Ideas to make a ballroom look more rustic

Almost all of the time, I would recommend ignoring the walls and focusing on the tables. Your guests' attention will be on what is in front of them.

Just choose rustic where you have a choice.

Welcome sign? choose an old wooden window over a gold framed mirror.

Linens? choose texture over satin or organza

Centerpieces? choose a wooden or vintage looking container over a geometric terrarium.

Depending on the individual space and structure, you might be able to do something like hang an old ladder above the head or sweetheart table.

Are there any wineries, rustic restaurants, or B&Bs in your area (permitted for weddings if you want ceremony there)? It really helps when your venue already plays naturally into your style or you'll spend a lot of rental/decor money forcing it to work.

Cost-Saving Tips: you might get your dream venue if you choose:

* off-season month for wedding

* weekday wedding

* brunch instead of dinner

* or smaller number of guests or "elopement package"

We had our dream Napa wedding: March (still "winter" rate), Monday, 15 guests.

Can you try and find a room with a lot of natural wood, or at least lots of neutrals? You don't want to have to fight with your venue's aesthetic, and as PP said you'll spend a ton if you try to re-construct the place.

We went with a place that's technically a banquet hall but looks like a barn inside - facility fee was only $500.

For rustic I like wood "slices" or stumps with vases, bottles, and candles resting on them at various heights, using branches and raw wood in various places, and using a lot of wildflowers and greenery.

One more important thing - try to pick a venue with nice chairs! Ugly chairs or ones that need to be covered with those awful white covers definitely take away from the atmosphere - seriously you wouldn't think about it but chairs make a HUGE difference. If you can find a ballroom with wooden chairs it'd go a long way. You don't want to have to rent chairs on a small budget!