Lighting inspirations, plus what sort of price for hiring?

[CustardLover]

I'm not organising a wedding but I am organising a party, in a big barn of a church hall, with mega-watt fluorescent lighting, and I'm worried it's going to be completely devoid of atmosphere. I wondered if anyone had any ideas for lighting that can go up quickly (we will only be able to get in an hour before the guests arrive! and can then be removed pretty pronto too? Is there such thing as a sheet of fairy lights that can be pinned up to cover a ceiling and then just switched on (hopeful face)? And has anyone hired lighting for an event before? I really have NO IDEA what the price might be so thanks for any steer!

Ceiling drapes which light up . Many companies hire them. You can have backdrops and table skirts too. Try Facebook or Google in your local area

Don't use the building lights. If you have the budget hire something like this.

www.a1proents.com/ul.html?gclid=CNSpqJql1dUCFcgK0wodb00ONg

I work in events and they give a nice wash of colour to a room as well as atmosphere. Call round. They don't have to be super expensive. Your local Uni might have some you can hire for a low fee given it's out of season.

Thanks very much both, I am more hopeful after doing a bit of googling of both of those! It's the time thing that stresses me most - getting them up and then down in time, but these seem manageable, I hope!

Are you hiring a DJ? Quite often they provide lighting.