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The Whole Works
By Louise Baltruschat Hollis
A popular choice of wedding venue, and one of my favourites is the village hall.
If you are living in a rural spot in the UK then you will be familiar with the village hall. It’s an important part of the community which is usually steeped in history with many local couples having held their wedding receptions there. Of course, there are also town and community halls in towns and cities too. Therefore these village hall wedding ideas will also be helpful if you are planning a hall in a town or city wedding.
Photo: Photographer Liam Gillan via Willingale Village Hall Wedding Venue: Willingale Village Hall Furniture Hire: CMA Event Hire
I’ll be sharing decor inspiration, top tips, the pros and cons of a village hall wedding, as well of course images from real hall weddings. Yay!
Finding a hall as a wedding venue has many benefits. Mainly they can be inexpensive and leave you with the flexibility to have your own catering, drink and decorations.
But in turn hall weddings can create more work to plan your wedding or event.
Now we’ve looked at the pros and cons let me share with you some of my favourite village hall wedding images featured on Whimsical Wonderland Weddings.
A lot of village halls have stage areas which are crying out for statement decor.
Photo: Holly Rose Weddings via Kent Village Hall Wedding
Use fabric draping to conceal areas from view and create a pretty backdrop.
Photo: Maddie Farris Photography via Yorkshire Village Hall Wedding
If your hall ceiling is leaving a lot to be desired, consider adding fabric. Or add fabric to bring a ceiling down to create a more cosy atmosphere.
Photo: Emily + Katy Photography via Creative Village Hall Wedding
Some halls have indoor marriage licenses and if you are lucky enough, outdoor ceremonies may be possible too.
Photo: Maddie Farris Photography via Yorkshire Village Hall Wedding
Rather than working against the hall decor, work with it. This hall has a beautiful white ceiling and white curtains added to the walls make it feel elegant and cohesive.
Photo: Three Flowers Photography via Chichester Hall Wedding Drapes & Festoon Lights: Bow’s Hire
Add personality with wedding signs that coordinate with your wedding decor.
Photo: The Gibsons Photography via Autumn Village Hall Wedding
Sit down with a floor plan of your room, or look at what other couples have done with the space previously. You may have room for seating and other tables along the side for additional areas.
Photo: Three Flowers Photography via Outdoor DIY Wedding Furniture Hire: Anthology Vintage Hire
If the hall chairs aren’t the prettiest and you can’t afford to hire furniture, simply add chair covers.
Photo: Photobart via DIY Village Hall Wedding
Don’t forget a dessert table or cake set up in your room or in another space such as the entrance hall.
Photo: The Gibsons Photography via Autumn Village Hall Wedding
Ribbons are a fantastic decor idea. Trying adding them to ceilings, chairs or as a backdrop. Reusable, colourful and cheap – hoorah!
Photo: Samantha Kay Photography via Post-Elopement Reception Party
This couple took the wooden elements of their hall and used them in the furniture and decor. With natural-style flowers and hessian fabric to complete the look.
Photo: Lisa-Marie Halliday Photography via Damerham Village Hall Wedding Venue: Damerham Village Hall
Be sure to allow your personality to shine through. Be bold and stay true to who you are in your scheme.
Photo: Lucie Hamilton Photography via Rock Village Hall Wedding Venue: Rock Village Hall
The great thing about using an older hall is that they are usually centrally located and a hub of the community. If you are lucky some have great outdoor spaces, others are close to your perfect ceremony location. You could always opt for a hall as a third venue as a part of your day to party the night away.
Flexibility really is a key benefit of hiring a hall. If you are struggling to find the right hall, go for a walk or drive. Many halls are not listed online and many a time I have been out and about and spotted some great off-the-beaten-track hall reception locations.
Photo: The Gibsons Photography via Autumn Village Hall Wedding
Ensure guests know they are in the right place by adding cute decor outside.
Photo: Samantha Kay Photography via Post-Elopement Reception Party
Does bunting suit a wedding anywhere else more than a village hall?
Photo: Emma + Rich via Stepney Hill Farm Wedding Venue: Newby + Scalby Parish Hall
If your hall has chairs or other soft furnishings with a bold colour, use it in your wedding colour scheme.
Photo: Danielle Francesca Photography via DIY Museum Wedding Reception Venue: Seagrave Village Hall
Many halls have beautiful light thanks to large windows. Why not enhance them further with windowsill decor?
