Wedding in loft style: design and selection of premises, decor of invitations, cortege, rules for creating a menu, ideas with photos for the bride and groom’s outfit

A loft-style wedding is an original solution for a creative couple seeking self-expression. This fashion trend combines bohemian style and retro. Combinations of the old with the new or a combination of the incongruous are welcome here. This unconventional approach to design allows for original weddings that make an indescribable impression.

In this article we will look at how to decorate a wedding celebration in a loft or urban style, important characteristics of the style, how to choose colors and accessories, outfits for the newlyweds and guests, a wedding cake, what to consider when preparing a loft-themed room.

Peculiarities

Loft, or urban chic, is a style that has long been popular in the West, but came to us relatively recently. First as a room decor option, and now as an entourage for unique ceremonies - photo shoots, birthdays, weddings.
What's good about this style? Firstly, its unusualness. Such a celebration will be new to the guests, which means it will bring brighter, unforgettable emotions and will be remembered forever.

Secondly, there are almost limitless possibilities for creativity. A wedding is a unique celebration for a specific couple with its own history and characteristics. Even the best, perfectly thought-out decor of a restaurant or other venue will not be able to fully satisfy all wishes: some details will be superfluous, some, on the contrary, will not be enough and it will not be possible to add them. The urban style will allow you to fill every element of the surroundings with meaning and create an environment that fully satisfies the requirements.

Thirdly, such a wedding is budget-friendly, but it does not lose in unusualness and entertainment. Renting an old factory or loft bar with a huge area will cost much less than booking a restaurant with approximately the same area.

Features of urban chic:

a large amount of free space - the room should resemble an urban jungle, which means high ceilings, large windows or their complete absence are required;
old brick or concrete walls without finishing, iron or wooden elements, beams, pipes - the general appearance should resemble an abandoned factory;
simplicity combined with elegance and functionality - it’s worth playing with combinations of various expensive and simple fabrics, newfangled and old, almost dilapidated elements of the surroundings;
minimalism is successfully complemented by bright colors - red and green, as well as an abundance of fresh greenery, as if dusted with city dust;
casual style both in the images of the newlyweds and in the dress code of the other guests;
if necessary, zoning the room using screens or heavy, sound-muffling fabric;
absence of a toastmaster and entertaining guests with original performances, for example, fire shows;
the importance of lighting design - its proper placement is as important as choosing a good site.

The loft style is quite young, and therefore it will not be easy to hold a flawless wedding in it. But if you pay attention to detail, follow the designers’ recommendations and trust your taste, then everything will certainly work out.

How to organize

It is extremely difficult to confuse a loft wedding style with another, since it has obvious distinctive features. Features characterizing the presented version of the celebration:

complete lack of glamor and pathos;
The venue for the celebration must be spacious and have high ceilings;
brick walls;
diverse textiles - a combination of artificial fabrics with natural ones;
muted colors;
abundance of artificial lighting;
the presence of rare things;
simple compositions of fresh flowers.

Perhaps the most difficult thing in organizing a holiday will be finding a place to celebrate.

A cafe or restaurant is not suitable in this case, because it simply does not correspond to the chosen style.

An ideal option would be an abandoned building, such as a factory or a former cultural center. It may be possible to rent an unused warehouse space for a couple of days.

In any case, you should look for a building that has high ceilings, at least 3 m, and a large square footage. By properly decorating a non-residential premises, you can achieve a unique design that will literally captivate everyone present and fill them with the right emotions.

You can serve a variety of dishes that are easy to prepare but very tasty.

Organization

To make the celebration stylish and elegant, you should carefully think through all the aspects of the organization before starting preparations.

So what is needed?

Find a suitable room - a workshop, an abandoned factory, a loft bar or something similar;
If you decide to rent a standard room, then think about how exactly you are going to give it an urban style and be sure to discuss these points with the administration in order to avoid conflicts at the ceremony itself;
Indicate in the invitations the theme of the wedding and your expectations for guests in terms of dress code;
Add surrounding details, from lighting to elements of the young couple’s costume or surrounding decor;
Think over entertainment and timeline for events.

Room

This is the most important part that allows you to add a hundred points of ambiance to your wedding. It is worth remembering that urban chic does not like pomp and glamor , but is very good at mixing elegance with functionality, ultra-new expensive things with shabby decorations. Advice! The room must be large, even huge.
If you are going to zone the hall, then make sure that the resulting zones are not too intimate, because the urban style requires scope. High ceilings and concrete or brick walls are required. Exposed wooden beams, crossbars, pipes, iron pins, exposed heating elements, graffiti - all this will fit perfectly into the overall atmosphere, creating a unique flavor.

