Uplighting can make a plain ballroom look custom-built for your wedding, but the color you choose does most of the work. Choosing wedding uplighting colors comes down to three things: your palette, your venue’s walls and the mood you want at each part of the night. This guide walks through each one, then covers how many uplights to use, where to put them and how setup works.
Key takeaways
- Rent My Wedding’s uplights can be set to any color, with a button on standard lights or a remote on wireless ones.
- Match one color to your palette, or choose a warm neutral that suits any theme.
- Place uplights 10 feet apart for a soft look or 5 feet apart for a dramatic one.
- The guest-count cheat sheet starts at 10 uplights for up to 75 guests.
What uplighting does
Uplighting is created by placing small lights on the floor and aiming them upward. Each one throws a vertical beam of color up a surface, which is where the name comes from. It highlights walls, backdrops, pillars, tents and even trees, so it works in ballrooms, barns and outdoor venues alike.
Because the light hits the walls rather than the tables, it changes the feel of the whole room without making guests squint. That is also why the color matters so much: it becomes the background of every photo.
How to choose wedding uplighting colors
Start with your palette
Pick one main color from your wedding palette, usually the shade that appears in your flowers, linens or bridesmaid dresses. Uplighting looks most polished when the room has one clear color, so save secondary shades for smaller details. If your palette is neutral, warm white or soft amber gives the room a candlelit glow without competing with anything.
If you want two colors, use ones that sit next to each other on the color wheel, such as blue and purple or pink and peach. Colors directly opposite each other, like red and green, are bold and can feel busy on every wall.
Look at the walls
Light walls show color the most accurately. White, cream and light gray will look very close to the color you chose. Darker or warmer surfaces change it:
- Wood paneling and brick absorb light and warm every color.
- Beige or yellow walls can turn blue a little green.
- Draped fabric glows evenly and makes almost any color look rich.
If you can, visit the venue in the evening or ask for photos of past events, so you can see how the walls react to light.
Match the mood
Each color sets a different tone. Here is a quick guide:
| Color | Mood | Works well with |
|---|---|---|
| Warm white or amber | Classic, candlelit | Rustic, vintage and neutral palettes |
| Blush or pink | Romantic, soft | Spring weddings and floral themes |
| Purple or lavender | Glamorous, evening | Formal ballrooms and jewel tones |
| Blue | Calm, cool | Winter, nautical and silver palettes |
| Teal or green | Fresh, natural | Garden and outdoor venues |
| Red | Bold, festive | Cultural celebrations and holiday weddings |
Change colors during the night
You don’t have to keep one color all evening. Many couples use a softer shade during dinner and switch to something brighter for dancing. Standard uplights have buttons on each light to set the color, while wireless uplights come with a remote control for programming colors, which makes mid-party changes quicker.
How many uplights and where to put them
Rent My Wedding’s cheat sheet is a good starting point:
| Guests | Uplights |
|---|---|
| Up to 75 | 10 |
| 76 to 150 | 16 |
| 151 to 225 | 24 |
| 226 to 300 | 32 |
| More than 300 | 40 |
For spacing, place uplights 10 feet apart for a beautiful, even look, or 5 feet apart for a dramatic one. You can light the whole room or focus on specific areas, such as the wall behind the head table or the registration area. For a custom count, the uplighting page has a quote option where you can describe your venue.
Standard or wireless uplights?
Rent My Wedding rents two types. Standard uplights use power cords, and wireless uplights have built-in batteries. Standard lights come with 10-foot cords and can be linked together on a single outlet, up to 40 uplights per outlet. They are recommended if you need the lights to run longer than 8 hours, and they have a lower rental cost than wireless. Our guide to standard and wireless uplights compares the two side by side, including power, color controls, cost and the packages that include wireless lights.
For the tables themselves, Table Glow lighting is another option. It has programmable colors, a remote control and a battery that lasts about 8 to 10 hours. You can compare every option on the all lighting page.
Setup and return
It takes less than a minute per light, and no experience is required:
- Choose any color with the push of a button.
- Set the lights on the floor, up against the wall.
- Aim them up toward the ceiling.
The uplight rentals arrive 2 days before your event, and the rental lasts 5 days. After the event, pack everything in the same box, attach the prepaid return label and drop it at a FedEx location within two days. Returns must be handed in at a physical FedEx location, not left in a FedEx drop box.
Once you have your wedding uplighting colors, the rest of the lighting plan falls into place. Pair them with special effects lighting or matching linens, and the room will look finished from the moment guests walk in.
Not sure which color to pick?
Send us your palette and venue, and the team can suggest colors and a light count.
FAQ
Can I set the uplights to my exact wedding color?
Rent My Wedding’s uplights can be set to any color. Standard uplights have buttons on each light, and wireless uplights come with a remote control for programming colors.
How many uplights do I need?
Rent My Wedding’s cheat sheet suggests 10 uplights for up to 75 guests, 16 for 76 to 150, 24 for 151 to 225, 32 for 226 to 300 and 40 for more than 300 guests.
What is the difference between standard and wireless uplights?
Standard uplights use power cords and can be linked on one outlet, up to 40 per outlet. Wireless uplights run on built-in batteries. For events longer than 8 hours, Rent My Wedding recommends standard uplights.
People Also Ask
What color uplighting is best for a wedding?
There is no single best color. Warm white and amber suit most venues and palettes, while a color from your wedding palette, such as blush or navy, ties the room to your theme.
What is uplighting?
Uplighting is a lighting effect made by placing small lights on the floor and aiming them upward, so a vertical beam of color washes walls, backdrops, pillars, tents or trees.
What are some wedding uplighting ideas?
Light the wall behind the head table, frame the entrance or registration area, wash a backdrop for photos, or light trees at an outdoor venue. Switching to brighter colors for dancing changes the mood after dinner.
