Styles, Costs, and How it Works
If you’ve ever walked into a wedding reception and instantly felt the “wow” factor when you looked up, chances are roof draping had something to do with it. Flowing fabric suspended from the ceiling can completely change the atmosphere of a wedding space, making it softer, more romantic, and more intimate.
At Feel Good Events, we’ve been transforming Melbourne wedding venues for over 15 years, and roof draping is one of our most requested décor features. Whether you want to hide an unattractive ceiling, add a dreamy canopy effect, or simply make your reception look more special, here’s everything you need to know before deciding if roof draping is right for your wedding.
Why Couples Choose Roof Draping
Wedding roof draping can:
- Transform the look of any venue: It can hide plain or unattractive ceilings, soften exposed beams, and give the whole room a more romantic feel.
- Create intimacy: High ceilings can feel cold or empty. Draping lowers the visual height of the space and makes it feel more inviting.
- Match any style: Whether your look is classic, rustic, modern, or boho, draping can be customised to suit your theme.
- Work beautifully with lighting: Draping diffuses light and looks incredible when paired with fairy lights, chandeliers, or hanging pendant or festoon lights.
- Enhance photos: A beautifully draped ceiling adds a magical backdrop for everything from the first dance to candid guest shots.
How Roof Draping Works
Installing roof draping isn’t as simple as throwing fabric over the ceiling, it’s a precise job that needs the right equipment, skills, and safety checks. Here’s how we handle it at Feel Good Events:
- Assessing the venue
We’ll check what the ceiling is made of and where we can attach drapes without causing damage. - Finding attachment points
Beams, rigging points, or truss systems are ideal. If there’s nothing suitable, we may need to use a freestanding frame which can add a lot of cost, but can be done. - Installing the drape
Using quality fabric, we secure each panel so it sits perfectly. Installation times vary depending on ceiling height, style, and venue access. For smaller, lower ceilings, we may only need 2–3 hours, but large or complex designs can require a full day.In some venues with tall ceilings, we may need to bring in specialist access equipment such as scissor lifts. We’ll also coordinate crew size and timing with your venue so setup and pack down happen smoothly without impacting other suppliers.
Please also note that roof draping is usually the first thing that needs to be done before any tables , furniture or other décor is installed.
- Adding finishing touches
Lights, florals, or statement chandeliers can be integrated into the design. - Safety first
Everything is secured to hold safely for the duration of your event and removed after without leaving a trace. At Feel Good Events we also have public liability insurance for peace of mind. Before installation, we liaise directly with your venue to confirm compliance with their safety, weight load, and rigging rules. This ensures the draping not only looks beautiful but also meets all legal and venue specific requirements.
Timeline & Coordination with Other Suppliers
Roof draping needs to be planned early and coordinated with your venue and other suppliers. It’s one of the first things that must be installed before any furniture, florals, or other ceiling décor can go in.
This means your bump in schedule needs to allow enough time for our team to set up safely, especially if we’re working with tall ceilings or bringing in access equipment.
For larger or more complex designs, we may need part of the day before your wedding to complete the installation. The same applies for pack down, as we’ll need clear access to the ceiling before other suppliers start removing items. Early coordination avoids delays, ensures a smooth setup, and helps keep your venue happy.
Best Types of Ceilings for Roof Draping
While we can work in almost any Melbourne venue, some spaces make draping easier than others:
- Best: Venues with exposed beams, rafters, or rigging points like common in barns or sheds, industrial spaces, and marquees with exposed beams.
- Good: Ballrooms with built in hanging points or strong architectural features we can work from.
- Challenging: Flat plasterboard ceilings with no attachments which often require creative solutions or extra structures.
For outdoor or marquee weddings, weather plays a role in how draping is installed. Windy conditions require extra securing points and sometimes heavier fabrics to prevent too much movement. Our designs take both aesthetics and practicality into account so your draping stays looking good no matter the weather.
If you’re unsure, you can send through photos of your venue’s ceiling to confirm what’s possible and suggest the best draping style for the space.
