Ideas to make my venue look less rustic?

Well.. gotta get rid of the animal heads. (Will they let you do that?) I would go with some fancy linen for the tables and the chairs. I would add a lot of flowers and use uplighting. I guess it would help to ask what the feel of the rest of the wedding is?

Oh I forgot to add the tables and chairs will be gone. I don't really know what words to use to describe the feeling I'm going for except for pretty and elegant lol. Maybe a little glam but idk if that's really possible.

That's gonna be hard.. could you pull at some heart strings to move the animal heads? Is it a hard no from the venue?

ETA; My theme is rustic-ish, I LOVE the venue.

You could rent some chandeliers, maybe get some drapery to hang from the ceiling and/or windows, and some Christmas lights or light curtains, and lots of candles--lighting can seriously transform a space. Also, nice linens and chairs, maybe also some nice chargers and glasses, and any decor that matches your vision. You could consider renting some nice furniture, like chairs, couches, pillars, frames, mirrors, etc. Flowers and greenery can also transform a space. Keep the colors you decorate with soft and light, and add some sparkle or metallics, to detract from the harshness of the dark wood which is associated with the rustic feel.

Can you post a pic of your venue decor inspiration?

You aren't having tables or chairs for your guests?

Rent some draping and hopefully cover the entire ceiling?

What tables and chairs are you using instead?

I think you'll need to rely on decor to fight the style of the room. Try to save room in your budget for upgraded linens, really rich floral displays, and candles if it is an evening reception. Whatever your color scheme is I'd think about pastel/blush/white table decor to combat the dark wood, maybe blush tablecloths with lace overlays, or sequin runners.

Agree with linens, use satin or lace not something like burlap. Also, what colors are your wedding? I find lighter natural colors highlight the rustic theme whereas brighter colors do not. I agree with others that nice lighting would make a more elegant feeling in the room

Oh yes we will definitely have tables and chairs but they will be outside lol. The ceremony and reception are both mostly outside. We are pretty much just using the inside of the lodge for the food, restrooms, and probably the photo booth. It is plan B in case it rains though.

Our colors are blush, champagne, and ivory.

Start with the easiest thing. Ask if the trophy heads can be taken down. They are usually mounted on a plaque which is hung from hardware on the wall. You just lift them up like a picture to remove them. You may however, be left with areas of darker wood where it hasn't been faded by the sunlight. In that case, you might want to have a plan for something to hang to cover those spots- pictures of the two of you, wreaths etc.

After that, your venue is basically neutral. You could hang battery operated chandeliers, paper lanterns, floral hoops- whatever you prefer. You can add some battery operated fairy lights to ceiling decor.

I think your light color palette will dress it up a lot. Ceiling draping could also do a lot for the space, however, that probably isn't worth it unless you end up using it as a Plan B.

If you are going to be barely in there, weather agreeing with you, I would not stress over it. Whatever you have for the outside, if plan B happens, should liven up the inside. I would focus more on where you'll be the most and not worry about the inside.

I'd put a veil and a pearl necklace on the deer head but I have twisted sense of humor. Plus, if you've seen my posts, I'm having a "deer" concept based on FH's last name.

I agree with @Robyn, don't spend a lot of money on the interior if you're not using it very much. I would say you can cover any flat surfaces with linens and add gold candle holders with ivory candles, flowers, etc. You could consider pipe and drape for the entire room but that will cost you.

A year ago I posted a post about to how make my venue more rustic theme since I am getting married in a vineyard that had Tuscan theme. However, to my surprise after booking the place in 2015 in 2017 in the winter they remodeled to more rustic so it was a win win for me but good luck bc I guarantee the venue won't allow you to take the deer and birds down because they are expensive to get done and pain in the ass to put up.Trust me we have many deer heads at our house we are hunters

@firstoneat56 - Great minds! I was just going to add that if they won't let you take down the critters, I would camp it up and put sunglasses, pearls etc on them.

@Lysandra--I hope that you do a BAM with pictures of this space after you decorate it. I really like it, even with the deer head !

Ha! I showed my MOH that picture and she loves it lol. I think we're probably going to end up doing that and also dressing the room up with my colors. I do agree since I'm doing lighter colors that should help tone down all of the rustic features. And lights really would help too. Thanks!

And yep I'll definitely do a BAM with pictures