A gym or cafeteria rarely looks like a dance floor on a weekday afternoon, but the right light can change that by the night of the dance. This guide to school dance lighting covers rentals that a school or parent committee sets up itself: color on the walls, moving light over the dance floor, a glow party and a ceiling full of stars.
Key takeaways
- Rent My Wedding accepts purchase orders from qualified schools and non-profits.
- One black light covers up to 60 by 60 feet, and most clients use 2 to 4.
- Moving spotlights move to the beat of the music, with 8 color options and 7 patterns.
- Starry night lighting covers 35 by 35 feet, and the special effects page names proms among its uses.
Start with the room and the rules
Whether it is a prom, homecoming or a winter formal, walk the space with whoever manages the building before you order. A few answers shape the whole plan.
- The size of the room. The uplighting cheat sheet suggests 24 uplights for 151 to 225 guests, 32 for 226 to 300 and 40 for more than 300.
- The outlets. Standard uplights come with 10-foot power cords, and up to 40 of them can be linked together on a single outlet.
- The building rules. Ask where cords can run, what can stand near exits and when the committee can get in to set up.
- How dark the room can get. Black lights, starry night lighting and a monogram all look best in a dim room, so find out which lights can be turned off.
School dance lighting that fills the floor
Moving spotlights. The spotlights page describes moving spotlights that arrive preset to a light show. Their beams move to the beat of the music, and they offer 8 color options and 7 dynamic patterns. The included remote lets you program your own show, so the committee can match the lights to the playlist.
A dance floor package. The Dance Floor packages on the packages page each include 8 uplights in any color, a custom monogram light and a tripod stand. The Dance Party Package adds a moving head DJ light that follows the music beat, and the Glow + Dance Package adds a black light as well.
Color on the walls. Uplights sit on the floor and shine up the wall in any color, set with the push of a button. School colors are an obvious choice, but a theme color works just as well. Space them about 10 feet apart for an even wash or 5 feet apart for a more dramatic look.
Themes that start with light
Glow party. One black light from the black lights page covers up to 60 by 60 feet. Set it on a table, plug it in and aim it at the center of the room, and almost anything white or fluorescent will glow, from white clothing to neon party paint and highlighter markers. Our guide to black light party setup covers how many lights you need and where to aim them.
A night under the stars. The special effects lighting page lists starry night lighting that projects thousands of slowly moving stars across 35 by 35 feet, and it names proms among the events it suits. A moon effect light can add a glowing moon on the ceiling or a wall. Our post on a starry night wedding theme has more ideas that translate to a dance.
Masquerade. Deep blue and purple uplights, a few masks on the tables and a monogram with the name and year of the dance on the main wall set the scene without a big decor budget.
A photo spot
Students will want pictures with their friends. A self-serve photo booth needs no attendant: guests tap the screen to start, and they get their photos by email or text. Every photo also goes into an online gallery that can be private or shared, which makes it easy to collect the night’s pictures. For senior events later in the year, our guide to graduation party rentals has more ideas.
Ordering for a school
The FAQ page says that for qualified schools and non-profits, Rent My Wedding accepts purchase orders. Ask the team about purchase order payments when you request a quote. There is no minimum order.
Rentals arrive at least two days before the event, and the rental period is 5 days. Rent My Wedding does not currently offer professional setup, but each rental includes setup instructions, and 24/7 support is available. If you are planning both homecoming and prom, you can rent for more than one event. Just leave enough time between them for shipping and returns.
After the dance, repack everything in the boxes it came in, attach the prepaid return labels and take them to a physical FedEx location within two days. Never leave them in a FedEx drop box.
Plan the room, choose a theme the light can carry and give the committee a day to set up, and your school dance lighting will make the night feel like a real event.
Planning a school dance?
Tell us about the room, the number of students and the theme, and the team can help you choose what to rent.
FAQ
What glows under a black light?
Almost anything white or fluorescent, such as white clothing, linens, neon party paint and highlighter markers. One black light covers up to 60 by 60 feet.
What comes in the Dance Party Package?
Every Dance Floor package includes 8 uplights in any color, a custom monogram light and a tripod stand. The Dance Party Package adds a moving head DJ light that follows the music beat.
Do the moving spotlights follow the music?
Yes. The moving spotlights arrive preset to a light show, and their beams move to the beat of the music. They offer 8 color options and 7 patterns, and the included remote lets you program your own show.
People Also Ask
What are some prom lighting ideas?
Wash the walls in the prom colors with uplights, add moving spotlights over the dance floor and project stars across the ceiling with starry night lighting. A monogram with the name and year of the dance makes a good photo wall.
What are good school dance decoration ideas?
Pick a theme that light can carry, such as a glow party, a night under the stars or a masquerade, then add a photo spot with a booth or a backdrop. Keep decorations clear of walkways and exits.
