How To Decorate A Large Reception Venue With Wedding Flowers

One of the biggest challenges of having a wedding reception at a big venue is figuring out how to fill it with decor. As much as soaring ceilings and endless floor area inspire awe, they also induce anxiety for couples once they start thinking about florals. We always remind our clients that instead of feeling stressed, they should view this as an opportunity to be creative, expressive, and make their wedding unforgettably unique. There are tried-and-true designs and tablescape plans that tick all the boxes for transforming a cavernous space into a warm and majestic scene. From hanging floral installations to bright white floral arrangements to bold and colorful centerpieces, here are stunning ideas for decorating a large reception venue with wedding flowers.

Table Decor Featuring Three Different Centerpiece Styles
The last thing you want is for your guests to be underwhelmed by a room filled with decor that reads as flat and uninviting. To create a sense of movement and excitement in a large space, we suggest incorporating three unique styles of centerpieces throughout the tablescape. Many of our Real BB Wedding receptions took shape mixing high and low centerpieces on round tables with a series of grouped arrangements spread across a long table (often this is the head table reserved for the wedding party and close family). The play of varying heights and form lends to a dynamic impression that dazzles the eye while conjuring a welcoming atmosphere.

Simple, Understated, and Intimate
Legendary fashion designer Bill Blass once said, “Simplicity is the soul of modern elegance.” Similar to fashion, simplicity in floral design is graceful, timeless, and when executed thoughtfully, can be used to decorate a large reception room. Often used in a naturally lit, airy space, this design uses grouped arrangements, bud vase arrangements, or garland to trim a series of long tables. The key to making understated decor work is incorporating intimate and beautiful details – think statement blooms such as Phalaenopsis orchids, personalized place settings, colored linens, and gilded accents.

Elevate the Room with a Hanging Floral Installation
“A main reason that we looked at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden first is because we had seen hanging installations used there for other events,” BB Featured Bride Gabriella said. “Ours was so beautiful, we loved how Bride & Blossom was able to elevate the organic feel of the space.” It’s no secret that we love hanging blooms and recommend this conversation-starting design to anyone looking for artistic ways to fill a big space and bring reception decor to the next level. Often, floral installation and canopies are suspended over point-of-interest areas such as the dance floor, head table, and bar.

An Alluring, Candlelit Soirée
We only have to think of decadent soirées thrown in Old-World ballrooms to understand the capacity that candles have to turn a cold and hollow hall into a lavish picture. While the guest list and venue for your wedding has changed, the sentiment has not – the more candles, the better. Put a modern twist on tradition by illuminating the tablescape with sleek crystal candelabras complemented by elegant taper candles and votives. The mix-and-match of styles and varying height adds a sense of drama while creating an alluring ambiance for dinner.

Radiant White Floral Centerpieces
Perhaps the easiest, most full-proof way to brighten up a large reception room is to fill it with white floral decor. A mainstay choice of classic brides over the years, white flowers work equally well with modern, whimsical, and artistic aesthetics – it’s all a matter of styling and design. When planning your tablescape, start with high centerpieces, and from there, you can decide if you want to incorporate additional types of arrangements. And don’t be afraid to play with texture and shape – the contrast of porcelain petals creates a look of spectacle and dimension that commands attention.

Colorful + Unique
A large reception space acts like a canvas offering limitless creative possibilities for wedding flowers. We tell clients that this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to use flowers not only to create a pretty looking room, but to also show their love and personality. Real BB Weddings that experimented with color, shape and design standout in memory because they stirred an air of magic and were unlike anything guests had ever seen before. Imagine walking into room that looked more like cherry blossom trees at peak season or dining amidst floral firework centerpieces!

Choosing wedding flowers for a large reception venue shouldn’t be an intimidating endeavor. Whether your theme is romantic enchantment, classic elegance, or modern chic, there are numerous ways to decorate a huge room. We hope these ideas inspire you to go big with blooms, and design the celebration of your dreams.