Think Vertically: Strategies For A Grand Wedding In A Small Space

Planning a wedding can be stressful, especially when it comes to finding the right venue. If you're working with a small space, there are plenty of ways to make the most of it and ensure your party feels expansive.

Firstly, avoid overcrowding with decor. Keep things minimal and simple. Avoid hanging flowers or art from the ceiling and opt for one or two dramatic pieces on the walls instead of multiple smaller ones. You can also use mirrors to create the illusion of more space.

Consider using different table shapes to maximise the number of guests you can fit in the room. A combination of round and rectangular tables may work best. Using translucent materials, such as glass vases, can also help to open up the space as guests can see more of the room.

If possible, move the bar outside to save space. Avoid oversized furniture and, if necessary, use folding tables and chairs that can be put away after dinner to make room for the dance floor.

To make the room feel cosier, suspend items from the ceiling such as floral arrangements, fabric or chandeliers. Dim lighting and candles can also create a magical and intimate atmosphere.

With a small wedding, you can also afford to splurge on the details, like a personalised cocktail station or an interactive food display.

So don't worry if your venue is on the small side – with a bit of creativity, your wedding will feel just as big as you want it to.

Divide the space with trees and branches

Trees and branches are a great way to divide a space organically and create a more intimate setting for your wedding. Wedding planner Tracie Domino, founder of Tracie Domino Events, and Laura Irizarry-Garcia, owner of LIG Events, agree that large trees or branch arrangements around the perimeter of the room can help enclose the space visually and create a cozier environment.

If you're looking to incorporate this idea into your wedding, here are some tips to consider:

• Choose the right trees or branches: Select trees or branches that fit the theme and style of your wedding. For example, if you're going for a rustic or boho theme, consider using tree branches with fairy lights or fun lanterns as décor.
• Placement is key: Place large trees or branch arrangements strategically around the room to divide the space effectively. Irizarry-Garcia suggests placing them around the perimeter of the room to make a big room feel more intimate.
• Add some greenery: Combine trees and branches with floral arrangements to create a natural and elegant look. You can also dress up the trees with floral garlands or drape fabric over the branches for a simple yet transformative effect.
• Think about lighting: Consider adding string lights or lanterns to the trees or branches to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. This can also provide breathtaking photo opportunities.
• Get creative: Don't be afraid to think outside the box. For example, you could create a unique canopy by threading fabric through the branches, as suggested by Martha Stewart Weddings, or opt for a hanging floral installation.
• Keep it intimate: By using trees and branches to divide the space, you can create a more intimate setting for your wedding. This allows you to focus on interpersonal connections and create a meaningful experience for you and your guests.

Use pipe and drape to lower the ceiling

If you're looking to create a more intimate setting for your wedding in a small space, pipe and drape can be a great way to lower the ceiling and create a cosy atmosphere. Here are some tips to achieve this:

Firstly, assess the ceiling and the overall environment. Identify the best attachment points for hanging the drapes. If you have an office-style grid ceiling with a metal border, you can use hinged ceiling clips, magnets with hooks, or other means of suspending a ceiling ring (hoop) and the drapes. For other ceiling types, you may need to get creative with chains, fishing wire, tension wires, or zip ties. Identify any obstructions like HVAC ducts or pipes, and ensure you don't impede exit signs or fire sprinklers.

Next, determine the amount of swag you want. Swag refers to the degree of droop in the fabric between the starting and endpoint. For ceilings 20 feet or less in height, aim for 25% swag, and for taller ceilings, go for 30% or more. To calculate the length of fabric needed, multiply the portion of the ceiling covered in feet by the desired percentage of swag. This will give you the ideal length of fabric to achieve the desired amount of swag.

When it comes to choosing the fabric, opt for lightweight, sheer materials like sheer voile. This type of fabric is easy to hang, adds elegance, and pairs well with lighting. White sheer fabric is a versatile choice, as it goes with any colour scheme and can be accented with coloured LED lighting. However, sheer voile also comes in various colours like champagne, ivory, Tiffany blue, and red. Ensure that your fabric is flame retardant, as this is often required by fire codes.

Once you've selected the fabric, it's time to hang the drapes. You can use a ceiling drape kit, which typically includes a drape hoop, clear acrylic tubes, and accessories for attachment. Spread the drapes evenly and position them as desired. If you're not using a kit, consider securing the drapes to a chandelier or other central point in the room. Be creative and ensure you have a clear plan before beginning the installation. Allow enough time for setup, especially if you have a tight timeframe between events.

By following these steps, you can effectively use pipe and drape to lower the ceiling and create a warm and intimate atmosphere for your wedding in a small space.

Create a lounge area

Creating a lounge area at your wedding is a great way to encourage guests to mix and mingle, or to take a break from the dance floor. It's also a good way to break up the space and enhance its flow. Here are some tips on how to create a lounge area at a small-space wedding:

Location

The location of your lounge area is important. It should be in a prime spot where guests can easily opt in or out of activities. Place the lounge area a bit off the dance floor so that it's not too noisy for conversation but still close enough that guests don't feel removed from the action. It's also a good idea to make sure the lounge is within arm's reach of the reception so that guests can still enjoy late-night snacks, desserts and beverages.

