Frequently Asked Questions

(and helpful answers!)

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Crimson Haze Event Lighting products and services.

Please always feel free to contact us with any other questions you might have.

Coronavirus / COVID-19

We have a blog post on this topic: Celebrating Safely with Us During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Like you, we are deeply concerned about the coronavirus and its impact on our communities, our clients, and our collaborators.

We are here to support you with rescheduling and any necessary adjustments to your event. In addition, quarantine is a great time to brainstorm and get creative with new projects.

Please contact us with any questions, concerns, or ideas. We are here for you!

COVID-19 Event Safety

About Us

Why should I hire Crimson Haze Event Lighting?

We love this question!

When you hire us, you are hiring Seattle’s highest-rated lighting provider, according to The Knot, Yelp! and EventWire.
We love lighting. It’s all we do. We love working directly with clients, and we love bringing your vision to life — from the subtle to the spectacular.
We are a full-service company, not a rental shop. We install, operate, and remove everything for you, keeping your experience as smooth and simple as possible.
We work exclusively from our own deep inventory of state-of-the-art equipment, which means we are nimble with last-minute needs, and have truly honed our expertise.
We focus on being eco-friendly with efficient LED fixtures (low power, long life) and wireless technology (no cables, no tape, no waste).
We strive to look expensive, but are definitely priced competitively.
We guarantee you will love working with us. Our 5-star reviews are testament.

Do you have references and/or reviews?

Yes! People love us on Yelp!, WeddingWire, and EventWire, where we are Seattle’s highest-rated lighting provider.

Check our Reviews page for all the details.

Do you carry insurance?

Of course! We carry full liability insurance. Proof and COI details available upon request. Contact us for more details.

Can we meet in person at my venue to discuss lighting?

Most of the time, yes!

You can also check our Venues page for pictures and details about many locations in the PNW.

Meeting at venues in remote areas far from Seattle/Bellevue may incur additional charges, and is subject to availability.

Gobos and Monograms

What is a "gobo"?

A gobo is simply a special stencil, either laser-cut steel or specially-prepared glass, used to project names, logos, textures, and shapes.

Can you help me design my gobo?

Absolutely! Contact us and we will walk you through the easy process of designing your gobo.

We have 15+ years of professional graphic design experience, and work directly with you to achieve exactly the gobo you want.

Where should I project my gobo?

Usually gobos are projected on a wall where they will always be visible, but can be projected on the floor or ceiling.

We also offer dynamic gobo projection, which makes it possible for the gobo to move around the room, rotate, and change colors.

Colors and Design

What is a pin-spot, and why might I need one (or more)?

Pin-spots are special, narrowly focused lights, usually warm white. They are great for illuminating your cake, floral centerpieces, signage, wedding arbor, or artwork. Ideally, they are positioned directly overhead to avoid being blocked or casting shadows.

We offer discreet wireless magnetic pinspots that can be installed in the ceiling of many venues.

What colors are available in the lighting?

If you can dream it, we can (probably) create it!

Our wireless uplights are state-of-the-art hex-color LEDs. This technology enables a massive gamut (billions) of possible color shades, far beyond that of conventional LEDs, from the warmest whites to the richest jewel tones. We will work with you to find the perfect colors.

Note that dark colors — such as brown, olive green, and navy blue — are very difficult to create with lighting.

Can you help me pick colors?

Absolutely! We are always delighted to help determine a great color palette for your event.

What is pre-visualization?

Pre-visualization is a process where we create a high-definition 3D model of your venue. This 3D model allows us to design and test different lighting options that make the most of your time and space, and accurately demonstrate the look and feel for your special occasion.

Our 3D renderings produce realistic lighting effects, including colors and shadows — viewable from all angles. We can even add your furniture layout and other decor elements, so you can see how all the pieces of your important event will come together.

Crimson Haze has built a strong relationship with Capture, the Swedish company on the cutting edge of lighting design visualization.

Payment and Pricing

What do your services cost?

See our Pricing page for more information.

We’d love to learn about your project and provide you with a no-obligation, no-cost consultation and quote. Contact us today!

Do you offer non-profit discounts?

We love to support the causes we care about.

Please contact us to discuss your project.

What methods of payment do you accept?

Checks and all major credit cards are accepted. Invoices can be easily paid online.

DJs and Lighting

My DJ has lights. Is that sufficient for my wedding or special event?

Great question. We have a helpful blog post on this topic!

What is "sound-responsive" mode?

Sometimes called “sound reactive” or “automatic” mode.

This is a function included with many lighting fixtures, wherein a tiny microphone inside the light listens for noise in the room. The noise (usually bass vibrations) triggers some kind of random change in the light (its color, pattern, etc).

This automated function is often used by DJs.

Does it look good? Well… we never use it. We have a helpful blog post on this topic!

Technical Details

What is different about Crimson Haze wireless lighting technology?

For event lighting, there are two critical elements required to be truly “wireless” : power and control.

Wireless power means the lights have their own internal batteries — no electrical cables running across the floor, and no need to find or be near power outlets. Our wireless lighting will easily run for 8 hours or more on their own internal batteries.
Wireless control means colors can be adjusted, dimmed, and programmed remotely. We rely on lag-free, premium W-DMX™ from Sweden. This technology translates to fast, easy, fully synchronized control. We can fine-tune the brightness or completely change the colors — of a single light or every light in the room — instantly.

How do you control the lights?

For any situations that require advanced DMX lighting control, Crimson Haze uses exclusively Avolites consoles. Avolites is the UK-based market leader in high-end lighting control software and hardware.

What is uplighting?

Simply put, “uplighting” is illumination from the floor upward, in lieu of (or in addition to) typical overhead lighting. Uplights can transform a room, highlight interesting architectural features, and wash the space in flattering indirect light. Uplighting is great for creating a classy ambiance.

Our cutting-edge uplights are completely wireless for elegant, cable-free installation, and can be set to vibrant colors, soft pastels, or any shade of white or warm white, to achieve the perfect hue for your event.

We also offer wireless dynamic uplighting, where the colors can elegantly and precisely change throughout the event. For example, warm white during your ceremony, fading to romantic amber during dinner, and smoothly changing to vibrant purple when it’s time to dance.

How many uplights do I need?

We generally suggest a minimum of eight uplights in a small room (two on each of the four walls), and scale up from there.

Packages of 24 and 32 are quite common. The recommended number will depend on the venue and the atmosphere you’d like to create.

We will review your venue and floor plan and make recommendations on quantities. Our goal is to bring your vision to life and make your event look perfect.

What is weather-proof lighting?

Weather-proof lighting, sometimes referred to as IP65 lighting, is rated to withstand the elements (rain, snow, dust) without worry. Crimson Haze specializes in wireless weather-proof lighting — perfect for Seattle weather!