotting down a list before sending out invitations, then you can check it twice before writing them – like a party-planning Santa!

Set up an event on Facebook too, as sometimes it’s easier for people to receive their invitations that way.

Book the Entertainment

This is the fun part! Look around at your options and decide what type of entertainment you want at your party. A lot of people hire a DJ, so that people have the chance to request the music they want. Plus, everyone loves dancing!

Speaking of dancing, why not hire out a dance floor? Yes, that’s actually a thing! Here at Monitor Lighting, we specialise in LED dance floor hire in Essex and surrounding areas. These dance floors will liven up any party, giving it a unique disco vibe.

Once your entertainment is sorted, you can concentrate on the easier things, like decorations! Get your friends involved, and make it a fun part of planning.

But the best tip? Have fun! It’s your party, and you shouldn’t let the planning stress you out too much. If you have any questions regarding our LED dance floors, or any other of our event equipment that’ll get your party started, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can contact us, and our awesome team will be delighted to help.

You can’t deny that when it comes to throwing  an awesome summer party, nothing beats the atmosphere of a good old outdoors event, in a very cool location, of course!

So, whether it’s your birthday, your anniversary, your friend’s birthday or just an excuse to have a good time – here’s our check-list to throwing the best (outdoor) sunshine party this season! Enjoy.

Choose Professional Lighting

No garden party is complete without beautiful and perfect lighting, and when it comes to lighting hire in Essex – here at Monitor Lighting, we’ve got you covered! Lighting is the ultimate enhancement to any event, and can set a theme and stylish atmosphere to the simplest of events. For garden parties with a twist, we recommend opting for fairy light canopies or lanterns to really add an ethereal feel to your evening event!

Provide Lots of Drinks!

Sure, alcohol is fun, but when it comes to throwing a party for a variety of different guests – be sure to provide a range of drinks that everyone will enjoy! If it’s a hot sunny day, provide slush or iced-based drinks such as smoothies and home-made lemonade to cool your guests down. And as the evening draws in, why not opt for fruity cocktails and chilled wines to get in the party mood!

If you really want to impress your guests – why not take a cocktail making lesson before the event? That way you’ll be able to channel your inner Tom Cruise in Cocktail and WOW your guests with your impressive mixology skills.

Feed Your Guests!

It’s a fact, that if you’re throwing a party – you’re definitely expected to provide some sort of food! Whether you prefer to give your guests a BBQ, hog-roast, burger van or buffet – give them something lovely to eat that’ll match the weather and the theme of your event! Buffets are great for all-day events, providing a range of light and tasty treats, whatever the time of day (or night!) Especially for those guests who’ve had one too many Mojito’s and have got the drunken-munchies!

Here at Monitor Lighting, we’re passionate about making your event one to remember, and offer a unique and bespoke range of lighting options and services. Our friendly and creative team are always happy to answer any questions you may have, so for more information, or to speak to one of us – please do not hesitate to contact us today!

If this is the first time you’ve stumbled across us, then we’re very glad you’re here, and if you’re a returning customer – thank you and welcome back! We hope you continue to keep visiting our website in the future, as we’ll be updating our new blog with lots of business news, relevant articles and a little interior and event design inspiration along the way, too!

But first, let’s give you a little bit of background information about us as a brand and what we do…

We are proud to be one of the leading industry experts in providing both internal and external event lighting and PA equipment for all types of events and occasions. Although we’re situated in Essex, we provide light and sound magic to the UK and Europe – and aim to give your wedding, birthday, corporate event or garden party that little extra sparkle, no matter your location!

Our team of creative and innovative designers are dedicated to providing you with unique and one-off bespoke lighting options to enhance any venue or outdoor space, and our service includes everything – from design and consultation, to installation and operation.

Our portfolio boasts an impressive range of clients, from the corporate, public and private sector, and we’re so proud to be building the strong customer to brand reputation that we are. From first contact, you will be greeted with one of our friendly and helpful team who will provide specialist advice regarding our services, products and skills.

Whatever your event, we’re here to make your dreams a reality, and can provide the ultimate lighting details to make it happen! Whether you are looking to add a fairytale aesthetic to your wedding, light your garden space with lanterns or transform your indoor event into a disco wonderland – we’ve got the perfect light and sound additions to enhance your special day.

So, for all lighting inspiration, and to keep up-to-date with what we’ve been up to and the events we’ve been working on – please check back here on our blog soon! And in the meantime, if you have any questions or require any further information – please do not hesitate to get in contact with our friendly team by emailing us at info@monitorlighting.co.uk.