I agree with Lloyd.. to a point..
"The first thing I realized is that most need to be plugged in. Not so great for dynamic photos, or when you're crunched for time."
((This is a given. Cosnidering most good lights needa 12v 6 cell sealed battery, they do need a good power hit. These batteries are cheap however and adjustable lights(dimmable or clean globe swaps) can work around the issue of continuous power
I souldnt however run a video light non stop at a reception, unless its set up to act as a spotlight with proper focus and barndoor control. In any case, there is a time and place for continuous light.. slow shutter night shots is a perfect example.. light "painting" is another, subject isolation etc etc))
"-The ones that take batteries are pretty darn heavy. Maybe not heavy to hold one for two minutes in a shoot, but quite heavy to add to your overall kit. Even a set of small handheld lights came in a large case that would be awkward to carry in addition to all your photo gear."
The batteris ARE heavy.. the lights are not.. im refering to lowel ID light and Sachler reporter lights here.. Probably the best 2 options forthis kind of thing. Either way a case is an overstatement. These kits really only require a battery which can be warn on the shoulder or strapped to your belt (if u were a belt)
"-Those buggers are HOT. Not only hot to touch, but whoever is being hit by the light can feel like they are being baked in an oven! holy smokes i was sweating after 30 seconds. This was a large powerful light, but in the heat of summer, if I were in a hot non-breathable wedding dress, the LAST thing I would want is more heat, no matter how little."
((Depends on how powerful wattage you have your light set to. I have no need for anything more than 75w (actually, ive never gone over 50w and used 75 to offset hideooous backlight ) and thats REALLY pushing it. Yes they do get hot, but u dont have to be in someones face when using it. Find a focusable unit and youll be fine. Consider it a "powered reflector", as this is pretty much how video lights should be used in a stills environemnt.. offset shaodws or create shadows.. whatever takes ur fancy.. but they dont have to be used as a replacement for flash... I wouldnt recomend it in any case.. ))
-It can really change the ambiance of a room. This is what I really didn't like.
((I agree.. which is why i mentioned focused spotlight. I cant count how many venues ive shot at which have inadequate ambient light.. not as in ambience for the venue itself, but to create an actual vibe.. spotlighting a couple during their first dance segregates the event from the rest of it, and creates an atmosphere of its own.
COntinuous lighting is like any lighting. Once the technique in when and how to use that type of lighting is perfect, it can be used to enhance the environment.
As for flooding the room, ive only done that with an no window church and the photographer kissed me after the shoot as the lowel tota 800w with brella not only allowed the guests to view the actual event (yes it was THAT dark), but the light itself allowed the photog to focus properly, and have consistant WB through the shots themselves. ))
Im not saying youre wrong, im sayin gthere are differnt ways to do things to enhance an environment. the difference is how its done.. ))
After trying it all out (any of it is free for me to use) I chose to use none. ALL photographic lighting can be achieved with flashes and are less obtrusive,
Im sorry but i have to disagree with this statement. Sure alot can be achieved with flash, no doubt. hell its why i bought an extra 2 580's to use in ceremonies, but the meticulous control of ight, especialy if you have an assistant who knows what youre trying to achieve can make a huge difference to how the shot itself is attained.
Im not saying its the only way, im saying that there is alot more control on the fly without having a blanket flash saturate the composition. In addition video lights can make for an exceptional compromise for studio lighting rigs which require huge power boxes, softboxs etc etc such as an elinchrom or AB set up. An of camera flash and 2x 100w diffused lights running off 12v batteries will give you very comparable results in half the time it takes to set up))
Dont get me wrong, i agree with what youve written in regard to your opinion on lighting, but theres more to lighting than one experience with a set of lights which may not have been designed for mobility. Studio most probably, but quick and dirty guerilla warfare, no...
My entire studio is designed for mobility and ive set it up that i can pretty much do anything as required and prepare for that in under 5 minutes.
I still rely on my 580's but video lights have always played a part with using light to create an ambience.
A perfect example is when i shoot boudior or lingrie in a bedroom. flash jsut cant give me teh control i need to CREATE shadow where i want it. Yes i can create shadows with flash, but theres alot of testing to be done beforehand. With constant light, i can see what im going to shoot immediately. I dont have to worry about light falloff as i control it before it even happens.
There are uses for any light and for some purposes one overides the other
there is no right or wrong, its whatever works for you
For we are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams - Willy WonkaYeah I've got gear, just like most other members here 
