If you want to veer away from a traditional-style wedding, an easy solution is to dress up a seemingly blank space, such as a warehouse or a studio. While using an atypical venue for your big day may seem like a risky move, couples should not be deterred from alternative wedding venues, as the art of floristry has the power to elevate any event space.
Furchtenicht’s foray into floristry began as a hobby and has bloomed into a rewarding career, turning couples’ visions into a reality. “I always enjoyed being creative and decided to do a floristry course for fun almost twenty years ago,” Furchtenicht says. “I had completed my university degree and needed something that allowed me to utilise my creative ideas.” Furchtenicht believes that anyone can use their creative powers on their wedding day – “whether it be a relaxed cocktail-style reception with lots of moody lights and chilled seating, or a formal dining soiree with long tables and an epic dance floor, it’s all possible!”
Make History
Opting for an old industrial space is a great idea, as these buildings have historical significance, and guests will feel as if they have been transported back in time to the 1980s or into a chic SoHo loft. Warehouse buildings have a rich history and stories to tell of their own.
Today, many cafe and restaurant owners have renovated old buildings while carefully retaining their industrial nuances. The tall ceilings and exposed structures of these spaces give guests a lot to marvel at. Exposed brick walls also create a charmingly rustic look, and with interesting details such as pipes and plumbing on display, industrial spaces aren’t actually so bland after all.
Keep in mind that a converted warehouse can sometimes be cold unless it has been fully renovated and insulated. Temperature only becomes a problem in extreme hot or cold weather, in which case, ensure you ask your venue how they combat this hurdle. In some cases, the venue will have already insulated the building.
Furchtenicht believes that having creative freedom while arranging your wedding day is extremely important. “A simple blank canvas as a reception or ceremony space gives couples versatility and complete creative freedom,” Furchtenicht says. “Opting for a blank canvas venue can seem daunting, as starting from scratch sounds like a lot of work. But I disagree completely! Essentially going blank canvas is literally just that – choosing a venue, space, tent or marquee that acts as an ’empty shell’ where you can make it your own in any way you like, allowing your personalised couple style to really shine. You can call all the shots when it comes to style, vendors, food and beverages and even florals – it’s all up to you.”
Make History
Opting for an old industrial space is a great idea, as these buildings have historical significance, and guests will feel as if they have been transported back in time to the 1980s or into a chic SoHo loft. Warehouse buildings have a rich history and stories to tell of their own.
Today, many cafe and restaurant owners have renovated old buildings while carefully retaining their industrial nuances. The tall ceilings and exposed structures of these spaces give guests a lot to marvel at. Exposed brick walls also create a charmingly rustic look, and with interesting details such as pipes and plumbing on display, industrial spaces aren’t actually so bland after all.
Keep in mind that a converted warehouse can sometimes be cold unless it has been fully renovated and insulated. Temperature only becomes a problem in extreme hot or cold weather, in which case, ensure you ask your venue how they combat this hurdle. In some cases, the venue will have already insulated the building.
Furchtenicht believes that having creative freedom while arranging your wedding day is extremely important. “A simple blank canvas as a reception or ceremony space gives couples versatility and complete creative freedom,” Furchtenicht says. “Opting for a blank canvas venue can seem daunting, as starting from scratch sounds like a lot of work. But I disagree completely! Essentially going blank canvas is literally just that – choosing a venue, space, tent or marquee that acts as an ’empty shell’ where you can make it your own in any way you like, allowing your personalised couple style to really shine. You can call all the shots when it comes to style, vendors, food and beverages and even florals – it’s all up to you.”
Bare Necessities
Utilizing every aspect of the room, including the floors and the walls, will make a vast difference, according to Furchtenicht. “You can use arbours, hanging ceiling floral arrangements including fairy lights, draping material, garlands on tables [or even] foliage to wrap columns or poles, or horizontal ladders.”
Many floral trends are worth considering, such as trailing flowers. Draping them from ceilings and ladders, as well as utilizing them for flowery chandeliers, are just some of the ingenious ways you can decorate your wedding space. “Deep rich and bold tones have started to be included again with white flowers to add some depth and colour to the mood of the room. Vibrancy and colour are also on the return. Additionally, the use of dried and preserved florals previously only used in vintage and rustic wedding styles are now being incorporated with these bold floral designs,” Furchtenicht indulges.
Dare To Be Different
It is also important to consider other spaces like an art gallery, studio, or farm. A rustic farm wedding, with barn doors and long tables decked with peonies – or your flowers of choice – could create an unexpectedly idyllic event. Or consider a winery with old, wooden wine barrels featuring the smell of mulled wine lingering in the air and spectacular views overlooking olive groves and vineyards. Once you’ve got a location in mind, styling choices and flowers can set the tone of the entire occasion. “I have dressed blank canvases such as sheds, barns, backyards, community halls, marquees, warehouses and more,” Furchtenicht says. “This has involved dressing backdrops for pallet walls, hanging ceilings floral arrangements, table arrangements, photobooths, grazing tables, arbours and bridal table backdrops.”
“Depending on the theme or vision, there is no limit to colour schemes, but most couples choose a floral theme that suits their overall theme. The use of lots of foliage is always popular with backdrops. If the wedding is on a country property or farm style, then florals tend to be more native [to the] area,” Furchtenicht explains.
Two Birds, One Stone
Fear not, waste not. There are always ways to make your wedding more budget-friendly. In some cases, ceremony flowers can also be transferred to the reception, as Furchtenicht details – “for many couples, budget is always on the forefront of their minds. I always recommend to reuse or repurpose floral arrangements wherever possible throughout the day. Many times, we will use the floral arrangements from a ceremony arbour to move into the reception area, or move the entire arbour itself with the florals as a photobooth or bridal table backdrop.”
Remember that your wedding day is about you and should reflect you as a couple. Your florist, wedding planners, bakers, and whoever is assisting you in creating your perfect day are there for you. “Your wedding day should be a reflection of you and significant other, where you can hero certain elements that you both love,” Furchtenicht says.
Whether you’re opting for a semi-traditional occasion or a unique celebration, it is evident that with the power of decorations and a bit of enthusiasm, any space can be transformed into an ideal wedding venue that will leave you and your partner pleased with the result.