Transforming Ugly Spaces For Beautiful Weddings

So, you've found the perfect venue for your wedding, but there's just one problem: it's not exactly easy on the eyes. Don't despair! With a bit of creativity and imagination, you can transform any ugly space into a beautiful setting for your big day. From draping and lighting to centrepieces and decor, there are plenty of ways to make your venue more aesthetically pleasing without breaking the bank. Whether it's a dull function room, a community hall, or a banquet hall, read on for tips and tricks to make your wedding space wonderful.

Use lighting to your advantage

Lighting can make or break the ambiance of a venue. The right lighting can transform a space from dull to dazzling, and it's an essential element to consider when trying to make an ugly space beautiful for your wedding. Here are some tips to use lighting to your advantage and create a magical atmosphere for your big day:

• Dim the Overhead Lights: If the venue has harsh fluorescent lighting, consider turning off or dimming the overhead lights. This will instantly create a more intimate and romantic atmosphere. It also provides a blank canvas for you to add your own lighting touches.
• Use String Lights: String lights, fairly lights, or twinkle lights can add a whimsical and enchanting feel to the venue. Hang them across the ceiling, drape them over tables, or suspend them over the dance floor to create a magical canopy of lights. They will bring charm and character to the space.
• Uplighting: Uplighting is a great way to transform a venue by washing the walls with light and colour. It can be used to accentuate certain features, such as a head table or a cake table, and draw attention away from less attractive areas. It's a simple yet effective way to enhance the overall ambiance.
• Centrepiece Lighting: Bright and eye-catching centrepieces can be used to draw attention away from drab walls or other unattractive features. Consider using candles, fairy lights, or lanterns as part of your centrepiece design to add a warm and inviting glow to the space.
• Lanterns and Chandeliers: Hanging lanterns or chandeliers can create a stunning focal point, especially in venues with high ceilings. For a rustic wedding, consider using paper lanterns or rattan lanterns with greenery and floating candles. For a more elegant or vintage feel, opt for crystal chandeliers or a quirky mason jar chandelier.
• Custom Projections: Add a personal touch with custom projections on walls or the dance floor. Project your initials, wedding date, or a meaningful phrase to create a unique and memorable backdrop for photos.
• Illuminated Marquee Letters or Heart: Large illuminated letters spelling out a word like "LOVE" or a heart shape can serve as a statement backdrop for photos and add a touch of modern romance to the venue.

Remember, lighting can drastically change the feel of a space, so be sure to visit the venue beforehand to test out different lighting options and see how they work in the space. With the right lighting choices, you can create a beautiful and memorable setting for your wedding, even in an ugly space.

Draping and backdrops

Backdrop draping is an affordable and easy way to bring your wedding décor to life. It is incredibly versatile, elegant, and can add dimension and texture to an otherwise ordinary room. It will not only create a beautiful visual impact but will also add a lush and romantic feel to your special day.

When choosing your draping, opt for bold and vivid fabrics, colours, and textures to create a backdrop that reflects your and your partner's personalities. You can use draping to create a screen or backdrop, spruce up a photo booth, or create a grand entrance that captures your personalities and themes with bright and bold colours and fabrics.

Additionally, draping can be used to designate different areas of your reception, such as the dessert table or the dance floor. It can also be combined with other wedding decorations such as elegant candles, lush flower arrangements, and pretty ribbon pieces to complete the look.

If you're working with a large space, you don't have to drape all the walls. Consider focusing on the head table or creating a backdrop behind it. This will help to create a beautiful setting for the happy couple without breaking the bank.

Fabric draping can also be used to cover floors or hide unsightly areas. You can choose from a variety of fabrics, lighting, stands, and other accessories to match your theme and transform your venue into a magical space.

Redirect attention with fun activities

If you're looking to distract your wedding guests from an ugly venue, you can redirect their attention with fun activities. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Outdoor Activities

• Set up a bouncy castle and decorate it with a balloon garland that matches your wedding colour palette.
• If it's a cold time of year, have a warm bonfire with a s'mores station. You could also provide instruments for a musical jam session.
• Lawn games like corn hole, giant Jenga, or bocce ball will get your guests moving and having fun.
• For a summer wedding, set up a badminton court or a giant ring toss game.
• For kids, create a play area with hula hoops, jump ropes, and a piñata.

Indoor Activities

• A photo booth with lots of fun props and backdrops is always a hit.
• Set up a poker table or rent a vintage arcade game for some friendly competition.
• A live painter will keep guests entertained as they watch your wedding scene come to life.
• For a unique performance, hire a magician, tarot card reader, or celebrity impersonator.
• Get everyone involved with a game of musical chairs or a scavenger hunt.
• For a relaxed wedding, set up stations for drinking games like beer pong and flip cup (with water instead of beer, if preferred).
• The Shoe Game is a fun way to get the newlyweds involved in a game. They sit back-to-back and answer questions by holding up their own shoe or their partner's shoe.
• Create a custom wheel of activities, such as "Pick a Couple to Kiss" or "Show Us Your Best Dance Moves."
• A dart art station will unleash your guests' creativity as they throw darts at paint-filled water balloons attached to a canvas.

Cover up eyesores with decorative items

If you're looking to cover up eyesores at your wedding venue, there are plenty of decorative items that can do the trick.

One option is to use drapes or fabric. You can rent or buy linens or other fabrics to pin over ugly walls, drapes, or wallpaper. This is a quick fix that doesn't require any sewing and can transform your venue. If your budget allows, you can also consider draping the entire space or using pipe and drape to frame the room.

Another way to cover up eyesores is to use plants and flowers. Large floral arrangements or potted plants can be placed in front of unsightly areas or used to redirect guests' gaze away from them. You can even rent trees and potted plants to enhance the natural feel of the space.

If you're dealing with old or dated chairs, you can cover them with white seat covers and dress them up with satin or burlap bows, tassels, or other decorations that match your wedding decor.

To hide ugly floors, consider covering them with fabric, rented carpet, or a wooden floor covering. You can also scatter flower petals along the floor or walkways to create a romantic and distracting path for your guests.

Additionally, lighting can be a great way to disguise problem areas. Uplighting can be used to highlight specific areas, such as behind the head table or cake table, or to wash the room with colour. String lights or fairy lights can also brighten up a space and draw attention away from ugly features.

Finally, centrepieces and table decor can be used strategically to draw attention away from eyesores. Bright and eye-catching centrepieces can be placed along walls or on guest tables to become the focal point of the room.

Divide large spaces with drapery

If you're working with a large space, you can use draping to make the venue feel more intimate and warm. Draping can be used to divide a room into smaller, more manageable spaces, creating designated zones for the cocktail hour, reception, and after-party.

Draping kits are an efficient, cost-effective way to divide a room. They can be rented and set up easily, and they arrive two days before your event. They also allow you to add lighting and complement your event decorations. You can choose any drapery fabric colour to partition your space, and even change the colour with wedding reception lighting.

If you're working with a particularly large space, you can use floor-to-ceiling draping to make the room feel more intimate. This can be done by using a DIY pipe and drape kit, which can be assembled and set up in about five minutes per 10-foot section. This type of kit includes a crossbar, base plates, uprights, and draping swags.

Drapery can also be used to create a backdrop, hide unsightly areas, or add a touch of whimsy to your wedding décor.

Frequently asked questions