Ten Styling Ideas For Your Industrial Wedding

We’ve spent the month talking all thing industrial weddings, and today, in celebration of The Industrial Issue, we’re talking styling. The best part about a modern, industrial wedding day? The options are endless. Often, you’ll be working with a bare space, where the worn walls, cement floors and high exposed ceilings give you a blank canvas to go a bit wild however you please. Minimal, lush, just lots of candles with no greenery, decor other than botanicals? The choice is yours!

Look up!

The thing about industrial spaces? They’re vast! So think about what you could do with those amazing ceilings. Hanging installations like streamers (or an epic Bangin Hangins install as Amy and Malen did below). Or a big floral installation of dried or fresh flowers can make a space feel warmer and more intimate. Make the most of trailing vines and greenery and create a stunning hanging and trailing arrangement that can be huge and creates the illusion of bringing the ceiling height down.

Photo by Tanya Volt via Amy & Malen’s Colourful & Handmade Wedding In Melbourne

Opt for industrial style furniture pieces

You’re in for a treat when it comes to selecting furniture pieces for wedding nowadays – because the options are endless! The industrial style lends itself to very modern furniture pieces. Think tables with hairpin legs, bold shapes and metal accents. Embrace industrial vibes! If the space is large, opt for several groups of furniture to give your guests the option of lounging and chatting.

Photo by Sandie Bertrand via Steph & Nick’s Modern Industrial Wedding at Assembly Yard

Think angular shapes and structures

Now is your chance to really have fun with different styling elements. Think architectural inspired steel rectangular shapes for floral centrepieces, backdrops of angular shapes like the one below. Hexagonal structures, triangles of steel, metal mesh- take those elements that you might never consider and rethink them for your wedding day. Paint them, add florals, or leave them raw! Play on the industrial vibe with old wood or rusty elements or add softness by adding more florals and candlelight to balance out the raw surroundings.

Flowers by Anatomy of Flowers Photo by Nick Skinner Photography via Michaela & Tim’s Classic Industrial Melbourne Wedding

Add plenty of candlelight

Candlelight is my absolute favourite. It’s so very budget-friendly and looks incredible en masse, in any style of wedding. Candlelight is something that also beautifully suits an industrial style – especially if you use simple glass vessels or metal lanterns. Add candles to your ceremony space, your tables, your styling setups and add instance warm glow. The key is to have lots of candlelight to play up the surroundings and add atmosphere.

Photo by Doe and Deer Photography via Modern Boho Wedding Inspiration At A Gin Bar

Use different textures and fabrics

You don’t have to go all steel and metal. A brilliant way and something unexpected is to really pay attention to unexpected details. Sheer curtains (like the ones used below) are a beautiful way to not just separate a space, but to add a little softness. Overhead draping can drop ceilings to something a little more intimate. Really think about the linens on your tables too – think beyond the simple corporate white and play with different colours and textures to add interest, warmth and a little glam.

Venue Two Ton Max Photo by Selena McLaren, via Beth & Anthony’s Winter Warehouse Wedding At Two Ton Max

Pay attention to place settings

Part of what makes an industrial wedding style so beautiful is layering. The detail upon detail, the carefully considered way that each element works together. One you really need to consider, because it will make an impact, is the place setting. You might be tempted to opt for a simple single plate and flatware, but we encourage you to go further. Consider layering beautiful coloured crockery together, consider your linens, consider the colour of your flatware (black, copper or gold could be more stunning than silver). And candles – always candles!

Styling by Pia & Jade Photo by Jenny Wu Photography via Modern Autumnal Wedding Ideas With An Industrial Twist

Go lush with florals & greenery

If there ever was an excuse to go lush with florals, creating oversize table garlands, hanging installations, en masse centrepieces, an industrial wedding is it. There is something breathtakingly stunning about the juxtaposition of raw spaces with the natural beauty of Mother Earth. It’s an easy way to bring in something natural and add colour, without moving away from your industrial vibe. But do ‘go lush’ – there is nothing worse than tiny little floral centrepieces in a large ray industrial space – they just look lost and overwhelmed in the space.

Photo by Judy Nunez Photography Flowers by Twig and Twine Floral Artistry via A Modern & Industrial Flower Filled Wedding Editorial

Invite soft and luxe furniture pieces

Chances are your industrial wedding venue has all the gritty you love. Cement floors, exposed beams, bare walls. So invite your guests to take a seat by creating lounging areas with, luxe, soft and squishy furniture pieces. Think beautiful velvet (like those pictured below) textured throws, soft pillows. Add cosiness with cushions and throws if it’s a winter wedding.

Photo by Pine & Ivory at Luna Event Space via Casey & Anthony’s Industrial Style Surprise Wedding, Their Way

Opt for dramatic details

Your industrial space is going to speak volumes, so opt for dramatic details. Bold black wedding cakes (like the below!), long kings tables, oversize arrangements. A raw, industrial space needs a lot to make it look festive, inviting and warm, and it can tolerate and even embrace big, bold and statement details.

Photo by Becky van Straalen Photography Cake by The Sweet Society Co. via Dramatic Black Tie Wedding Inspiration In A Raw Setting

Make lighting a statement

Bare light bulbs, modern pendants, wire light shades – make the most of the lighting options available to you on the market. Lighting is often forgotten about, but it can make an enormous difference. Consider lighting hanging overhead your tables, focal point installations, over bars. And consider how it works back with the rest of your wedding styling for maximum impact.