How do you decorate a large venue?

Haha it can happen! I am doing a lot of DIY for my center pieces I want it to look elegant too.(One of my biggest fears it will look cheap) I'm doing pumpkins as the center piece with flowers in side some and then other holes drilled out and a candle in it to give off a glow. I am going over the top with the fall theme.

But I really love the idea of the green with deep purple I think it would look amazing! I love the 1st picture with the date in the log!

Ahhh thank you sooo much! Feel free to shoot your ideas by me too (I want to see pictures) we can be wedding buddies!!

You are very welcome... glad I could help you!

And YES I would love to be wedding buddies!!

Here are some idea's... and at the head table and door ways into the reception hall will be pumpkins with our 1st letter of our last name.

Oooh I love the pumpkins with the flowers the most!

Thank you me too... the ones with the candles... will be little gourds with the tea lights on the cake table and the guest book table and some on the tables that just have a whole pumpkin without the flowers.

I'll admit, I only glanced through some of the responses so if someone already mentioned this, I apologize for repeating -

I agree with designating specific areas to fill the space and thought I'd suggest a little sitting area with some couches and side tables. I've seen this on a variety of wedding shows and it always looks so cute. That way people can sit there and drink and visit with each other in a more relaxed setting than might be allowed by doing so at the dinning tables. Plus, if you have kids at your reception, this gives them a place off to the side that they can crash if mom and dad are having too much fun and don't want to leave when their child gets sleepy.

It's beautiful there. I grew up in CT and went to a prom there, in the glass room. I know you already have your room picked but I'm just curious, why didn't you pick the glass room? Its smaller and I love that the water meet the glass wall.

Awesome ideas!

Can you get a floor plan and start playing around?

I learned to think in terms of focus and function. It's overwhelming to think of the WHOLE space. Where will people be looking? Usually at stuff in the entry, at whatever's in front of them while they're getting drinks/snacks, and at your head table. So focus on those areas. We placed our cake next to the SH table. And we had extra lights behind us. I wish we'd placed our table on the far wall instead of having the stage behind us, the band equipment is not so sexy in the photos. But oh well!

Then what will people be doing? Milling by the bar, taking a break from the dancing, meeting new people? Make it functional, give people a way to flow. Our families were strangers to one another so we plastered photos everywhere which got them telling stories. We rented couches and highboy tables to give people resting spots. We even had an old movie (silently) projected on a big wall as a convo-starter.

And uplighting is GREAT. You can really draw people's attention where you want it. We had these huge ugly support beams around the dance floor, so we uplit and draped them. It softened the whole space even though we didn't touch the perimeter. If your space is REALLY huge, depending on budget could you dim the overall lights and pinspot each guest table, then have something projected on the dance floor like a GOBO/monogram?

We also paid an extra $250 for smart lighting so it had the ability to change colors throughout the night. Our reception was really long, so we wanted the space to feel dynamic.

I would just talk to one or more lighting companies and get ideas. So who gets creative with you. And this is one of those things where if you add a couple extras, you can negotiate a bit.

And use free stuff that fills visual space! Our caterer popped our napkins up in the water glasses. We scattered family snapshots everywhere. Easy.

I definetely think hanging something from the ceilings can easily add visual interest to the space. Garland is a good option. It can be green garland like a boxwood, paper garland or even twinkle lights. Beyond that, there are always your dinner tables that can be adorned with tealight candles, interesting table numbers, wine bottles or picture frames with photos of family members weddings in them?

The ceilings aren't really that high (relatively). Hanging something could be done. First thing I'd do is ask the venue if it's allowed. Lighting depends on electricity availability, etc. You could create a lounge area with some semi-sheer rental drape and some furniture. I'd find an event designer who could offer some suggestions.

I would check with the venue. The room may have dividers that can be used to close off a portion of it. If not, they may have some portable dividers that can be used. I would also ask them if they have photos of how the room has been decorated before. They probably have some, which could help you get ideas.

You could use draping, plants and such. Contact an event rental company about those items. I do like the uplighting idea.

Question, the venue has smaller rooms. Is there a particular reason that you went for the largest one?

I love Mrs. K's ideas. I wouldn't do balloons because that's very kiddish -- in my opinion. Plus it's not very elegant. Your venue is GORGEOUS. I LOVE the grounds!!

@Jennifer- I've had four proms in the glass room- and the last time we were there the boys made a game out of jumping and hitting their heads on the ceiling (it makes me a little claustrophobic- although it is very pretty). We originally wanted the Wagon Room but it wasn't available for our date (even though it's a Sunday AND we booked two years in advance- that place is popular). Both Kay's rooms are about the same size- but I thought North was prettier- and it has the waterfall.

Kris I love your explanation of how to visualize the space- how much did it cost to rent the furniture? I've thought about hiring a design coordinator... but I'm not sure if it would be more expensive to do that or to just try and do it myself...has anyone ever hired a design coordinator?

Hiring a design coordinator will be spendy. If you want to keep costs lower, you could contact a local college and have a student (or two or three) work on the project.

I've recruited my sister, my future SIL and my mother... my mom is very crafty so I know she'll be a big help. She has already taken charge of designing the chapel (and it doesn't need that much work).

It would just help to have someone who is really resourceful and knows where to get good deals and things... but I think I can handle myself it will just involve a bit more.

Okay, here is an off the wall idea. We did this, when I was in theatre.

Do you have a furniture store, near the venue, that may be willing to loan some of their furniture (for a bit of advertising in your program)?

Was it a local furniture store or a larger chain-like store? That's interesting although I'm not sure a wedding would draw as much through advertising as a show.

We rented the furniture for $200 from the venue.

There are furniture stores that rent pieces to stage homes or for short term corporate leases. I wonder if any of them do event rentals for cheap?

I interviewed a design coordinator and not only was the woman a complete diva, she was totally overpriced.

We ended up going with an "entertainment design" company that did the uplighting, smart lighting, draping, movie projection, and the stage. Our caterer set up all the tables and our florist came to deliver the flowers. Our DOC arranged all the details, like putting up the pictures, setting out the guest book/card box, and oversaw what everyone else was doing to make sure nothing got missed or put in the wrong place.

What's your budget for decor?

Oops double post sorry!