An Industrial Venue Plus Earth Tone Colors at This Fall Wedding

Dried floral arrangements, melty pillar candles and more elements created, “a warm, autumnal vibe” at Bailey and Steve’s wedding at the Whitechapel Projects on November 3, 2023.

Their Story 

Steve and Bailey met in 2017 while working at a Mexican restaurant—he was a bartender, and she was a cocktail waitress.

“I thought he was cute from the start, but he was in another relationship, so I kept my distance,” says Bailey. “After his relationship ended, we began hanging out with friends from work and quickly hit it off.”

“We discovered a lot in common, especially our love of music, which became a deep connection between us. Steve even made me a curated playlist that he still updates, and I still listen to—it’s a soundtrack to our love story that I treasure.”

“Not long after we started dating, I headed down to Long Beach Island to pick up my summer job as a bartender, which meant we became long-distance. Steve would drive down twice a week. It didn’t matter how tired we were; we would do anything to see each other.”

“Just one month into our relationship, we said “I love you” for the first time on a quiet morning before he had to leave. It was my birthday weekend, and it felt like the best gift in the world.”

The Proposal 

“Every summer, Steve and I spend a week in Corolla, North Carolina, with his family…[and do] sunset beach photoshoots with our friend Shannon, always wearing white and blue.”

“During our 2022 trip…as Steve and I were playfully posing, I turned away for a second, then turned back to find him on one knee, holding a ring and asking me to marry him. I burst into happy tears, repeatedly asking, “Are you serious?”

He then asked if I recognized the ring—it was my late grandmother’s engagement ring, who had passed the previous spring. My mom had secretly given it to Steve earlier that summer, and he kept it exactly as it was, which meant the world to me.

Of course, I said yes, and we celebrated that night with champagne and a dance party back at the beach house. It was a magical and unforgettable night.

[RELATED: The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Venues in New Jersey]

Details of the Day 

For their wedding at The Whitechapel Projects, the couple wanted, “to capture a warm, autumnal vibe with earthy tones of browns, creams and grays.”

The ceremony took place in the venue’s brick courtyard, where they created, “a moody and intimate setting with melty pillar candles on large cinderblocks, casting a soft glow against the brick as we exchanged vows.”

Bailey’s bouquet was a highlight, featuring oncidium orchids, calla lilies, stypa grass, and sarracenia—a mix of dried and fresh textures that perfectly captured the season.

Throughout the venue, they continued the textured, industrial aesthetic. Candlelight and large dried floral arrangements decorated the bar and guest book areas, accented by wooden and stone drink signs that added a raw, natural touch.

“We kept the floral arrangements minimal and intentional, using dried single-element florals in thrifted bowls and various vessels running down the center of the tables, while structural bud vases in cement vessels added texture and height to the high tops around the space,” says Bailey.

“One of our favorite and most stunning elements was the dried floral installation on the wall by the dance floor,” says Bailey. “With climbing wisteria vine, hanging amaranthus, and dartura pods, it was a show-stopping moment that provided a beautiful backdrop for the dance floor and added to the evening’s autumnal atmosphere.

“We added personal touches that reflected our love of music, including a record-style guest book where guests signed vinyls featuring some of our favorite musicians, albums and songs.”

“The day was everything we had imagined—thoughtfully curated with seasonal touches and a perfect reflection of the season, space and us.”

On the Menu

The reception was a rolling cocktail-style event, with guests enjoying a variety of seasonal bites throughout the evening. Reception tables were draped with natural-colored fabric runners that flowed gracefully to the ground, adding a relaxed sophistication.

At the end of the night, they surprised their guests with McDonald’s as late-night food—Big Macs, fries, nuggets, and happy meals—”which had everyone going nuts.”

Choosing the Venue 

“We loved the industrial and rustic atmosphere of The Whitechapel Projects, which had just the right ‘cool’ vibe we were looking for.”

“As big foodies, it was important to have warm hospitality, delicious, casual food and great drinks, and The Whitechapel team delivered on every front.”

Favorite Moment 

“My favorite moment during our wedding was walking down the aisle with both of my parents by my side. As soon as the music began—a violin and acoustic guitar rendition of John Williams’ Jurassic Park theme, my all-time favorite—I felt a wave of emotion and couldn’t help but tear up,” says Bailey.

“Turning the corner and locking eyes with my fiancé (who was also tearing up) was a moment I’ll never forget, made all the more special by the unconventional yet perfect song choice.”

Detail They Couldn’t Live Without 

Since music has always been at the forefront of their relationship, choosing great music vendors was super important to Steve and Bailey.

“From the violinist and acoustic guitar during our ceremony and cocktail hour, to the DJ and electric violinist in the reception, they nailed every song.

“Also, Brave Floral Studio truly blew our minds. We wanted something completely unique and they delivered exactly that.” Plus, their guests could take the arrangements home, “since they were dried and everlasting. Now, our friends and family have a piece of our day in their homes, and it’s such a beautiful reminder of our celebration.”

Advice for Couples 

Trust your vendors and truly enjoy your day—don’t take any moment for granted, and try to be fully present,” says Bailey. “We even included a pause during our ceremony to take a breath, soak in the atmosphere, and look around at all the people we love. It was grounding and incredibly special to lock eyes with those who mean the most to us.”

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