Classic Globe Lights at Woods Edge Farm • Stockton, New Jersey

We love finding new and beautiful New Jersey barns that are available as event venues. The rustic wooden beams and the wide open layouts make them the perfect destination for wedding receptions and other celebrations.

We recently provided a classic globe light treatment at the Woods Edge Farm for Elin and CJ. They had a vision in mind of a simple, understated lighting design that would not only provide functional light, but make the barn more intimate.

We used globe lights like these (also known as bistro lights and market lights):

And created this lighting treatment:

It takes lots of extra time to achieve these even, symmetrical swags of globe lights, but the end result is well worth it. Our amber LED uplighting added more warmth and ambient light in the room, and also highlighted the hay bale wall, which the farm uses to partition the event space.

Here's a gallery of photos from Elin and CJ's beautiful wedding day, courtesy of Woods Edge Farm Events' Facebook page:

Huge thanks to Elin and CJ for choosing us to be a part of their big day! Thank you also to Amy and the rest of the wonderful team at Woods Edge Farm. 

Visit Woods Edge Farm's Wedding Wire page to see all the great things brides have to say about hosting their events there.

Venue: Woods Edge Farm, Stockton NJ
Photography: Greg Nesbit Photography and Eggsotic Events staff
Event Lighting: Eggsotic Events
 

Country Rustic Decor Meets Modern Lighting • Tented Rehearsal Dinner • Far Hills, New Jersey

One of our biggest projects thus far in 2015 is this fun, beautiful rehearsal dinner in the countryside of Far Hills, New Jersey.

Eggsotic provided centerpieces, linens, tent pole decor, lighting, foliage and more for this celebration for 225 guests.

Since the end of June is the week of the summer solstice, this party took place on one of the longest days of the year. This presents a fun design challenge: to create a look that works beautifully in both the daytime and nighttime. 

There were several design inspirations for this design. The bride and groom graduated from the University of Louisville, where the school colors are red, white and black. The groom's family's house has a classic countryside aesthetic. The client loved the idea of the tent canopy transitioning into an abstract night sky as the night progressed. We combined all of these concepts to create this dramatic look:

Here's a selection of daytime and nighttime decor photos:
(As a side note, these were all taken by Josh from our team using an iPhone, with no edits or touch-ups. Great job Josh!)

Rustic, garden box-inspired centerpieces with red roses, hypericum and live rooted floral accents

Tablescape with faux burlap linens, red frosted candle holders, and red chiavari chairs

Custom tent pole surrounds with metal and glass lanterns

Large floor lanterns, entryway urns with live flowers and foliage, and the long head table

The view from the tent to the house and cocktail area, lined with lanterns on shepherd's hooks

The view from the walkway to the tent entry at dusk, with amber uplighting in the tent

The beginning of the nighttime starry night effect

Programmed LED lighting allowed us to change the room color as the sky darkened for an ever-changing lighting effect

The Don Eaton Band on stage

It was an absolute pleasure collaborating with this Far Hills event planning dream team: Shelley Ryan of SBR Event Design and Coordination and Louis and team of Prestige Party Rental. Cheers to many more events together!

Location: Private residence, Far Hills NJ
Tent: 57' x 117' Stillwater Tent, Prestige Party Rental
Planner: Shelley Ryan, SBR Event Design and Coordination
Lighting, Floral Decor, and Room Decor: Eggsotic Events
Catering: Ross & Owren
 

NYC Marriage Proposal with The Heart Bandits at the View of the World Terrace Club NYC • Lighting & Custom Decor by Eggsotic Events

Eggsotic Events partnered with The Heart Bandits to create a whimsical, personalized marriage proposal for Natan (Nate) and Caroline at the View of the World Terrace Club in the Financial District of NYC.

Marvin and Michele Velasquez created The Heart Bandits, a marriage proposal and romantic event planning company, and have since planned proposals for clients from all over the world. Their unique line of work has been featured in The New York Times.

Nate's proposal featured a heart that we custom-produced for the proposal. It featured a beautiful love poem that Nate wrote for Caroline, which read as follows:

To my most beautiful and better half!

As I look into the future as far as I can see,
I can see nothing except you being with me.
Through your eyes I only see that you are the one.

I love you since the first moment I saw you
Every time I think about you I see an amazing heart!
In your smile I see you love and your perfection!

You are in all of my dreams whether I'm awake or asleep,
My love for you is so deep that there are no words to describe it.

The Lord has made our paths meet forever.
He has an amazing plan for our lives together.

Today I'm not just telling you how much I love you!
But to ask you to be together from now on and forever.

