This Charbar wedding inspiration shoot with Flowers by Janie blended an historic wedding venue, a unique table centerpiece constructed from copper pipe and a cookie bar.  Oh, and don’t forget the peonies!

The shoot took place in a former mattress factory-turned-restaurant, Charbar. It’s a chic new wedding venue in Calgary situated in the 103 year old Simmons building that boasts original wood mill construction floors, exposed brick, tall fir posts as well as the original factory windows. The Simmons Building is also home to two other local businesses: Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters and Sidewalk Citizen Bakery. Their wedding menu is a true collaboration of all three businesses under one roof. In fact, Sidewalk Citizen provided cookies for the cookie bar (more on that later).

Janelle from Flowers by Janie shares her inspiration for the shoot…

On a recent trip to London and the surrounding English countryside, I was struck by the combination of the lush yet natural gardens and the brick used in the majority of their homes and buildings. The goal for this shoot was to create a garden indoors while using blooms that were in-season and locally sourced. I just loved the fullness of the peonies, roses & viburnum along with more delicate sweet peas & fritillaria.

Flowers by Janie created a bespoke ceremony backdrop, perfect for a Charbar wedding, as well as a floating tabletop installation with a frame crafted from copper pipe. The copper centerpiece was created using copper pipe and elbows, available in the plumbing section of your local Home Depot. The height of the piece was intended to allow guests to converse easily across the table. Janelle arranged the flowers to showcase the lush blooms but still allow the industrial feel of the copper pipe to show through.

Charbar wedding inspiration

We were so pleased to partner with Crate & Barrel at South Centre on the table décor (everything from the linens to the copper Moscow Mule mugs). The copper added a warm glow and element of sophistication when paired with the wooden chargers and linen tablecloth.

Local bakery, Sidewalk Citizen, provided chocolate chip, oatmeal and lemon white chocolate cookies. Just add milk, and they make the perfect midnight snack or sweet treat for departing guests.

Janelle and I were completely smitten with the warm copper details in this shoot.  Turns out Martha Stewart thinks so too.  The Summer 2016 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings features tips on using copper hardware in your table decor.

Floral Design & Styling:  Flowers by Janie

Venue:  Charbar

Bride’s gown:  Anais Anette gown from Pearl & Dot

Bride’s veil:  Sara Gabriel from Pearl & Dot

Bride’s belt:  Olivia the Wolf from Pearl & Dot

Hair stylist:  Jenny Parks from Diva Salon Spa

Make-up stylist:  Jenny Vuong from Diva Salon Spa

Model:  Meg

Linens & Tableware:  Crate & Barrel

Cookie bar:  Sidewalk Citizen

Invitation Suite & Paper Products: Modern Pulp Design Studio

Charbar wedding captured by Calgary Wedding Photographer – Tara Whittaker