We advise you to take a closer look at workshops, old factories or factories. Such premises often meet all of the above criteria, and at the same time are rented out for a fairly modest amount. In addition, the administration often allows almost any manipulation of the interior, because it is extremely difficult to scratch or damage a concrete floor or brick walls.

A good option is a specialized loft bar or cafe. The necessary surroundings are already present, but with adequate administration it can be supplemented or completely temporarily replaced.

If you can’t remove such a site, it doesn’t matter. An ordinary banquet hall can also be turned into a workshop or abandoned workshop. To do this, you will need screens or fabric that imitate brick, concrete, or old crumbling masonry. Graffiti and cityscapes in the background are also suitable. Draped walls, good lighting, metal or wooden decoration details - and the spirit of the industrial city will envelop your celebration.

Invitations

Guests should not only be invited to the ceremony, but also warned about the style of the celebration. Provide all the necessary information concisely, without unnecessary lyrical digressions.

In general, invitation cards should be designed minimalistically - ordinary white, gray or brown rectangles with a simple black font. You can add images of cityscapes, best done in an abstract style.

You can also invite someone to a loft wedding by email. But it’s better if it is interestingly designed, for example, in the form of a picture in Photoshop.

Idea! Use graffiti or diagrams. So, seating arrangements can be made in the form of a city plan with house numbers, markings can be laid on the floor, and “parking spaces” can be organized around the chairs. Creativity is welcome, the main thing is not to forget about moderation.

Wedding printing and unusual invitation formats

First of all, decide on the invitation format. This can be in printed format or online invitations in the form of an e-card. Another unusual invitation format that is popular among newlyweds is a wedding invitation website. It is a budget-friendly alternative to printed invitations and will wow and delight guests.

Read more about online invitation formats and how you can save money thanks to them in the review “Online wedding invitations - 7 reasons to invite outside the box.”

The colors of the invitations and loft printing depend on the wedding color scheme, and when it comes to materials, try combining something unusual and simple with a luxurious finish. Choose geometric lines and shapes, metallic touches such as gold or copper, and wood, stone or concrete prints.

Design by Alena Lebedeva

Don't forget to indicate the wedding theme and dress code in the invitations.

Place cards, table numbers, and seating plans are designed in the same style as the invitations.

Color spectrum

In addition to gray and brick, the loft does not exclude bright colors - green and red . It is better to choose green with a grayish tint, in the spirit of urban greenery, dusted with dust. Red is rich and closer to burgundy.

Don't forget that accents are just an addition to the overall picture , which means there shouldn't be many of them. You shouldn’t go too dark tones; even gray and brown are better to choose light and warm shades.

Bride's image

At a loft style wedding there is no place for fluffy dresses with crinolines, corsets, or rich trimmings. They will look alien and out of place.

A simple-style cocktail dress made of lace or flowing fabric , without frilly decorations or excessive volume, much better If you wish, you can limit yourself to a set of a skirt and blouse, including in different colors.

Idea! Jeans inserts, including faded jackets, will look interesting. A leather jacket, an option for the most daring brides, is also acceptable, but think about how to balance it with other delicate elements so that the image still remains feminine.

The length of the skirt can be any , from floor-length hem to ultra-mini, if your figure allows. The color is also chosen to suit every taste - snow-white, pastel, scarlet or even black.

Urban chic also allows for completely non-standard options for the bride’s image, for example, a white trouser suit. This choice will emphasize your elegance, impeccable taste and ability to beautifully break stereotypes.

Shoes should be as comfortable as possible. Simple, laconic mid-heeled shoes will fit perfectly into your look.
If you wish, you can experiment with sneakers or boots, the main thing is to choose the right accessories for them. It is better to choose a hairstyle in a bohemian chic style. A smooth bun or a high ponytail, a spikelet, or curls falling freely over the shoulders will look wonderful with modern, bold hairpins or headbands. You should definitely avoid glamorous tiaras, an abundance of beads or flowers in your hair.

There are no strict rules for makeup. Red lipstick, clear eyeliner or smokey eye, delicate nude - choose what you like best.

As for jewelry, the loft style involves large details - earrings, necklaces, bracelets or brooches. They can be either gold or light metal - silver, platinum, white gold. The second option will give the image aristocratic elegance.

The bouquet for such a celebration should also be unusual. Succulents, greenery with a special gray or silver coating, iron parts - all this will turn the composition into a real work of art. Just don’t forget to remove the iron elements from the bouquet if you are going to throw it to your girlfriends. There is no need for injuries at a wedding.

