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All is not lost! Run with the rustic theme - it reminds me of a barn. At night all of the wood will look great in candlelight. I searched quickly under barn wedding receptions and found this link (scroll all the way down for pictures). I'm sure there are many more pictures on the web for reference and good advice from the many talented people here on Apartment Therapy.

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57692733.tip.html

Hey, I think it's definitely got a lot of potential! Check this out for some ideas:

(yes yes I know it's from design sponge)

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/08/weddings-ainjil-and-chris.html/location2

I think that space looks great-- the light is really warm and the white tables dont compete with the barn's structured interior, and the chandeliers soften the interior of the barn.

wow. no nailing. i would opt for loads and loads of soft white fabric, help up with removable tabs like the 3M range of Command Adhesives. I have hung fabric with these in the past.

Also, make sure that your table decorations are bright and colourful as this wilp to disguise the "beautiful" red wood flooring.

More concerning than the red-wood everything is the only lighting seems to be from those Fluorescent battens on the ceiling. I would get in some other lighting if I could. Most event hire companies have post style lamps for hire and I think by using this you are avoiding the UGLY UGLY UGLY fluorescents. (oh.. and loads of candles!)

two words: velcro; votives. If you can drape fabric on the walls and attach with velcro that should cover the paneling and don't turn on the flourescents! Candles candles candles on every surface possible.

Denise... I think you can do a ton with this space! Just keep it simple and soft and think of the paneling as a background. Perhaps long hanging and draped panels of white, flowing fabric with many different hanging lights? Paper lanterns (the big round ones) are all the rage at weddings these days and really give a beautiful romantic glow. Perhaps focus on some dim, romantic lighting and depending on the tone of your wedding (contemporary, traditional, simple, etc) add some touches here and there. I think it can turn out beautifully! Check out some wedding design blogs for more ideas and let us know what you do!

Our reception space was similarly rustic. We strung white paper lanterns above (the more, the better) and used yellow checked table cloths with bright bouquets on the tables. I think it complemented the dark wood really well.

I know you want probably something more traditional, but, why not embrace the barn idea and do something rustic? Not red-gingham and haybales rustic (though that's a fun idea for someone else), but elegant rustic like a Husdon River farm: pewter ewers holding less "done" flower arrangements, wooden chairs instead of gilt ones, off-white linens instead of bright white, antique-looking candlesticks (maybe even hurricane lamps?) and so on... It could still be very elegant in an old-fashioned way, and using the space instead of trying to hide it.

I love the candle light idea! Soft lights and even some chandeliers in this space could make it very romantic!! I went to a reception where they had a pretty informal pavilion, but they hung pretty chandeliers inside and out- it was stunning! I wouldn't try to cover the wood- it will look like you're trying to & just draw attention. I'd also stay away from "fall & pumpkin" anything since that might make it look too theme. I'd also spring for some elegant, luxe fabrics (tablecloths, chairs, whatever). A gorgeous fabric will really set off the wood- cheap fabric will cheapen the room! I'd also keep it simple. It's definitely got great potential though! What are your colors/fabrics/ideas for the wedding? Pulling that in can help as well I think.

Whatever you do... remember that it's not all about the reception and what it looks like :) ... you could get married in that space just as it looks and still have a wonderful marriage & it be the best day of your life! Congratulations & good luck!!
http://cozylittlecave.blogspot.com

As a wedding photographer, I have seen worse in my day! This is not bad, particularly for a community center. Definitely run with the rustic theme as mentioned below and you could easily make it look natural, rustic, and chic, particularly in October with autumnal colours. I would dress the tables in a brown or warm fabric. Candles to continue to add warmth if it will be in the later afternoon or early evening. I think you could keep the beams simple and pretty as is, or you could add some hanging elements to add some more visual interest (CB2 has great little candle/flower holders that could add warmth or colour), or things like hanging pomaders or tissue flowers (latest MS weddings has a nice spread on really beautiful paper decorations--sounds weird, looked great!). This wedding I shot last year was really similar (barn/rustic/simple) and looked really lovely: http://olivialeighweddings.com/blog/2008/10/mark-and-caitis-chicagoland-diy-wedding/

use a lot of silk drapery to cover the walls and and ceiling and bring in some chandeliers.

