We're massive fans of keeping it local. With so many gorgeous country halls around Gippsland, have you considered hiring one and transforming the space into your wedding reception? We've put together some Real Gippsland Wedding inspiration and advice to pull off your own stylish country hall celebration. Complete with a checklist of key items.
1. Lighting
Fairy Lights look fabulous but can be a complete pain in the butt to hang after you untangle the knotted hot mess. Hit up Pollen and Patina for Festoon lights. These strands of light globes can be plugged into a dimming system to lower the lighting when it's time to hit the dance floor.
2. Furniture
Old rural halls don't change much after years, so you're sure to find some furniture gold hidden in the storage room. When you book the hall, ask what tables and chairs are supplied. You may find the hall have invested in new plastic tables, go ahead and dig through the store rooms and you might find some old timber trestles hiding.
If you're seating guests, hit up Bluebird Vintage Hire for an eclectic mix of wooden chairs. While you're at it, pick yourself some vintage lounges from Bluebirds sea of velvety goodness. Just a couple of 2-3 seater lounges and a pair of occasional chairs won't break the bank.
3. The Bar
Most rural halls don't have a bar area. So take it as an opportunity to add your own feature bar area. Bluebird Vintage have a bar you can hire if you're not keen on doing a DIY.
Or choose a bar on wheels. Lady Francesca Event Caravan sets the bar high. A gorgeous caravan bar complete with glassware, staff and furnishings. All you have to do is supply the grog.
4. Divide and Hide
As pretty as some old halls are there can be some pretty untidy, old and odd areas. Usually the hall gives you a few days setup and packup, so take the opportunity to add some draping to hide mess or erect some pallet walls. Why not stack some hay bales as walls! Ask for permission off the hall to remove any trophies, memorabilia and wall clutter to strip the hall back to the bones. No one wants the local cricket awards from 1999 in the back of your styling photos (unless you're into cricket)
5. Add the Colour
This is the part where you get creative. Choose between bright and striking or dark and moody. Stick to a colour palette when collecting styling items such as candles and pillows.
Head out bush and forage yourself some big branches and cable tie them to the ceiling.
Add some simple clusters of candles and flowers throughout the venue. The key is to not over complicate the space. Katie from Pollen and Patina's advice is to invest in something that is a showstopper. You could stick some giant patterned decal stickers to the dance floor, hang a big printed banner or even have Van Berkel Flowers create a colourful floral garland that hangs across the roof.
