Outdoor Weddings are a Staple of Summer - Book Your Date Now

An outdoor ceremony at Winfrey Point at
White Rock Lake. The bride and groom are the focal point
in this perfectly placed outdoor tableau.

Outdoor wedding season is here, and Dallas Light and Sound is accepting bookings through the fall for outdoor ceremonies. Having produced numerous outdoor ceremonies and receptions, the team at Dallas Light and Sound know which questions to ask and which pitfalls to avoid in assuring the our clients have a memorable and beautiful outdoor experience.

The Filter Building at White Rock Lake was the
site for this simple and beautiful ceremony.
See any speakers on poles?
NEVER from Dallas Light and Sound.

Producing a wedding or reception outside poses some interesting challenges. Power is always a concern. Professional power generators are often brought in to address a deficiency of power. Knowing the power sources available and how many circuits comprise those circuits is key to delivering a worry free outdoor experience. If power must be brought on site, we know the people to call and receive preferred pricing because of our professional relationships.

A bridal white platform from Dallas Light and Sound
elevates the bride, groom and
officiant while protecting the bride's gown.

Bringing adequate audio to the outdoor space requires certain expertise. Concealing that audio so that it does not intrude on site lines and appear in photographs is paramount to our temporary outdoor audio installations. Dallas Light and Sound will NEVER place speakers on poles, nor will we flank the ceremony space with speakers. At DLS we believe that the bride and groom should be the focus, not the audio equipment.

DLS Chargers and a
signature centerpiece.

Standing in the grass can be uncomfortable, particularly for brides who wear high heels. Dallas Light and Sound has bridal white platforms in our inventory to elevate the bride, groom and officiant - even th eentire wedding party. Standing on these stage sections also protects the bride's gown from potential soilage from standing for long periods of time or kneeling in the grass.
Dallas Light and Sound signature decor elements also contribute to the evening, bringing sophistication and elegance to any outdoor setting.

After the ceremony, the reception begins usually as the sun goes down. If held outside, lighting become very important, otherwise guests are left standing in the dark.

Midway lighting by Dallas Light and Sound
Over a Backyard Patio

Midway lighting is a traditional yet elegant option. Uplighting along a fence can also bring the bride's colors into the reception. Dining or dancing outdoors under midway lights is a memorable outdoor experience at any wedding reception. Backyard receptions are perfect for the bride and groom that want a casual feeling evening following the formality of a ceremony at a church. The picture in this article was taken on a summer's eve, with Midway lighting covering a back patio that doubled as a dancefloor. Cake and food service also occurred on the back patio at this wedding, with the kitchen and catering staff only steps away from the food. Lighting the front of the house is also an important element if a bride and groom are planning to celebrate in a back yard. A well lit house lets guests know that they have arrived, and with the correct application of lighting gels can reflect the bride's colors.

Summer colors of pink and mango
provide great walk up appeal.

Uplighting and trunk wraping of trees can provide a magical element for an outdoor reception or wedding. DLS uses both incandescent and led lights to achieve unique looks in tree lighting. For additional information about planning a wedding, reception, or event in the great outdoors call Dallas Light and Sound at 214-943-4238 to request an appointment with one of our designers. Additional images of wedding and events, we have produced both inside and outside can be found in the photo gallery section of facebook at www.facebook.com/dallaslightandsound.

Tree uplighting by Dallas Light and Sound provides
a magical backdrop
for any wedding reception or ceremony.

For additional information about planning a wedding, reception, or event in the great outdoors call Dallas Light and Sound at 214-943-4238 to request an appointment with one of our designers. Hundreds of images of weddings and events we have produced, both inside and outside, can be found in the photo gallery section of facebook at www.faceboom.com/dallaslightandsound. Prefer to send an email, Dallas Light and Sound can be reached at dallight@sbcglobal.net.

Before and After - AIN Bloomin Ball at the Hilton Anatole Grand Ballroom

The Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Anatole prior to
set up for the AIN Bloomin Ball 2012.

Event production is about more than just delivering and setting up equipment... it involves working closely with the client to develop a floorplan, create a design, and execute a vision for the event.

Setup is underway, with staging conforming to the floorplan,
and lighting and audio installations underway for
the 2012 AIN Bloomin Ball at the Hilton Anatole Grand Ballroom.

The 2012 "Bloomin Ball - Sowing the Seeds of Hope" marks the fourth year that Dallas Light and Sound has provided production services for this seated dinner gala for 500. Now in its second year at the Hilton Anatole Grand Ballroom, it was important this year to leverage prior experience of producing the event in the Grand Ballroom, while striving to provide a fresh visual experience for patrons. Everyone involved in the event worked diligently to elevate the experience for 2012, which included an interpretative dance performance for the first time.

The Performance Stage is ready to welcome the band and
eight vocalists to perform at Bloomin Ball 2012
at the Hilton Anatole Grand Ballroom.

Pulling the event's signature colors into the room served as a foundation for the event design. DLS was tasked with designing and delivering the key aspects of production  - stage design, lighting, audio, and video projection.

A dual-stage approach and two video screens provided the foundation of "the look" of the event with vocal performances occurring on one stage and speeches and the Crystal Hope awards delivered from an adjacent stage. The performance stage and presenter stage were lit both with lekos and a pair of spotlights in an intelligent lighting design controlled from the technical deck. These elements meant the audience always knew where to focus their attention and kept the event from becoming visually stagnant.
 

The spotlights are on Honorary Event Co-Chair Andy Smith
as he addresses the crowd from amongst an
elaborate floral installation at Bloomin Ball 2012 at the Hilton Anatole Grand Ballroom.

