Lighting can make any event spectacular!
Whether it’s a corporate conference, gala dinner, awards night, fashion show, glamorous wedding, or a significant birthday party, hiring the right lighting equipment transforms spaces, sets the mood, puts the theatre into the production, and creates a memorable experience for your guests.
If you’re in the process of organising an event and considering event lighting hire, this guide will walk you through most of what you need to know. From choosing or asking us about the right lighting types to understanding the role of a technician or Edwards production services, we’ve got you covered.
Why Event Lighting Matters
Lighting is so much more than just a practical necessity—it’s one of the most powerful tools for creating atmosphere and making an event truly memorable. Whether it’s a gala dinner, product launch, awards night, fashion show, significant or milestone birthday party or wedding, the right lighting transforms a space and elevates the entire experience.
Here are just a few ways professional lighting can enhance your event, production, function, or party:
It Sets the Scene: From the moment guests arrive, lighting creates an immediate impression. Imagine the venue exterior lit up in your company’s colours, or your logo projected larger than life onto a wall or building façade. It says, “This is something special” before your guests even walk through the door.
It Creates Mood: Turn off the harsh overhead fluoros and transform the room with soft washes of colour or subtle dappled effects. Uplighting can bring warmth and elegance to a wedding, while vivid LED effects can energise a dance floor or celebration. With lighting, you control the emotional tone of the evening.
It Focuses Attention: A well-lit stage or lectern ensures your guest speakers or presenters stand out. Dim the surrounding areas to guide attention where it’s needed most—on the content, the performance, or the people who matter.
It Improves Visibility—Without Overpowering: Strategic lighting ensures key areas like the stage, dining tables, or signage are clearly seen, without flooding the entire venue in light. Good design balances visibility and ambience.
It Adds Professional Polish: Nothing says "well-planned event" like a thoughtful lighting design. From clean stage washes to custom gobos with your branding, lighting adds a layer of professionalism and impact that makes everything look and feel premium.
These subtle but important touches can leave a lasting impression and elevate your event from ordinary to unforgettable.
Types of Event Lighting (and When to Use Them)
There are a variety of lighting options for different occasions. Here’s a breakdown of common types and their ideal uses.
Wash Lights for Event Ambience and Stage Lighting
Best lighting for full venue coverage and ambience
Perfect for evenly lighting a large area or washing a stage, wash lights are an excellent choice for creating a warm, welcoming ambience. These versatile lights ensure consistent, uniform illumination, making them ideal for a variety of events, from professional conferences to lively evening parties. Whether you're highlighting a stage, enhancing a backdrop, or setting the mood across an entire venue, wash lights deliver reliable performance and help bring your event to life.
Think of them as a floodlight with finesse—capable of bathing a room, building façade, or stage in rich pastel hues or dynamic colours.
Their precision and programmability, similar to the moving heads below, make them a go-to choice for choreographed lighting sequences, adding layers of atmosphere and excitement and with one wash light replacing several fresnels or traditional stage lights and cycs.
Ideal for: corporate events, evening receptions, fashion shows, outdoor lighting, architectural lighting, and stage ambience.
Moving Head Lights for Dynamic Stage Lighting
High-energy event lighting for stages, concerts and awards shows, and DJ sets.
If you’re planning a high-energy event—such as a live band performance, DJ set, or awards night—moving head lights (also known as moving lights or intelligent lighting) are an essential part of your lighting design. These advanced fixtures are designed for impact, offering full movement with the ability to pan, tilt, zoom, and change colours or patterns at speed. Their dynamic capabilities allow for dramatic lighting transitions, perfectly timed effects, and seamless integration with music or performance cues.
Moving head lights are ideal for spotlighting performers, sweeping beams of light across the audience, or creating high-energy effects on the dancefloor. Their precision and programmability make them the go-to choice for choreographed lighting sequences, adding layers of atmosphere and excitement. Whether you're transforming a stage, energising a party, or elevating a corporate show, moving head lights ensure your event looks as spectacular as it sounds—leaving a lasting impression on every guest.
Ideal for: DJ lighting setups, live bands, theatre productions, fashion shows, award nights, and dance parties.
