Weddingbee boards

Hey Ladies!

So I'm getting married in 82 days and am not the biggest fan of my reception site.  It is an older boat house located on a beautiful lake...but the outside and inside are just not the prettiest.  And it is somewhat small.  We went there b/c our only other choices were about 3 hotels (which we couldn't afford) or VFWs/American Legions.  And the coordinator is really hooking us up - I'm talking free appetizers, we can bring in our own wine, free snacks at the end of the night, etc.  So what we're paying is about 2/3 of what it actually would really cost.  And, to be honest, I didn't think people would really pay attention to the walls, floors, etc.  But now that I've been planning my wedding and my friends have gotten married, the stuff they notice just shocks me! 
She said they can do 225, but I saw how they set it up for 200 and it is tight. 
I plan on decorating as much as I can with flowers and candles...but I'm worried about being judged by others on the actual site.  I thought if we had good food and a great dj that would be enough, but now I am wondering if it really is.
Anyone have any advice?  It's too late to change it, and quite frankly, we can't afford anywhere else.  I've hesitated posting this because I'm pretty embarassed.  I've read other posts where bees plan on putting up lots of fabric, etc. but 3 walls of the site are windows (which I actually like b/c it is on a lake) and the 4th wall is where the cake goes, the bar is, etc.  I suppose I'm just venting but in all honesty, it is going to give me an ulcer b/c I'm so worried about being judged. :(

That is what I am trying to do.  We're doing mason jar centerpieces with wildflowers, candles on the tables, we got a cute rustic looking card box, we're going to to the basins for waters bottles/gatorades later in the evening.  I think it is a great location - right on a lake in the land of 10,000 lakes...but with so many people coming from out of town, I don't want it to be lost in translation!

Paper lanterns and fairy lights! Make the place twinkle. I think the lake sounds beautiful. String paper lanterns from the trees and dine outside. :)

Really, I think for most people the great food and dj are the most important thing. I almost never remember the decor of weddings I go to (I couldn't tell you a single thing about any centerpieces I've ever seen except for when they were so tall that I couldn't comfortably talk across the table!) but I remember the food, the drink and the good time. But different people notice and appreciate different things. (My mother notices the centerpieces and doesn't notice the food!). Make it about you and the kind of party YOU prefer and let people judge and comment as they will. Don't stress about it--there is nothing to be done. 

I would love to dine outside...but October in MN can be 40 or 70 and I am not willing to tempt fate like that! ;) 

I agree with what is typically most important to people - and having read many of the things people remember and enjoy about other weddings here at the Hive, I feel I'm pretty safe.  I just get feelings where I'm like "OH. MY. GOD.  Everyone will hate my reception site."  But I need to realize what I'm getting over not getting!  And that everyone will most likely enjoy themselves without looking at the old pictures on the walls! :)