(Part 2 of 2)
Last week I talked about the recent trend of warehouse venues for wedding and events in this post. Today I’ll be talking more specifically about things to consider when looking at warehouse spaces, propping elements and décor, and I’ll be sharing a few of my favorite unique warehouse venues from across the country. So let’s get started!
Things to Consider
A few weeks ago I had the chance to talk with Sara the Director of Events, Film and Photo Shoots at Salvage One in Chicago. Talking about Salvage One makes me totally giddy because I love their history, business model and aesthetic so much – but I’ll get into that more below. Salvage One is a quintessential warehouse space with 60,000 square feet of space, wood beam ceilings, exposed brick walls and cement floors. When I asked Sara about managing events in a space like Salvage One, she had this to say, “Old buildings are like living organisms, as funny as that sounds. They have their quirks, but if you pay attention, you can control them.” I just love this quote so much because it’s so true. Old buildings have a heart and soul that newer buildings don’t seem to possess. And sometimes that means they require more care. Sara went on to discuss specific challenges they deal with in their space. Below is a list of things to consider and ask your warehouse venue about.
Candle light and hanging flower installation soften a hard warehouse space. Photo credit: unknown (if you know who to credit please notify us).
Temperature:
Unless an old building has been fully renovated and insulated, you’ll have a challenge regulating the temperature in extreme hot or extreme cold weather. If you’re planning your event during one of these times, make sure to ask your venue about how they combat extreme high and low temps as well as humidity.
Noise:
The nature of timber construction buildings and the use of hard building materials like brick and concrete will magnify noise within a space. And large open spaces with high ceilings, like most warehouses will further elevate the problem. It is important to ask your venue about noise issues and what precautions they take if you think this will be an issue. Sara says, “We have serious protocol for how to operate in our space to adjust to things like this. Such as: no foot traffic on the second floor during wedding ceremonies, and blasting the loud heat before guest arrival so it is not blowing during cocktail hour. It’s really is about knowing your space and environment so well, that you can predict and adjust and communicate before an issue ever arises.”
Cleanliness:
Old buildings tend to create more dust than newer well-sealed buildings. Don’t hesitate to inspect how clean the space is during your visit. And ask how often they clean the space and what you can expect on the day of your event.
As always, if possible I recommend doing at least one venue visit before booking a space. Do not ever go off of pictures or taking someone’s word for it.
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Propping & Styling Trends
Because warehouses tend to be hard and cold, décor that adds warmth and a homey touch goes a long way in adding character and comfort for your guests. If you’re planning a warehouse event, consider the following décor. A few of these stylish residential elements will go a long way.
Hanging light fixtures and long wood tables with simple rustic wood chairs. Photo found here.
- Chandeliers
- Vintage Furniture
- Area Rugs
- Live Plants
- Antique Mirrors
- Hanging backdrops and fabric curtains
- Long Wood Tables
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Favorite Warehouse Venues
The Green Building, Brooklyn: I love this space! It’s an elegant 6,000 square foot multi-use space located in the Carroll Gardens neighborhood that was previously a brass foundry. The raw space features original brick walls, soaring exposed beam ceilings with gorgeous chandeliers, newly renovated restrooms and an intimate lounge area featuring 1920’s furniture and decor. It’s conveniently located close to the subway and is a great opportunity for weddings, photo shoots, art openings, dinner parties and more.
The Green Building in Brooklyn’s Carroll Gardens features elegant hanging chandeliers and raw brick and wood materials
Salvage One, Chicago: As I mentioned above – I love this venue for more reasons than I can count. Salvage One is a 33 year-old business that sells reclaimed and salvaged furniture, architectural material and fixtures. The amazing thing about that is the venue comes styled and staged already with interesting propping, vintage furniture and expert lighting. For that reason, Salvage One is great for creative people who expect a certain level of design in their event, but don’t have time and money to execute it themselves or hire an outside professional.
Wash Park Studio, Denver: This venue is great because it offers a warehouse feel but has been consciously renovated to maintain the raw feel, but offer modern amenities and combat the issues I discussed above. A bride who had her wedding there in September has this to say, “The loft like atmosphere, the open kitchen area for our bar set-up, 2 unique bathrooms for our guests, a great sound system and newly finished downstairs area with shuffleboard table was perfect for our needs.” Before last year this space was primarily used as a photo studio for the owner Todd Droy. Now he also rents out the venue events and it’s getting rave reviews.
Wash Park Studio in Denver features warehouse elements with modern amenities.
-Libby
Libby Bryant is an event designer and the founder of Venue Please, an online venue finder exclusively showcasing event spaces with personality. Libby received a degree in Interior Architecture from the University of Oregon; she developed her event career in New York City where she worked for M.A.C Cosmetics designing countless events for Fashion Weeks, press launches and VIP dinners. Libby is passionate about special spaces, as well as, the history and people that shape them.
The post Event & Wedding Trends: Warehouse Venues 2 appeared first on The Social Tables Blog.
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