By Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting   After hours of meetings and countless emails back and forth, the stage has been set for an exquisite day for your bride and groom. The bad news? No one is going to notice the English garden tablescape in a dark and uninspired ballroom.The solution? Professional event lighting, which is quickly becoming a “must have” on the list of wedding planners and brides alike—from a projected monogram on the dance floor to strategically placed pin spotting that highlights favorite details.“Event lighting is the game changer”“We’re continuing to see a steady increase in bridal traffic in all of our markets,” says Jeremy Kilgore, owner of East Coast-based lighting design company Blue Steel Lighting Design. “Brides and their planners invest months and potentially thousands of dollars into décor that often ends up looking drab in the wrong space.  Event lighting is the game changer.”Creating a custom image on the dance floor is just the beginning, as today’s event lighting companies have the resources to transform rooms, oftentimes in the midst of the party itself. In addition to pin spotting, up lighting is a popular selection that “washes” a space with light and color to enhance a wedding’s theme.  Depth and texture can be added to most venues with a wall wash projecting subtle images that play up the bride’s vision. Jaw-dropping room transformations are possibleThose looking for a particularly sigh-inducing first dance can have a wash customized specifically as the bride and groom make their way center stage for the very first dance as husband and wife. Those desiring an al fresco look can request “stars” to be created just above the bride and groom for added drama. For simpler spaces, a series of custom chandeliers and ample candle light will do the trick.Wedding planners are challenged nearly every day to inspire brides with new and innovative design ideas, which is why the community has embraced the addition of event lighting. “I just love lighting,” says Veronica Foster, ABC™, owner of Behind the Scenes and coordinator of ABC North Carolina. “When done correctly, it adds a whole new dimension to the event.” Wedding photographers are on board as well, as they find venues transforming before their very eyes. “It has been an adventure to watch rooms that we have photographed in for years completely change and feel like we are photographing them for the first time ever as the lighting breathes new life into old favorites,” says Pete Wright, owner of PW Photography of Richmond, Va. “We tell all of our brides that if you want your guests’ jaws to drop, the one place to invest to get that impact is event lighting!”The 411 on working as a teamWhen incorporating professional lighting into an event, take the time to ensure that everyone from the wedding team is on the same page. A site visit is a must unless the lighting company has ample experience at the venue. The wedding photographer should be informed of these additional elements in advance as a courtesy. Plan for ample set-up and breakdown time in the wedding day timeline for the installation crew and designers, and be sure that any restrictions are discussed with the venue well in advance.Like any professional that you’re considering adding to the wedding day team, the best event lighting companies will provide strong references, have great relationships with the top local venues and will wow you with an extensive portfolio.  Select a company that offers an onsite technician throughout the event to ensure everything goes off without a hitch. With “been there, done that” wedding details suddenly having the opportunity to be seen in a different light, it comes as no surprise that professional event lighting  is here to stay.