Event and venue lighting consultant
Design lighting for weddings, shows and venues, working with organisers and hire companies on the day and in planning.
- £800-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
What it is
You plan the look of events and venues using lighting, such as uplighters, stage washes and outdoor schemes. You visit sites, produce a plan and often oversee set-up with a hire partner.
Your first three steps
- Offer to design lighting for a local venue or community event to build photos and references
- Agree a working relationship with a lighting hire company so you can quote without owning kit
- Contact wedding venues and event planners with a simple price list and portfolio
Who pays
Event organisers, wedding venues, theatres, community halls and businesses hosting launches or exhibitions.
How it makes money
Design fee per event or venue, plus a day rate for attending the set-up. Longer venue refreshes may be priced as a project.
Skills that help
- Knowledge of stage and architectural lighting
- Working to tight timings and briefs
- Safe working practices on busy sites
Watch out for
- Public liability and professional indemnity insurance, as venues often ask for proof
- Risk assessments and safe use of equipment, especially at height and with temporary power
- Check whether any venue or event needs licences or approvals that affect your lighting plan
- Work can be seasonal and weekend-heavy, so plan your income across the year
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: event and venue lighting consultant
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an event lighting consultancy?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around £800 to £4,000, depending on your set-up. Public liability and professional indemnity insurance are worth checking, as venues often ask for proof of cover.
How much can an event lighting consultant earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £600 to £3,000, depending on how many events and venues you work with, with at least about 8 hours a week. Work can be seasonal and weekend-heavy, so plan across the year.
What rules should I check before lighting events and venues?
Check risk assessments and safe use of equipment, especially at height and with temporary power. Also check whether any venue or event needs licences or approvals that affect your lighting plan, and confirm your insurance meets venue requirements.
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