One of the services we provide at IT’S LIT Weddings & Events is bistro lighting rental (sometimes referred to as market lighting). In this blog post we will discuss what bistro lighting is, and how it differs from other types of string lighting. We will also briefly discuss what string lighting is as a category, and the other options of string and bistro lighting that we offer and companies also typically offer for this type of lighting.
What is String/Bistro Lighting?
Bistro lighting is a type of string lighting, it can be seen everywhere from weddings, to porches, to peoples own backyards. Bistro lighting is one of the most familiar types of string lighting to most people as you can buy simple sets of bistro lighting in stores like Walmart and Target. Because bistro lighting can take many different forms and is available to consumers and professionals, people can become confused about what bistro lighting actually is. The simplest way to describe what makes bistro lighting, “bistro lighting”; is that bistro lighting generally consists of a string of wire with a number of sockets on it generally spaced out as little as 6 inches (0.5ft) or as much as 24 inches (2ft), though it could be more! A key characteristic is that a lightbulb of a certain style is screwed into each socket; bistro lighting is recognizable from other types of string lighting by its incandescent style generally, antique looking lightbulbs, however, to be clear, these bulbs are usually LEDs nowadays. The most intricate and true bistro lighting is generally what is available at consumer stores, however, it’s not designed for temporary decorative installations, so you will commonly see white wires with smaller lights for “temporary” lighting at events.
What is the difference between bistro lighting and string lighting?
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, bistro lighting is (technically) a type of string lighting. Bistro lighting itself can come in many different variations so it’s important to look at actual installation photos from the company you decide to hire to make sure that what they provide, is what you’re looking for. The statement “a photo is worth 1000 words” is very true in this scenario. String lighting on the other hand is more a type of lighting that encompasses many other types of lights in addition to bistro lighting, such as twinkle lights, many Christmas lights, and a number of other types of lights. In its most basic form, string lighting is any light that consists of multiple sockets/lights installed on a single “stringer” or wire. Various types of string lighting are often combined in more intricate installations such as using both bistro and “twinkle” lighting in combination. To be clear, bistro and string lighting are not chandeliers or individual light fixtures. These fall into a separate category, while variations of these light fixtures can be temporarily installed, they generally require more support than bistro lighting.
What is bistro lighting used for?
Bistro lighting can be used for any number of different situations from weddings to corporate events or anything in between, truly the use of bistro lighting is up to your imagination! Some of our customers know they want bistro lighting and for some it just comes up in conversation as something that might help achieve their event vision. Generally this changes based on if they are looking for it on the decor or A/V side, which we will mention soon. Some examples of events that we do bistro lighting for are:
Wedding Bistro Lighting
Bistro lighting is a great fit for many wedding venues, it goes very well with the rustic farmhouse, or modern rustic style. However, bistro lighting can be used in many scenarios for weddings, we have done bistro lighting in greenhouses, tents, and even halls, for weddings. The possibilities are endless.
Corporate Event Bistro Lighting
Bistro lighting can be used for any event including corporate, school and nonprofit. It provides the perfect amount of ambient lighting for many scenarios, and can help create a false ceiling to move attention away from other areas. We also sometimes suggest combining bistro lighting with uplighting, or other types of production lighting from our A/V team.
Indoor Bistro Lighting
Bistro lighting can of course be done indoors, however, the best candidates for indoor bistro lighting rental, are venues that have exposed piping or framing, especially if it is less than 1 inch in diameter. An example of this is handrails, balusters for railings, and electrical conduit.
Outdoor Bistro Lighting
Bistro lighting is achievable outside, though, depending on the scenario, it may require significant additional equipment. In addition, extension cords may be needed if power is not nearby the “LIT” area.
Tent Bistro Lighting/Tent Lighting
Bistro lighting is one form of string lighting that can be done inside of a tent. Oftentimes tent companies will have some form of lighting installed in the tent when setting up for safety. Bistro lighting adds to the ambience and can be used in a tent to help the tent feel more elegant and inviting for guests.
Who Provides Bistro Lighting Rental?
Bistro lighting rental is generally provided by a number of different companies, and usually it’s not the only service that a company provides. For example, tent rental companies generally provide some form of bistro lighting. There are also decorative/decor companies that provide bistro lighting, and they generally offer a mix of bistro lighting, other types of string lighting as well as additional decor, such as greenery attached to the lighting and drapery. It is also common for audio-visual production companies to offer bistro lighting. Who you decide to hire for your bistro lighting depends on what services you’re looking for in addition to bistro lighting if your venue is indoors and you’re looking for additional drapery and decor you probably want to hire a decorator, if your wedding is under a tent you probably want to hire the tent company to do bistro lighting. If you’re having an audiovisual event, such as a corporate meeting or any other event that doesn’t fall into the traditional mold, you may choose to hire an audiovisual company to do bistro lighting for you. We have done bistro lighting for clients in a number of different scenarios as our categories of business are in two out of the three aforementioned categories (A/V and Decor).
What to Look For in a Bistro Lighting Provider
Bistro lighting is generally not something that the client can set up on their own, therefore, you may need to do more research when hiring a company to do bistro lighting. One of the items you should ask every company you get a quote from for bistro lighting is if they provide a dimmer for the lights. Most companies offer this but you may have to ask for it you don’t want to find yourself in a position where you want to dim the lights at your wedding and you’re not able to. Without a dimmer you either have to leave them on or shut them off completely. You should ask your bistro lighting company about their insurance, and make sure that they have Worker’s Compensation insurance (if applicable). We require at least two people on site when a ladder is in use due to OSHA guidelines and this is something where insurance is very important. Finally, you should ask the bistro lighting company if they have ever serviced your venue before, as a follow-up question to this, you may want to ask how many feet of lights they recommend for your venue. Bistro lighting is generally sold/rented in multiple sections ranging from 50 feet to 1000 feet. However, most of what you’ll be paying for with bistro lighting is the cost of installation/labor, and take down if applicable.
Looking for bistro lighting in the New England area? Specifically Rhode Island, MA, or CT? Reach out to us now at the contact page or learn more about our rental offerings at our Rental Page. See more rental related blogs here.