I ask you permission to take your heart to be with me.
I promise to take care of you, and always guide you in love and wisdom.

With very deep affection this is how I choose to be with you forever

Nate

Photo by Jashim Jalal Photography

Along with this beautiful custom heart, Eggsotic provided LED wireless lighting, large floral arrangements with white roses and white orchids, and an aisle made of simple orchid arrangements, LED pillar candles, and pewter lanterns.

Photo by Jashim Jalal Photography

Nate led Caroline to the View of the World Terrace Club, then surprised her by arriving at this beautiful setting:

Photo by Jashim Jalal Photography

Photo by Jashim Jalal Photography

Photo by Jashim Jalal Photography

Photo by Jashim Jalal Photography

Photo by Jashim Jalal Photography

Photo by Jashim Jalal Photography

From a production perspective, this event was such an interesting challenge: the logistics of making sure that every detail was perfect, and that our install crew was gone before the couple arrived. Also, every element we used had to be designed to stay safely in place on a windy rooftop terrace.

Photo by Jashim Jalal Photography

When we arrived to break down the lighting and decor, we found Nate and Caroline, newly engaged and still absolutely beaming about Nate's proposal. Congratulations to Nate and Caroline, and best wishes for a lifetime of happiness together!

Photo by Jashim Jalal Photography

Photo by Jashim Jalal Photography

A huge thank you to Jashim Jalal Photography for sharing such beautiful photos of the proposal! See more of Jashim's work on his website and blog.

Venue: View of the World Terrace Club • Financial District, New York, NY

Planner: The Heart Bandits • services offered worldwide

Photography: Jashim Jalal Photography • NYC & NJ

Lighting, Floral Design, Custom Heart, and Other Decor: Eggsotic Events • NJ & NYC

Articles Featuring Eggsotic Events • NJ Event Design & Lighting

Here are a few recent articles featuring Eggsotic Events' decor and lighting services:

Photography by Emin Wedding Photojournalist; Photo via weddingplannermag.com

A Peek Behind the Scenes at Three Fabulous Tented Weddings • Wedding Planner Magazine

Eggsotic Events partnered with Marie Danielle Vil-Young of A Votre Service Events to create a gorgeous tent atmosphere for a wedding at a farm in Bordentown, New Jersey. Eggsotic provided uplighting, band/stage lighting, ceiling wash lighting, draping, and a ceiling installation with hundreds of LED candles and lanterns. We also installed draping on the mandap for the ceremony. For more details about this wedding, read the original article here. To see more photos of this beautiful wedding, visit the photographer's blog.

Photography by Jashim Jalal Photography. Photo via theyesgirls.com

New York City Meets Las Vegas Marriage Proposal by The Yes Girls

Eggsotic Events provided our Eiffel Tower and uplighting at GoldBar in NYC for a marriage proposal planned by The Yes Girls. The Yes Girls are a group of planners who specialize in one-of-a-kind marriage proposals. Kishan and Merisa's love story involved meeting in Las Vegas, so the Eiffel Tower was chosen to represent Paris Las Vegas' iconic tower replica. Merisa said yes! To see more photos and find out more about custom marriage proposal planning, click here for the full article. Also, read Kishan's testimonial here.

Photo via nj.com

Horses and Riders Stars of the Field and Fashion Fundraiser • NJ.com

Eggsotic Events provided uplighting, dance floor lighting, band lighting, draping, and auction lighting for the New Jersey Conservation Foundation's Field & Fashion Fundraiser at Cedar Lane Farm. The NJCF raises funds to preserve land and natural resources throughout NJ. See the full article on NJ.com.

FAQ Series: Pin Spotting Explained: Why Your Centerpieces Should Have Pin Spots

This is our second entry in a series of Lighting FAQs. To learn about Gobo Light Projections, click here.

What is pin spotting?

Pin spots are focused beams of warm white light, projected onto tabletop focal points, such as centerpieces, wedding cakes, artwork, and auction items. Pin spots highlight these elements, making them stand out in photographs and in person.

Pin spots are light fixtures with specialized bulbs inside, that are narrow spotlights (rather than a normal lightbulb, which is a wide angle wash light). The pin spot fixtures are secured to freestanding support hardware, then focused by professional installers to maximize the impact they make. Perfect pin spotting is like an art form, making the tabletop decor elements glow just right.

How are the pin spot lights set up?

Most often, pin spots are rigged to racks, then supported by freestanding pipe and base structures. Additional weight is added to the bases to make sure that these tall, heavy racks are safe near guests. Our team of professional lighting installers deliver, install and focus the pin spots before the event, and uninstall them after the event.