The event chairs relied upon Dallas Light and Sound to provide a simple stage backdrop design in order to showcase a first-ever fresh florals stage set. The Chairs and event underwriter C's Florist worked for nearly two days to create a "floral experience" on the presenting stage. Once installed, Dallas Light and Sound lighting designer Craig Canant created a lighting design that added depth and texture to the floral elements on the stage.

Eight local vocalists under the direction of
Ray Norris delivered powerful performances at
AIN Bloomin Ball - Sowing the Seeds of Hope..

The AIDS Interfaith Network is the beneficiary of Bloomin Ball. AIN is a multicultural, faith-based, nonprofit HIV/AIDS service organization that provides direct care services to meet practical, emotional, and spiritual needs of persons with HIV/AIDS and prevention programs for individuals, groups, and communities.

AIN has been providing a combination of prevention and care programs for 25 years. Currently they serve 2,000 individual men, women, children and youth who have HIV/AIDS, and make over 20,000 contacts with other at-risk individuals in targeted communities. The Core Values of AIN are Service, Respect, Inclusion, Collaboration, and Compassion. Our Vision is to offer HOPE and ultimately to HELP create a world without HIV/AIDS.

For additional information about AIN visit www.aidsinterfaithnetwork.com .

The Victory Belles Perform at Hilton Anatole for Families of WWII Veterans

The Victory Belles wow the crowd at the Hilton Anatole

The Families of WWII Veterans event "Casino Royale" featured three performances by the Victory Belles - and Dallas Light and Sound was there providing audio, video projection, lighting and stage design. The Victory Belles wowed the audience with numerous costume changes, humor, heartfelt messages and great voices!

A photo album from "Casino Royale" with several shots of the Victory Belles performing and rehearsing is now available for viewing on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dallaslightandsound.

The gaming and entertainment filled night benefitted The Families of WWII Veterans, a worldwide, non-profit organization, dedicated to ensuring that the historical lessons of World War II are not forgotten. Their online global community enables visitors to share experiences of this conflict and provides younger generations with numerous resources to help expand their knowledge of the powerful sacrifices made by World War II veterans around the world. Several WWII Veterans were in attendance.

Patrons at "Casino Royale" enjoying gaming at this 
benefit for Families of WWII Veterans

Admiral Patrick M. Walsh of Preston Hollow was the keynote speaker at the WWII Veterans Foundation Casino Royale Gala Fundraiser. Last January, Adm. Walsh retired from the U.S. Navy after more than 34 years of service.

During his command, he led all U.S. military efforts following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, and later nuclear crisis in Japan.

Casino Royale was the second annual gala for the Families of WWII Veterans Foundation, and included Walsh’s keynote speech, a buffet dinner, casino, dancing, and a performance by The Victory Belles.

Additional information about the organization can be found on their website at  http://www.familiesww2veterans.org

'Ignite" Kicks of Red Party 2012

 Expect a "Red Hot - Red Carpet Experience" tonight designed by Dallas Light and Sound as Red Party 2012 kicks off with their first event "Ignite" - from 7 to 10 pm at Ilume on Cedar Springs.

For additional information visit....  http://www.facebook.com/events/300722753333733/

DISH Restaurant and Lounge have signed on as presenting sponsors for the 4th Annual Red Party and preceding events like the official kick off "Ignite". Park Place Motorcars will anchor the Red Carpet as guests arrive with photo opportunities available. The event features complimentary cocktails by Hudson Ferus Premium Vodka and additional financial underwriting from Bar 10 Events. Chipotle restaurant will be serving delicious bites at "Ignite" that are certain to heat up the evening.

An important part of the mission of the Red Party Foundation and their events is to raise funds for Legacy Counseling Center and Founders Cottage. Legacy Counseling Center has invested 20 years in providing quality mental healthcare, substance abuse treatment, and special care housing services for people challenged with HIV and . The center offers individual, group, and family counseling by fully licensed professionals. The agency also provides a 24-hour emergency hotline available to anyone facing suicidal or other crisis situations related to their diagnosis or current medical condition.

Opened in 1996, Legacy Founders Cottage is a licensed, seven-room special-care facility in a cozy, homelike environment for people living with AIDS in critical stages of their illness who require 24-hour supervised care. Both hospice and home healthcare services are available to residents based on individual needs, and all meals are prepared in-house by staff and volunteers to meet the unique needs and desires of individual residents.

For additional information about Legacy Counseling Center visit  www.legacycounseling.org.

Fashion CITED 2012 Sees Record Breaking Attendance



Guests begin to enter the Frontiers of Flight Museum.

A runway measuring 60 feet in length, 17 designers and more than 170 looks - that's Fashion CITED 2012! Held this year at Frontiers of Flight Museum, the largest venue ever for the show saw record breaking turnout. Another new addition to the event were seated sponsor tables, which added significantly to the funds raised for Legal Hospice of Texas. Under the guidance of Designer Francisco Flores and with assistance from Designer Cathy Garcia, the show moved quickly.



Five sponsor tables helped elevate the funds raised at Fashion CITED 2012.

Dallas Light and Sound provided turn key production services for Fashion CITED including audio, stage design, video, lighting, pipe and drape and linens. DLS augmented the runway belonging to Frontiers of Flight with sections of runway from our warehouse.
Legal Hospice of Texas works to build a community in which people, regardless of health or economic status, have access to justice. Their mission is to provide timely and compassionate legal services to low income persons diagnosed with terminal illnesses or HIV-disease.

Event sponsors received recognition on the runway.

For additional information on Legal Hospice of Texas visit www.legalhospice.org.