How to Decorate Fluorescent Light Panels for a Wedding Hall

Add flair to fluorescent light panels to enhance your wedding decor.

Lighting fixtures are often overlooked when planning a wedding, but if your wedding hall has fluorescent light panels, you can extend your decorating plans to the ceiling. The wedding hall is unlikely to allow you to change the look of their own light panels, but you can purchase your own and switch them out during your wedding and reception. You can find the light panels at a home improvement store.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Paper
• Pencil
• Warm water
• Soap
• Rag
• Clear acrylic fluorescent light panels
• Masking tape
• Stencils
• Acrylic paints
• Paintbrushes

Instructions

1. Measure the light fixtures in the wedding hall. Write down the measurements on a piece of paper.

2. Purchase your fluorescent light panels, using your measurements to help you choose the right size.

3. Wash the front and back of each light panel using warm water and soap. Allow the light panels to dry completely.

4. Choose a design for your light panels. Select a stencil that has a design that aligns with your wedding decorating scheme. Alternatively, opt for a stencil with script lettering so you can intertwine your and your partner's initials.

5. Tape your stencil to the back side of your first acrylic fluorescent light panel using masking tape.

6. Paint the design onto the light panel using acrylic paints and appropriately sized paintbrushes. If you use more than one color, let each color dry completely before going on to the next color.

7. Repeat the procedure for each fluorescent light panel you plan to include in your wedding.

8. Allow your finished product to dry for 24 to 48 hours.

9. Swap the fluorescent light panels the day before your wedding.

Tips & Warnings

• You can include multiple designs on a fluorescent light panel. If you are having trouble coming up with a design, consider what is important to you and your soon-to-be-spouse. If you enjoy nature, paint a bright blue sky with puffy white clouds or a flower garden. If you have a special connection to a specific place, such as a beach, paint an image of that place.

• A solid color might add ambient lighting to your wedding celebration. Paint the entire back of the panel a light color that aligns with your decorating scheme. This can soften the harshness of the fluorescent lights and create a more romantic atmosphere.

• Do not drape fabric, silk flowers or other flammable materials around fluorescent light panels. The lights might get too hot, and the fabric can pose a fire hazard.

• Always ask the owner of the wedding hall before swapping out fluorescent light panels for your wedding and reception.

References

• The Essential Guide to Decorating; Vinny Lee

Resources

• HGTV: Replacing a Fluorescent Light Fixture