Inspiration | Nashville Event Lighting

February 22, 2012

Audio/Visual, Corporate Events, Inspiration, Just For Fun, Uncategorized

Day 4 – April 2, 2011 – War Memorial

Did you know that the Grand Ole Opry once took residence in Nashville’s War Memorial Auditorium before it set up shop in the Ryman Auditorium? This is just one of the many events War Memorial played host to. On Day 4 of our Nashville Fashion Week experience, War Memorial Auditorium was the perfect setting for the “X” shaped runway positioned in the center of the auditorium. Guests arrived to cocktails outside in the Plaza before making their way inside.

Day 5 – April 3, 2011 – Pinnacle

Our epic week with NFW came to an end back where it all began on the 21st Floor of the Pinnacle. NFW went out with a bang hosting a killer after party. Big Events and Visual Elements did not hold back on the decor to create the vibrant lounge that we infused with LEDs washing the entire space with blues, pinks, and purples.

I hope you’ve enjoyed our cell phone photo diary of our experience. We’re so excited to be a part of 2012′s Nashville Fashion Week. I can’t believe it’s just 1 month away. For more information on how you can experience this year’s NFW, check out their website at www.nashvillefashionweek.com or follow them on Facebook.

Nashville Fashion Week – Part I

December 28, 2011

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Audio/Visual, Corporate Events, Inspiration, Just For Fun

2011 has been the year that NEL took over the Nashville runway! Who knew that black t-shirts with a simple logo would make such a statement!?!? We started the year off with the Pink Bridal Show runway in January. By March we were initiated into the grand-daddy of all the fashion shows in Music City, Nashville Fashion Week. This was a 5 day citywide fashion event on March 29th through April 2nd sponsored by Lexus. Proceeds from the event went to the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund .

Each night was showcased in different venue. The week was kicked off at the Pinnacle downtown, followed by to the historic Arcade, the Crystal Fountain Church, War Memorial, and wrapped up back at the Pinnacle. The next few post I hope to give you a glimpse into our amazing experience with everyone involved in this epic event.

Day 1- March 29th, 2011 – The Pinnacle

The skyline of Music City was changed for one night, as we added a blue stripe of color on the 22nd floor of the Pinnacle building.

The models walked an “L” shaped runway that went with the perimeter of the room, giving a perfect backdrop of the city lights below.

The Press were snapping photos as fast as their cameras would allow to capture every moment.

A view from the back row. Camera flashes, runway lights, killer tunes, and an electric blue vibe!

Day 2 , The Arcade…..

Before and Afters

December 16, 2011

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Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Corporate Events, Inspiration, Venues, Weddings

Still unsure of what lighting can do for your wedding or event? Check out some of our most recent room transformations.

Eastside Studios Before:

After:

Cheekwood Frist Learning Center Before:

After:

Heritage Ball Tent Before:

Country Music Hall of Fame Before:

After:

Giving Thanks

November 22, 2011

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Inspiration, Just For Fun

Here at NEL we can’t believe Thanksgiving is Thursday! This means that we made it through another crazy wedding season. For most wedding and event vendors here in Nashville, September and October have become months of pure mayheim. On August 31st, we kiss our family and friends goodbye, buckle up, and hold on for nine weeks solid. Now that we are able to catch a breath and look back at what we experienced, we’d like to say “Thanks from the bottom of our hearts” to all of our fellow vendors, planners, venues, and crew.

To our planners, you are the glue that keeps us all together. You make all of our lives easier. To our fellow vendors, thank you for the camaraderie you all provide on site and referring us to your clients. To our venues, thank you for trusting us with your clients, the early morning load ins, and late night pick ups. To our crew, you’re the best in town! We all appreciate your attention to detail, your positive attitude, and work ethic. We could not have made it without you. Now, if we could only figure out a way to clone you….

Here are just a few of the things we are thankful for. I hope you enjoy these candid shots of our crew in action!

We worked hard for 5 days straight for Nashville Fashion Week to create runway shows at different venues each night. So grateful to be a part of its first year ever.

Clint’s Guns!