Quick Checklist: Is Your Venue Suitable for Roof Draping?
- Does the ceiling have beams, trusses, or rigging points?
- Are there existing hooks or anchor points in the ceiling?
- Is there a drop or floating ceiling with a metal frame we can attach to?
- Does the venue have rules about attaching décor to the ceiling?
- Is there enough setup and pack down time in your booking?
- What is the ceiling height, and will access equipment be required?
- Will any draping interfere with lighting, sprinklers, or air vents?
If you’re unsure about any of these, we you can check directly with your venue manager before you book.
Styles of Roof Draping
There are endless ways to style roof draping, but here are some popular options:
Full Canopy
Fabric covers the entire ceiling, creating a marquee-like effect.
Starburst/Maypole
Drapes fan out from a central point, perfect over a dance floor.
Criss-Cross
Interlaced panels create a woven effect across the ceiling.
Swags & Perimeter Draping
Fabric hung in elegant curves along beams or the edges of the ceiling.
Fabric with Lighting or Greenery
Fairy lights, lanterns, or greenery woven into the drapes for extra atmosphere. Lighting can dramatically change the mood of your roof draping. Warm white fairy lights or festoon lights create a cosy, romantic glow, while coloured uplighting can transform white drapes to match your theme.
Even subtle lighting behind or above the fabric adds depth and highlights the softness of the material. We can guide you on the best lighting choices based on your colour palette, venue layout, and the atmosphere you want to create.
How Much Roof Draping Costs in Melbourne
Roof draping is one of those décor elements that can completely change the atmosphere of a room in a way few other styling features can. It’s a high impact option that works across many wedding styles, which is why couples often choose to prioritise it over other decorations.
Because it covers such a large visual space, even a simple design can make the entire venue feel more polished and elegant. This means your budget for draping often delivers a bigger “wow factor” compared to spending the same amount on smaller, scattered décor items. Costs vary depending on your venue, ceiling height, style, and how much fabric is needed. As a rough guide:
- Simple draping in a small venue – from $1,500 -$3000
- Part to Full ceiling coverage in a medium sized venue – typically $5,000 to $10,000.
- Large or complex designs with lighting – $10,000 and up
Factors affecting price:
- Venue size and ceiling height.
- Complexity of the design.
- Type and amount of fabric.
- Whether lighting or florals are added.
- Access and install time required.
At Feel Good Events, we’ll always give you a custom quote based on your space, style, and budget.
Tips for Getting the Most out of Roof Draping
- Plan early – Some venues need approval well in advance.
- Think about colour – White and ivory are timeless, but soft blush or champagne can add warmth.
- Add lighting – Up lights or fairy lights take draping from nice to jaw dropping.
- Match the style to your space – A full canopy works in big rooms but Criss cross or swags suit smaller or character filled venues.
- Coordinate with other décor – Make sure flowers, centrepieces, and ceiling décor feel like part of the same story.
- Trust the pros – Ceiling draping is one area where professional installation makes a big difference in safety and finish.
Common Mistakes Couples Make When Choosing Roof Draping
Even though roof draping can be one of the most focal features in your wedding décor, there are a few common traps that can take away from the end result:
- Not checking venue rules early
Every venue has its own policies about attaching décor to the ceiling. Leaving this check until later can limit your options or add last minute costs for extra structures. - Underestimating setup time
Draping takes precision and often specialised equipment. If your bump in time is too short, you may need to simplify the design or pay extra for additional crew to get it done in time. - Choosing colours without thinking about lighting
A fabric that looks perfect in daylight can change completely under warm up lights or coloured party lighting. Always consider how your draping will look once the lighting is on. - Overfilling the space
Full ceiling coverage looks amazing in some venues, but in smaller or character filled spaces, too much fabric can feel heavy or make the room look cramped. - Not integrating it with the rest of the décor
Draping works best when it ties into your centrepieces, florals, and overall styling. Treating it as a stand alone feature can make the room feel disjointed. - Trying to DIY
Ceiling draping needs the right rigging, fabrics, and safety measures. Without professional installation, you risk a less polished finish or worse, safety hazards that could jeopardise your wedding.