I was thinking exactly the same thing as Robot

cover the walls with a light colored fabric...LOTS of vibrantly colored flowers.... and lots of candles

remember, even if the final outcome isn;t exactly what you hoped for; it's not about the day itself--its about the beautiful union of two people

Congrats!

run with it!

three words: white christmas lights

i guess some people call them fairy lights too. but they're cheap and enchanting, and in bulk, strung across beams in a tent-like fashion, can be so gorgeous.

also white paper lanterns (http://pearlriver.com/v2/FramesCat.asp?iGroup=278)

and different sized mason jars with tea lights at every table.

actually i think i just described my dream wedding. have it for me please? i'm only 22. congratulations!!

The links people have provided do have some great ideas. Some of them include - lots and lots of small white (christmas type) lights. You could hang them through/from/or around the supports that are sticking out. I thinking lighting will make all the difference.

If you can avoid using the overhead lights - it will feel much more romantic. Another suggestion was to use flameless candles. I think that would be much safer than real candles, especially if you expect children.

Lots of white curtains also look beautiful and dramatic against backdrops like this. This room really does have great potential.

Congratulations and have a fantastic wedding!!!!

White fabric, hung against the walls with lights mounted from the scissor bracing washing down onto them.

How to hang the fabric? Secure really long 2x4s inside the outermost corners of the scissor bracing and attach the fabric to is, wrapping around the top so no wood shows.

wow, i was going to say the EXACT SAME THING as thekrecs. white fairy lights, paper lanterns, and mason jars with tea lights (or really just tea lights in plain holders) would be amazing. if it's in your budget, order nice table linens and chair covers - i used to work in a nice hotel/banquet hall and when people would order chair covers it literally made a WORLD of difference. i'm not sure what your colors/theme are but i think you could pull off an elegant harvest-y type setting. use bright orange and yellow pumpkins and bright red apples for table decor and maybe even bring in bales of hay if that's your thing (real stuff only, not any halloween-store type things.) also see about getting better lighting if possible.

Fairy lights & chandeliers! Here are a couple of weddings from Style Me Pretty that might inspire.

Liz & Dan's barn wedding

Shea & Syd's wedding

And here's a barn that hosts weddings with a photo gallery.

Browse wedding blogs...there's Style Me Pretty, and Once Wed, Snippet and Ink...there's tons of pictures from weddings that embrace the rustic theme. Also, what are the colors of your wedding? That may help us, I think...

I was thinking you could criss cross rope across the ceiling from the beams, wind with fairy lights and hang the round paper lanterns. My initial thought was to drape fabric everywhere but, really, to cover the walls with fabric would require an enormous amount of fabric so probably not that practical. I agree with the others about trying to use alternative lighting. Can't wait to see the final result! Keep us posted.

Last year a design magazine (which I could remember which one it was...) featured a St. Louis at home wedding. The bride and the mother of the bride did a beautiful job blending rustic/primitive with elegant and it was an autumn wedding. If I recall, the color choices were red and orange. One idea I really liked was the use of burlap to cover tables either as table runners or slip covers for chairs or they even used burlap to cover bales of hay for outdoor seating. Soup cans were used as vases on the tables for gerbera daisies and ranucula and marigolds. The bride donned an orange sash around her white gown. They were just really very clever in their blending of rustic/primitive and elegant. If anyone remembers the mag, please send the link.

My two cents: Make it personal first and foremost instead of so 'themey'. Your guests -- and you -- will remember the personal elements of your wedding more than they will remember the wood paneling and red flooring.

I'm not convinced this particular room can be transformed into "elegant" given the restraints. Instead of working against, work with it and blend the rustic elements of the "barn" with personal and elegant expressions.

I aree with the white christmas lights. My brother's wedding reception was in a historic round barn. The barn had christmas lights strung everywhere. Even the trees and bushes lighting the path to the reception had lights to show the way. As a teacher, I know it is safe to use on walls ad woodwork those pLastic posterr holders(find them at a teacher supply store) I would suggest behind the head table a simple wood frame, hung with sheer white curtains, more draped sheer fabric on the top of the frame, backlighted with strings of white christmas lights.

oooooh -yes - you can make that lovely. I agree with several other commenters: 3M Command strips/hooks can be your friend. I like some of the photos that firstfriday linked to - I would focus on rustic elegant rather than barn cutesy. Candles candles candles and I, too, would use classic, elegant flowers rather than the whole sheaves of corn, bales of hay barn look. I think American traditionalist rather than hay ride. You can have a great look!

http://www.save-on-crafts.com/

one of the best shopping sites for crafts, has great wedding ideas. their alternate lighting section is huge.

