If you've been researching DJs or event lighting, you've probably seen "uplighting" listed as an add-on. It's one of those terms that sounds technical but is actually simple — and once you understand what it does, you'll either know immediately that you want it or know you don't.
What Uplighting Actually Is
Uplighting means placing LED light fixtures on the floor and pointing them up at walls, columns, drapes, or architectural features in your venue. The effect is a wash of color that fills the room from the ground up, transforming the ambient feel of the space entirely.
Instead of a room lit by overhead fluorescents or generic warm light, uplighting gives you a venue that feels designed — intentional, immersive, and visually cohesive with your event's color palette or theme.
What It Looks Like in Practice
Imagine a reception hall with plain white walls. With no uplighting, it looks like a reception hall. With purple and amber uplighting matched to your wedding colors, it looks like a venue. Same room. Completely different experience for your guests — and in photos.
The most common uses:
- Weddings — matched to your color palette, placed around the perimeter of the reception room
- Corporate events — matched to brand colors, used to transform a generic ballroom into a branded experience
- School dances — vibrant colors that shift with the music for a more dynamic atmosphere
- Birthday parties — personalized color schemes that make the space feel special
How Much Does Uplighting Cost?
Uplighting typically adds $200–$600 to a DJ package for a standard event space, depending on the number of fixtures needed and the venue size. For larger venues or more elaborate coverage, the cost can be higher.
At Ohana Entertainment, we include uplighting as part of our mid-tier and premium wedding packages because we think it's one of the most visible value adds we can offer for the price.
Is It Worth It?
For most weddings and formal events — yes, significantly. Here's why:
- Photos — it shows up dramatically in professional photography and makes a real difference in how your reception looks on camera
- Atmosphere — guests feel it even if they can't name it. A well-lit room feels more festive, more intentional, more "event"
- Cost per impact — compared to most wedding upgrades, uplighting delivers a lot of visible change for the price
Questions to Ask About Uplighting
- How many fixtures are included in the quote?
- Can the colors be customized to match our palette?
- Are the lights wireless (battery-powered) or do they require outlets?
- Will someone be managing them during the event or are they set-and-forget?
At Ohana, we use wireless LED fixtures that can be placed anywhere, and we'll work with you on color matching before your event so there are no surprises on the night.