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BANQUETS, RECEPTIONS, SHOWERS & PARTIES
16 | SPRING 2018
CHICAGO WEDDING & PARTY RESOURCE
CHICAGOWEDDINGRESOURCE.COMNancy Mattia, CTW Features
Whether you’re having a wedding in a
luxurious ballroom or a no-frills civic
center, ugly décor happens. Maybe you love
everything about the place except the color
of the walls. Or you give a thumbs-down to
everything except the budget-friendly rental
rate. But don’t feel like you have to smile and
pretend the tackiness isn’t real. Fortunately
there are ways to make the ugly go away or at
least minimize it. Check out these common
gripes and smart solutions.
THE PROBLEM:
The carpet at the reception venue is revolting.
THE FIX:
If you’re having a hard time accepting the
look of the brown-and-gold carpeting or
the myriad stains that look like part of the
pattern, you can do something about it.
Renting a dance floor would cover much
of the carpet. But if there’s already a dance
floor in place, try decorating the room
with luxurious linens, chair covers and
centerpieces. They’ll serve as a focal point
when guests enter the reception space, not
the dingy carpet. Keeping the lights down
and using an abundance of candles to
create a romantic atmosphere will also help
downplay the carpeting.
THE PROBLEM:
The room’s overhead fluorescent lighting
looks ideal for performing surgery, not so
much for celebrating a wedding.
THE FIX:
It’s all about creating atmosphere. Turn the
lights off and drape the ceiling with fabric,
then install twinkle lights within the fabric
to lend a soft romantic feel. Choose fabric
based on the look of the room, what ambiance
you’re going for, and budget. Choices include
sheer polyester chiffon, translucent polyester
silk and opaque tissue lamé.
THE PROBLEM:
The draperies clash with your wedding
colors.
THE FIX:
First, try to incorporate the color of the
drapes into your decor if possible. The
easiest would be in the centerpieces or with
the table linens. You could also rent pipe
and drape [basically, a frame with fabric]
to completely cover the draperies by going
around the perimeter of the room, if you
have the budget for it. Another option: Ask
your catering contact if the draperies can
be pulled back. But if trying to fix what you
don’t like would be too expensive and you
are really unhappy, it may be better to choose
another venue that you really love – as is.
THE PROBLEM:
The ballroom chairs look beaten up.
THE FIX:
Disguise those banquet or folding chairs
with elegant chair covers. Contact your local
party-rental company about their selection.
White is the most popular color for
weddings but you can sometimes rent black,
brown or ivory too. Add a colorful sash or
even a rhinestone buckle for some glam!
The covers will not only keep the chairs’
scuffmarks under wraps but they’ll give the
room a more finished look.
THE PROBLEM:
The walls are a putrid green.
THE FIX:
Fabric comes to the rescue again! Definitely
drape the walls with fabric. This will not only
cover the [offending] color but soften the
space and make it look more welcoming. You
could also add uplighting – that’s where you
place small lighting units on the floor around
the perimeter of the room to illuminate
the walls from floor to ceiling with colored
lights; for a wedding, you’d showcase your
wedding colors.
© CTW Features
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