Here at Eggsotic, we also have a pin spot technology that allows us to incorporate pin spots in the existing lighting system of the venue without freestanding hardware. For more information about this, please call or email us.

Soft pin spotting makes floral centerpieces pop at this Bernards Inn wedding. Photo by Therese Wagner Photography.

Do my centerpieces need pin spots?

Here are questions to answer to determine whether or not you need pin spots for your centerpieces:

• Are you having an evening event?

Pin spotting is intended for evening/nighttime events. Or, if you're having a daytime event in a space without windows, pin spotting can still be effective.

We do not recommend pin spots for daytime events in window-filled spaces, as the effect won't be as dramatic as you'd like.

• Are your centerpieces large/elaborate?

If so, you've most likely spent a significant amount of money on each one. A major design mistake we've seen is spending several hundred dollars per table on floral arrangements, then opting out of pin spotting. The centerpieces get lost in the look of the room, and none of your guests can see all of the exquisite details in the flowers.

• Are your centerpieces floral arrangements?

Floral arrangements often need pin spotting in order to be seen clearly in low light. This is especially true if you're including colored uplighting or other light effects.

• Are you using other types of lighting in the room?

You may think that if you're using uplighting and other lighting effects, you don't need pin spots. In fact, the opposite is typically true. The high-end look you're trying to achieve comes from layering different types of light. The uplighting creates a colorful wash, then the pin spots create dramatic focal points and keep the room from looking like one solid color. This combination draws guests' eyes to each beautiful element in the room.

• Do you have lots of candles on each table?

If your centerpiece primarily consists of candles, pin spots aren't necessary. If you plan to use candles as accents, a gorgeous balance of light comes from a pin spot on the floral centerpiece, and 3-6 candles as accents around it. Here's a great example of that look at our Birch Wedding at the Bernards Inn in Bernardsville, New Jersey:

Photo by Andres Valenzuela

The above photo shows the difference in light level between the centerpiece and the rest of the table. The centerpiece is the clear focal point, and the light level around the rest of the table remains intimate and not over-lit.

How much do pin spots cost?

Pin spot pricing is dependent upon a few factors:

• What is the timeframe for setup and takedown?

   Labor rates are calculated based on how much time is allowed for setup. Less time for installation means sending more installers, which can increase the cost. The timeframe should always be discussed with your venue prior to booking.

• Where is the event being held?

   Labor and trucking rates are also dependent upon the distance from the vendor to the location.

• How many pin spots do you need?

   If you need over twenty pin spots, you can often pay a lower price per table than if you only need a few.

To receive pin spot pricing, please contact us with your event location, date, timeline, and table quantity. This information allows us to create a prompt quote that includes setup and takedown.

Bold, Elegant Wedding Lighting and Draping at The Bernards Inn • Bernardsville, New Jersey

Here at Eggsotic, we love creating new designs for each event we do at The Bernards Inn. In the past, we've transformed the ballroom into a Central Park inspired setting with custom birch decor. 

For our most recent event, Chris and Robert's wedding, we provided elegant lighting and draping for the ceremony and reception. The ceremony and reception both took place in the ballroom, so we provided lighting that adapted to transform the ballroom from one look to another in very little time.

Floral decor provided by Somerset Hills Florist, Photography by Therese Marie Wagner Photography, and Lighting by Eggsotic Events

For the ceremony, we used warm amber uplighting and classic warm white chuppah lighting to give the ballroom a high-impact tasteful look. Our lush ivory drape helped define the ceremony area and gave a simple backdrop for the florist's lanterns.

For the reception, we changed the amber lighting to deep blue, and used our pin spots and monogram projection fixtures to transform the tabletops and dance floor. Pin spotting is essential for large centerpieces, as it highlights the gorgeous flowers and gives a subtle glow to each table. The monogram projected on the dance floor was also used in the wedding stationery and table numbers, reinforcing the cohesive custom look of the wedding.

Here are more photos of the ceremony and reception. Another huge thank you to Therese of Therese Marie Wagner Photography for sharing her beautiful photos of the day! For more of Therese's photography, see our blog post about our recent work at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. We wish a lifetime of happiness to the bride and groom, Chris and Robert!

