How do you make a cheap venue look expensive? (2024)

FAQs

How do you make a cheap venue look expensive? ›

Instead of trying to decorate every corner of your venue, focus on key areas with the most impact. Create a stunning focal point with a statement backdrop. Choose elegant floral arrangements or beautiful crystal centerpieces to add to your wedding. These small decor pieces are key to elevating your event space.

We'll get into specific tips further down, but the key to making a budget venue look expensive is to choose a theme and stick to it. By introducing a coherent color palette and style, you can transform any space into a more luxurious venue. This doesn't have to be super expensive, either.

Rustic Decoration Inspiration

Use of natural materials: Embrace the beauty of nature with wood (think slabs, crates, furniture), burlap (runners, tablecloths, accents), lace (romantic tablecloths, overlays, chair sashes), and twine (hanging lanterns, escort cards).

A good rule of thumb is to spend no more than 40% of the overall budget on the venue, rental fees, food, and alcohol, combined. Remember, some cities and state taxes are pricier than others, and certain venues have headcount minimums to keep in mind. Allocate around 12% to capture the beautiful memories from your fête.

Promote the event on social media, offer incentives (free drinks and food, giveaways, or free tours, for example) and swing open the doors for an evening of fun and get-to-know-you. As an added bonus, you could speak with previous clients to see if they'd be willing to be on-hand to share their stories and reviews.

The sound system, lighting, seating arrangement, and on-site amenities provided by each event space and concert venue are crucial aspects for any successful event.

Rustic design is a style that's natural, aged, organic, and maybe even a little distressed. Design styles like farmhouse, Tuscan, or coastal can also be described as rustic. Rustic is the opposite of modern or contemporary design. Rustic decor also feels completely unpretentious or stuffy.

How to transform an event space? ›

Start with a neutral colour palette, and add warm accents like a wooden bedframe or a cosy wool rug. A quilt or duvet cover made of natural materials like cotton or linen can add texture to the room. Incorporating vintage or antique pieces like a weathered dresser or vintage suitcase can create a rustic feel.

Instead of trying to decorate every corner of your venue, focus on key areas with the most impact. Create a stunning focal point with a statement backdrop. Choose elegant floral arrangements or beautiful crystal centerpieces to add to your wedding. These small decor pieces are key to elevating your event space.

Live entertainment and festival venues don't make as much profit from venue hire or ticket sales as it does from secondary sales like drinks, food, and other services. Start-up costs can also be quite expensive, especially if your event space is empty.

Set your wedding budget

In a 2022 survey of 12,000 couples across the country, The Knot found the national average for a wedding is $30,000. However, the average in many individual states is much higher, with New York and Massachusetts topping out at $46,000 for the big day.

Wedding Budget: The Percentages

40% for the venue and catering ($7,600) 10% for furniture rental ($1,900) 10% for photography ($1,900) 10% for flowers and decor ($1,900)

Seating arrangements are essential for any event, especially in small spaces. A well-planned seating layout can maximize the space and create an open and airy feel. Use smaller tables to seat as many guests as possible. Use a mix of seating styles, such as banquet chairs, couches, and lounge seating.

To get a lavish look on a modest décor budget, choose a venue with a lot of character of its own. Some possibilities: an aquarium, zoo, museum, gallery, botanical garden or historical site. 2. Rent a vacation home or private estate for a small, intimate affair.