Rhiannon Hendricks
Planning a wedding can be stressful, and one of the most important decisions is finding the right venue. Sometimes, couples fall in love with a venue that seems too big for their small wedding. However, with some creativity, it is possible to make a large venue feel intimate and cosy. From using plants and fabrics to divide the space to strategic lighting and seating arrangements, there are many ways to create a warm and romantic atmosphere. This article will explore these ideas and provide inspiration for arranging a small wedding in a big venue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of guests | 50-100 |
| Venue capacity | 150-350 |
| Table arrangement | Space tables wider apart with fewer guests at each table |
| Table type | Cocktail tables |
| Table layout | Cross walkways, space around the outside of the room, and a central focal point |
| Table decorations | Large patterned linens in bold contrasting colors, tall centerpieces, and on-table flower arrangements |
| Room decorations | Plants, trees, flowers, fabrics, textiles, drapes, columns, and lighting |
| Room layout | Divide the room into smaller "districts" |
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What You'll Learn
Use plants, fabrics, and other decorations to fill the space
If you're worried about a large venue feeling too empty for your small wedding, there are plenty of ways to fill the space and create a cosy atmosphere. One way to do this is by using plants, fabrics, and other decorations.
Plants
Trees, plants, and shrubbery are a great way to divide a space organically and create a more intimate feel. You can place large trees or branch arrangements around the perimeter of the room to enclose the space visually and bring a living element to the venue, transforming its energy. If you don't want to use plants, you can achieve a similar effect with fabrics or textiles.
Fabrics
Draping the ceiling or walls can help to lower the ceiling height and create a more intimate space. You can use fabrics such as tulle, chiffon, voile, or satin for this purpose, depending on the desired effect. Drapes can also act as pillars to help enclose the space and create separate "districts". If you're allowed to suspend items from the ceiling, you can hang flower arrangements, lanterns, fairy lights, or paper lanterns.
Other Decorations
To fill the space, you can use tall centrepieces, large patterned linens in bold contrasting colours, and rectangular tables, which require more space than round tables. You can also create lounge areas with couches, ottomans, pillows, and side tables for a cosy and inviting atmosphere. To manipulate space and create a romantic ambiance, use lighting to highlight specific areas and leave unused spaces in darkness.
Remember, you don't have to fill every nook and cranny. You can expand the dance floor or bring in large structures or furniture to save time and effort in decorating.
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Divide the room into smaller districts
Dividing a large room into smaller districts or sections is a great way to make your wedding venue feel more intimate. There are several ways to achieve this, from creative decor to strategic furniture placement.
One popular method is to use room dividers or partitions. You can rent or purchase portable wall partitions, known as air walls, which can be adjusted to fit your needs and create temporary privacy walls. Alternatively, you can create visual barriers using drapes or curtains. Draping the ceiling or creating a draped backdrop can lower the line of sight, giving the illusion of a smaller space. This can be further enhanced by using tall centrepieces and darker colours, which also contribute to a sense of intimacy.
Another creative way to divide the space is by using trees, branches, or flower walls. These natural elements provide an organic way to section off areas, creating a cozier environment. You can also use furniture to define different districts. For example, create lounge areas with couches, ottomans, and side tables to encourage conversation and provide a relaxed atmosphere.
If your venue has multiple rooms or areas, you can utilise these to create distinct spaces for different parts of the wedding, such as a separate room for the meal or cocktail hour. Additionally, consider the placement of tables and vendors to ensure a strategic layout that makes the most of the space.
By using these techniques to divide the room into smaller districts, you can transform a large venue into an intimate and welcoming space for your small wedding.
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Create cosy lounge spaces with couches and ottomans
Creating cosy lounge spaces with couches and ottomans is a great way to make a big wedding venue feel more intimate. To achieve this, you can incorporate various decorative elements and furniture pieces to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Firstly, consider the colour scheme of the lounge space. Dark and rich hues will make the venue seem smaller and more intimate. For a dreamy and romantic look, pink velvet couches and black-and-white striped ottomans can be a stylish choice. During the winter season, wrap ottomans with fuzzy blankets for a cosy touch. Complement the furniture with soft throw blankets, fuzzy ottomans, and fur rugs to enhance the cosy atmosphere.
To add visual interest and texture, mix and match different materials such as natural wood finishes, smooth velvet, shiny brass, and soft linen. Incorporate side tables and coffee tables with wooden accents or brass detailing for a retro or vintage feel. Personalise the space with framed photos of you and your partner, monogrammed blankets, custom signage, and wedding-themed decorations.
When arranging the furniture, create clusters of couches and ottomans to encourage conversation and a sense of intimacy. Groupings of furniture will help to fill the space and make it feel less empty. You can also position the lounge area to highlight the venue's best features, such as a breathtaking landscape or architectural detail.