By avoiding these pitfalls, you’ll get the most out of your investment and ensure your roof draping feels like a seamless part of your wedding style.
Best Melbourne Venues for Roof Draping
Over the years we’ve installed draping in hundreds of spaces, but some venues make the process easier and deliver the best visual results:
- The Timber Yard, Port Melbourne – Huge open space with plenty of beams for attachment, perfect for large scale designs.
- Zinc at Federation Square – High ceilings and rigging points make it ideal for Criss cross draping.
- Showtime Events Centre, South Wharf – Exposed beams and industrial charm that pair beautifully with soft fabric.
- Leonda by the Yarra, Hawthorn – Elegant ballroom with multiple rigging points for roof draping.
- The Plaza Ballroom, Melbourne CBD – Ornate architecture complemented by soft, understated drapes.
- Crown Aviary, Southbank – Glass walls and a marquee style roof allow for stunning canopy effects.
- Cargo Hall, South Wharf – Industrial yet flexible, with rigging options for bold designs.
These aren’t the only venues in Melbourne that work well with roof draping. If you have somewhere else in mind, we’ll assess it and create a design that works for that specific ceiling and layout.
Why Choose Feel Good Events for Roof Draping
We’re not just a hire company, we’re a full service decorating team. That means:
- We handle everything – design, installation, and pack down.
- We use high quality, fabrics – safe, clean, and perfectly presented.
- We work with your venue – ensuring everything is secure, compliant, and non damaging.
- We customise the look to you – from understated elegance to bold and dramatic.
- We make it stress free – you can focus on enjoying your day while we transform your venue.
Ready to Talk Roof Draping?
Whether you want a ceiling that sparkles with fairy lights, a romantic canopy over your dance floor, or a full room transformation, our team can make it happen.
Contact Feel Good Events today to chat about roof draping for your Melbourne wedding. We’ll help you choose the right style for your venue, work within your budget, and create a look your guests will tell their friends about.
Author – Marcus Prentice – Partyologist, DJ, Event & Wedding Planner
Roof Draping FAQs
Can you install roof draping in any venue?
Almost, but the venue needs suitable attachment points or enough space for a freestanding frame. We’ll assess each venue before confirming what’s possible.
How far in advance should I book roof draping?
Ideally 6–12 months ahead, especially in peak wedding season, so we can coordinate with your venue and lock in installation time.
Do you supply the fabric, or can I provide my own?
We supply high quality fabric and draping in a range of colours. Using our fabric ensures it’s safe, clean, and fits your venue’s requirements.
Can roof drape be installed in outdoor spaces?
Yes, in marquees and under covered areas. Weather can impact the design, so we’ll recommend styles that stay secure and look great in your setting. Wind can play a big part in whether roof draping is suitable for your wedding.
How long does installation take?
Depending on the complexity and height, it can take anywhere from 2–6 hours. Large or intricate designs may require setup the day before your wedding. Roof draping always needs to be done before any furniture is installed.
Will roof draping damage the venue's ceilings?
No. We use non damaging methods approved by your venue and remove all draping after the event without leaving marks.
Can you add lights or flowers to the draping?
Absolutely. We can weave in fairy lights, festoon lights, chandeliers, greenery, or florals to match your theme.
Is roof draping expensive?
It depends on the size of the space and complexity of the design. We offer options from partial draping for smaller budgets to full ceiling coverage for maximum impact. Rood draping would typically start at $2000 to $20,000 for most weddings.
What if my venue doesn't allow attachments to the ceiling?
We can often work around this using freestanding frames or other creative solutions, but it may affect the style and cost. Adding in a suitable framework does add a lot of extra cost.
Why choose Feel Good Events over DIY?
Ceiling draping needs experience, equipment, and a safety first approach. Our team ensures it looks good, is installed securely, and complies with venue rules.
