Decor transformation for drab ballrooms

With a splash of color, and a dash of accents all drab ballrooms can be turned fab. Photo:Wedding by Binti Wedding Service

Indoor ballrooms turned into fabulous reception venues do not require a magic wand; instead a few ingenious tricks can be used to transform all indoor spaces to your dream reception.

Trick No 1: Room Selection

Before you decide on your indoor space, you need to put a few things in mind so that you can get the perfect fit. For example: If you are an artsy couple, you should get a room that is a showcase of your personality for example a museum or an art exhibition space e.g. a gallery studio. If you and your partner love and appreciate music, you can hire a space that has a grand piano and get a pianist to do solos as you dine away. Are you a nature lover?  Well, a few local hotels have ballrooms, with greenery and sun rooms that could be ideal for your theme. For the couple that has no particular unique taste or hobby then you can rent out a basic ballroom or hall and work your wedding theme into it!

Your room selection should also be based on the number of wedding guests that you intend on hosting. Have more than enough room to cater for at least an allowance of between 50-80 guests. Have an extra stack of chairs to cater for any foreseen/ unforeseen gate crashers.

Trick No 2: Room Layout.

When deciding your room layout, draw a floor plan of your wedding reception area. Ensure that you have enough space to allow for movement within the reception comfortably. Also make sure that you have allocated enough room for any usual wedding activity like dancing. You don't want your wedding guests to topple over the wedding cake as they do their jig! The room layout and space allocation shall also determine the sort of table layouts you shall use should you do round or rectangular tables. Rectangular tables though rarely used are always the classier option for a formal reception where you would want to minimize space allocation. The room layout is also subjective to the size of the hall.

Have full table setups, if you would like to have a sit down dinner. Have less than the number a table can accommodate for example if a table accommodates ten wedding guests, setup for a table for eight.

Trick No 3: Décor Fixtures

Be on the look out for décor fixtures that could add some flair to your wedding décor. Décor fixtures including ceiling chandeliers, venue draperies, fireplaces elements, marble counters etc can be included in your wedding theme and made the main focus. If you plan on having your wedding at a hotel ballroom you may be lucky to have a room with a few of these features. Have your décor artist include some lighting options to add on to the room lighting this includes fairy lights, tea- light candles and lanterns. If your budget allows you can also include spot lights into your lighting solutions. Emphasis can be put on the cake via the use of spotlights.

Trick No 4: Linen Choices

Your chairs and tables should be dressed in a manner that complements your color and wedding theme.  Explore the option of using printed linens that have fabulous designs that are different from the norm. In case you are using two color schemes e. g. black and gold you could have two table clothes with these shades, one on top of the other, to create this contrast. Your tie backs can be dressed in an out of the box manner. You can have flowers attached to your tie backs and expand your use of linen by getting matching napkins and napkin ties.

Trick No 5: Outside the box accents

Apart from looking for décor fixtures for your wedding ballroom during your wedding venue selection also scout for elements that add character to the room. Out of the box accents include dancing floors (this come complementary with some of the hotel rooms), bar setups, buffet counters/ serving stations etc. Other odd objects like mirrors can be used tastefully to add an element of décor to the wedding.

Trick No 6: Décor Magic

 With all this elements, hire a décor artist who will create an aisle with sweet and simple centerpieces that will coordinate with your wedding theme.  If you’re lucky to get a beautiful ballroom, the décor will only add to the room as accents. Use draperies to cover institutional sign boards or any corporate signage that may be part of the ballroom.  The centerpieces can either be high or low pegged on the desired tastes of the couple, if you want guests to easily have a conversation go for low centerpieces but if you want a dramatic reception setup, high centerpieces are definitely classy.

 Trick No 7: Dramatic entryways

 Stairways and doorways make the perfect dramatic entryways so line them up with simple floral setups on the banister (staircase railing), or draperies and you will get an elegant themed entryway. Your entryways will help tantalize your wedding guests as they approach your ballroom, so using perfect décor themed accents will definitely do the required justice.