Creating Intimacy In Large Wedding Venues: Strategies For Couples

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, especially when the venue feels too large for your guest list. However, there are numerous creative ways to make a big wedding venue feel more intimate and welcoming. From clever use of furniture and decor to thoughtful lighting and seating arrangements, you can transform a vast space into a cosy gathering for your loved ones.

One effective way to make a large venue feel smaller is to divide the space into separate areas for different activities, such as a sit-down meal, speeches, and dancing. This helps to create a sense of cosiness and makes it easier to manage the flow of the event.

Another trick is to use long tables for the wedding meal, positioned in rows to fill the space. These can be used for a buffet-style meal, and by leaving a gap between the tables and the wall, guests can easily walk around. Adding a dance floor surrounded by poseur tables also makes the venue feel fuller and provides a space for guests to mingle.

Lighting plays a crucial role in creating an intimate atmosphere. Soft, romantic lighting like candles, lanterns, and string lights enhance the mood, making the space feel more welcoming. Playing with lighting placement can also help to shrink the space, such as adding warm uplighting or using spotlights to highlight certain areas while keeping the rest of the room darker.

In addition to lighting, decor and furniture choices can make a significant impact. Tall centrepieces, hanging installations, and suspended elements like floral pieces or chandeliers help to lower the visual ceiling, making the space feel more enclosed. Creating lounge areas with comfortable seating and low tables also encourages guests to relax and interact, fostering an intimate atmosphere.

By implementing these strategies and paying attention to the details, you can make a large wedding venue feel warm and inviting, ensuring your guests feel right at home as they celebrate with you.

Use trees and room dividers to break up the space

Trees and room dividers are a fantastic way to break up a large space and create a more intimate setting for your wedding. This technique is perfect for rustic, boho, earthy, and minimalist weddings. Wedding planner Tracie Domino, founder of Tracie Domino Events, suggests using trees as a way to divide a space organically and create a cozier environment. Laura Irizarry-Garcia, owner of LIG Events, agrees, stating that large trees or branch arrangements around the perimeter of the room can make a big room feel more intimate.

One way to achieve this look is by using boxwood hedges or rows of small aspens strung with fairy lights for a winter wedding. For a boho-style wedding, consider adding pampas grass and feathers to create an earthy, organic look. If you're looking for something a little more versatile, try white trellis screens. These can be dressed up with floral arrangements, fabric swags, pealights, or kept sparse and stylish. You can even add a twisted willow archway for a whimsical touch.

If you want to create a more modern or elegant feel, room dividers can be used to similar effect. Cover folding room dividers or temporary partitions with string lights or photos hanging from chains to create smaller, more intimate spaces within the larger venue. Just be sure to stabilize them so they don't fall over! Draping fabric or textiles from the ceiling is another way to artificially lower the ceiling height and create split rooms or districts. This technique can make the space feel more intimate and give event planners better control over each area.

Don't be afraid to get creative with your use of trees and room dividers to break up the space and create a warm and inviting atmosphere for your big day. With a bit of ingenuity, you can transform any large venue into an intimate setting for your wedding.

Create a cosy atmosphere with soft lighting

Soft lighting is a great way to create a cosy atmosphere and make a large wedding venue feel more intimate. The right lighting can transform any indoor venue, and with a large venue, you have the opportunity to be creative and make a real splash.

One way to create a romantic and intimate atmosphere is to use uplighting. This casts a soft, warm glow on the walls and ceiling, making the space feel elegant and spacious. It is also a budget-friendly option. You can also use string lights to create a warm and inviting ambiance that will make your guests feel at home. Fairy lights, café lights, and holiday lights can be strung across or around the room to create a cosy environment. Just be sure to use dimmer switches if you have string lights over the dancing area, as the lights that are perfect for dining may be too bright for the dance floor.

Candles are another way to create a romantic and intimate atmosphere. They can be used as centrepieces and table décor, and they also throw off a fair amount of light and heat. Just be sure to use real flame candles enclosed in glass with the top of the flame below the top of the glass.

Chandeliers are a fun way to customise your lighting, as they come in many styles: modern, rustic, contemporary, and classic. They can be suspended from beams and adjusted to different heights by a lighting designer for varying effects.

You can also use lighting to direct your guests' attention. For example, use spotlights to highlight a route for guests to follow, and then flood the table area with light while keeping all the empty spaces dark.

Don't forget that lighting can be used outside too. If you have an outdoor area, consider using hanging lanterns to create a cosy atmosphere.