Spotlights and Stagelights
Lighting for speakers, performers, stage lighting and centrepieces
Spotlights (includes Profile, Fresnel and PC Lighting) are an excellent way to draw attention to specific areas or individuals. They are commonly used for stages, catwalks, presentations, or events where focus is key. Speaking of focus, you might want soft edges or a hard focussed circle, or a shaped beam and these lights allow for that. Traditionally just white light, now it is common to be able to program specific colours or have different shades of white from cool to warm to suit your requirements.
Whether it’s showcasing a keynote speaker, creating dramatic lighting for a performer, or making a centrepiece or cake really pop out, spotlights add a professional and polished touch to any setting. Perfect for weddings, conferences, concerts, and more, they ensure that the audiences' attention is focussed and the right people or items take centre stage.
Ideal for: conferences, keynote speeches, weddings, fashion shows, and stage performances.
Uplighting to Add Elegance and Atmosphere
Elegant event enhancement
Uplighting involves placing lights at floor level to project light upwards. This technique highlights architectural features, drapery, or trees and creates depth and texture in a space. Uplighting is a favourite for weddings and marquee events, delivering an enchanting atmosphere with soft washes of colour.
Event Theming
With virtually limitless colour options—achieved by blending primary colours like Red, Green, Blue, and Amber—LED fixtures can produce any shade, tone, or hue to match your event’s theme or brand. You can start with vibrant, attention-grabbing lighting to welcome guests, shift to warm, subtle tones for dinner or speeches, and later transition into dynamic colours for dancing or entertainment. Best of all, these changes can happen seamlessly throughout the event with programmed lighting scenes, adding drama, elegance, or energy exactly when it’s needed.
Placed along walls, around architectural features, or highlighting specific focal points, uplighting adds depth, drama, and elegance to any space. By casting light upwards, it enhances textures, highlights intricate details, and creates a warm, inviting ambiance. This style works wonders for setting a romantic tone at weddings, elevating the mood at elegant evening galas, or transforming ordinary venues into breath-taking spaces.
Using uplights instead of festoon or fairy lights to achieve a sophisticated look with customisable colours to suit your event palette; create a warm, enchanting atmosphere.
Ideal for: weddings, marquees, outdoor events, corporate dinners, fashion shows and high-end parties.
Battery-Powered Wireless Uplighting
Modern uplighting fixtures increasingly feature built-in batteries and wireless DMX technology, eliminating the need for power and data cables. This dramatically reduces setup time, minimises trip hazards, and keeps your event space clean and uncluttered. Unlike basic remote-control systems, wireless DMX offers precise, real-time control over hundreds of fixtures across large areas—making dynamic, professional lighting more accessible than ever.
These portable lights are a game-changer for event crews. Simply roll in a flight case of fixtures, place them exactly where needed—even in areas where running power or DMX cables would be difficult or unsightly—and control the entire setup from a central lighting console or tablet.
Ideal for: outdoor events, marquees, weddings, heritage venues, hard-to-access areas, fashion shows, corporate dinners, launch events, and high-end private parties.
Gobos and Pattern Projectors for Custom Event Branding
Logo projection and custom event lighting designs
Gobo projectors are an excellent tool for customised branding or adding a unique touch with themed patterns. These versatile projectors allow you to display your logo, intricate designs, or decorative patterns onto walls, floors, ceilings or even the harbour bridge, creating an eye-catching visual impact. Ideal for events, businesses, or special occasions, gobo projectors help you showcase your message or enhance your space with creative lighting, making any setting memorable and engaging.
This also provides dinner lighting to replace the venue's harsh fluoro or overhead lighting.
Ideal for: brand activations, product launches, weddings, and corporate galas.
LED Effects & Party Lights
Liven up your dancefloor with vibrant LED lights or eye-catching rotating party effects that set the mood instantly. These dynamic lighting options are perfect for creating an energetic, festive atmosphere, whether you're hosting a birthday party, a disco night, or any event centered around fun and celebration with a DIY flavour. With a wide range of colors and patterns, they’ll transform any space into a lively venue where guests can dance the night away and make unforgettable memories.
They are usually sound activated so without having to program scenes, you can still create a nightclub vibe with a smoke machine and a few beams shooting to the beat of the music.
Ideal for: birthday parties, discos, school balls and formals, DIY weddings, and anything with music and dancing.
