Sometimes I wish I were a wedding photographer in Southern California.  As I scroll through wedding blogs, I see fabulous, out-of-the-box weddings at places like Marmivon, Huron SubStation and the Ace Hotel, and long for venues like that here in Calgary.  I love the idea of a former factory repurposed and transformed into a chic, industrial wedding venue. This is why I’m so happy to hear about wonderful spaces like The Commons in Ramsay.

I met up with Erynn from The Commons to see it for myself and hear about how it came to be.

An industrial wedding venue…the history of the space?

The Commons is one of several businesses operating in the former Westeel Products Plant, a red brick industrial block built in 1919. Located off of 11^th Street SE and backing onto the railway tracks, this Edwardian-style commercial building was originally built to manufacture sheet metal. Since that time it was been home to other manufacturers and even a stockyard for livestock. During WW2 many Calgarians were employed there in the production of parts for the war effort.  Source:  City of Calgary

The Commons began initially as a shared workspace and community for small business owners. I love the way they describe the concept:

Strikingly simple but astonishingly rare, the concept of The Commons is to create a work space where imagination and the entrepreneurial spirit collide creatively to meet the unique needs of freelancers, small business owners, and local innovators.

Not surprisingly, the requests to host events in the space began to roll in.  Since then they’ve acquired additional rooms and expanded The Commons to include almost 5000 square feet of event space. They have now have a venue coordinator and offer several distinctive spaces for weddings.

The Commons, a unique wedding venue

 If you’re a wedding couple considering a non-traditional wedding route, then you’re bound to be inspired at The Commons.   This industrial wedding venue includes original features like exposed brick and steel doors that blend seamlessly with chic crystal chandeliers and plush furnishings. The various spaces are designed to be convertible, accommodating all types of events. They include:

The Gallery

During the day The Gallery is an open workspace, but shift out the desks and office furnishings and it becomes a grand ceremony space.   Its high ceilings, long configuration and grand fireplace make it the ideal spot to tie the knot.

The Parlour Room

The Parlour Room boasts a modern-vintage industrial style reminiscent of gentleman’s smoking rooms of times past. Velvet couches, leather benches and crystal chandeliers decorate the space while moveable furnishings and two large projector walls make this room an adaptable place to host either a social soiree or business function. The Parlour Room has a 100-person occupancy and is best suited for low-key, intimate functions (from The Commons website).

The Hemingway Room

Sleek concrete floors and three grand west-facing windows framed by 22 feet of original exposed brick, The Hemingway Room is simple yet bold, and undeniably charming. Rich in character as the stories once written by Ernest himself, we invite you to compose your event in our most dexterous of venues. (from The Commons website).

The Commodore Room

Since my visit, they’ve added another space at The Commons, The Commodore Room.  With a timeless aesthetic, it features three west-facing windows and an abundance of natural light. Enclosed with crisp white brick borders and anchored by a grande crystal chandelier, its surmounting charm extends far beyond its frame as the most intimate of our event venues (from The Commons Website).  It holds up to 25 people and would be the perfect location for a small gathering (hello bridal shower).  Pop over to their website for images of The Commodore Room.

What is included in your event rental?

Venue rentals at The Commons include the services of their event coordinator.  They can walk you through the details of planning your event…contracts, expectations and procedures. An event attendant is also onsite for the length of your event.

At The Commons, they also offer event planning, event styling and graphic design. Be sure to ask them about the particulars.

Make your wedding uniquely…you!

Industrial, elegant, vintage, chic…all words to describe The Commons. This new and innovative space is filled with nooks and crannies that cry out for fun wedding details (basically a photographer’s dream). Each room is distinctly different and there are endless possibilities for customizing the space for your specific needs.

Erynn and the team are excited to work with couples that love the space as much as they do and are hoping to create a personalized event experience with the team at The Commons.

Recently I featured Charbar, located in the historic Simmons building, as another industrial wedding venue in Calgary.  Take a look.

Industrial wedding venue captured by Calgary Wedding Photographer – Tara Whittaker