Tips For Decorating A Large Wedding Venue

Decorating a large wedding venue can be both exciting and overwhelming. The expansive space offers endless possibilities but requires careful planning to ensure the décor feels cohesive and intimate. One of the first tips for decorating a large venue is to create zones or areas with distinct purposes, such as a ceremony space, cocktail area, and reception hall. 

This helps to break up the vastness of the venue and make it more manageable. You can achieve this by strategically using furniture, area rugs, and lighting to define each space. Large floral arrangements, tall centrepieces, and dramatic drapery also help fill the room, making it feel warm and inviting rather than empty.

Another key tip is to use lighting creatively. In a large venue, lighting can be a powerful tool to create an atmosphere and draw attention to specific areas. Use chandeliers, uplighting, and fairy lights to highlight architectural details or frame focal points like the head table or dance floor. 

Additionally, using various textures and layers in your décor—such as table linens, fabric backdrops, or ceiling drapes—adds depth and richness, making the space feel more intimate. Finally, don’t hesitate to scale up your décor elements, such as oversized floral installations or large signage, which will significantly impact a larger venue.

Let’s get straight to the point

Decorating a large wedding venue requires thoughtful planning to ensure the space feels cohesive and intimate. Key tips include creating defined zones for different parts of the event and using large floral arrangements, lighting, and drapery to fill the space. Lighting is essential for creating ambience, while oversized décor elements like centrepieces or signage can make a big impact. 

Focus on larger areas, incorporate personal touches like engagement photos, and stick to a consistent theme. Repurpose ceremony decorations, explore non-floral centrepieces and consider renting items to save money. With creative and resourceful planning, you can transform even the largest venues into beautiful, intimate settings.

Get Permission From The Venue

Before planning decorations, confirm with the venue management if outside decorations are allowed. Some venues include basic decorations as part of their rental agreement, but some might impose additional fees for decorative items. Being aware of this beforehand will help you prevent unnecessary expenses and misunderstandings.

Use White Christmas Lighting At A Wedding Venue

• White Christmas lights are a cost-effective way to provide the reception area of your wedding with a romantic feel.
• They can be used in various ways: around the buffet, on the cake table, or at the venue’s entrance.
• These lights are perfect for daytime and evening receptions, offering a soft glow that enhances the ambience.

Avoid overdoing it with the lights. Use them sparingly to accentuate specific areas rather than making them the centre of attention.

Decorate The Ceiling Of A Wedding Venue

• Blank ceilings can make a venue look plain and uninteresting. A few yards of fabric can instantly change that.
• For a classic look, consider draping white or ivory fabric. Opt for bright, vibrant colours if you prefer a more modern or casual vibe.
• Draping the ceiling adds a visual statement and lessens your spending on other decorative elements.

Emphasis On Centrepieces At A Wedding Venue

• Table centrepieces play a major role in the overall look of your reception.
• You don’t need elaborate designs; simple items like candles, flowers, or even a numbered wine bottle can be effective centrepieces.
• Remember that filling the centre of each table with a simple item ensures that the space doesn’t look empty.

Start With The Large Areas

• Focus on the bigger decoration tasks first, like the ceiling or walls. You can reduce the effort and money required for smaller decorations by tackling these larger spaces.
• Large surfaces are often easier to decorate and have a greater visual impact, making them a priority.

Use Candles In A Wedding Venue

• Candles provide a classic, romantic atmosphere. Although they can be expensive, opting for tea lights is a more budget-friendly alternative.
• Arrange them in groups on tables or place them around key areas of your venue to create a soft, warm ambience.

Put Engagement Pictures On A Wedding Venue

• Use the engagement photos you’ve taken as part of your wedding decor. These personal touches can be framed or turned into posters for the entrance or the reception hall.
• This adds a personal touch and saves money when buying additional decorative items.

Maintain A Theme At The Wedding Venue

• Decide on a colour scheme or decorative theme early on and stick to it throughout the wedding. Consistency is key to avoiding unnecessary expenses or over-decoration.
• If you want to add extra colours, limit yourself to one accent colour alongside the main scheme of black and white.