Destination Nashville for allowing us to turn not only ourselves but the Opry Plaza blue for Deltek.

Sunday – Funday! This is what happens when you try to make the crew get up at 8am to go to the lake after a night full of events.

Blake and I were thankful for casters on road cases. We thought we would try a new marketing campaign and stroll through downtown Nashville from War Memorial to the Convention Center. Why not?

We’re thankful for Sarah Ashley who recently joined our team as a full time employee.

Booties on white carpet.

Misty, who not only keeps our office together but isn’t afraid to pitch in on site.

We can’t forget about Daniel Brimer. Daniel has joined NEL this year as our General Manager.

Tis the Season

November 2, 2011

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Corporate Events, Inspiration, Just For Fun, Venues, Weddings

It’s that time of year again. Wedding season is wrapping up and the holiday season is unfolding. With that comes corporate holiday parties, winter wonderland themed events, and New Year’s celebrations. What better way to add to your decor than lighting. Here are a few ideas to put you in the spirit.

The Hutton Hotel decided to add a personal message to their Holiday Decor last year by creating a custom gobo.

Main Event Productions threw a spectacular Christmas in July party at 1418. We used color changing LED’s and snowflake gobos to add some flair.

This couple decided to have a winter wonderland themed wedding.

Last but not least, count down the new year with color changing LED’s.

Give us a jingle at 615-414-6724, to discuss how lighting can help trim your holiday parties!

Custom Gobo Ideas

August 30, 2011

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Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Corporate Events, Inspiration, Just For Fun, Uncategorized, Weddings

Before I go into the topic of todays blog of custom gobo ideas, I’d like to revisit a previous post we did from February. Enter Exert - One of the most frequent questions we get is “What is a Gobo and What does it stand for?”. According to Wikipedia a gobo (or GOBO) derived from “Go Between” or GOes Before Optics -originally used on film sets between a light source and the set is a physical template slotted inside, or placed in front of, a lighting source, used to control the shape of emitted light.In simple terms it is a “stencil” for a particular light fixture we use.

Now that we’ve covered the bases of a gobo, I’ll get into custom gobo ideas. Not all custom gobos have to be your name in lights, but those seem to be the most requested. Here are a few creative ideas we’ve seen this year:

Miranda and Grant decided to have their silhouettes in lights along with their names at CJ’s Off the Square in Franklin.

Monica and Patrick created a Hatch Show Print Shop poster for their custom gobo at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Megan and Joe added a little flair to their gobo by adding a stock gobo as the background.

Custom gobos are also a great way to advertise. We have a lot of corporate clients that we keep their gobo on file for all their special events like the Nashville Scene.

Yes, we even have our own on file. Had to throw this one in for kicks.

Hutton Hotel took their recognizable “H” and incorporated it into a holiday greeting.

Instead of having sparklers pointed straight at you for your big exit, why not run through your very own Power T at the end of your big day.

Maybe we don’t have the perfect pattern gobo in stock and you want to have the same lace pattern that’s on your dress projected onto the dance floor? Yes, that can be done as well.

So the next time your creative juices are flowing and you have an idea that you would like to see in lights, call us. We’re ready to see it too! We have templates to choose from or you can send us an image in a .jpeg or pdf. Call Abi at 615-414-6724 or email her at abi@nashvilleeventlighting.com.

Off Abi’s Cuff – Head Tables

July 25, 2011

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Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Inspiration, Just For Fun, Venues, Weddings

***Disclaimer***

We all have opinions and view points in life. These are just some of mine. Believe me, I am a perfect example of a person who has champagne taste on beer budget. Sometimes when planning events we deal with what our budget allows, but if there is any wiggle room, here is some food for thought:

The tradition of a head table dates back before my time. I don’t know the exact date but I know it was before 1984. Here are a couple of examples that you may still see around today.

I think its time that we take a stand and say “No more!” Its hard enough to stand on a stage with your backsides facing your closest friends and families for 20-30 minutes trying to keep your composure as you commit the rest of your life to another person who probably snores, why should you now be placed on a platform to saw into your choice of filet or cornish hen so formally as if you are holding court for the first time at Windsor Castle. Have a little fun with your head table or sweet heart table. Pop the balloons, rip down the toile, and definitely toss the Christmas lights.