Smoke and Haze Machines for Light Beam Visibility
Essential lighting enhancement for beam and stage lighting effects
Light shows only look as good as the air around them. A haze or fog machine allows lighting beams to become visible, adding depth and atmosphere. Professional haze machines (like those from Antari) ensure non-toxic, clean output and proper atomisation, making them safe and effective for indoor use.
Reminder: Always check with your venue regarding smoke detectors—some may need isolation to avoid false alarms and unwanted callout fees.
Ideal for: concerts, DJ and Band, stage lighting, nightclubs, and theatrical performances.
How to Choose the Right Lighting for Your Event
Choosing the right event lighting can dramatically enhance the experience for your guests and bring your vision to life. The best lighting setup depends on several key factors—each event is different, and the lighting should reflect that. Here's what to keep in mind when designing the ideal lighting plan for your next event, function, or celebration.
Venue Size and Layout
Larger venues typically require more powerful and widespread lighting solutions, such as LED wash lights or moving head lights, to provide full coverage and create a consistent atmosphere. Smaller or more intimate spaces benefit from focused lighting like uplights, pin spots, or subtle accent lighting that enhances architectural features without overwhelming the room.
Type of Event
The purpose and tone of the event will heavily influence your lighting choices. For corporate events, spotlights, gobo projectors, and stage wash lights lend a clean, professional look. In contrast, weddings, birthday parties, and social functions thrive on creative lighting effects, uplighting, and LED party lights to set a warm, romantic, or high-energy mood.
Indoor vs Outdoor Settings
If you're hosting an outdoor event, consider IP-rated (weather-resistant) lighting fixtures that can withstand the elements. Battery-powered uplights, and wireless DMX systems are also practical solutions where access to power is limited. Don’t forget to account for ambient light from street lamps or daylight that could reduce the impact of your lighting effects.
Control and Setup Requirements
For professional productions, theatrical shows, or choreographed events, DMX-compatible lighting is essential, allowing for precise control and synchronised lighting cues. However, for smaller functions or DIY setups, plug-and-play lights with built-in effects or sound-activated party lights may be more practical and cost-effective.
Guest Count and Room Flow
Larger audiences mean more lighting is needed—not just for visibility, but also to create ambience and energy across the space. Consider lighting zones such as the stage, dancefloor, bar, and dining area, each with tailored lighting. More guests also means more photo opportunities—lighting design should support your photography and videography needs to capture the event beautifully.
Event Duration and Power Needs
Long events or venues with limited power outlets may benefit from battery-powered lighting or energy-efficient LED fixtures. Using reliable brands and professional-grade equipment ensures your lights perform consistently throughout the night without overheating or needing constant adjustments.
Do You Need a Lighting Technician?
When it comes to event lighting setup, the decision to hire a professional company and technicians often depends on the complexity of your needs.
DIY is Fine When... You’re using basic plug-and-play options, fairy lights or small LED party lights for a casual gathering, such as a backyard barbecue or a simple birthday party. These options are easy to set up, require minimal technical skills, and can still create a cosy and fun atmosphere without much effort.
Professional Help is Needed When... You’re planning a large-scale event with dynamic effects, DMX control, or complex installations. A lighting expert ensures everything runs smoothly, leaving you stress-free. Edwards can help with both lighting rental and technician support, ensuring a seamless experience.
What is LUX in Lighting?
LUX is a measurement of illuminance, or how much light (measured as lumens) falls on a given surface area—specifically, one lumen per square metre. In lighting, LUX is a key technical consideration because it determines how bright a space will appear at a certain distance from the light source. This helps event planners and lighting designers ensure the right level of visibility and atmosphere, especially for productions, performances, presentations, or architectural highlighting.
It can be helpful to have us draw up a CAD rendering of your venue or stage and plot the lighting layout to calculate the coverage you'll get and adjustments and additions can be made ahread of time instead of when the show is about to start!
Event Lighting Hire Packages and Hire Options
Hiring lighting doesn’t have to be complicated. Many providers, like Edwards Sound Systems, offer tailored packages to simplify the process or can quickly make up a custom package for you from their large inventory.
If you are planning an event that will need lighting and operators get in touch to start the conversation. Edwards' Auckland demo room can be a place of inspiration if you want to see what these lights are in person.
