Make Your Wedding Venue Feel Intimate With These Tricks

Planning a wedding can be stressful, and finding the right venue is no exception. One common issue is finding a space that feels too big for the number of guests. However, with some creativity, it is possible to make a large venue feel more intimate. One way to achieve this is by dividing the space into smaller districts using plants, trees, or fabrics. Another trick is to use long tables for the meal, positioned in rows, and leaving space for guests to walk around them. Creating separate areas for different activities, such as a sit-down meal, speeches, and dancing, can also make a large venue feel smaller. Using creative seating arrangements, such as a mix of table shapes and sizes, can fill out the space and make it feel cozier. Playing with lighting and colour can also help to manipulate the perception of space, making a venue feel smaller and more intimate.

Divide the venue into smaller districts with plants and trees

Dividing your wedding venue into smaller districts with plants and trees is a great way to make a large space feel more intimate. Here are some tips to achieve this:

Choose the Right Plants and Trees

Select plants and trees that complement your wedding theme and add a touch of nature to your venue. Consider the size of the venue when making your selection. For smaller venues or those with low ceilings, opt for smaller trees or plants that won't overwhelm the space. Birch trees, with their rich orange and red peeling bark, can be an excellent choice for an indoor venue. Olive trees and topiary plants are also popular choices for creating a more formal look. If you're looking for something unique, bamboo can be a great option, adding an exotic touch to your special day.

Create Visual Districts

Use plants and trees to create distinct visual districts within your venue. Place large trees or branch arrangements around the perimeter of the room to enclose the space visually. You can also use them as room dividers to separate different areas, such as the dining area, dance floor, and lounge spaces. This will make the venue feel more intimate and create a cosy atmosphere for your guests.

Add Variety with Potted Plants

Incorporate potted plants into your decor to add variety and versatility. Potted ferns, succulents, and cacti can bring a bohemian, woodland vibe to your wedding. Mix and match different types of plants to create a unique and unexpected look. Place them on tables, use them as centrepieces, or group them together to fill open spaces. Potted herbs like lavender, sage, heather, and rosemary will not only look beautiful but also provide a delightful aroma for your guests.

Play with Lighting

Enhance the impact of your plant and tree districts by incorporating creative lighting. Consider uplighting the trees, especially if you're using white birch trees, as the light will reflect beautifully off the bark. You can also use fairy lights or soft lighting to create a romantic and intimate atmosphere within each district. Play with light and shadow by keeping some areas well-lit and others in soft focus to create a sense of depth and make the venue feel more enclosed.

Don't Forget the Details

Remember that it's your special day, so feel free to be creative and make it your own. Consider adding personal touches, such as hanging centrepieces from exposed ceiling rafters or beams. You can also use plants and trees to frame important areas, such as the entrance or behind the top table for photographs. By paying attention to the details, you'll create a memorable and unique atmosphere that your guests will love.

Use fabrics to lower the ceiling and partition spaces

Using fabric to lower the ceiling and partition spaces is a great way to make a wedding venue feel more intimate. Here are some tips to achieve this:

Choose the Right Fabric

Select a fabric that complements your wedding theme and colour palette. Popular choices include chiffon, organza, tulle, and satin, but you can also consider voile and netting. The fabric can be sheer and gauzy, adding a touch of elegance and whimsy to the space. If you want to make the venue feel smaller, opt for darker, richer colours or bold contrasting hues.

Drape the Ceiling

By hanging fabric from the ceiling, you can create the illusion of a lower ceiling, making the space feel more intimate. Try innovative techniques such as interlacing long, flowy ceiling drapes in a crisscross pattern or creating a maypole-style ceiling drapery for a bohemian-themed wedding. You can also use ceiling drapes to create "clouds" of fabric that billow above your guests' heads.

Section Off Large Spaces

Use floor-to-ceiling draping to divide a large, open venue into smaller, more intimate spaces. This technique helps to create designated "zones" for different parts of your wedding, such as the cocktail hour, reception, and after-party. Fabric draping can also be used to create a romantic backdrop for photos or to hide unsightly areas of the venue.

Upgrade Structures

If your wedding includes arches, canopies, tents, or gazebos, consider draping them with fabric to elevate their look and tie the space together. For example, draping a canopy with fabric and adding flowers or greenery creates a stunning statement piece for your ceremony or reception area.

Enhance Entrances and Staircases

Don't forget to decorate entrances, doorways, and staircases with fabric draping to create a magical first impression for your guests. You can also use draped cloth signs to write congratulatory messages to the happy couple.

By strategically using fabric to lower the ceiling and partition spaces, you can transform your wedding venue into a cozy and intimate setting that your guests will adore.

