How to Decorate Wedding Halls

Turning a large white-walled gymnasium or aging church basement into a beautiful wedding hall is simple with a little creativity and the help of the wedding party. After the tables and chairs have been decorated with the wedding colors, and twinkling candles and rope lights give the room a warm glow, the wedding hall will please any bride or groom.

Things You'll Need

• Map of venue interior
• Cleaning supplies
• Air fresheners
• Iron
• Tables and chairs
• Table linens
• Bows
• Centerpieces and smaller arrangements
• Candles
• Rope lights and icicle lights
• Tulle and sheer fabrics
• Small floral bouquets

Instructions

1. Make a list of every aspect you wish to cover before decorating day. Include a list of items to make, purchase, rent and borrow. Collect all of the decorating items and sort them into totes and boxes to be transported to the wedding hall. Draw a map of the venue showing where tables and chairs will be positioned. Share the decorating plans with the wedding party, and ask them to help set up as soon as the wedding hall is available.

2. Clean the wedding hall as needed. Mop the floors, clean the bathrooms and sweep off the entryway. Spray room fresheners and neutralizers. Open windows and doors for fresh air while unloading the decorations.

3. Set up all tables and chairs. Press tablecloths and chair covers. Dress the tables with tablecloths, skirting and any overlay fabrics that will be used. Assemble the chair covers, and finish with bows in contrasting colors to the tablecloths or use seatback decorations such as small flower bouquets or clip-on butterflies.

4. Assemble the table centerpieces. Place nonperishable arrangements in the centers of the dining tables. Set out candles, but do not light them until just before the guests arrive. Store candies, fruits, chocolates or other perishables in a cooler until just before the guests arrive.

5. Decorate the accessory tables. Place small simple arrangements that coordinate with the dining table centerpieces on the guest book table, the punch and cake table and on the buffet tables. Add tall vases of silk flowers to entryways, the top and bottom of staircases and by entry doors.

6. Embellish staircases with sheer fabrics, lights and flowers. Drape tulle in a scalloped design along staircases. Tie the ends of the fabric to the banister, and hide the ties with small floral bouquet to match the wedding theme. Twist rope lights or icicle lights along the banister for a dramatic effect in a low light area.

References

• DotComWomen: Frugal Decorating for a Wedding Banquet Hall