Ok..so I’ve already put my deposit down for my venue for my November wedding. I cant get a refund so I’m stuck in the contract which I guess is ok but for some reason I’m not feeling so excited about it anymore. Here’s the thing, I’m renting a beach house for a November wedding. Why?..you may ask.. so that my out of town family has a place to stay, and so we can just do the whole wedding/reception in one place which saves money as well.
Looking at the pictures, you’ll notice it’s on the bay which I picked on purpose for the ceremony. I imagined getting married on the dock during sunset which I understand it’s going to be a little chilly so I’ll make it short & sweet 
Inside, on the second floor is a game room/small bar which I intend to use for the adult beverages and as a place for people to hang out, and on the third floor where the kitchen is, is where the food will be (obviously) and I was thinking about moving the furniture to the side and making it a dance floor when people are done eating. I also enjoy the numerous balcony’s for a romantic evening reception.
My problem is I don’t know how to decorate it to make it look more like a wedding and less like a beach house. I’m trying my best to try to steer it away from looking beachy b/c it’s not a "beach wedding". I bought those light up lanterns that are really trendy right now and was thinking about hanging them on the balconys..but what else can I do? Any ideas for the deck by the water? I’m thinking of getting an arch but should I try to hang something to try to hide the pool in the back? Any ideas of what to do inside? I know I’m asking alot but I need as much help as I can get.
http://www.siebert-realty.com/cgi-bin/previews10.pl?id=BB313&unitfile=units2010&hdr=BC9Nc
Thanks in advance and sorry for the run-on sentences..I had so much to say
I think that is a great place for you to get married. And don’t worry too much about the cold weather. There is something romantic about being cozy in a lake house.
As for decorations, my suggestions would be (I assume you are having a small wedding?):
1) Kitchen area: Move all of the furniture in the kitchen area (except the table) into the garage. Rent an extra table for a seated dinner if you need it (long banquet tables will be easy to move to the side when you want to dance). You can’t fight the yellow in the room so I would either a) go with fall colors or b) pair it with dove gray. Dove gray will look sleek and modern and help tone down the yellow. It will also keep the surrounding nature in the forefront. As for decorations, I would light a fire in the fireplace and use candles on the tables and bar. Also, put a slide show of you and your fiance on the tv or a video of something the two of you like (maybe just make it look like a painting).
2) Ceremony area: While the pool is behind you, it will be covered by that point and some pool covers are just gross. You don’t want anyone thinking "Eww" as they go to your wedding. I suggest blocking the view with an evergreen or box hedge. Unlike a screen or lattice, it will blend in with your natural surroundings. You can also plant the bushes later (eco-friendly!). On the end of the dock, put two LARGE flower arrangements, an archway or a canopy at the end. This way you’ll be framed up in your pictures instead of dwarfed by the vastness of the setting.
3) Balconies: I really like your idea about the lanterns on the balconies. They’ll provide a nice ethereal quality outside. Unless you know people will be outside, I wouldn’t spend too much money decorating the balconies since it is unlikely too much time will be spent out there since it will be chilly.
4) Game Room: I wouldn’t do much in this room, but keep try to keep it cohesive with the other decorations you use. Get a matching linen and cover the coffee table. Put a small cocktail sized floral arrangement on the table. Put the same slideshow/video on the computers/tv. Put candles on the bar. Take down the umbrella artwork (put in the garage) and hang an engagement photo instead.
I hope these suggestions help. Congrats on your upcoming wedding!
