Strategies To Intimate A Large Wedding Venue

Planning a wedding can be stressful, and finding the right venue can be a challenge. One common issue is booking a venue that seems too big for the number of guests. However, there are many creative ways to make a large wedding venue feel more intimate and cosy. From using furniture and decor to clever lighting and seating arrangements, you can transform a spacious venue into a warm and inviting space for your special day.

Use trees and plants to divide the space

Trees and plants can be used in a variety of ways to divide a large wedding venue into smaller, more intimate spaces. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Create Separate Districts

Divide the venue into smaller "districts" by placing trees and plants strategically throughout the space. This can be done by creating distinct areas for different parts of the wedding, such as the meal, ceremony, and dance floor. For example, you could use trees to enclose the dance floor, creating a cosy and intimate atmosphere.

Line the Perimeter Walls

If you prefer a more uniform look, line the perimeter walls with trees and plants. This will create a natural, organic feel and visually enclose the space, making it seem smaller and more intimate. This idea can be adapted to fit the style of your wedding, whether it be boho-chic or rustic elegance.

Use Trees as Centrepieces

Instead of the traditional floral centrepieces, why not try using small trees? This will add a unique touch to your wedding decor and help to fill the space. You can also use a mix of flowers and candles to create a romantic and intimate atmosphere.

Create a Natural Backdrop

If your venue has a large, blank wall, use trees and plants to create a natural backdrop. This will not only make the space feel smaller but also provide a beautiful setting for photos. You can also add fairy lights or lanterns to create a magical atmosphere.

Define Walkways

Use trees and plants to define walkways and direct the flow of traffic. This will not only make the space feel more organised but also help to visually divide the venue into smaller sections. You can also use rope barriers and lighting to guide guests and create a sense of intimacy.

Add Height and Dimension

To make the venue feel smaller and more intimate, add height and dimension to your decor. Use tall trees and plants to create a sense of enclosure, or suspend greenery from the ceiling to draw the eye upwards. This will not only make the space feel more intimate but also add a touch of drama and elegance to your wedding.

Create a cosy feel with furniture

Creating a cosy feel with furniture is a great way to make a large wedding venue feel smaller and more intimate. Here are some tips to achieve this:

Divide and Conquer

Dividing the venue into different areas or "districts" can make the space feel more manageable and intimate. Use furniture to create separate spaces for each part of the wedding, such as the meal, ceremony, and dance floor. For example, long trestle tables for the sit-down meal can be positioned in rows, either horizontally or vertically, to create a cosy dining area.

Get Creative with Seating

Mix up the seating arrangements by incorporating a variety of table shapes, such as square and rectangular tables, which can help fill up the space more effectively than round tables. You can also play around with the number of guests per table—instead of spacing out a smaller number of guests across the tables, bring them closer together by seating fewer people at each table. This will avoid the feeling of isolation and create a more intimate atmosphere.

Create Lounge Areas

Adding lounge areas with sofas, armchairs, and coffee tables can provide guests with a relaxing space to socialise and unwind. These areas can be positioned in corners or along the perimeter of the room, helping to fill up any empty spaces and create a more intimate environment.

Use Tall Centrepieces

Opting for tall centrepieces on the tables will help to break up the space and make the ceilings seem lower, creating a more intimate vibe. You can also use table decorations such as candles, flowers, and ornaments to fill the tables and create a cosy atmosphere.

Think About Table Layout

When arranging the tables, consider leaving space around them for guests to walk between, rather than pushing them against the walls. This will make the room feel more spacious and intimate, allowing guests to move around and socialise comfortably.

Add a Dance Floor

Including a dance floor can be a great way to fill up space and create a fun atmosphere. Surround it with LED poseur tables so guests can dance and mingle simultaneously. If there are children attending the wedding, you can also set up a separate area with games to keep them entertained.

By following these tips and getting creative with furniture arrangements, you can easily transform a large wedding venue into a cosy and intimate space for your special day.