In addition to the furniture and decor, consider other ways to make the space feel more intimate. Draping the ceiling or using tall centrepieces will make the room feel smaller by lowering the line of sight. Uplighting in warm colours or pin spotting (spotlighting tables) can also contribute to a cosy atmosphere. By combining these techniques with your cosy lounge spaces, you can effectively transform a large venue into an intimate setting for your small wedding.
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Use tall centrepieces to break up the space
If you're looking to arrange a small wedding in a large venue, one way to make the space feel more intimate is to use tall centrepieces. This will make the ceilings seem lower and break up the space, creating a more intimate atmosphere.
There are a few things to consider when using tall centrepieces. Firstly, they can be a unique and stunning addition to your wedding décor, but they might impact conversation at the table. If you're concerned about this, you can alternate between tall and low centrepieces or opt for thinner, taller centrepieces that allow guests to see and talk to each other. You can also add small flowers around the base of the centrepiece for visual interest at eye level.
When choosing the type of tall centrepiece, you can go for traditional floral arrangements or get creative with trees, shrubs, or non-floral options. If your wedding has a Southern-inspired theme, consider using magnolia leaves, or add flowers to greenery such as smilax or eucalyptus for a polished or rustic look, respectively. For a beach wedding, a black wooden pedestal with island greenery creates an elegant, non-nautical look. You can also use pampas grass to make your centrepieces look bigger, both vertically and horizontally, and it pairs well with earth tones.
Don't forget to consider the layout of the room to make the most of your tall centrepieces. Pull everything towards a central focal point, such as the dance floor, and use cross walkways to divide the space. If you're worried about the room feeling too spacious, you can also cluster furniture and decor items to create a cozier atmosphere.
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Play with lighting to manipulate the space
Lighting is one of the most important elements when it comes to designing your wedding venue. It can be used to create a focal point, a feature, or to add the perfect ambience, especially when the day turns into night.
If you're working with a large venue, you can use lighting to your advantage to make the space feel more intimate. One way to do this is by using pin-spot lighting or centrepiece spotlights to illuminate specific objects or areas, such as the wedding cake or table centrepieces. Pin-spot lighting uses tiny light beams to draw attention to a focal point, such as a table centrepiece, while centrepiece spotlights are small, battery-powered lights that can be placed on tables to illuminate centrepieces.
Uplighting is another effective way to manipulate space. This involves placing lights on the floor or walls to shine upwards, bathing the venue in various colours. You can use uplighting on walls to set the mood of the room or opt for coloured uplighting to make the venue feel warmer.
To create a cosy atmosphere, consider using candles to give off a natural glow. String lights, fairy lights, and cafe lights are also a versatile and cost-effective way to light up any space, adding a touch of romance to your wedding venue. If you're looking to create a glowing backdrop, you can use curtain rain string lights or layer paper lanterns to brighten your space with whimsical decor.
For an outdoor wedding, ensure all pathways to the venue, the parking lot, and bathrooms are well-lit for guests after sunset. If you're having a small backyard wedding, simple string lights and votive candles on tables can suffice. However, for a larger outdoor celebration, you may need to bring in professionals who can provide generators for more power.
When planning your lighting, consider the overall wedding vision and theme. Discuss your ideas with a lighting supplier or designer, providing them with as much information as possible, including details, images, and plans of the venue. They can advise on any restrictions and what is possible within the venue.
- Marquee light-up letters or a lit-up monogram with your names and wedding date
- Neon signs as decor and mood lighting
- Galaxy projectors to bring the night sky indoors
- Edison bulbs for a cosy, golden glow
- Hanging lanterns for a classic, rustic charm
- Ivy string lights (LED vine curtains) to bring the outdoors inside
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to make a large venue feel more intimate. You can use plants, fabrics, and other decorations to strategically fill the extra space. You can also play with lighting to manipulate the space, using spotlights and other light sources to emphasise specific areas while keeping the unused spaces in darkness. Another way is to divide the room into smaller "districts" by using trees, plants, and shrubbery to create a cozier environment.
One way to arrange seating in a large venue for a small wedding is to space out the tables and put fewer guests at each table. You can also create lounge areas with couches, ottomans, and pillows to encourage conversation and create a more intimate atmosphere. If you have a large cocktail section or bar area, you can put up tall cocktail tables to fill the space.
Having a small wedding in a big venue can offer several benefits. Firstly, it can be more affordable as you don't need to spend as much on food and drinks, and venue costs. Secondly, it gives you more flexibility with your budget, allowing you to splurge on decorations, activities, and other priorities. Finally, a smaller wedding gives you more quality time with your loved ones and creates a more intimate and personalised experience.