Here are a few examples of the “modern” head table that we’ve yearned so long for:

Thanks to all the creative experts that were featured above. Event Planners: Meredith Zeller of Bridal Blueprints, Karen Kaforey of Signature Events, Angela Proffitt of Elegant Weddings by Angela. Event Decor and Florals: Reveal Event Style, Village of Flowers, and Branching Out, Blue Nova Designs, and Visual Elements. Photography: Dove, Divine Images, Angie Sliger, Mary Rosenbaum, Chuck Arlund Photography, and Photographix. Venues: Belle Meade Plantation, Country Music Hall of Fame, and The Cannery Ballroom

Give me a call if you want to discuss how Nashville Event Lighting can take your head table or sweetheart table to the next level.

615.414.6724 or email me at abi@nashvilleeventlighting.com

Signature Events at Belle Meade Plantation

June 29, 2011

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Inspiration, Venues, Weddings

What happens when one of Nashville’s most sought-out event planners is paired with one of Nashville’s top wedding venues? We’ll show you.

Karen Kaforey of Signature Events put together another all star cast of vendors for Katie and Travis’ May 14th wedding at Belle Meade Plantation. After a picture perfect ceremony in the garden, the guests dined under Visual Element‘s large beaded chandelier with the newlyweds in a tent behind the Stables. We washed the tent ceiling and chandelier in a “peony” pink to match the florals from Branching Out

After dinner, catered by Chef’s Market, guests were escorted through the stables to the Carriage House to enjoy cocktails, dancing, and music by Craig Duncan .

Check out Katie’s surprise to Travis: a Guitar Bar from Visual Elements!

At the end of the night, the red carpet was rolled out and doors opened to one of

Matchless Limousine‘s classic Jaguars.

So, what all did we do inside the carriage house? We made sure the bar was highlighted with a soft light wash and battery operated LED’s inside the cubes, damask gobo pattern onto the dance floor, amber up lighting around the perimeter, a custom gobo onto the door, and the icing on the cake… our crystal chandelier over the center of the dance floor. Thanks Karen for having us be a part of your Signature Events!

Photos courtesy of Angie Sliger Photography

Thinking about adding lighting to your next event? Call Abi at 615.414.6724 or email her at abi@nashvilleeventlighting.com to book your next consultation.

Mazel Tov, Sydney!

June 20, 2011

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Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Inspiration, Venues

Recently we featured a Bar Mitzvah planned by Events by AP at Loveless Barn. This week’s Mazel goes to Monica Holmes of Clean Plate Club for creating a spectacular Bat Mitzvah for Sydney Robbins at War Memorial Auditorium.

The theme: Cirque Du Sydney. Flame Throwers, Stilt Walkers, and Acrobats were flown in from Chicago; trapeze rigs were constructed in the center of the auditorium; cotton candy, popcorn, and snow cones were on display amongst balloon sculptures and illuminated sculpt ware; and our lights were set to change with every breath-taking moment of the evening. Check out the images below and experience it for yourself.

Want to create a statement at your next event? Here is a list of vendors who helped pull this circus off: Clean Plate Club (Catering and Event Planning), Visual Element (Draping, Rentals, and Chandelier), Branches, Party Time Nashville, and, of course, Nashville Event Lighting.

Call Abi at 615.414.6724 to book a free lighting consultation or email her at abi@nashvilleeventlighting.com.

Room Transformations

June 13, 2011

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Inspiration, Venues, Weddings

Thinking about using the same space for ceremony and reception? We can help you pull off this transformation seamlessly. “How”, you may ask. Simple. Think about using LED’s instead of regular up lighting and color washes. With using the technology of LED lighting, we can change the color of a room with just a click of a button.

Check out this event we did in November at Noah Liff Opera Center with Stephanie Alexander from You’re Invited.

Ceremony

Cocktail Lounge

For more ideas or to have Nashville Event Lighting create a lighting plan for your next event, call Abi at 615.414.6724 or email her at abi@nashvilleeventlighting.com.

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