Use fabrics to shrink the space

Fabrics are a fantastic way to make a large wedding venue feel more intimate. Drapes, in particular, can be used to partition spaces, creating a sense of separate "districts" within the room. Suspending drapes from the ceiling is a clever way to lower the ceiling height visually, making the room feel smaller and more cosy.

To create a sense of enclosure, consider using drapes as pillars. This works especially well for micro weddings, giving event planners control over each area and allowing them to shrink the space to the desired size.

Another way to use fabrics to your advantage is to drape them over tables. A mix of round, square, and rectangular tables can be spaced out to fill the room, with fewer people seated at each table to allow for more elbow room. You can then fill the extra space on the tables with creative design elements such as candles, flowers, ornaments, or dried fruits.

If you're looking to add a unique touch, try using patterned tablecloths or table linens in bold, contrasting colours. Large florals and multi-coloured stripes will flourish in large spaces and unify the different areas.

Don't forget about the ceiling! If your venue allows, you can suspend fabrics and other decorations overhead to reduce the sense of vastness. This could include flower arrangements, lanterns, fairy lights, or drum shades.

Suspend decorations from the ceiling

Suspending decorations from the ceiling is a great way to make a large wedding venue feel more intimate and inviting. Here are some tips to achieve this:

Firstly, you should speak to your wedding planner or venue manager to ensure that any decorations you plan to hang are allowed and safe to install. If the venue has very high ceilings, you may need to bring in a professional event company to help with the installation.

If the venue permits, you can create a stunning display by suspending floral pieces, chandeliers, candles, or cafe lights from the ceiling. These elements will help to lower the ceiling visually and create a more intimate atmosphere. You can also try hanging structures like drum shades or paper lanterns to give the illusion of a lower ceiling.

Another idea is to use pipe and drape techniques to drape fabric from the ceiling. This will lower the line of sight, making the space feel smaller and cozier. You can also use this technique to section off different areas of the room, creating a more intimate environment.

To enhance the effect of suspended decorations, consider using uplighting to bring warmth and colour to the venue. Pin spotting or spotlighting tables can also create a romantic and intimate atmosphere.

By decorating the ceiling, you will create a beautiful and memorable setting for your wedding while making the venue feel more proportionate to the number of guests.

Use creative seating arrangements

Creative seating arrangements can be a great way to make a large wedding venue feel smaller and more intimate. Here are some ideas to achieve this:

Mix Table Shapes

Instead of using only round tables, consider incorporating a mix of table shapes, such as square and rectangular tables. These tables have hard angles that don't fit together as easily as round tables, requiring more space. This will help fill up the seating area and make the venue feel less spacious.

Space Out Tables

Rather than pushing tables against the walls, try leaving some space around them. This will make the tables feel like they are taking up more room and will create a cosier atmosphere. You can also space out individual chairs to give each guest a bit more room, reducing the sense of emptiness.

Reduce the Number of Guests per Table

Instead of seating 8-10 people at a table, consider reducing the number to 6 or even 4-6 people for smaller tables. This will result in having more tables to fill up the space. You can decorate the extra space on the tables with rose petals, glitter, flowers, candles, ornaments, or other creative design elements.

Create Lounge Areas

If you have extra space, consider setting up lounge areas with sofas, armchairs, coffee tables, and comfy chairs. These spaces will allow guests to relax, socialise, and catch up in smaller groups. They can also help to fill up any empty corners or blank spaces in the venue.

Use Creative Table Arrangements

Think outside the box when it comes to table arrangements. Instead of the traditional round or rectangular tables, try a U-shape or conference-style seating arrangement. These unique layouts can make your wedding stand out and create a more intimate atmosphere.

Combine Seating with Other Elements

Combine creative seating arrangements with other techniques to make the venue feel smaller. Use lighting to your advantage by keeping certain areas well-lit while leaving unused spaces in darkness. Incorporate tall centrepieces, suspended decorations, and creative stations for food and drinks to further enhance the sense of intimacy.

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