I had a similar issue at my wedding. The room wasn't as dark, but we weren't able to nail anything up either. I stole this idea from a MS Weddings mag. 3' balloons! They really lit up the room and filled up the space. (Also look great in photographs.) We had a couple extra which we tied to our getaway car.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2504/3838637128_8b719fa3b4_o.jpg

I love the helpful spirit of these suggestions!
Happy nuptials!

first of all, congratulations, this is a great space. you should have seen the hall i rented. remember to draw attention down. i think white lanterns would work really well (http://www.lunabazaar.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=659) or these http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60150794. i would use this wedding as inspiration http://100layercake.com/blog/archives/1256. tons of candles, lush color on the tables and glass. i can't tell you how many times i have thrown a party and nothing looked right until the glass was on the table. good luck.

I'd make a large bunch (literally like a bunch of grapes) of those spherical paper lanterns in varying sizes, either in white or shades of a color. Then all you'll need is a way to run an extension cord up onto the ceiling, a power strip up there to plug all of the multiple light cords into & someone with good balance.

One big one in the middle of the room or some smaller ones at each end would take the attention off the junky florescent lights.

i'm in the same boat!

step one:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29472337

I see a ton of potential here! It's really not bad, I promise.

I would somehow hang long fabric runners (like an ivory color?) from the ceiling down to the floor, against the wall. One between each set of windows.

Then, to go along with the rustic feel, I'd take lots of different size glass jars (think: salsa, pickle, etc) and put various sized candles in them. It would look nice in a grouping.

I think once you put table clothes down here and dim the lights, its going to be a very pretty space. Remember your decor can either come down from above (fairy lights, ribbons, fabric draped from the beams) or rise from the table...balloons anchored in the centerpieces, tall lights, tall floral centerpieces..if its wintertime and you will light the fire in the evening, maybe that could start your 'theme' of warmth and comfort and home together. Whatever you chose should reflect your lives together and the passions you share. Good luck.

Whee! Wedding decor is my guilty pleasure.

I agree with all the other posters that candles and christmas lights will transform this place.

Assuming you are there in the evening in October, it will be dark. People will only notice the shape of the room (those soaring ceilings!) and not the details, like the color or wood grain. No fabric. That room is huge and the time and money it would take hang all that fabric would be better spent elsewhere.

There are some good suggestions here, but I would have to disagree with several people on draping fabric on the walls. It will just look like you are trying to cover it up, and it will just draw people's eyes to the walls! Do add lots of candle light, and draw people's eyes to the center by decorating your tables with candles and bringing attention to the center by hanging lights.. maybe even some sort of lit natural garland or wreaths hung horizontally with candles on them. Lighting is everything! Don't fight the rustic. Build on it! It will be great!

Everyone's offered great advice, but I'm curious why you rented the space in the first place if you think it's so hideous?

I love the all white suggestions, but don't bother draping the walls! I'd do white table cloths with possibly a complimentary wedding colored overlay linen, and tall centerpieces, maybe white manzanita trees. I love candles piled on top of candles everywhere, and hanging lanterns or having giant white balloons. It can totally be classy, I think all that dark wood is going to be super dramatic, especially paired with a lot of white.

Look at this weddning barn that Tequila Red posted
http://www.theroundbarn.com/weddings.htm

Skip the fabric on the walls. You'll go broke.

Tons of white christmas lights.....you can hang them straight down from the ceiling, as well as wrap the rafters. And white paper lanterns will be beautiful.

One thing, CLEAN THE FLOOR and make sure it shines.

Rent shiny white floor length table cloths, and overlay shiny square cloths in the lighter color of your wedding colors. YELLOW would be fantastic, and will coordinate with just about any other colors.

use a lot of candles in jars on that mantle.

Ask a florist ( a supermarket florist might get the best deal for you) to ask their supplier for a box of "dead roses"

They're not dead, but they're too old to sell. You'll get dozens and dozens of assorted colored roses.....pull the petals off all of them and scatter on your tables. I'ts amazingly beautiful. And really cheap.

The easiest way to get the petals off is to pull the entire head of the rose off at the base where it meets the stem. Then stick your finger in the hole in the base of the head/bulb you just broke off and use your other hand to spread the petals off the bulb. you can do this a few days before the wedding. Keep them in a plastic bag in the fridge.

It depends on what kind of people you are, how is your home decorated? So what type of decoration would you like. Do you like the farm/barn/pumpkin/hay kind of feel, or would like a modern country feel? If you'd like the latter, than I would keep it simple but classy.
Tables: Decked with white linnen, white china, candles/or the small round things in glass holders (I do not know how you call them in English) and a nonchalant flower/green piece.

