By Laura Samuel Meyn
Bring inspiration and a wedding planner — these three new locales offer stylish yet spare backdrops and open-vendor policies that invite couples to build their dream celebration.
URBAN FIRE HOUSE
8300 Starnes Road, North Richland Hills, 817-925-3339, urbanfirehouseevents.com
Back story Interior designer Ginger Curtis purchased North Richland Hills’ abandoned fire station to house her Urbanology Designs firm in 2017, creating a beautiful office tucked into the loft and renting out the old firemen’s suites as office spaces. It wasn’t long before she envisioned the 1,700-square-foot engine room, with 14-foot ceilings and open rafters, as an event space. The venue made its debut in the spring of 2019.
Location The Mid-Cities location places Urban Fire House between Dallas and Fort Worth.
Style and setup Designed by the Urbanology team, the venue has stained concrete floors that have a mottled, marbled effect and soaring windows (where rusty garage doors used to be) that bathe the space in natural light. White paint and exposed ceiling rafters give it an open, airy feel — and a place to hang floral arrangements. The oak staircase with glass sides makes for the perfect spot for group photos.
Capacity Urban Fire House can accommodate up to 98 guests for a seated dinner.
Bonus A fenced-in patio on the building’s east side provides the right setting for a cocktail hour, while the backyard holds even more outdoor space. Custom maple tables in 6- and 9-foot lengths, industrial metal chairs and cocktail tables with white linens are available for on-site rental.
Know this While the venue only has 16 parking spots on its property, agreements with neighboring businesses open up additional parking nearby; most couples hire a valet service.
THE OSTREUM
108 South Freeway, Suite 130, Fort Worth, 817-725-7711, theostreum.com
Back story When the developers behind Fort Worth’s O.B. Macaroni building, M2G Ventures, dreamed of using the early 1900s warehouse space as a venue, they reached out to the talent behind another venue, Brik, asking its founder and owner Lynsie Blau to partner on The Ostreum. The venue name is Latin for “oyster,” says Blau, because while the exterior of the warehouse isn’t much to look at, the inside is a hidden treasure. The venue opened its doors in July 2019.
Location South of downtown Fort Worth in the Near Southside neighborhood, The Ostreum is in a growing area, just around the corner from South Main Village.
Style and setup Expect art deco style and a speakeasy vibe; red cedar columns line the space, which has old cinder block walls. “Its original purpose was to store the pasta,” says Blau, who describes the space as moody, romantic and sultry. “Because of the history, several of my booked clients are serving a pasta bar to guests.” Square dinner tables, cocktail tables, black Chiavari chairs and portable bars are included in the rental fee.
Capacity With 10,000 square feet of space dividable by plum-colored drapes, The Ostreum can host a ceremony and reception for up to 300 guests, a seated reception for up to 400 guests or a cocktail-style reception for up to 600 guests.
Bonus The venue books just one event per day, so there will be plenty of time to get ready on-site; amenities include large, high-end dressing rooms for both men and women. The venue plans to eventually offer rooftop access with a view of downtown.
Know this On-site parking is limited, but valet service and security are both included with the rental fee.
THE VINTAGE RAIL
2808 Stanley Ave., Fort Worth, 972-742-3950, thevintagerail.events
Back story The Vintage Rail opened in February 2019 after two couples partnered to convert a vintage Quonset hut — an iconic corrugated steel building with a semicircular facade — into a special-events venue. The 1941 building once used for storage now serves as an industrial backdrop to modern weddings, receptions and other celebrations.
Location Tucked away near Fort Worth’s Frisco Heights neighborhood and Paschal High School, The Vintage Rail is named for the nearby railroad.
Style and setup The building and courtyard, which is crisscrossed by string lights, offer a blank slate for celebrations. “For brides who love being outdoors for their vows, we have a gorgeous ceremony canopy framing one end of the crushed granite courtyard,” says co-owner Katy Tullos. “For brides who love a dramatic flair, our glass garage door can be opened for a grand entrance down a long center aisle.”
Capacity For a seated dinner with a DJ and a dance floor, The Vintage Rail can accommodate up to 150 guests. For more fluid setups — like the dessert and coffee bar reception they recently hosted — the venue can hold up to 250 guests.
Bonus The pink and white neon “Keep it Funky Fort Worth” sign has proven a popular detail in the courtyard.
Know this A parking lot with 25 spots is augmented by street parking and an agreement with a nearby grocery store; set up a shuttle or valet service to make it even easier for your guests.