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How to Spruce Up an Ugly Venue
Are finances causing your bride to settle for the less than perfect venue? Maybe her parents are footing the bill and determined to have the reception in the old church hall or in a not-so-nice event center. Whatever circumstance leaves your clients with a less than desirable venue, don’t panic. If the ugly duckling can turn into a beautiful swan, that unattractive venue can be transformed into their storybook wedding without breaking the bank. All it takes is a bit of imagination and inspiration. And probably some perspiration.
The Important Things
Some couples have their weddings inside an underground cavern. I mention this because, although it isn’t what most would consider a perfect setting for a wedding ceremony, it does have a “Wow” factor that people will remember for a long time. You too can create that “Wow” factor with any less-than-perfect venue.
Down the road, your client’s family and guests won’t remember the venue nearly as much as they remember the great food, the fun entertainment and the company of friends they experienced the ceremony with. Those are the memories your clients will cherish. If the venue is ugly or even just dark or boring, make the other areas shine. Serve a fabulous meal, provide unique and fun entertainment and make the guest tables look fabulous.
Here are a few ideas for sprucing up a less than desirable venue:
A Place for Making Memories
Spend time thinking about the kind and location of wedding and reception photos your clients will want. Mention the situation and venue to the photographer so they can bring the appropriate equipment such as extra lighting for a dark room. You may want to suggest that your clients take all of their photos at a local park or garden setting instead of inside the venue.
A little bit of inspiration and creativity can go a long way towards make a less-than-perfect venue become a beautiful backdrop for your client’s wedding day. What ideas have you used to spruce up a venue for your clients? Please share them in the comments below.
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Today’s post is a guest post from Richard Bracke. An avid writer, father, and foodie, Richard Bracke loves to try out new restaurants in Charlotte, and especially enjoys Spanish tapas accompanied by a nice Catalonian Cava. He currently blogs for the website, EZ Cater.
photo credit: Jason+Gina
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Friday Favorites
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Our client celebrated her 40th birthday using a church basement. It had this dark green wallpaper and all pine wood walls with little lightning. We suggested that they remove the wallpaper and paint the walls with a lighter color paint. They were looking for a gift to give the church so they ended up having a gorgeous room and also giving something back that others will use. It turned out great.
This is fantastic. Love how it worked out in a positive way for everyone!
Love this advice. Thank you Mary
Thanks for commenting Mary!
Oh the dreaded ugly venue! When a client first mentions a particular venue and it’s at that banquet hall I dislike (with a passion), I cringe and want to run but I tell myself, Roxanne, you can make this happen! I tell the clients to focus on the positives and stop trying to conceal every flaw. Yes, the ceiling is super low but dumping thousands of dollars in draping will inevitably make the ceiling even lower. Put the head table in front of that gorgeous window. Use that really cool sculpture as the cake stand. There’s a balcony, cool! Use it as a lounge area. You saved money on the venue, awesome, now splurge on that really awesome band that plays downtown. Guests will inevitably pay attention to those killer details (“wow, that band at Richard’s wedding was spectacular!”) and will hardly notice the wall to wall paisley carpet.
Great tips Roxanne! Thank you for sharing!
I had to do a baby shower in a community room with hideous chairs, low ceilings, and exposed pipes. I added paper lanterns through out the venue and made sure the centerpieces on the table were unique and noticeable. It helped to focus on the table setting and not the venue.
Thanks for sharing Shante!