Vey ugly ceiling in reception Hall

How about something like these?

People won't look at the ceiling if your linens and everything are lovely.

Wow thanks! this helps. I like the first one, cause it doesn't involve drapes. One problem though is that although I can decorate the ceiling above the dance floor (which is in the center of the room, framed in 4 columns)using the idea of the first picture, I still don't know what to do about the sides of the room, where most tables will be located...

I have to say, I don't think that I have ever looked up to see the ceiling, unless there was a reason that the host(s) asked me to.

Guests will be focuses on your tables and centerpieces.

Although cobwebs are creepy, unless you were doing a Halloween theme. ;-)

Funny, because that was what the site director told me when I pointed at the ceiling in the porch, that she has never looked up and I was the first one to ask! Maybe I'm worrying too much???

No one is going to notice it. Trust me.

I personally would focus on decorating the tables more elaborately.

Is this place your only option?

Yes, contract is signed. I will definitely focus on creating beautiful tables, thanks!

Ouch,...decorating ceilings are costly. Sure, paper Lanterns can be $1 but there is a cost to labour if you are not allowed to hang them up on the ceiling yourselves.

Id float it full of balloons or string tons of white xmas lights across it

No matter what it is, not everyone will notice, but someone will. People will be in the room for 4-5 hours. YOU noticed the cobwebs even tho the coordinator said she didn't. Maybe she just had grown used to them, or was just trying to make you feel better.

What you can hang depends on dimensions, height, strength, and a lot of other factors, not the least of which is time, money, and availability of labor.

You can buy balloons in bulk, no helium needed and string fishing line through the ends and drape them across. I think it would be really pretty and unique! You could even hang lights through the lines? Or use uplighting to give color or dimension. Good luck!

Turn off the fluorescent lights and have candles/lanterns on the tables.

Keep the focal point of your decorations low.

Will the venue let you get in and clean it up? Consider it a "donation" to the state park's upkeep budget?

If you try to cover it / disguise it and it doesn't quite turn out like you hope .. it will draw even MORE attention to the ceiling than if you woulda just left it alone.

Yes, that is my concern as well. We either put a lot of things to cover the ceiling, or maybe just keep it simple, focus more on the tables to distract people's attention. So far we are adding paper lanterns but still deciding how to do it, lights are definitely in. Yes, we are cleaning the porch ceiling, we are allowed to do so, so it will benefit them and us. @Sandra, how expensive is to hire these folks? thank you all

I am doing drapes for my wedding. We are going to be at a state park and the cross beams and cobwebs bothered me too. Fabric is $1 a yard at many walmarts so I am going to buy a bunch of cheap fabric and just weave it through. I am also putting rose petals up there for the end of the reception so my wedding planner can pull the sheets tight and have petals fall down. Whether it is a flurry or a sprinkle it will still add a great end of party piece.

The balloons idea is good but a splinter and shifting air and you have loud pops everywhere. You can however use the fabric idea, tape it to the edges of the beams, make sure the side cross, and spray paint it with stone finish look spray paint. It will look like drywall or a normal ceiling at the end.

Look into fake flowers, a few wraparounds of silk ivy with wedding color flowers tucked in will make the ceiling more graceful and if it is a night wedding, little lights can look like stars.

My SIL just got married at a state park in a beautiful building overlooking a lake. The building walls were covered with stuffed dead animals and she freaked out because they told her they wouldn't remove them or allow them to be removed. We couldn't cover them (it was way too much to cover, even if we had bought the entire party supply store) so we did our best with the table and wall decor. She forgot it was there and anyone that did notice didn't care because they were there for her and not to criticize her choice of rooms.

If you're using paper lanterns, you might want to look at my article on ways of lighting them:

http://www.projectwedding.com/ideas/71269/diy-wedding-challenge-2010-lighting-paper-lanterns

Thanks everyone, these are all wonderful suggestions and experiences I will take into account. @2d Bride, your article is fantastic and absolutely helps to make our decision on paper lanterns. I also want to think people will focus on all the elements of our wedding and what it means to us, rather than judging solely the location