Venue and Catering: The Bernards Inn • Bernardsville, New Jersey

Photography: Therese Marie Wagner Photography • NJ, NYC, and Philadelphia

Florist: Somerset Hills Florist • Basking Ridge, New Jersey

Lighting and Draping: Eggsotic Events • New Jersey and New York City Area

Summer Solstice Wedding Lighting at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster • Bedminster & Far Hills Area, New Jersey

We recently shared photos of a beautiful engagement party last fall at a family's residence in Far Hills, New Jersey. This year, on the first day of summer, we provided lighting for the couple's wedding day at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

The bride and groom loved the warm lavender LED uplighting at their engagement party, so they requested it for their wedding reception as well.

Therese Wagner of Therese Marie Wagner Photography was so kind to share these beautiful photos of the reception. Therese is a joy to interact with and we highly recommend her.

Mike and his team from Jardiniere in Far Hills created beautiful floral tablescapes that tied in perfectly with the lavender lighting. They also provided the hydrangea floral arrangements at the engagement party last fall.

Venue: Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, NJ

Planner: Bonnie Schleimer, Bernards Inn in Bernardsville, NJ

Photographer: Therese Marie Wagner Photography in NJ, NYC, and Philadelphia

Florist: Jardiniere Fine Flowers in Far Hills, NJ

Lighting: Eggsotic Events in Hampton, NJ

Valentine's Day Luxury Wedding Lighting and Decor • Pleasantdale Chateau • West Orange, New Jersey

Valentine's Day weekend is a classic time for romance. Eggsotic Events collaborated with Marie Danielle Vil-Young of A Votre Service Events to create a luxurious, romantic wedding setting at the Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange, New Jersey.

Eggsotic Events provided programmed, custom-color LED uplighting, as well as pin spotting. We also provided the custom graphic dance floor, using a pattern that matched the wedding stationery. The dance floor overlay was applied over the venue's existing octagonal dance floor.

We also provided a rich red velvet drape entry into the ballroom.

A Votre Service provided candelabra centerpieces with gorgeous red rose floral arrangements, as well as custom seating, linens and place settings.

We loved being part of such a dramatic transformation of an already beautiful event space.

Click here to see a video of the transformation with an interview with Marie Danielle.

Venue: Pleasantdale Chateau • West Orange, New Jersey

Planner: A Votre Service Events • Somerville, New Jersey

Lighting: Eggsotic Events • Hampton, New Jersey

Tented Engagement Party • Private Residence in Somerset County, New Jersey

Eggsotic Events teamed up with the Bernards Inn's talented staff to produce a beautiful, one-of-a-kind engagement party at a client's Somerset County home.

The party combined soft, rustic elements with modern purple lighting to create a space that's romantic and inviting.

Eggsotic Events provided LED uplighting, pin spotting, rustic oak barrel bars, tables, linens, and other assorted decor.

Our Bride-to-Be and Groom-to-Be chair banners, with Jardiniere's hydrangea floral arrangements.

Lavender uplighting creates a soft glow, even during daylight hours.

Our rustic oak barrel bars

Planner and Caterer: The Bernards Inn • Bernardsville, New Jersey

Venue: Private residence

Tent: Prestige Party Rental • Prospect Park, New Jersey

Floral Decor: Jardiniere Fine Flowers • Far Hills, New Jersey

Photography: Therese Marie Wagner Photography • Red Bank, New Jersey

Lighting and Other Decor: Eggsotic Events • Hampton, New Jersey

Succulent Wedding Decor at the Stone House at Stirling Ridge • Warren, New Jersey

We love the succulent wedding decor trend, and this year we finally found an opportunity to get creative with succulents and other organic decor. 

Our bride Marissa and her fiancé (now husband) Evan love to go hiking together, and wanted their reception decor to reflect their love of nature. Each table was named after a hiking trail they've explored together, and we reinforced that theme by including photos of them on each trail in custom birch bark frames.

We used many varieties of fresh, live succulents, along with river rock, driftwood, and birch bark. No two tablescapes were the same, because each featured different varieties of succulents, moss, wood, and more. This design concept encourages guests to explore the room and take in the unique appearance of each centerpiece.

Tablescape featuring driftwood, ferns, succulents, birch candles, and other organic accents

Tablescape featuring live succulents, live moss, birch bark, river rock, and grapevine

Photos of the bride and groom on hiking trips coordinated with each table name.

The escort/entry table featured a floral arrangement with giant lilies, live dogwood, and birch.

Marissa's mother is Catherine Mullen, President of two event planning companies: Meeting Logistics and ML2 Events. Cathy is a pleasure to work with on both corporate and social events, and it was an honor to be chosen to provide decor for her daughter's big day.

Here's Marissa's Wedding Wire review of our work:

It was such a joy working with Marissa and her mother, and seeing their reactions to the decor and lighting we provided.