Need Creative Ideas

jasmineh7777

Okay creative people, any ideas how to disguise a hideously ugly hardwood floor? Our reception is in a small town pavilion. The floor is old and stained. Any ideas as to how to cover it, or how to direct attention away from the floor?

sucrets4

Do you think people will notice the floor?Is your reception during the day or night?

jasmineh7777

It will probably start around 4:30, and yes I think they will notice. There are large stains, black and of unknown origin. The pavilion is the only reception sight in the town, less than 1000 people. It has also been used for huge parties after the rodeo. I suspect tabacco.....

peachkins

Aside from putting down an area rug, I don't know what I would do.  If adjusting the lights would help (depending on whether you have windows and if the wedding is daytime) you could always lower them a bit.  That's the only thing I can think of.  I doubt anyone will notice unless they're under fluorescents.

Nebb

place your tables in such a way as to cover the stains, have dim lighting and lots of focal points on the table so people arent looking down.

anna.oskar

Do you have a picture of the venue space? That would help me imagine solutions.

jasmineh7777

I was thinking of a few rugs to cover the ones near the entrance, I just didn't know if that would seem out of place. I can probably cover the worst ones with the tables. I will keep googling too.Thanks ladies.

sunflower1998

Bed Bath and Beyond has a pretty good price on room-sized rugs.

jasmineh7777

[IMG]http://i38.tinypic.com/2zfvi1i.jpg[/IMG]

Nebb

That honestly just looks like an old floor to me, nothing horribly offensive. Do what you can to keep eyes up instead of down. The majority of the floor is going to be covered by tables and chairs, and what else there is will probably not even be noticed.

jasmineh7777

[IMG]http://i38.tinypic.com/2ezmt1l.jpg[/IMG]I will check BB&B. We just got one here like a year ago; it is still novel to me. haha Thanks.

anna.oskar

Could you talk to venue into maybe going in half with you on getting the floor buffed? Or letting you rent one and doing it? It's really not that bad.  But I see why you are concerned. Colorful table decorations would force the eye away from the floor

linwvr

I would not even worry about it.  We had ours at an historic dance hall with a very similar floor and it never even crossed my mind to worry with the floor.  I promise you no one will be looking down all night.  They'll be looking at the decorations and what's going on.  Save your money.

ExpatPumpkin

Uplighting. Our ballroom had a seafoam green carpet that we didn't care for... The wedding planner draped fabric on the ceiling and used gold uplighting with a leafy pattern. It completely transformed the room and distracted from the floor. Pics in bio below.

jasmineh7777

I was actually thinking of asking them if I can paint the floor. The venue is owned by city hall. Would black be too harsh?The town is near my grandparent's farm, so it is all very...low key.They are just going to give us the keys a few days before the wedding, and they are only charging us $75. They aren't making us put down a deposit because they've "known my family for ages."

peachkins

Honestly, I don't really think it looks all that bad either.  I mean yes, it is an old floor, but I can't even see any obvious stains.  I agree with pp- do what you can to cover the worst of it with your table plan, and don't worry about the rest.  I really don't think people are going to be horrified by it.

jasmineh7777

Expat- I love that idea. I think that may be a great option. Thanks!

Nebb

Please do not go to the trouble of painting it. You are really over thinking the issue of the floor - you, and maybe an extremely critical aunt, are the only person who will notice it.

jasmineh7777

Nebb, you're probably right. It is just not an attractive building, so I'm trying to figure out a plan of attack. Hopefully everyone will be looking at the flowers and the food. Here's hoping.

ThePinkSuperhero

As long as you decorate the rest of the room, it'll be fine.  No one cares about an old wood floor.  And please don't paint it.  Re-finish it, maybe, but no painting.

tlv204

Ditto on the no painting.  I really think you're over thinking it, I actually like the floor and think it has character. Way better than terrible 80s patterned carpet that shows up in a lot of ballrooms.