Wedding Venue Highlight: Oakland's Historic 16th Street Station
A Step Back in Time….
If you are looking for a different kind of wedding venue, Oakland’s 16th Street Station is the ticket! The old train station is both majestic and inspiring. The main hall is 7000 square feet with original marble floors, large arches, old window glass, and 4o’ ceilings. If you know me, then you know I particularly love historic venues with beautiful architectural details, crumbling with age and graffiti. I am in awe of the many stories an older building can hold, and when you have your wedding in a historic place like 16th Street Station, yours is added to that great long story. So check out a very special couples’ amazing Orient Express styled wedding. They wanted to go a more non-traditional direction and also really made their wedding day unique to them!
A vintage-themed wedding ceremony on the steps in the main hall.
This couples’ vision for their wedding was a step back in time to the Orient Express, and they encouraged all their guests to wear vintage black tie from any era.
Their wedding invitation was a vintage style train ticket, beautifully designed in Art Deco fashion by Aerialist Press. The bride’s stunning sapphire engagement ring perfectly matched the blue tones of the invitation.
The groom wore his father’s vintage cuff links. And a train pin on the lapel of his deep blue velvet tuxedo.
The happy couple after their First Look! Loved the bride’s colorful bouquet from Brown Paper Design.
A train station ticket collector greeted guests upon arrival at the 16th Street Station.
It was a grand entrance for a grand affair! A red carpet was rolled out and surrounded by an outstanding lighting installation of various sized edison bulb, welcoming guests inside the train station.
When first walking in, you could just feel the layers of texture of this Orient Express wedding! Deep velvets, lush greenery, plush upholstery, colorful antique rugs, peeling plaster on the walls, jewel-toned florals, and warm uplighting with the twinkle of candles.
The ceremony for this wedding was held on the grand staircase, which works perfectly as an altar. A fun fact: These stairs are not original to the station; they were built by HBO for use in a film production!
This old-fashioned split flap train departures sign was a perfect touch and showed some favorite places of the couple. The grandiose size of the train station (it can hold up to 500 guests!) was made so inviting and cozy to wedding guests with warm floral tones and the textures from the vintage plush furnishing by Found Rentals.
All aboard! Love this old-fashioned split flap train station sign.
Rather than formal wedding reception table settings, the couple opted to have lots of lounges sprinkled throughout the train station for guests to relax and mingle. And every where you turned, the train station was filled with wonderful nooks that were brought to life by Shelter Co’s master planning vision for this Orient Express themed wedding. Take a look at all the details!
The gorgeous bride with her besties in the outside lounge area on the platform of the train station.
Victorian-era details every where you turn! This apothecary cabinet displayed little antique tin type portraits.
Instead of a traditional wedding party, the couple invited their closest friends and family to join them for photos in a more Vanity Fair style. The outdoor lounge was perfectly layered with antique Persian rugs and a large half circle sofa, against the backdrop of the graffiti-covered train platform.
Instead of a guest book, vintage-style postcards from cities from all over the world were available for guests to pick out and write a note to the bride and groom! They were nested in this antique card catalog cabinet, and were custom-designed by Lotus & Ash.
This talented singing duo were friends of the bride and groom, and sang vintage tunes as guests arrived.
Signature cocktails were appropriately Roaring Twenties era!
Heading towards the outside back platform was the Champagne Room, for those who preferred some bubbly.
About to get married! The groom goes to find his bride as the ceremony is about to start. I love the jitters and anticipation of these moments!
The ring ceremony was held on top of the grand staircase and guests were invited to gather around rather than a formal seated ceremony. The couples’ close friend officiated the ceremony; the love and support from all the guests in the room was palpable.
That “just married” elation!! I love how happy the bride and groom were as they ran outside.
Signature cocktails ready for the bride and groom.
During the wedding reception there were several food stations representing tastes from Paris, Venice, and Istanbul.
Strike up the band! Hella Fitzgerald kicked off the party and the couple had their First Dance.
Friends of the bride and groom surprised them with a fun cabaret style dance performance!
Down this corridor you’ll find the train car room, a great spot to take a break from all the dancing!
Guests could jump into this velvety, smoky (fog machine!) vintage photo booth from Shoot That Klown.
Instead of a wedding cake, golden dessert carts filled with assorted chocolate truffles, pistachio baklava, pate de fruit, mini apple pies, and macarons were rolled out, and guests could sample the sweets. And later, crepes were prepared as a light, late-night snack.
A last kiss! Cheers to the newlyweds!!
Wedding Vendor Love:
Planning & Rentals by Shelter Co.
Venue 16th Street Station
Photography by Sonya Yruel
Second Photographer Jenya Chernoff
Furnishings by Found Rentals
Linens by La Tavola
Draping/Rental Installations by Bright Event Rentals
Paper Goods by Lotus & Ash
Catering by Componere Fine Catering
Floral Designs by Brown Paper Design
Lighting & Power by Got Light
Live Duo, friends of the bride & groom
Live Band Hella Fitzgerald from Entire Productions
DJ from Dart Collective
Photo Booth by Shoot That Klown
Hair & Makeup by JT Artistry
Limo by Avenue Limo
Security by Overall & Associates Security
Valet Service by National Parking & Valet
Restrooms by Honeybucket
Film Processing by The Find Lab
***UPDATE*** The 16th Street Station closed during the pandemic and has since to re-open. I’m so sad about this, but would like to leave this post as an homage to this beautiful venue.
16th Street Station, the Quick Details:
The 16th Street Station is a decommissioned train station in Oakland, California. It was built by Southern Pacific Railway and opened in 1912, making Oakland the gateway to San Francisco by train, and the last stop of the transcontinental railroad in the West. For a period of time it was connected with the trains-only lower deck of the Bay Bridge into San Francisco! The station became known as the “Ellis Island of the West” because of the many immigrants that passed through it.
Urban Beauty: the peeling plaster, exposed brick, graffiti covered elevated train tracks.
Location: West Oakland with and parking for you and your guests inside the gates.
Size & Feel: Dramatic, vintage, and a grand spaciousness from another era.
Guest Capacity: 500
Photo Perk: The venue has large windows in main hall that stream in a moody, beautiful light. The outside area behind the station has great open shade natural light to take photos amongst the support pillars of the elevated tracks.
This venue is the right fit for you if you’re looking for a unique space with history and a raw elegance. Currently the rental rates are budget-friendly, though the venue will require some planning to bring in certain necessities such as bathrooms, lighting, furniture rentals, and a self-sufficient caterer as there is no kitchen. There is space for parking within the property, though ride share is recommended for high-capacity events. There is also ample storage for vendors in the baggage wing, which is large enough to house a separate event!
To find out about photography for your wedding:
You can see the gallery from this wedding here.
A view of the main hall before wedding set-up. I love the peeling plaster that exposes the brick behind it!
Postcard courtesy https://alamedainfo.com