GUEST POST BY JULIA WEEMAN, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING FOR PURE KITCHEN, CITY VIEW LOFT & HUB STUDIO LOFT
Once you find your perfect venue for your big day, many couples want to know how to make it their own. While starting with a blank canvas is exciting, it can also feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! There are a few key elements that can transform the space to fit your unique vision and creative theme.
1. Lighting
Lighting is one of those decor elements that when done right often gets overlooked. While you may recognize a stunning floral arrangement as a visual centerpiece, lighting often evokes feelings, adding to the ambiance of an event in a way that is subtle, but memorable. Like a well tailored suit, the right lighting will enhance your venue space and all your other decor elements. Amber uplighting beautifully accents exposed brick and creates a warm glow, and lighting in complementary pops of color creates a cool, modern vibe. Patterned lighting can add texture, and create an organic feel, softening blank walls.
Without Lighting:
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Photo by Megan Saul (Megan Saul Photography) Venue Hub Studio Loft |
With Lighting:
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| Photo by Megan Saul (Megan Saul Photography) Floral and decor by A Perfect Event, Lighting by Chicago Lighting Design, Venue Hub Studio Loft |
Without Lighting:
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| Photo by Tuan H. Bui (Tuan H. Bui Photography) Venue Hub Studio Loft |
With Lighting:
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| Photo by Kenny Nakai (Nakai Photography), Venue Hub Studio Loft, Floral and decor by A Perfect Event |
With Fun, Unique Lighting;
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| Photo by Bethany Fritz (Maypole Studios), Venue Hub Studio Loft, Lighting & Design by Platinum Events, Furniture by Bowery & Bash |
2. Linens
Many couples are favoring linen-less tables with wood finishes over the traditional round linened tables. Farm tables are a popular choice, as are industrial wood tables, which is what we provide at City View Loft and Hub Studio Loft. Adding the right napkin and runner to a bare table adds personality and can be a great way to add color. While a full linen with sequins or a pattern could be overkill, a runner with a unique texture or print adds a nice pop, and can be complemented by a plain napkin. We love seeing bookmark napkin folds on bare tables, as it extends the color off the edge of the table, and photographs beautifully.
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| Photo by Bethany Fritz (Maypole Studios), Menus by Erickson Design, Venue City View Loft |
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| Photo by Megan Saul (Megan Saul Photography) Floral and decor by A Perfect Event, Lighting by Chicago Lighting Design, Venue Hub Studio Loft |
3. Food
While food is often overlooked as a decor element, the right menu items can add a festive, celebratory feel. Many of our clients at Pure Kitchen choose family style service, and plates of beautifully presented food with bright colors and creative garnishes on the table add a special feel to their event. Like holiday dinners with your family, the food at your wedding can be a stunning focal point on the table as well as a memorable part of the evening.
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Food by Pure Kitchen, Photo by Bethany Fritz (Maypole Studios) |
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| Food by Pure Kitchen, Photo by Bethany Fritz (Maypole Studios) |
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| Food by Pure Kitchen, Photo by Bethany Fritz (Maypole Studios) |
4. Centerpieces
No matter what your decor style, there are endless options when it comes to centerpieces. If you don’t like flowers, floating candles in different heights are a beautiful, inexpensive option. Succulents and driftwood are another great choice if blooms aren’t your style. We love seeing living runners, made of ferns or moss. If you don’t want one big centerpiece of flowers, smaller vases in varying sizes and shapes arranged in collections are a great alternative - you can do single stems or smaller arrangements.
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Photo by Bethany Fritz (Maypole Studios), Menus by Erickson Design, Venue City View Loft |
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| Photo by Megan Saul (Megan Saul Photography) Floral and decor by A Perfect Event, Lighting by Chicago Lighting Design, Venue Hub Studio Loft |
5. Candles
If there’s one thing we always encourage no matter what the decor style, it’s candlelight. Nothing adds a romantic feel like the warm glow of candles. In our venue spaces, City View Loft and Hub Studio Loft, we love filling the window sills and steel beams with votives to accent the natural beauty of the lofts - we offer candle packages in house so it’s an easy thing to add on. Candleholders are a another great way to add to your decor - we love mercury glass or macrame wrapped candleholders to add another layer of color and personality, but if you’re on a budget, even clear glass votives do the trick!
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| Photo by Megan Saul (Megan Saul Photography) Floral and decor by A Perfect Event, Lighting by Chicago Lighting Design, Venue Hub Studio Loft |
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| Photo by Kenny Nakai (Nakai Photography), Venue Hub Studio Loft, Floral and decor by A Perfect Event |
A huge thank you to Julia Weeman for all these wonderful ideas on transforming your venue! Learn more about her inspiration and ideas by visiting the websites for Pure Kitchen, City View Loft and Hub Studio Loft!
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