Belle Bridal – The North East Bridal Magazine features Colin Cook Moodlighting

I was delighted to see a feature in the current (Autumn/Winter 2011) edition of Belle Bridal Magazine showing a ‘Real Wedding’ where the Bride commented on my uplighting services.

Bride Kathryn Spinks (now Mrs Dan Gibson) contacted me regarding her wedding reception at magnificent Durham Castle in September 2010 (Yep, I know it takes a long time for things to get into magazines sometimes but this was an amazing venue)

Although Kathryn fell in love with the incredible Castle she was a little unsure about what she saw as a stark and imposing dark venue. Kathryn wanted to retain all the magnificence of this 11th Century World Heritage Site but lift the mood a little and also blend it into her sophisticated and elegant theme. My details were given to Kathryn by Event Durham who are responsible for promoting and running events at all of the Durham University Buildings and for whom I am a recommended supplier. When first approached I was a little reluctant as I had weddings on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday of that week and was looking forward to the Sunday off. But Kathryn is such a lovely person (and very persuasive) and my love of Durham Castle got the better of me. To my knowledge nobody had uplit the Great Hall in it’s entirety before (or since) so I relished the challenge. I met with Kathryn and we planned not just a bit of lighting around the walls but a complete enhancement of the incredible natural features in this wonderful building.

With Niche Windows starting some 20ft up the walls (and higher) and some huge arched windows, the Raised Dais area where the Top Table is usually situated, the Minstrels Gallery, Fireplace and other features this was no straightforward job! I took loads of photos, did some sketches and planned the layout. Then I went out and bought some extra long ladders!

I arrived very early on the morning of the Wedding (early enough to sample the lovely cooked breakfasts!) and made a start. First the shell – laying cabling around the outside walls, hiding it as I went along and then running power lines up to the big windows, lighting the stonework all around. The install took 4.5 hours and a LOT of lighting units including LED Stage Floods set to match the colours but enhance the Minstrels Gallery. Despite the fantastic effect there was very little power drawn from these LED units and no heat given off either. Kind to the environment, kind to the pocket and if someone happens to touch one (please don’t!) they are cool to the touch so no 2nd Degree burns!

I wasn’t DJing for Kathryn and Dan that night (just as well after that mammoth task!) so didn’t get the chance to take as many photos as I’d have liked once it got dark. I notice that despite the mention in the magazine they didnt have space to show photos of the finished product so I thought I’d put some here – see below.

I wont tell you what Kathryn said to me when I turned up at the end of the night, though she did give me a massive hug and kiss. Here is what she said to Belle Bridal:

With a little help from friends, family and some last minute up-lighting, Kathryn managed to create a stylish and atmospheric reception setting and bring a new lease of life to the historic venue. Kathryn says ‘The room up lighing (courtesy of Colin Cook) was definitely an amazing extra touch, only hired about three weeks before the wedding itself, it made an amazing difference to the venue and is by far the best money I have ever spent.’ (Belle Bridal Autumn/Winter 2011 Page 97)

LED Uplighting, or Moodlighting as I named it several years ago is an extremely effective way to transform any venue and to create mood, atmosphere and bring the room into your colour theme. Cost wise it is very economical especially when compared in price to other venue enhancements such as chair covers, table centrepieces etc. On the downside, every DJ and his mother now claims to offer this service although generally they use photos of other peoples work and hope to get the business first and then hire/buy the equipment. usually they underprice and end up letting the client down because they simply dont have the equipment or expertise (or simple creative flair) to do the job properly. Colin Cook is one of, if not the leading supplier of moodlighting in the North East. He has an ample supply of equipment and the knowledge, flair and empathy with his surroundings to create a magical atmosphere. As well as uplighting his services include Wedding DJ, Interactive Slideshows, Master of Ceremonies ( Toast Master), Managed Ceremony Music, external lighting, Starlit dancefloors and backdrops, music for Wedding Breakfast. His services including uplighting can regularly be seen in venues such as Durham Castle, Alnwick Garden, Alnwick Castle, Bamburgh Castle, Slaley Hall, Whitworth Hall, Wynyard Hall, Beamish Hall, Eshott Hall, Doxford Hall, Guyzance Hall, Crathorne Hall, Judges Hotel, Grinkle Park and many other prestigious venues across the North East.

Photos of Durham Castle Great Hall lit for Kathryn and Dan’s splendid wedding on 19th September 2010 (please note the disco light thing is not mine!)