Walls: You could hang indeed from the ceiling to the floor, between the windows, a long banner of fabric or wallpaper, keep it plain in a subtle color. Then place a floorlamp which shines upward in front of the banner. Now you will accentuate the banner and the subtle color it may have and will create a dramatic feel and accentuates the height of the barn and the lovely beams.

Ceiling: Instead of this you could also place, from the center of the ceiling, a few ribbons in the color you'd desire, spreading out to the sides (like a spider) in a soft curve, and let the ribbon then hang down for 1 or 2 meters on the wall. At the end of the ribbons you could hang/place a nice flower/green arrangement.

A similar arrangement with the fairy lights, using gold tablecloths and pink-gold bows on the chairs...note the use of greenery overhead:
http://www.biltmore.com/weddings/locations/deerpark.asp

The gold adds a gleam to the candlelight, and will make the place "quietly elegant".

Massed paper lanterns above here:
http://www.mthoodbnb.com/weddings.html

Similar groupings could be used on each of your arches in your reception hall.

If that white on the arches happens to be fluorescent lighting, don't use it. Unless it's a daylight type, the lighting could be extremely unflattering for photographs.

Remember you can also rent PLANTS for your celebration. Including trees. For indoors. They might be able to put the fairy lights in the trees for you. Here's an example of a tree/plant rental place, as I have no idea where you are other than this being posted in the Chicago AT...

http://www.plantsinc.biz/servicePrograms/shortTermRentals.html

The image shown here of white branches with the fairy lights could be useful too:
http://phillipsinteriorplants.com/specialevents.htm

Could be too "wintery", but how about gold branches, if you went with the golden tablecloths?

Painted gold branches (just an image):
http://focusorganic.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/origamiornaments.jpg

Gold and sparkled branches (craft store):
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/goldbranches.html

You have a whole lot of vertical space that won't be filled, obviously. What about doing a golden forest? The golden tablecloths. A relatively heavy planter/vase on each table with the 4' branches and stems of gold.

You can create "crystal trees" too:
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/branches2.html

You can get battery operated lights to go in the vase/planter that are like fairy lights. Or the battery candles for the inside, so that there is twinkle/shine action on the branches.

Here are a couple images, one shows white trees with many fairy lights and another shows some led lights in vases, which I do NOT like (they look a bit cheesy), but the romantic atmosphere of the dim lighting, candles on the table, that is what you'd get, very nice...

You can pick up the soji lantern in a golden color, or the white that glows a golden yellow, in battery operated, electric string, and solar, for many prices, again, here's that last site with a few (prices vary shop around, the solar ones have been here on AT before too):
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/solarlanterns.html

Sprinkle a bit of fairy dust...aka glitter...on the floor.

I think you could have a blast with this space you have. Especially with that fireplace. Rather than a roaring fire, more candles.

So many ideas. Chair bows:
http://www.chairbowtique.com/

You could have golden leaves on your wedding cake:
http://www.bakingshop.com/cakes/anniversary/leaves.htm

Or scatter a few on the tables.

A golden forest. Oooh. Ahhh.

I agree that lighting will really brighten the space and add elegant softness to the wood. I used paper lanterns from http://www.lunabazaar.com/ for my tented wedding with LED lights. I suggest using standard incandescent bulbs if you can afford it, as they will give you better light than the LEDs. I also think some plants and candles (if allowed --a lot of venues don't allow lit candles) will work, especially if you reception will extend into the evening. You can always pick up some of the battery-operated "candles" at Target or wherever and hide them in opaque lanterns, paper bags, etc.

Check out http://www.weddingbee.com/ for lots of inspiration and other brides whose DIY skills will definitely be able to help you.

My brother's wedding was in a similar sort of building, also in October. The most beautiful part of their decorating scheme was white, albino pumpkins. They bespoke fall and elegance in the same breath. With the addition of simple flowers, greenery, and candles, the place had a warm glow. The flowers were from Sam's (the Walmart kind) and the pumpkins were from a semi-local farmer. The vases were an eclectic collection from friends and relatives. Aunts, cousins, and friends chipped in to decorate. Very budget friendly.

Their wedding was profiled in "The Knot", so you can see a few pics online here: http://weddings.theknot.com/Real-Weddings/5031/view.aspx?type=1&id=5031&MsdVisit=1

We had a similar huge assembly building to work with. White christmas lights and trees. Either arrange to borrow a bunch of not yet planted trees from a landscaper, or buy some cheap ikea-ish ones. The impact was amazing.

