Decorating a barn for my reception!?

Question

My problem is with decorating a machine shed at my fiance's parents house. We are having most of the reception outside of there where the tables and stuff will be, but we had a good idea of having the dancing inside the machine shed by clearing the stuff out of that one end and somehow covering the other end so you can't see all the junk. I again have a very low budget ($3,000) and would like any ideas on how to

#1 Block off half of the barn so you can't see all the junk
#2 Make the inside walls look nice
#3 Find something to adorn the outside of the machine shed facing where my tables and stuff would be

I welcome any ideas. Keep in mind my wedding colors are fuschia, orange and yellow and I'm using alot of daisies. Also, I'm not aiming for anything really fancy, just something that looks nice and covers up a bit of an eyesore! Thank you!

Answer 1

#1 A large "wall" made of drapery or sectional pieces (like in cubicles) should work. Check your local rental companies.
#2 Clusters or draped garlands of flowers in your colors would bring a nice outdoor look to the inside.
#3 Again, I would use clusters of flowers. This being a "country" setting, try using fruit in your arrangements or centerpeices. Cheaper than flowers and they add some dimension to the decorations.

It sounds like a fun and unique wedding setting! I wouldn't go overboard trying to "make it pretty". It is rustic and country and you should embrace that instead of trying to cover it up. Good luck!

Answer 2

I have spent the last three years as an events decorator. One inexpensive way to block off the one half of the barn is to buy plastic table covers (or you may be able to find tarps in either orange or yellow) your wedding colors. Hang them from the ceiling. You can use the "S" hooks to hang them from the ceiling. I have also used the wedding tulle (aka netting) that you can buy from Walmart for less than $1 per yard to make a looped valance and place Christmas lights in them. I would suggest using tulle to make inexpensive curtains to hang in front of the plastic. This makes for a real neat atmosphere for the reception. If you use balloons (filled with helium) to decorate the inside it makes the focus go away from the walls. If using balloons, tie long curly ribbon to each balloon and curl it with the scissors. Leave the ribbon long enough so that it creates a ceiling of color. Depending on the size of the room, I would say that you could spend $300-400 on turning the barn into a nice reception area. For the walls I would suggest taking some tulle and bunching it together and place a few daisies in the center and tying it all together with ribbon. These can be placed on the walls several feet apart. To adorn the outside of the shed I would use some type of green vine and place daisies intermittently within the vines.

Answer 3

The best way that I can think of to cover up sand is by renting a hardwood floor - but since that isn't in your budget it can be tough. Maybe you can get some plywood and lay it down on top of the sand - then in order to cover up the plywood you can use some cloth or fabric. The problem that you might run into covering it up with just a tarp or straw is the fact that the floor is going to be uneven and hard to walk in - which will always make setting up the chairs and tables difficult. Is there anyway you can take some of the sand out of the barn? If you can remove some of it, then sweep and flatten out the surface you might be able to put a tarp on top of it - but when people start walking on it then it's probably going to shift. You could always go over to Home Depot and ask them what they would recommend in this situation - maybe someone there would have a good idea for you. I'm sure it's not the first time that this has come up. You also might want to try googling "cheap temporary flooring." There are lots of suggestions for people who are remodeling their home - maybe you could use one of those ideas. Good luck!

Answer 4

Check out the rental places. In this area you can rent pillars these have a piece across the top that ties them all together($150.00) delivered . These could be draped with fabric between them. The top can also hold flowers. You might consider trellises for either side if the space is large you'd need to build something to hold it upright. You might even be able to rent that through a lumber yard. Or use fabric hung from the ceiling. Woven bamboo sheets are relatively inexpensive too. The trellis idea might work outside the barn. Or you could hang a temporary photo gallery on the outside of the barn of you and your fiance

Answer 5

You have some great ideas in the previous posts. I agree with the use of mini lights. White is great, but they do make bright pink ones as well, which might look cool with your fuchsia.

Use sheets or cheap fabric or plastic suspended from the ceiling to floor to cover the junk, then drape tulle to make layers.

Use lots of garland, maybe ivy wound with tulle and lights, or magnolia leaves or other greenery. You can use whatever is growing around wild or in friends' yards. You can use galvanized buckets for arranging flowers or floating candles. Use oil lamps or lanterns around the walls, (safely mounted or hung, of course. You don't want to burn the shed down!)

Same thing outside, garlands draped with lights and tulle or ribbons. (Tulle is cheaper and easy to work with.)

Your wedding sounds lovely!

Answer 6

love your colors, mine are the same. Try to drape material or tulle to cover up the junk. Floral wreaths would look to die for to decorate the barn. Drape tulle to make and arch like design with flowers in the corners to accent. White christmas lights along the walls will definitley make them look nicer.

Answer 7

decorating barn reception

Answer 8

Play up what you have!! Use hay bales around in the shed, for people to sit and watch people dance or just to coordin off areas you don't want people. Take old boards and paint things on them like LOVE, PEACE, HARMONY or TOGETHER and FOREVER or something like that. Use galvanized tins with and flowers. Also for atmosphere, you can get really inexpensive oil lanterns at places like MIchaels or dollar stores.

Answer 9

Big sheets could be draped in your colors to hide what you don't want seen. I see a lot of people use clear christmas lights to decorate tables.

Answer 10

im horribly uncreative, i just wanted to tell you i think this is an ADORABLE idea!