Beautify your wedding location

It’s a fact of wedding planning that not all venues are created equal. For every place that’s opulent, beautifully decorated, and everything you’d imagined, there’s one that’s bland, generic, or just not that special. Places in the second category, however, will be much more affordable. The trick is to make a less interesting wedding venue look like the reception of your dreams.

There are several reasons why a bride might choose a reception location that is not her idea of ​​the perfect. One of the most obvious is the budget. If her reception budget is $10,000 and her favorite place is $20,000, that clearly won’t work. Another problem may be the size of the guest list. In some regions, there will be limited options for spaces that can accommodate a large group. Other common reasons for choosing a reception location that is not her best fit include proximity to the ceremony and availability of her wedding date.

You know the old saying: If you can’t be with the person you love, then love the person you are with! This motto shouldn’t apply to your choice of husband (!), but it’s good to keep in mind when it comes to beautifying your wedding venue. If your favorite place isn’t an option, for any of the reasons listed above, that means you’ll need to make the most of the site you’ll be using. There’s no point pining for what you can’t have.

A good place to start with cleaning your reception location is to think about the place you liked best. What was it that made it so attractive to you? Once you’ve identified what caught your eye, you can use it as inspiration for decorations.

For example, suppose the spot you loved was a beautiful gazebo in a garden, but your reception will be held indoors. There is absolutely no reason why you can’t bring the outside in. Choose flowers and tablecloths in soft colors, like the petals of a rose. Use items like potted trees and hanging garlands to recreate the feel of a romantic garden within your venue.

Other brides may love the look of a fancy ballroom, but find fancier hotels too extravagant. If that’s the case, rent a space at a less expensive hotel or lounge and make it your version of the Waldorf-Astoria. The quickest way to make a simple space feel opulent is with tablecloths in rich colors and textures, like gold brocade. To enhance the room, rent crystal chandeliers to hang at your reception. They will look like crystal bridal jewelry hanging from the ceiling and will really dress up the space. Use lots of flickering candles to add an elegant glow to the room and capture the sparkle of your crystal bridal jewelry and fabulous chandeliers.

A third way to beautify a dull reception area is with fabric. Use large strips of colored fabric that hang from the ceiling or in front of ugly features in the room. Rent linens and chair covers in sophisticated colors, such as pale blue and espresso, instead of using the basic white linens the salon offers. Although renting specialty bedding will increase your costs, it’s still a huge savings compared to having your reception at an expensive venue.

Every wedding is unique and sometimes great things can happen when a bride has to get creative. Instead of wishing for a reception venue you can’t have, use your imagination to make the venue you do have special and romantic. With a little creativity, she can really beautify her wedding venue.