Make the most of pipe and drape to lower the ceiling

Making use of pipe and drape is a great way to make a large wedding venue feel more intimate. By draping the ceiling, you create an illusion of a lower ceiling, bringing down the line of sight and making the space feel smaller and cozier. This simple trick can transform a large, cavernous room into an inviting, intimate setting for your wedding guests.

To achieve this effect, consider using a pipe and drape kit, which typically includes steel bases, aluminium poles, and fabric drapes. These kits are easy to set up and can be assembled in just a few minutes, creating a temporary structure that can be easily adjusted or removed. The fabric drapes come in various colours and textures, allowing you to choose a style that complements your wedding theme and colour palette. Opt for sheer or gauzy fabrics like chiffon, organza, or voile to add a touch of luxury and elegance to the venue while still maintaining an intimate atmosphere.

When installing the pipe and drape, you can get creative with the layout. Consider using floor-to-ceiling panels to section off different areas within the venue, creating designated "zones" for the cocktail hour, reception, and after-party. This not only makes the room feel more intimate but also provides a sense of warmth and privacy for your guests. If you want to add a dramatic touch, try using draped walls with uplights and a carpet lined with floral arrangements to create a grand entrance for your event.

Additionally, pipe and drape can be used to hide any unsightly areas or equipment that you'd rather keep out of sight. For example, you can use it to conceal extra chairs, band equipment, or portable toilets. It's also perfect for disguising an unattractive wall or piece of equipment that can't be moved. With pipe and drape, you have the flexibility to design your venue layout exactly as you envision it, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for your special day.

Mix up your seating with long tables to encourage mingling

One of the challenges of a large wedding venue is making the space feel intimate. One way to achieve this is by mixing up the seating arrangements with long tables, which can be positioned in rows either horizontally or vertically. This not only fills up the space but also encourages mingling among your guests.

For a unique touch, consider using long trestle tables for the sit-down meal. These tables can be spaced out with a gap between them and the venue wall, allowing guests to walk around and interact. This setup can also work well for a buffet-style wedding, where guests can help themselves to food.

If you're concerned about the venue feeling too spacious, another option is to use the same number of tables but seat fewer guests at each. For example, a table for 8 to 10 people can be adjusted to seat 6, with the extra space filled with decorative items like rose petals or glitter.

For a truly intimate atmosphere, opt for a banquet-style table. This will make your event feel more welcoming and comfortable, as guests will be seated together at one long table rather than spread out across multiple round tables.

Additionally, you can create a more dynamic layout by arranging a U-shaped table, especially if you're having a plated dinner. This setup facilitates better conversation, as more guests will be facing each other, and it also works well in smaller spaces.

With these creative seating arrangements, you can transform a large wedding venue into a warm and inviting space, encouraging your guests to mingle and creating lasting memories.

Set up a lounge space with comfy seating

Creating a lounge space with comfortable seating is a great way to make a large wedding venue feel more intimate. Here are some tips to achieve this:

Choose the Right Furniture

Select furniture that is comfortable and inviting, such as couches, ottomans, lounge chairs, and poufs. Mix and match different pieces to create a relaxed and eclectic atmosphere. If your budget allows, consider renting furniture specifically for this purpose.

Create a Cozy Atmosphere

Arrange the furniture in a way that encourages conversation and interaction. Create small groupings of furniture to form intimate conversation areas. Add soft textiles such as throw pillows and blankets in colours and textures that complement your wedding theme. Dim the lighting in this area to make it feel even more welcoming and relaxed.

Incorporate Decorative Elements

Enhance the space with decorative elements such as rugs, lanterns, string lights, or candles. These additions will make the lounge area feel like a separate, special space within the larger venue. Consider including a photo backdrop with fun props to encourage guests to take photos and create lasting memories.

Provide Entertainment

Offer a variety of entertainment options within the lounge space to keep guests engaged. Set up a small table with board games or card games, or provide a stack of magazines or books for guests to peruse. If your budget allows, you could also hire a musician or small band to perform in the lounge area, creating a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.

Personalise the Space

Add personal touches that reflect your style and theme. For example, if you love books, create a small library display with books that hold special meaning to you. If you're foodies, set up a display with custom cocktail napkins featuring your names and wedding date, or offer a selection of your favourite snacks.

By following these tips, you can create a lounge space that feels warm and inviting, encouraging your guests to relax, mingle, and enjoy your special day.

Frequently asked questions