How to Transform a Ballroom for a Wedding Ceremony
Create an ambiance of love and excitement for a wedding ceremony that is held in the same ballroom as the reception. Utilizing one venue saves on wedding expenses and cuts down on travel time for guests. If the ballroom will only be utilized for the ceremony, all that would be needed are rows of chairs and a stage on which to perform the ceremony. For combination of ceremony and reception venues, the ballroom is transformed utilizing the theme and colors of the wedding and maybe different lighting for the reception.
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Things You'll Need
- Blueprint of ballroom
- Stage
- Backdrop
- Flowers
- Candles
- Runner
- Pedestals
- Tables
- Chairs
- Drapes or fabric
Instructions
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Preplan the transformation by getting a printed blueprint of the ballroom or drawing it yourself. Include walls, windows and fireplaces, as well as other features such as exit signs, pictures or unsightly columns. This will help to determine where to place items for the ceremony, how to arrange the tables and what decorations will be needed.
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Place a raised stage near a wall in a position that guests will be able to easily view for the ceremony. Look to see if a backdrop will be needed. The last thing a bride wants is exit signs glaring in the background of her wedding pictures or a piece of artwork she despises. Decorate the stage with flowers and candles, as it is the focal point for the ceremony and many reception activities.
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Create an aisle from the door that the bride will make her grand entrance in to the stage where she will meet her groom. The aisle can be simply a long runner or can be marked off using 4-foot pedestals attached with rows of garland. Add candles or flowers on top of the pedestals if desired.
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Arrange tables on both sides of the aisle for guests to sit at during both the ceremony and the reception. Alternatively, an extra large ballroom could be divided into two separate rooms, one with rows of chairs for the ceremony and the other room used for the reception with tables.
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Cover up paintings, mirrors, windows and columns that do not match the wedding theme or contrast with the wedding colors. Cover them with a hanging backdrop, drapes, swags of tulle or light cotton fabric. Another idea is to cover them up with large paper decorations such as wedding bells.
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Highlight the bride’s favorite parts of the venue by lighting it up with candles, lanterns or a string of lights. For example, place lanterns at the base of decorative columns or hang a string of lights around a picture.
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Decorate the tables, walls and ceiling with flowers. Hang garlands of flowers from the ceiling to create a raining effect, or hang pomanders above the dance floor or tables.
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Hide unappealing statues or fixtures with ficus trees, large plants and oversized vases. Other ideas include placing hanging plants on walls to hide fixtures or placing plants or flowers on top of flower stands or pedestals.
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References
- Photo Credit Creatas/Creatas/Getty Images