Layout

When designing the layout of your lounge area, make sure there is enough seating for a group to sit and converse. This could include a sofa, two slipper chairs, a coffee table, two end tables and two to three poufs. You could also create a space with two love seats and a cocktail table across from two chairs to encourage conversation. If space allows, you can mirror this setup on the other side of the room.

Comfort

The lounge area is designed as a place for guests to relax, so comfort is key. Include side tables and/or a coffee table so that guests can set down their drinks and snacks. Stock the space with warm pashminas if it's cool, or offer a fun bar cart for after-dinner drinks. You can also add comfy furniture, rugs, pillows and throws to make the space extra inviting.

Lighting

Lighting plays an important role in creating a warm and inviting ambiance. Depending on the sunset time and whether your wedding is outdoors, you may need to provide additional lighting for the lounge area such as bistro lights, wireless uplights or battery-operated lamps.

Activities

It's a good idea to offer a built-in activity in your lounge area to help break the ice, especially if your guests don't know each other well. This could include s'more making, cigar smoking, bourbon tasting, music or card/board games.

Use mirrors and lighting to make the space seem bigger

Mirrors and lighting can be used to create the illusion of space and make a small wedding venue feel bigger. Here are some tips to achieve this:

Use of Mirrors

Mirrors are a great way to make a space feel larger and brighter. When strategically placed, they can create the illusion of expanded space by reflecting windows and doorways. Large mirrors or mirrored wall installations tend to be the most effective in creating this effect, but even smaller mirrors placed strategically can contribute to the overall expansion of the room.

Place mirrors opposite windows to reflect the view outside, blurring the boundaries of the room and creating a sense of outdoor extension. Using an industrial-style panelled wall mirror can also create the illusion of a window where none exists.

For narrow spaces, such as hallways, round mirrors can help soften strict lines and make the space feel less confined. Tall, leaning mirrors can also be used to hide narrow corners and make the space feel wider.

Garden mirrors can also be used outdoors to create a powerful effect. For example, placing mirrors against the perimeter of the garden amongst blooming shrubbery can create the idea of a secret gateway. Alternatively, a set of three smaller mirrors placed along a wall can make a garden seating area feel more spacious.

Lighting Techniques

Innovative lighting techniques can also make a significant impact in making a small wedding venue feel bigger. Here are some ideas:

• Use multiple sources of light instead of a single central source. Distribute lighting fixtures throughout the space to illuminate every corner and create a sense of expansiveness.
• Choose compact and slender lighting fixtures that are flush with the ceiling, rather than bulky chandeliers or pendants, to avoid making the space feel cluttered.
• Enhance the lighting by combining it with recessed or track lighting. Recessed lighting takes up minimal space and provides ample illumination, while track lighting can be adjusted to light up dark corners effectively.
• Maximize natural light by avoiding solid surfaces or partitions that block its path. Opt for sheer curtains in light colours and ensure that the window space is clear when the curtains are pulled apart.
• Combine mirrors with lighting to enhance the sense of space. Place mirrors adjacent to windows or light sources to reflect the natural or artificial light and make the room feel brighter and more spacious.
• Use vertical lighting paths with floor lamps, table lamps, or uplight wall sconces to draw attention to the height of the room, making it feel less cramped.

By incorporating these mirror and lighting techniques, you can create the illusion of a larger space and make your small wedding venue feel more spacious and inviting.

Use a combination of round and rectangular tables

If you're looking to have a big wedding in a small space, one way to maximise the space is by using a combination of round and rectangular tables. This not only adds visual interest to the room but also provides your guests with different seating options.

Round tables are a classic choice for weddings as they are versatile and can fit into almost any venue, from country clubs to beaches and farms. They also offer a traditional and intimate atmosphere, seating 2-4, 4-6, 8, or 10 guests depending on their size. Rectangular tables, on the other hand, are more modern and trendy, providing more table surface per guest. They are elegant and sprawling, especially when placed end to end, creating a stunning symmetrical look.

When deciding on the table layout, consider the number of guests you plan to invite and the amount of space you have. Rectangular tables require more space than round tables, so if your venue is on the smaller side, you may need to opt for more round tables or a combination of both. For example, if you're expecting 150 guests, you would need 15 round tables or 18 rectangular tables. Rectangular tables will also require more servers if you want everyone at the table to be served simultaneously, as they don't lend themselves to family-style dining in the same way that round tables do.

To create a unique and visually appealing setting for your wedding reception, you can mix and match table shapes and sizes. This allows you to get creative and put your personal touch on the decor. You can play with different linens, centrepieces, and place settings to make each table setting feel special.

When it comes to seating arrangements, it's important to ensure that guests have enough space to move around comfortably. For rectangular tables, allow for a gap of at least 30 inches between tables, and make sure there is enough room for guests to pull out their chairs. For round tables, a gap of 4 feet between tables is ideal, and the distance between the backs of chairs across from each other should be at least 2 feet.

By combining round and rectangular tables, you can make the most of your small space and create a memorable and intimate wedding reception that your guests will love.

Frequently asked questions