Industrial Wedding at a Metalworking Studio
We love that today’s couple knew their venue, Gutierrez Studios, would be the perfect fit for their wedding day because it captured both of their spirits individually — analytic industrialism for the groom, and a blank creative canvas for the bride. Lindsay Hite of READYLUCK and The Vanlandingham Design Studio were the chosen pros to be by their side for the big day, making their vision come to reality with startling clarity and a clear focus on modern design in an industrial setting.
From the bride, Brittany: Greg and I have known each other since elementary school and are living proof that opposites attract. We really wanted a day that would celebrate how much we love one another and how fortunate we are to have so many amazing family and friends. It is so rare and special to have all of the people you love together in one place at the same time. We instantly fell in love with Gutierrez Studios, a working metal studio in Baltimore’s Clipper Mill. The amazing artistry and historic industrial setting seemed like the perfect allegory for Greg’s analytical personality and my creative spirit. The studio is not a traditional event space and we were so thankful to work with Drew at The Vanlandingham Design Studio. He came highly recommended and was without a doubt crucial to making our wedding dream a reality. He really got to know us and translated our personalities along with our rustic and industrial vision into the most meaningful and magical day we could dream of. We worked with fantastic professionals throughout the entire process and with Drew by our side, we didn’t have to worry about a single thing.
Greg gave me a beautiful bracelet along with sweet and silly card. When I opened the card there was also a photo of us taken at our senior prom. The edges were tattered and the photo image was almost peeling away from the plastic backing. I instantly recognized the image and soon realized that he had been carrying this photo in his wallet every day for the past 11 years. Thinking about all of the amazing moments we had shared and all of the memories we still have to make together was definitely one of the most memorable parts of the day.
My dress included a patch sewn into the lining that was made from pieces of family members clothing including my mother’s wedding dress, Greg’s aunt, grandmother, and mother’s wedding dresses, my grandmother’s painting smock, and my grandfather’s apron. It was a special way to feel connected to all of our loved ones. We were very excited to give Daruma Dolls as favors to all of our guests. A daruma doll is a traditional Japanese doll seen as a symbol of perseverance and good luck. When someone receives a daruma doll it has two blank eyes. The recipient fills in one eye upon setting a goal or making a wish, then the other eye once it is fulfilled. Greg’s Bachan, Japanese grandmother, passed down the tradition to her family and we wanted to share it with all of our guests as a special token of thanks and good fortune. We hope all of their wishes come true!
Any advice for couples planning their weddings now? Embrace all obstacles, headaches, challenges, and triumphs with a loving heart. Love is what it’s all about. What you mean to each other is really what makes the day so special.
Love this wedding so much! I used to live at the Clipper Mill and loved parking my car in that gorgeous, light-filled garage. Such a special, hidden spot.