Custom Doesn't Always Equal Expensive: CUSTOM FIXTURES

What happens when you have an idea for lighting your wedding reception, a really cool idea. But it’s not something that can just by bought or rented? Maybe you found a picture of a themed chandelier, an awesome tent ceiling, or something called a “statement piece.”

As soon as you realize that you are in a situation like this - talk to your lighting designer. We can help! Show us any pictures or sketches you have. Describe your idea. It is always helpful to meet at your venue for this conversation so that everyone can try to visualize your custom idea in the actual environment where it will exist.

Many factors come into play when creating a custom fixture. Where is it going to be placed? Near the head table, over the dance floor, or in the entry? Maybe outside, along a path, or somewhere completely different. What is it made out of? How big is it? Is it meant to light up the space or just create ambience? All of these questions need to be asked and answered eventually.

Many people immediately think custom equals high cost. Although there are times when this is true, it is not the majority of the time. Custom simply means you probably can’t find it in a “big box” store ready to plug in.

We have worked with many clients to create custom solutions to their ideas. In a way the budgeting isn’t all that different from non-custom ideas. Pricing is all about materials and labor. How much will the materials cost to realize your idea? How long will it take to create and with how many people working on it?

Some ideas are much more elaborate than others. Some are simpler. This is probably the same with every detail of your wedding and reception. We always advise our clients that the most important decisions you will make in planning your wedding are which details should be more elaborate and which should be simpler. Determine what is most important to you.

An example of a simple custom idea is projecting your initials onto the dance floor or the side of the tent. We had one customer whose new spouse was a Batman fanatic, so at the appropriate moment we turned on a simulated Bat Signal! 

We also create custom chandeliers or perhaps better said - we create custom lighting fixtures. From simple to elaborate, all you really need is an idea. We can take it from there. Last year we were asked to create two very different looking custom fixtures.

If you can dream it, most likely we can make it. Materials, labor, and of course time are the key factors in pricing. To simplify this idea think of it this way:

• Do you want it made out of wood or gold? 
• Do you want 100 tiny light bulbs or 10 large ones? 
• Do you want it in 5 months or tomorrow?

None of those questions affects the actual idea or the environment and feeling the idea will create. They are simply the “nuts and bolts” of achieving the idea. 
The whole point I’m trying to make is don’t let yourself be scared by the word custom. If you really take a moment to think about it, your whole wedding is custom. Nobody else’s wedding will be exactly like yours. Nor should it be. If you never ask the question, I can pretty much guarantee it won’t happen. So if you have a special thought about one detail or many…talk to the right vendor and see if it can happen.

Photos courtesy of John Carver Photography. Both custom pieces designed specifically for Shirley & Eric for their wedding at Shadowlawn Hall Falls, NY.