How do you decorate a large venue?

If you'd like to see the space specifically...

http://www.aquaturfclub.com/

Kays Pier North

You can decorate with Lanterns, Flower Balls, Balloons, Fabric Drapes and Lights

Do they have decorating restrictions ?

It sounds like you're worried that the space will look empty? If so, don't worry about it. I think their maximum occupancy numbers are very sardine-like. Our room technically seated 90, we had 45 and it was perfect. It just gave a little extra room for everything.

Balloons might be a good idea... if I can get a feel for how to use them.. (like an arch or something) I don't think I'd put them on tables.

I should mention my theme is "nature" I'm not sure if lanterns would work with that. (also- the ceilings are VERY high).

I tried googling and people suggest designating areas- so I can make a large seating chart, have a separate guestbook table and "cards" table.

The closest I can get is if you go to the website (above) and click on the video or the floor plan.

I'll see if they have any pics on google...

Http://www.robalberti.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/1-The-Aqua-Turf-Club-CT-Wedding-Reception-Lighting-www.robalberti.comIMG_7668.jpg

This is the website I got the picture from... this is how they decorated it with lighting- but there were a LOT more tables/guests for this event.

http://www.robalberti.com/blog/2012/01/the-aqua-turf-club-plantsville-ct-charity-event-event-lighting-by-rob-alberti/

Mrs. S they only restrict candles as far as I know...

I think uplighting will give if a warmer feeling.

As far as space goes... how about creating a family corner? Take some older family pics, blow them up and have some sort of a family story going? Kris did something similar. Or draping? Or large plants, if you could rent them?

Oooh I like the family story thing... my mom has TONS of pictures and I know FH's mom has been gathering some old pics too she wanted to do a slideshow.

I wanted to do draping but I'm not sure how much that will cost. I also like the plant idea I didn't know you could rent them I'll have to look into that...

Sometimes it is much cheaper to buy the plants at Lowes or Home Depot, even a grocery store than it is to rent them.

I think you can rent plants, but I have no idea where from. We had an outdoor ceremony and it was one of the options somebody (or DOC? florist? who knows :-) was talking about instead of an arch.

I also think doing a family story would be so much cooler than a slideshow :-) It would probably also encourage people to mingle, it gives something for people to look at and talk about. I'm trying to find pics.

I know you mentioned that the ceilings are high but if you can hang items from polls or something here are some more ideas.

I Have a large room also that can seat up to almost 600 I believe... and I have 245 and expecting around 200... I am just going to focus the tables... I'm not going anything too tall (and I don't think you should either since you have the chandeliers. Are you doing anything fallish?

I would maybe do the up-lighting like mrs. s suggested and it looks like they do it from the picture you posted.

Below i posted a center piece that would draw your eye to the able and then you said something about an arch so I posted one that is more fallish with leaves.

Soon2beMrs.K it's scary how much we are alike!

I'd have to hire-out for the uplighting, the venue itself doesn't do it but I've been planning to purchase that for some time I think.

I want to have a nature-theme but I usually don't prefer the typical fall colors although I do like the pictures you've posted. My BM dresses are forest green so they can go with just about anything. I haven't really made any final decisions on anything yet- but I really want to get all my ideas narrowed down (I've been gathering for a year I think I need to settle on my ideas so I can start budgeting).

It's only because we are awesome!

Oh I love the sound of the forest green dresses. Here are things I found for a nature themed wedding that you can still use the arch I posted before. I love the sound of a nature wedding. Especially since you said you really aren't into the fall colors!!

And last one because it wouldn't let me post before. and the nice thing about your idea.. if you can do a lot of DIY with nature which is free lol!

Yes that is exactly the feel I'm going for! I love the wood and the green with either deep purple or something similar.

Exactly! That's what I was thinking...I want to DIY what I can but still make it look elegant.

Like an enchanted forest or something (now I'm dreaming big- hahaha)