In addition to green, bright red is ready to become the second primary color. These can be either roses or something more unexpected - lilies, gerberas, callas.

The meaning of flowers in a bride's bouquet

Wedding bouquet in golden style

The golden style symbolizes luxury, wisdom, prosperity, and therefore a golden bouquet looks elegant and sophisticated. It can even be made from fabric flowers, for example, from satin, decorated with beads, rhinestones, as well as flowers made from them and lace. Natural flowers are sometimes painted in golden tones.

Bride's bouquet in pink

The color pink symbolizes happiness in love, which is very appropriate on a wedding day.

A composition of white, pink or pink shades looks delicate. At different times of the year, a pink bouquet can be easily composed of seasonal flowers: in spring - lilies of the valley, tulips, snowdrops; in summer - peonies, roses, freesias, ranunculus; in autumn and winter - cotton inflorescences.

Wedding bouquet in emerald style

Emerald color is a symbol of prosperity and well-being. What does an emerald style bouquet consist of? White flowers: orchids, anemones, roses, ranunculi, also hydrangeas, freesias, lilies of the valley, peonies, dahlias, alstroemerias, decorated with a green brooch, large stones or beads. The handle is decorated with green emerald ribbons. Or a bouquet of peony, tillandsia, passionflower.

Bride's bouquet in blue flowers

The color blue is a symbol of loyalty and constancy, and it also symbolizes honesty, kindness and good luck. What flowers will the bride choose from in a blue bouquet? For example, from real blue roses combined with white ones. Also their blue and blue irises, with them in the bouquet for contrast there are roses with small buds. The bouquet of their blue hydrangeas looks tender. And blue orchids will add celebration to an already solemn event.

Wedding bouquet in red style

The red composition symbolizes love and passion. They say that when a bride chooses this color, she is 100% sure of her feelings for her chosen one and in him too. A bouquet in a red style often consists not only of red flowers, but also of pink and white. For example, a bouquet of red - pink - white roses.

White bridal bouquet

White bouquet is an ageless classic! A universal and always appropriate option is a white wedding bouquet. The bride's white dress and white bouquet symbolize the bright thoughts and innocence of the bride. What flowers are used to make the bouquet: roses, freesias, magnificent orchids, chrysanthemums, lilies, noble callas. In spring, lilies of the valley, snowdrops, and jasmine are perfect.

Bridal bouquet in lilac style

The composition in lilac style symbolizes trust and feelings. This bouquet looks gentle and adds romance to the bride’s image. What flowers are used to make the bouquet? These are tulips, gladioli, freesia, roses, peonies, eustomas. In spring it could be a bouquet of lilacs. To prevent the bouquet from looking like a foreign spot, add a small flower to your hairstyle.

Wedding bouquet in burgundy style

A burgundy-style composition symbolizes luxury and wealth, and also hints to others that the bride has style and taste. We list suitable flowers for a burgundy bouquet: roses, callas, lilies, orchids, tulips. The bouquet is diluted with a small amount of greenery, small buds of white flowers or shades slightly lighter than rich burgundy are added.

Groom suit

A strict black suit, and even more so a tuxedo, will look quite strange against the backdrop of urban landscapes, so it is better for the groom to opt for elegant solutions in a casual style.

Jeans and a jacket are a wonderful option that personifies the freedom of a modern urban man. It is allowed to use asphalt gray, brick, green or burgundy colors. If you still really want a formal suit, we recommend ditching the tie to simplify the look.

Dress code for guests

Guests only need to dress simply, but tastefully. Excessively pretentious ballroom dresses will disrupt the harmony of the thematic celebration, so you should warn guests about the dress code.

Casual style, to varying degrees of solemnity, will perfectly convey the general atmosphere and allow everyone to plunge into a real urban fairy tale.

As for the common elements that are mandatory for everyone, urban chic does not imply them , because its main postulate is freedom from boundaries.

Entertainment

Since the loft style declares the absence of traditional frameworks and laws, an ordinary feast with a toastmaster will look quite strange at a holiday. It is better to do it on your own or to involve witnesses, parents, and the newlyweds themselves to implement the celebration scenario.

The quest will harmoniously fit into the style of the quest with both interactive sports elements and logical riddles and object searches . However, ordinary wedding competitions can also be modified by adding originality to them and bringing them into line with the chosen style.

