Wedding Blog
This weekend we’ll be driving up to the UP to meet with several of our wedding vendors. I’ve been trying to finalize our plans for decorating for a few months now, and it has been difficult, to say the least. We will be meeting with the decorators on Saturday to see what they have that we can borrow so we don’t have to buy things ourselves, as well as going over their vision for the event. Why don’t we just do the decorating ourselves, you might ask? Because we’re having our reception here…
… at the local armory. And it’s hideous. But it is big enough to comfortably accommodate all of our guests, which we cannot say for many other indoor venues in the area. It is also the only venue that isn’t split up into a bunch of smaller rooms. My only requirements for our reception venue were that it was to be indoors (not willing to chance the weather, I would worry too much) and that no one would be sitting in the “reject room” where they can’t even hear the toasts! Is the armory pretty? Of course not, but at least no one will feel left out!
I’m praying that we can work some magic to make the place look less like a gym. I’m sure it will be difficult, but our decorators and I are up for the task! This amazing transformation by One Source Weddings is giving me hope!
Does anyone else have a venue that needs some work? I hope I’m not all alone on this one! Any tips for working with a blank canvas would be appreciated!
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Share this post: Hoping For a Transformation
That transformation’s amazing! I’m sure you’ll get your space looking great, and I’m eager to hear about the colors you’ll be using!
we almost booked an art gallery that was really cool, but totally blank. i would have invested money into lighting and maybe some lounge chairs/couches to make the most of the room. can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Wow, that transformation is amazing! With enough lighting and draping, anything is possible! Are you considering going all out for your wedding like the one in the picture?
Yeah, there is a lot you can do with that space with good event design and lighting designers! Just think of it this way - you have a blank slate and can do whatever you want with it 
Fabric and lighting can do wonders! I’m sure a professional decorator will be able to change your venue into something amazing! Best of luck!
I love all the fabric and the lighting it brings such ambiance to the room. It has such a dramatic feel to the room.
We are lucky enough that since our color scheme is dark the colors in the hotels ballroom fits our color pallete. So we plan on playing with the lighting to add an elegant feeling to the room.
I have the same sort of situation with the Venue!! We’re having our reception in the local Sons of Hermann Hall, the same place my parents had their reception 30 years ago!!
We’re doing all the decorating and transforming ourselves though…talk about a project!
This is so funny that you posted this because I almost scheduled my reception for that armory in shelbyvillle, tn (20 mintues from me!) just because of one source’s beautiful transformation! I have actually seen that armory that they re-vamped and let me tell you, the before picture is misleading…it is much uglier in person which makes their transformation THAT much more amazing!
Yes! I’ve been obsessing about this on the boards! Due to lack of budget and lack of decent reception sites in my small town, rural area, all we were able to find is a bland hall, complete with 1980’s mauve and pink floral drapes. And photos of club members along all the walls. So I’m at a loss as to what to do. But I finally had to let go that it’s less about the where and more about the why and it’ll work out just fine. And I have lots of DIY helpers so I’m sure somehow we’ll be able to work some magic (I hope).
Just make sure if you are tenting etc. that you check the fire regulations.
wow would it cost a lot to have such a dramatic transformation? *just curious*
i could never have imagined it’s the same place though! impressive!
WOW! That is amazing! I hadn’t thought that we could take our place up a coulpe notches with some simple chiffon! Cool!
wow that’s such a cool transformation! you’re actually pretty lucky if you think about it. yeah, you have more work to do BUT you also get complete control over everything and you are lucky for that! i see so many pics of rooms that don’t match the colors picked out and maybe i’m weird but it just looks odd to me. you’re lucky because you don’t have to worry about that! i’m excited to see the transformation come together!!!
That transformation is amazing! I think draping fabric and having lots of candles would make a huge difference. Another idea is using balloons - maybe hanging from the ceiling, it would be an inexpensive way to decorate.
http://asaprental.com/images/rentcov2.jpg
Yay One Source Weddings! They are literally a mile from my house and do amazing work! Great inspiration!
WOW! thats the same look i wanted but then i started thinking about how to get the tent look and everything and realize that i probably dont have enough money for it. CANT WAIT TO SEE YOURS!!! =)
Gosh, that’s really impressive! I bet you’ll turn your venue around too!
Wow! What a transformation! I’m sure yours will be just as great, if not better
I had my prom in the wrestling room of our tiny high school gym. We were so happy and excited to be dancing that it didn’t even feel like the same room to us. I’m sure it will be the same for you as well!
Wow!! That transformation is pretty incredible. There’s definitely hope for your space.
I can’t wait to see your transformation. I think fabric and lighting can do wonders. The other idea is if there is a local theater nearby you can get sets sometimes for low cost. I’m not sure what would go, but they may have some nice neutral backdrops? I remember for an event I did in a gym we were able to do that.
I can’t wait to see what you come up with! It will look fabulous.
I am in exactly the same boat! Because we’re getting married in the small town we grew up in we don’t have a lot of venue options. I also didn’t want to chance it outside so we’re going with the local college gym (which looks startlingly similar to the armoury). I saw pictures of a formal held there this weekend though and it does seem like fabric and lighting can go a loooong way!
You can do it, Miss Mascara! Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
i’m really excited to see what you have in store miss mascara! my reception is in our local elks lodge, and it looks quite a bit like your armory.
but it has a MASSIVE elks head chilling in the middle of the wall that doesn’t really match my vintage-Victorian-black-pink-ivory theme in the least.
Wow, now that’s a transformation!! I’m hoping to have my reception in a place that’s so hip/sophisticated that all I’ll have to do is put centerpieces on the tables.
WOw you can’t tell it was a gym at all! I know you can do it! I’m excited to see what you do!
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Mrs. Mascara, Chicago/Upper Michigan
Age and Occupation: 25, Biomedical Engineer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Process Engineer
Engagement Date: July 27, 2008
Wedding Date: September 2009
Venue: Catholic ceremony, reception at local armory
About Me: A lover of Mr. Mascara, crafting, baking, Gossip Girl, diet soda, and all things wedding. A Yooper girl somehow displaced in the Chicago suburbs, planning a wedding from a distance, and counting down the days until I marry my best friend.
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