Plan A Wedding Venue’s Layout

• Before you start decorating, sketch out a floor plan of the venue. This will help you visualise how best to use the space for tables, seating, and decorations.
• Knowing your layout will also help you determine where large statement pieces or additional decor may be needed.

Repurpose Ceremony Decorations

• To save money, reuse decorations from the ceremony at the reception. Bridesmaid bouquets can be repurposed as table centrepieces or for the cake table.
• Reusing decor cuts costs and helps maintain a consistent theme throughout the day.

Explore Non-Floral Centrepieces For Your Wedding Venue

• While beautiful, floral centrepieces can be costly. Instead, consider alternative centrepieces like books, candles, or plants, which can be both affordable and stylish.

Rent Decorations For Your Wedding Venue

• Renting is often the most economical way to acquire high-quality decorations. Items like chairs, linens, and lighting can be rented for a far lower price than buying.
• Unless you plan to use these items again in your home, renting is the smarter option.

Use Greenery For Decor

• Greenery is a subtle yet impactful way to add natural beauty to your venue. Potted plants, garlands, and leaves are affordable and can be placed anywhere.
• Decorate the venue’s entrance, wrap greenery around pillars, or use it as a centrepiece to create a fresh and inviting atmosphere.

Invest In Chairs For Your Wedding Venue

• If you will splurge on any single item, make it the chairs. Chairs are visible in almost every reception photo, so investing in stylish, comfortable seating is worth the extra expense.
• High-quality chairs add a touch of elegance and make sure everyone attending is comfortable.

Focus On Statement Pieces

• Strategic placement of statement pieces, such as a decorated cake table, head table, or altar, will draw attention to where it matters most.
• Guests tend to gather and take photos near these areas, so investing in making them visually impressive is a good idea.

Personalise With Home Decor

• Incorporate household items like pillows, blankets, and rugs into the wedding decor for a personal touch. These items can be customised to reflect your style without increasing your budget.
• This approach ensures your wedding has a unique, homey feel while saving money.

DIY Wedding Decorations

• DIY decorations are a fun and creative way to involve friends and family in wedding planning. From handmade invitations to photo booths, these elements can make the wedding more personal.
• While DIY projects take time, they often result in significant savings and add a unique flair to your wedding.

Innovative Lighting Ideas For A Wedding Venue

• The correct lighting can transform a venue, especially for evening receptions. String lights, candles, and pin-spot lighting are affordable and effective ways to enhance the space.
• String lights, in particular, are an easy and inexpensive way to add cosiness and charm to any space.

Conclusion

Decorating a large wedding venue doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. By focusing on key elements like lighting, centrepieces, and reusing decorations, you can plan an elegant and unforgettable atmosphere. Whether using personal items, repurposing decor from the ceremony, or sticking to a consistent theme, the key is to be creative and resourceful. With the right planning, even the largest venues can be transformed into a beautiful, intimate setting for your special day.

FAQs About Wedding Venues

What Colours Make A Room Look Bigger And Brighter?

For the best results, use gentle tones like off-white, blues, and greens. Remember that rooms with more light appear larger and cosier. Another tip is to paint the mouldings and trim the walls a shade lighter than the walls.

Does Grey Make A Room Look Bigger?

Calm Grey. Light, cool grey paint is an excellent substitute for white since it still seems bright and airy without being as stark. Cool colours visually give the impression of more space since they feel brighter and fresher than warm ones.

Does Painting The Ceiling The Same Colour As The Walls Make The Room Look Bigger?

If the ceiling is painted darker than the walls, the room will appear smaller, and the ceiling will be closer to the walls. Even with dark tones, the room will appear larger if the ceiling is painted lighter than the walls.

What Is An Event Decoration?

An event decorator organises the event’s style and ambience. This line of employment involves working directly with clients to develop a theme, arrange the décor, and ensure everything is in place.

What Are The Types Of Decorations?

• Balloon Decoration.
• Car Decoration.
• Room Decoration.
• Flower Decoration.
• Kids Party Decoration.
• Office Decoration