The loft space is easily divided into zones. At the same time, you can keep all the guests occupied at the same time: arrange master classes or games with animators for children, arrange a chill-out for those who want to relax, chat and have a snack, and allocate a play area with board games, karaoke, and other entertainment.

It’s great if you can allocate a space for photo shoots and active events, including dancing. To prevent noise from disturbing neighboring areas, use heavy fabrics or soundproofing panels.

Entertainment ideas should appear as if on their own, from the newlyweds or the guests themselves.

Important! A wedding in a loft style is characterized by maximum unpredictability. This is something to keep in mind when developing your script.

The meaning of the word "loft"

Loft is translated from English as “attic,” but in fact this concept is used in three different meanings, the meaning of which is closely intertwined.

In real estate, a loft is an apartment format, most often located on the upper floors of a residential building, which is characterized by very high ceilings (3.6–7 m) and huge panoramic windows.
In the design community, it is an interior style that naturally emerged in New York City in the 1940s due to the growing number of vacant industrial buildings, formerly owned by bankrupt businesses and factories, which were then converted into residential premises.
For creative people, loft is a style without strict frames and boundaries, but at the same time without unnecessary frills.

Hall decoration

If you have chosen a good room, then brick or concrete walls do not require additional decoration, except perhaps lanterns or flower wreaths.
It's better to focus on the furniture. Let it be simple but sophisticated. It is important that there is not too much of it, because spaciousness and free space are still the main advantage of a loft. Tables can be covered with a simple tablecloth or even with a special wood or marble covering. It is better to choose chairs as simple as possible, for example, from colored plastic, but you will have to refuse covers, cushions, bows or complex curls on the furniture itself.

But for those who chose a regular banquet hall, it will be a little more difficult. It is important to completely cover the walls with images of cities or imitation of ordinary old walls. In addition, it is a good idea to add surrounding details, such as pipes or wooden floors. Nothing prevents, however, from making them fake, for example, from painted polystyrene foam. This way the decorative elements will also be safe.

Use neutral colors - steel, brown, brick. There shouldn’t be too many bright splashes of burgundy and green. Abstract paintings or modern vases of unusual shapes will add color perfectly. Don't skimp on fresh herbs!

Lighting plays a huge role in decorating a space. Remember the city lighting of central streets - this is the image you should rely on. You can use not only lamps and lamps, but also garlands or even a whole LED strip. If you plan to actively use flashing lights, check in advance that none of the guests have epilepsy. You can cover the entire ceiling with lights, but do not forget to check in advance whether the light will be too bright or, on the contrary, insufficient.

Green, red or other multi-colored lanterns are perfect, but when placing them, be guided by a sense of proportion. Such decorative elements as lightboxes - large luminous inscriptions - look romantic and elegant. These could be the names of the newlyweds, the name of the city, wishes, phrases about love, fidelity, family.

Cortege

Luxuriously decorated cars will not fit into the atmosphere of restrained and laconic urban chic. You should avoid ribbons, bows, and balloons. If you really want to decorate your vehicle, then not too luxurious flowers are acceptable. But it’s better to choose a luxury car itself - a limousine or an old brand.

Some newlyweds go further and use budget and original vehicles such as a motorcycle or bicycle as a motorcade, or, on the contrary, spend money on renting a helicopter.

Birthday cake

Minimalism should be maintained when creating a wedding cake. You can cover multi-tiered baked goods with white fondant and decorate with a burgundy or green bow. You should also use a light creamy cream as the top layer of the cake. It is best to decorate it with several buds of marzipan flowers, sprigs of mastic, letters or themed figures.

A white wedding cake with a metallic effect looks impressive. Edible elements can repeat the patterns present in the newlyweds’ outfits or in the interior decor.

Cake with gold dusting and sparkles

The most important dish of any wedding, the cake, should also fit into the overall atmosphere of the holiday. Since an urban celebration presupposes elegant restraint, you should not lavishly decorate the dessert with various details. A regular rectangle or circle with several tiers looks much better.

Idea! Unusuality can be expressed in an interesting filling or unusual color, because it is not at all necessary for a confectionery masterpiece to be exactly white.

Photo

A loft-style wedding is ideal for couples who are open to new, unconventional solutions and appreciate unconventional ideas. The main thing is to think through all the little things, and then you will get the same creative, interesting and unusual celebration as in the photo:

OUTDOOR REGISTRATION IN LOFT STYLE

There is no separate place for the ceremony in the Loft. Therefore, when planning a wedding in this style, immediately prepare for the fact that it will be “different.” When decorating, use all possible site resources.

And here you can see one of our loft stories...