By Amanda Cooper

Deciding on a wedding venue is one of the most important decisions there is to make when trying to plan your wedding. You have to keep in mind the number of guests you're inviting so that there is ample room for everyone. If you are getting married on a certain date, you would have to see if that venue may be available. Also, the cost is one of the main factors when selecting a place to hold your wedding reception. With so many aspects involved, there may be certain features of the wedding site that you may have to compromise on. For example, the "Chateau Carmel" has everything you want from a wedding reception hall: it fits within your budget, it is available for your wedding day, the location is perfect, etc. But the only thing is the room just lacks that special touch - your touch. Don't be discouraged yet. There are multiple ways to transform your wedding venue into that beautiful wedding reception you have always dreamed about.

Lights, please!
For those rooms that really need some tender loving care, why not hire a lighting designer? These lighting professionals can transform your wedding venue from ordinary to extraordinary. Simply by casting various shades of colour throughout the room, the room has now been transformed. If overall colour effects may be too much, why not highlight just some of the room. Perhaps, your centrepieces need a spotlight, or shine a monogram motif on the dance floor. Once you incorporate the aspect of light, you'll be amazed at how the room can be changed.

Music, please!
So you're thinking how can music change the room? Well not just quite the music, but the dance floor can really add that certain uniqueness to any venue. Traditional wooden parquet dance floors are becoming a thing of the past. With the availability of various shaped dance floors, you could dance your first dance as husband and wife on a heart-shaped dance floor! Or if pink and black are your wedding colours, why not have a pink dance floor? Or maybe a patterned one or maybe one that actually lights up? Whatever your theme, select a dance floor that further carries out your theme.

Action!
Get your guests moving! Instead of guests staying at their tables, give them a reason to get up and get socializing with other guests. By creating "stands" throughout the venue, the room is transformed and now has a unique and exciting atmosphere flowing through it. Guests could head over to the martini bar and watch how the cocktails are spun through a monogrammed ice luge. Have your guests take home martini glasses as wedding favours. Or have guests walk over to get their picture taken in an old fashioned photo booth. The company who rents out these photo booths can add the bride and groom's names and wedding date on the picture and guests are able to take their photos home as a personalised favour. For whatever reason you create these stands for, it will personalize your wedding day, your wedding venue and make it memorable.

 Click here to view Ireland’s online wedding guide and view contact details for wedding supplies across Ireland