Create a cosy atmosphere with creative seating arrangements

Creating a cosy atmosphere with creative seating arrangements is a great way to make a wedding venue feel smaller and more intimate. Here are some ideas to achieve this:

Choose Seating Styles that Foster Togetherness

Opt for a circular seating arrangement, with the couple at the centre, surrounded by their closest family and friends. This setup creates an intimate atmosphere, fostering a strong sense of togetherness and ensuring everyone has an up-close view of the ceremony. Alternatively, go for a theatre-style layout, with plush cushions and elegant benches arranged in a semi-circle facing the couple. This adds a touch of drama and elegance while offering a great view of the ceremony, especially if there's a captivating backdrop.

Mix Up Seating Styles and Table Shapes

Combining different seating styles and table shapes can make a venue feel more intimate. Mix and match vintage sofas, charming benches, and mismatched chairs for an eclectic, quirky look. Incorporate square and rectangular tables, which take up more space than round tables and require more room between them. This helps fill up the seating area and makes the venue feel cozier.

Create Lounge Areas

Incorporate lounge spaces with couches, ottomans, and fun pillows that tie into your theme. These areas encourage guests to mingle and create a more intimate atmosphere. If your venue has a bar, you can create a quiet, intimate space nearby using sofas, comfy chairs, and low tables. Use soft lighting to enhance the mood.

Use Tables and Chairs Strategically

If your guest list is small, you can use the same number of tables but seat fewer people at each. For example, a table that usually seats 8-10 people can be used to seat 6. Fill the extra space on the table with decorations like rose petals or glitter. To make the venue feel fuller, add a dance floor surrounded by LED poseur tables, so guests can dance and mingle.

Play with Lighting

Use lighting to create a cosy atmosphere. Dimmer switches, candles, and pin spotting (or spotlighting tables) can make a venue feel more intimate. Keep areas that you don't want to be seen or used dark.

Use lighting to manipulate space and create a boho feel

Lighting can be a powerful tool to manipulate space and create a boho feel for your wedding. Here are some ways to achieve this:

Dim the Lights

Dim lighting can create a romantic and intimate atmosphere. Consider using candles, low-energy light sources, or fairy lights to cast a warm and soft glow throughout the venue. This can be especially effective in the evening when you can set spotlights to highlight specific areas while keeping unused spaces in darkness.

Use Statement Light Fixtures

Incorporate statement light fixtures such as rattan lanterns, beaded chandeliers, or paper lanterns to create a whimsical and boho-chic look. These can be placed above the dance floor or lounge areas to create a multi-dimensional focal point.

Create a Canopy of Fairy Lights

Strings of fairy lights, bistro lights, or even Christmas lights can be suspended in rows over key areas like the lounge space, dance floor, or reception tables. This will add instant charm and character to your wedding venue, creating a magical atmosphere.

Use Neon Signs

Neon signs are a trendy and eye-catching lighting option. You can use them to personalise your event space by displaying your last name or a fun phrase. They make for great photo backdrops, especially when illuminated with warm lighting.

Add Greenery

Work with your florist to incorporate greenery into your lighting design. A greenery chandelier made with eucalyptus, smilax, or seasonal evergreens can be a beautiful and elegant lighting feature, especially for a rustic or romantic wedding aesthetic.

Illuminate Walkways

Use candlelit lanterns or battery-powered alternatives to light up the main walkways and paths of your venue. This will not only create a romantic ambiance but also make it easier for your guests to navigate the space after dark.

By using these lighting techniques, you can manipulate the space to create a more intimate and boho-chic atmosphere for your wedding, even in a large venue.

Make the most of pipe and drape

Making the most of pipe and drape is a great way to make a large wedding venue feel more intimate. Here are some ideas to help you achieve this:

Backdrops

Pipe and drape can be used to create a beautiful backdrop for the head table, using sheer or coloured draping, and even adding twinkle lights for a touch of sparkle. This can also be done to create a dramatic entrance for your event, with draped walls, uplights, and a carpet lined with floral arrangements. If you're looking for a more formal look, drape skirting can be used to neatly extend fabric to the floor, adding a touch of elegance and providing a "secret" storage space for catering staff.

Photo Ops

Pipe and drape is perfect for creating a photo backdrop, whether it's an elegant setting with fabric and twinkle lights or a fun, candid photo area with props. You can even create a DIY photo booth or a private dressing room adjacent to the backdrop for guests to change into costumes.

Separate Spaces

Pipe and drape can be used to partition large spaces, creating the illusion of separate rooms. This is perfect for adding a lounge area or a children's play space. Just be sure to discuss these configurations with your event planner or venue to ensure fire codes are not impacted.

Hide Unsightly Areas

Pipe and drape can also be used to hide any unsightly areas, such as extra chairs, equipment boxes, or portable toilets. It can also be used to disguise an unmovable eyesore, such as an old wall, transforming your venue into the elegant space you've always envisioned.

Frequently asked questions