I agree with others that say embrace the barn. Why fight it? Once you get table cloths, flowers candles and guests inside it isn't going to look anything like it does now. I personally wouldn't do the fabric on the walls thing - that sounds way too time consuming and has the potential for mayhem - especially if kids are coming (or drunk grandmas).

I don't think it's bad at all! Maybe I have that opinion because I imagine myself getting married in an actual old barn one day. I say string of white lights, candles, draped fabric up around that stage area will all help the space feel more romantic while not going in a completely different direction than its natural style.

whoever said paper lanterns is a genius.

and you can get colored plastic tubes that go over the fluorescents.

and the room is GREAT. really really fantastic.

and set up the stage like a victorian play, build a set in it!

this is not a hotel ballroom (yuck) it's a PLAYROOM. YAY.

hire a bluegrass band to play live. nothing livelier. or sweeter for a waltz.

have a great wedding.

hi Denise!

there are some fantastic suggestions here and I have so many more! I'm actually a wedding coordinator and just relocated from Los Angeles to Chicago. I'd love to get in touch with you to see if I could be of any help (consulting, day-of coordination, running your rehearsal, all of the above...). I love anything DIY and can help you make your day gorgeous, stress-free, and exactly what you want it to be!

http://www.mjse.com/about-dean.html

Please email me: goodnightdean@gmail.com

and CONGRATULATIONS!

The most problematic elements are those fluorescents and the white chairs.

How about wrapping those truss chords with tulle and white lights, with the tulle puddling on the floor on each side? You could continue the tulle-and-lights over the fireplace on a huge wreathe, a branch sculpture, or something else large-scale that fits in with your theme. If you want a less conventional look, you could use bigger lights: http://www.partylights.com/Strings-Bulbs/GlobeLightSets/G30-25-Light-Set-Clear
If you stop there you'd have three cohesive elements.

(Tape over the light switch for the fluorescents so no one turns them on.)

Chair covers are available on e-bay, sometimes for $ 1 each, and you can turn around and sell them yourself.

This space has so much potential - with the stage and the nook, for great flow and a warm ambiance. We can only see the pictures you've posted, so we're unaware of other aspects of the space that might be off-putting. Nothing like soft lighting, maybe screening, and conviviality to mask those flaws. Congratulations on your upcoming marriage and on scoring this space!

I'd say put a lot of focus on the tables - tablecloths, chair covers, tall centerpieces, and lots of votives. Hiring someone to do lighting might be a good choice - some bright uplights on the walls and decorative gobos would do a lot to transform the space. Another thought is to place something stand-alone against the walls - maybe a florist could provide tall floral arrangements on columns?

i did not know that there were colored covers for fluorescent tubes, so I looked it up, and here is one shop in the UK that shows many colors:
http://www.covershield.co.uk/colourtubes.htm

The Pink Carnation color would probably be the most flattering for all skin tones.

If you can find a local place that has them on display, that would make your choice much easier, I'm sure. You might be able to sell them back to the owners of the space when they see how nice the pink looks.

Hey Denise,
A few suggestions to make the space more modern, but still keeping it's rustic look.
Try unique light sources (i.e lanterns, christmas lights, candles, chandeliers). Avoid using those fluorescents.
Decorate with lighter colors. When you chose your color, consider what colors compliment the theme color, so it doesn't get too boring. Maybe try mixing and matching dark and light colors, but keep the majority of decor a light tone and maybe accent a few things in a darker color.
Good Luck!

Hello all,

Awesome ideas from everyone. It looks like the majority love the white christmas lights, and the white paper lanterns that I love. My colors are serene (blue family), light gray, white, cream with a splash of hot pink. I was thinking gray silk tablecloths, white folding chairs (blue sash accent which is the color of the bridesmaid dresses), accent the tables with a lot of candles. The majority hit the head on the nail with keeping it low budget. Thanks for all the input. Let me know what you think of my floor plan/decor ideas.
Thanks again to all of you,
Denise

invest in TONS of lighting.

Check out this link to a barn wedding below. I saw it the other day and thought back to this post. It uses a lot of elements that posters above liked:
http://blog.cb2.com/2009/08/19/something-old-something-cb2/

I agree about the white gauzy velcro and candle light. There isn't a problem with fire inside the wood building, right? If so, you can go with fake candles placed above eye level (they're hard to tell they arent real, if you get nice ones). There are some good options on http://www.gatheringguide.com/ec/party_favors_decorations.html like the ones I'm talking about, if you want to see.