Photo: Belle Art Photography via Retro Fete Wedding
With the money saved on hiring a hall for your reception, go bold with luxe flower decor to make a real impact.
Photo: Claire Macintyre Photography via Whimsical Unicorn Rainbow Wedding
If you have a long hall, don’t be afraid to have long tables for a banquet-style table layout.
Photo: Emma + Rich via Stepney Hill Farm Wedding Venue: Newby + Scalby Parish Hall
Think outside of the box when it comes to decor, such as this magnificent rag bunting display.
Photo: Caro Hutchings via Bohemian Harbourside Wedding
If you have some outdoor space see if you can erect a gazebo and create some outdoor seating spots.
Photo: Samantha Kay Photography via Post-Elopement Reception Party
When hosting your own event away from a traditional wedding venue don’t forget that it’s you and you alone. You will need to consider who and how you will be setting up before the big day.
You could try and hire a hall for the whole weekend period, or hire a wedding planner for on-the-day set up and coordination. Or ask your loved ones to help you set up the night before, and have a picnic breakfast back at the venue in the morning to thank them back for their help.
Photo: Photography34 via DIY Outdoor Village Hall Wedding
Some halls have small side rooms that can be ideal for seating, photo booths or a bar set up.
Photo: Belle Art Photography via Retro Fete Wedding
There are so many ways to enhance a plain hall, such as this cute paper heart backdrop.
Photo: Georgi Mabee via DIY Vintage Wedding Venue: Barcombe Village Hall
Don’t feel like you have to be too disciplined in your decor styling. Mix and match furniture, decorations and fabric for a homemade feel.
Photo: Anna Pumer via Rural Handfasting Village Hall Wedding Venue: Iford Village Hall
It’s a great perk that many halls have stage areas. It’s perfect for entertainers to set up and perform.
Photo: Danielle Francesca Photography via DIY Museum Wedding Reception Venue: Seagrave Village Hall
Using lighting is a great way to bring a cosy atmosphere in the evening, especially for autumn/winter weddings. Consider fairy lights, festoon lights, light curtains, letter lights or candles.
Photo: Nicola Casey Photography via Whimsical Village Hall Wedding
If you are having your whole day at a hall, be sure to think about the room turnaround. For example, swapping the room from ceremony set up to wedding breakfast set up. And then again in the evening for a dance floor. This will take time and the moving of guests to a different location.
Or, ask guests to help and everyone can muck in to help.
Photo: Love Luella Photography via Summer Picnic Wedding
Many halls allow you to choose your own caterers. This could save money as you can shop around for catering or even cater yourself. It may also mean you can bring your own drink without any corkage fees.
Photo: Charlotte Razzell Photography via Railway Village Hall Wedding
When visiting your hall, do a scout of the room. Note down any areas that you’d like to disguise. Then you can come up with creative solutions to hide them if your venue allows.
Photo: Bai & Elle via Pink Blue Creative Wedding Venue: Tewin Memorial Hall Backdrop: The Wedding Spark
With hiring a hall the resources available may be a little scarce. Don’t forget to think about the tables, chairs and cutlery they may have for you to use. You may like the retro worn-out chairs as part of your look. Or you can cover the fold-away tables with fabric. Try hiring chairs, tables and cutlery more to your taste if your budget allows instead.
Photo: Jo Bradbury via Pink DIY Village Hall Wedding
Balloons are a simple and easy decor idea to add to your hall.
Photo: Ed Godden via Crafty Village Hall Wedding Venue: Harlestone Village Institute
If you are having a spring or summer wedding consider adding it to your wedding theme. Have seasonal flowers and pastel colours.
Photo: My Fabulous Life Photography via Spring Village Wedding Venue: Brushford Parish Hall
For an autumn wedding theme use warm colours and seasonal vegetables. If you are having a winter or Christmas wedding, use the season to inspire your style.
Photo: Sam Riley Photography via Autumn Halloween Wedding
Never feel like you have to go all-out with decorating a village hall. Sometimes simple is key and you can focus on the experience rather than looks.
Halls vary massively by size, so be careful with guest numbers. Some halls can accommodate lots of guests, whereas others are more intimate. It’s worth viewing a few different halls to find your perfect size.
Photo: Mine and Thine via East Keswick Village Hall Wedding Venue: East Keswick Village Hall
And there you have it, all the village hall wedding ideas you'll ever need to pull off a cracking day! Yay.
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