Weddings come in all shapes and sizes—from a hotel ballroom to an industrial loft space to a sprawling old estate. Regardless of the size of your wedding, it’s important to choose a venue that will allow you and your partner to create a day that feels authentic to you. For many brides, this means choosing a “blank” space. This type of non-traditional wedding venue usually offers a lower rental fee but is essentially a shell without any tables, chairs or flatware. That’s why they are often called “raw spaces.”
While some venues may be better equipped for a raw space wedding than others, it’s still a good idea to have a clear understanding of your goals and how your vision can translate into the venue you chose. A good place to start is with your priorities and budget. Having a clear understanding of the space’s limitations can help you plan for the things that are most important to you, such as stunning photos, having enough seating for your guests or making sure your wedding is completely unique and personalized.
Once you’ve got a clear sense of the space, there are a few easy ways to make it feel cozy and intimate. “Drape is a great way to section off a large room,” says Chancey Charm Charleston wedding planner Samantha Wiley. “By lowering the ceiling, you can also make it feel more intimate for your guests.”
You can also add warmth to a blank space by using color. By changing the color of your table linens, you can add a pop of color to the room without taking away from the space’s natural beauty.
Another way to introduce color is by using accent furniture pieces. You can also use patterned drapes or curtains to bring out the colors in your space. Adding accents can also make a space seem bigger by allowing you to take the focus off of the walls and onto other elements.
A final tip to make your blank space wedding more personal is to include a few meaningful mementos in the room. This could be a photo from your first date or a special item that symbolizes you and your partner’s love story.
There’s a new trend in weddings that takes the space theme even further—the metaverse. The metaverse is a virtual world where people can connect online, engage in social activities and buy or sell digital goods like virtual money. The technology allows couples to create a digital version of their wedding that can be viewed by their friends and family on any computer or mobile device.
A company called Space Perspective has plans to let people say “I do” from orbit. The six-hour SpaceBalloon Neptune flight lifts guests into orbit, gives them the opportunity to see Earth from space and then returns them to Earth for splashdown. Space Perspective is accepting bookings now, but the wait list is already light-years long. The cost for the trip is also not in everyone’s budget at this time—it will run you a cool $1,500 per person.