The Settlement Building shows off its event space during a Wedding Open House showcasing catering samples, the latest in wedding wear, photography vendors, multiple decor settings and floral packages. The verdict? We’re ready to say yes to the dress, the flowers and the whole package!

It’s not often you get the opportunity to say “I do” in a quintessentially Old Vancouver warehouse. With its tall ceilings, weathered-wood beams, draped garden lights, and soft white cement walls, Railtown’s Settlement Building showcased itself Thursday night as a true one-of-a-kind wedding venue. With a 40–80 guest capacity, this unique space offers an intimate setting for your vows, your reception, or both.

Greeting guests at the entrance were the building’s ornate antique doors, which opened to a hallway of glowing mason jar candles that lighted the way to the wide-open event area (though DJ Man About Town pumping “All Night Long” by Lionel Richie served as a pretty good compass, too). Inside the warmly-lit room, some of the city’s most impressive vendors flaunted their stuff. The Cake & The Giraffe had several of their statuesque cakes on display, while Surmesur showed off their timeless groom wear and custom leather and velvet shoes. Cahoots Creative Happenings’ chic table settings, furniture and floral displays added a retro element that punched up the pretty/industrial theme even more.

The crown jewel of the night, though, had to be the perfectly backlit gown displayed by Blush. Designed by Zavana Bridal, the intricately beaded, not-quite-white dress stole the show with its deep neck line, art-deco-style pattern, and detachable train. Brides-to-be, glowing by candlelight, swooned.

Guests wandered the room clutching mouth-watering dishes from next door’s rustic-style Belgard Kitchen, which catered the event (and, judging by the crowd surrounding the food table the entire night, they were a good choice). Lubricating the room was the central bar, set in a steel shipping container with hinged doors (for that extra industrial-oomph), which served drinks from Postmark Brewing & Vancouver Urban Winery.

The evening was buzzing, and filled with excited chatter. As the music played on, and the servers kept refilling trays, animated brides- and grooms-to-be took notes and snapped photos, as visions of future weddings consumed each and every crack in the building’s old walls.

By Mel Zee