S7E9: Event Lighting Design + Trends to Transform Your Wedding
Top lighting trends all in one place!
From hanging lighting fixtures to market walls.
We have the top lighting trends, styles that are not going anywhere, and even inspiration for transforming your wedding into an absolutely stunning event.
Guest: Kevin Dennis, Fantasy Sound and WeddingIQ
This week, we’re dishing about…
lighting trends
different options to customize your event
how to stay on the cutting edge of trends
creating a stunning space
how to choose the right venue for your wedding day
… and more!
Meet Kevin!
Title: Owner, Fantasy Sound and WeddingIQ
Hometown: Livermore, CA
Favorite part of a wedding:
I have always enjoyed the toasts, but ever since I became a father, I have found that I really enjoy the father of the bride/grooms’ toasts. I look forward to the day that I can give a father of the bride/groom toast.
Which three words best describe you?
Dedicated
Passionate
Nerdy
Favorite sports to watch?
(in the following order)
Baseball
Basketball
Football
Favorite vacation spot:
Arlington, TX, Maui, Las Vegas
Favorite music genre:
I like all types of music from Frank Sinatra to current music.
Pearls of Wisdom:
Don’t lose sight of the big picture.
What song do you often find in your head?
Strangers in the Night, by Frank Sinatra
What’s the best advice you can give to a couple when planning their wedding?
Stay organized, take the time to enjoy the planning process and don’t lose sight of your vision.
Favorite song lyrics:
“And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times,
It’s you, it’s you, you make me sing.
You’re every line, you’re every word, you’re everything.
You’re every song, and I sing along.
‘Cause you’re my everything.”
“Everything” – Michael Buble
What are your favorite hobbies?
Playing with my kids and watching sports.
What makes you laugh?
My family. I have a funny family that does some crazy things!
Favorite movie:
The Rookie
The Pursuit of Happiness
For The Love of The Game
Fever Pitch
How do you take your Starbucks beverage?
Venti Passion Iced Tea, unsweetened.
If you weren’t in your current profession, what would you do instead?
NASCAR Driver. I like to drive fast.
Enjoying success requires the ability to adapt. Only by being open to change will you have a true opportunity to get the most from your talent. – Nolan Ryan
Business Details…
How long have you been in business? Since 1989...so 33 years
What areas do you serve?
The San Francisco Bay Area, specifically the Tri-Valley
Why did you decide to start your own business?
I was working for other DJ companies and thought that I could do a better job on my own.
What's the coolest thing about owning your own business?
The freedom!
What challenges have you had to overcome?
I've been lucky to survive both the recession of '08 and the pandemic. In '08 we were mainly doing corporate events, so it was at that time that we pivoted to weddings to stay afloat. And of course the pandemic put a pause on everything, but we were able to survive by pivoting to holiday light installation and outdoor celebrations.
What advice could you offer to someone starting a business like yours?
Mistakes are inevitable...learn from them instead of dwelling on them!
Wedding Details…
What, if anything, would you change about your wedding?
I'd change the color. We did brown and pink and looking back at the photos I don't love it...but it was 2008 so that palette was all the rage!
How did you choose your wedding vendors?
I started with the people I knew the longest and worked my way down from there.
What advice could you offer to engaged couples planning their wedding - as both a wedding professional and a married human?
Take time to enjoy the process! Couples seem to get stressed out and stuck on certain details, but I try to remind them to look at the big picture and enjoy it.
What was the most important decision you made about your wedding?
To do a late night snack, before late night snacks were popular!
Have something else to share? A funny story? Something crazy that happened?
I got married on New Year's Eve and my whole family complained about it...but to this day they all keep saying that they wish we would do a blowout anniversary party because they had so much fun at our wedding. Maybe one year we will!
Daily Life…
What is daily life like in your household?
Absolute chaos. I have 3 kids who are all involved in sports, so everyday is a testament to the scheduling prowess of my wife!
Are there any challenges or obstacles that you've had to overcome?
Living with an 18 year old is an obstacle every day!
What advice would you offer to other business owners in a similar situation?
It's imperative to schedule family time.
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