Dressing the Venue

Let me just say, I am well aware that our venue really doesn't need any kind of decoration. The Goodlaffs are lucky because, unlike some generic hotel ballrooms, our venue is beautiful as it is.

See? (Please ignore the people setting up for a high school prom.)

The Miners Foundry Cultural Center is a fantastic historical building and Mr. Goodlaff and I don't want to take away from that or cover it up beyond all recognition, but we do want to make the venue our own.

You may remember our modern English garden party-ish theme, and there is nothing more garden party than lanterns and globe cafe lights. I know, I know--it's been done. But I look at pictures like these and I'm so in love: 

Lights!

Lanterns! 

Lanterns and Lights? (I found it at this link)

But apparently it belongs to this photographer

Yes, Please!

I fell totally in love with the ambiance that these lights provide, and hoped they would be able to bring the outside in, so to speak, and really make the place feel like an outdoor garden reception.  But would it work? Would it look good?

There was only one way to find out without going into the Foundry and doing a dry run, so I turned to Photoshop. Sure, it's a dreadfully crappy mock up, and it took forever to do, and I gave up on perspective and scale sometime after half the lanterns were in place, BUT, I was able to get a feel for how our venue will look all decked out on wedding day. 

Ta Da!

Personal Photo, coupled with my mad Photoshop Skillz...

As I saw it all come together, I was thrilled that in this area, my vision and reality didn't clash; in fact I think they get along rather nicely.  I don't think the lights or the lanterns take away anything from the venue, and as long as we use them sparingly, they won't be difficult to set up. The tablecloths will be white with just a few pops of color in the candles, centerpieces and napkins, and the whole room will have a very soft, romantic feel to it.  Love!

Outdoors, meet indoors.

Were you unsure of your decor?  How did you figure out whether your wedding vision could become a reality?