Pre-Made Packages: Options designed for specific types of events, like weddings, corporate functions, or parties.
Add-Ons: Upgrade your setup with controllers, smoke machines, or even LED dance floors.
Short- or Long-Term Hire: Pay for what you need, whether it’s a single night or an extended event series, or a permanent installation in a bar or club.
Sound and AV Combos: Bundle your lighting hire with sound systems and projectors and screens for an all-in-one solution.
Tips for Successful Event Lighting
Well-designed lighting can transform your event—but thoughtful preparation is key. These practical tips will help ensure your lighting setup runs smoothly and enhances every moment of your special occasion.
1. Conduct a Venue Walkthrough
Before selecting your lighting equipment, visit the venue to evaluate its layout and conditions. Take note of ceiling heights, wall colours, power outlet locations, and the amount of natural light present at different times of day. Identifying dark corners, architectural features, or focal points early will help you decide where to place uplighting, wash lights, or spotlights for maximum effect. For outdoor event lighting setups, consider terrain and weather protection too.
2. Test and Prep All Lighting Equipment in Advance
Whether you’re using professional stage lighting, battery-powered uplights, or sound-activated party lights, give everything a full test run before the event. Confirm all fixtures are working, DMX addresses are set (if using DMX control), cables are intact, and any remotes or control apps are responsive. Charge batteries fully and pack spares if needed. Testing your gear ahead of time avoids last-minute headaches and ensures a polished lighting presentation on the day.
3. Always Have Backup Lighting and Power Solutions
Even with the best planning, things can go wrong—especially at outdoor events or pop-up venues. Bring extra lighting fixtures, spare power cables, charged batteries, or even a portable generator or power bank for critical gear like wireless uplights or mixers. This is especially important for weddings, awards nights, and concerts where any failure in lighting can disrupt the atmosphere or flow of the event.
4. Consider the Audience and Flow of the Event
Lighting isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about guiding attention and movement. Use soft lighting for arrival areas, dynamic effects for dance floors, and subtle accent lighting for speeches or dinners. Think about how your guests will move through the space and ensure lighting supports rather than distracts. For example, avoid blinding strobes near seated guests or high-contrast changes in key presentation areas.
5. Hire a Professional or Consult with a Lighting Technician
If your event has high stakes—like a corporate gala, theatre production, or large-scale wedding—it’s worth speaking with an experienced lighting provider. A professional can help with everything from event lighting design to equipment hire, DMX programming, and on-site operation. Their insight ensures your lighting not only looks stunning but also works seamlessly with audio, video, and stage elements.
Why Hire Lighting from Edwards Sound Systems?
When it comes to professional event lighting hire in Auckland, Edwards Sound Systems is the trusted name behind thousands of successful events. With over 50 years of industry experience, we offer much more than just lights—we deliver reliable service, expert advice, and outstanding results.
✔ Expert Advice You Can Count On
Not sure where to start? Our experienced team is here to help. We’ll assess your venue, event type, and goals to recommend the best lighting hire solution—whether it’s for a wedding, corporate event, school production, concert, or private party.
✔ High-Quality Lighting Equipment
We stock a wide range of premium, well-maintained lighting gear—stage lighting, LED uplights, moving heads, gobos, party effects, and more. Everything is tested before it leaves our warehouse to ensure it performs flawlessly on the day.
✔ Flexible Hire Options to Suit Your Event
Choose the level of service that fits your needs:
DIY Lighting Hire: Affordable and easy-to-use setups for smaller events.
Delivery & Installation: We’ll bring it, set it up, and pack it down.
Full-Service Support: Our account managers, operations and production team, and technicians manage everything—perfect for larger or high-profile events.
✔ All-in-One AV and Event Solutions
Save time and simplify planning by bundling your lighting hire with professional sound systems, microphones, projectors, and staging. One supplier. One invoice. Everything works together.
✔ Auckland-Wide Service & Support
No matter where your event is—city centre, West Auckland, North Shore, or South—we deliver and support events across the entire Auckland region and we know most of the venues. We’re local, responsive, and ready to help.
Transform your next event with our tailored lighting solutions. Contact our team today, and light up the moments that matter!
