You walk into the venue, with it’s exposed brick walls, oversized windows and perfectly broken in feel and you know it immediately, “This is the one.” We too love the charm of an industrial space, rich with history and it’s unique quirks – and that’s just the beginning. There’s really nothing like an industrial venue when it comes to designing an event, they are the perfect canvas! Let’s start dreaming up your perfect party…

First things first, let’s assess what we’re working with and really emphasize the space, instead of fighting with it. From the high ceilings to the brick walls, industrial spaces set a great backdrop. Use the loftiness to play with dimension – stringing lights or hanging decor pieces at different heights. An installation piece like this can be a fun photo opportunity for hosts and guests alike. Even the bricks themselves add so much to the atmosphere. Use their raw texture with similar elements or soften them by pairing with delicate details. This dreamcatcher-inspired escort card display from Lemiga Events hangs from an existing metal sconce, adding a touch of whimsy to the design while staying true to the industrial vibe!

Let the light shine in! The oversized windows that are iconic of industrial spaces let in the most incredible natural light. Take advantage of this shining clarity to start your party in the bright afternoon and watch it roll in to the magical dusk hour. We love how the windows also double as stunning built-in accents. Their frames alone are beautiful to look at or great to accent with decor items – such as hanging succulents or candle runners along the bottom.

And of course, don’t miss the chance for a dreamy picture with lovely light flooding in through the window panes. We love the magical effect it gives off!

Now, as lovely as all those brick walls and exposed beams are, they can get a little stark at times. Here’s where we bring in some color to warm up the party. Anything goes in an industrial space, whether you’re thinking bright pink with hints of orange or calming blues with touches of yellow, just have some fun with it! We really love this design by Raquel Mideau from Lemiga Events. She combines shades of yellow with delicate touches of blue and green to create a really natural and soft palette. Even the smallest accent of color can really make a big effect here, so consider adding it in the flowers or paper details if you want to keep color to a minimum.

In the same way that adding color warms up the space, bringing in textures will also have that effect. Playing off of the raw qualities of the space, we love to incorporate natural textiles like burlap, linen and cotton. Bringing in these fibers adds a big tactile dimension to the event! When you think of textiles, don’t just limit it to what you’ll dress the table with, think of plush tufted furniture, fun tasseled pillows and small accents like velvet ribbon. A little can go a long way here in softening the space and creating a cozy atmosphere for guests.

With your industrial venue as a beautiful blank canvas, there really are no limits to what you can design so don’t let the nitty gritty bog you down. To make sure it’s a seamless night, we love using Eventbrite’s event management software so the evening goes off without a hitch! We encourage diving deep into your imagination to see how you can transform the space, let it tell a lovely story and take you wherever you want to go for one magical night!

Photographer Elle Golden | Planning & Design Raquel Mideau for Lemiga Events | Stationery Courtney Khail | Floral + Design Amanda Jewel | Rental Furniture Sejour Events | Linen Nuage Designs | Tableware West Elm, Ponce City Market | Bridal Gowns The White Magnolia | Groom Attire The Modern Gent | Accessories Perfect Details | Styling Assistant Andrea Richardson Beautiful Wild Design | Wedding Cake For Goodness Cakes  | Hair & Makeup – J’Denelle, Khadijah Jordan and Scoobie for Scoobie West & Company | Model Styling Chawncia Bythwood

With Spring starting to peek it’s head out and summer right around the corner, we’re dreaming of sunny days spent outdoors. And what, you may ask, is our absolute favorite thing to do on a beautiful day outside? We love gathering a couple of friends, grabbing some cold refreshments and setting up some snacks to enjoy in the fresh air. What a beautiful time! Read more on our guide to dining al fresco…

We love a bright sunny day with a cool breeze, it just begs us to sit outside and enjoy it. Find an spot and make it feel intimately your own – somewhere that conversation can flow and laughter can be shared with friends!

Bring some of the season’s bright colors to the table, literally! We love mixing in fun prints with solid accents. The contrast of turquoise napkins with the bold red Calypso Lalo print really adds dimension to the table. When entertaining outdoors, cotton and linen are both great fabrics to use.

Wrought iron chairs feel nice and cool on a hot day. Mixing styles, chairs with decorative motifs and others with clean lines, is a fun way to add to the design. Pepper in some cushions and pillows for comfort!

When the weather is this nice, something bubbly feels just right! We’ll take a cue straight from Italy on this one and enjoy a perfect pour of prosecco. If you’re feeling creative, a nice Aperol Spritz is an easy to make refreshing cocktail that adds a fragrant hint of orange.

We love indulging our friends with the season’s offerings. Light fare like bruschetta, cantaloupes paired with prosciutto or a beautiful cheese plate always hits the spot. Adding in some herbs (we love rosemary!) is both delicious and fragrant. Nothing tastes as good as fresh ingredients!

Now, just add some good company and great conversation and you’re ready to go. Enjoy!

Design The Catered Affair | Florals Artistic Blossoms | Rentals Be Our Guest and Rentals Unlimited | Stationery Lynn Graham Designs | Venue Harvard Art Museums | Photographer Lisa Rigby Photography | Linens Nuage Designs