Photo (top): Event venue: FABRIKA - Photographer (left): Duhaut Photography - Photographer (center): Stein van der Looij - Photographer (right): Amelie Bauwens
Article in collaboration with FABRIKA
“We’ve noticed very clearly that couples aren’t just looking for a venue anymore, but for a total experience,” says Lieven Dermul, manager of Lucky Lemon and owner of FABRIKA. “The right energy, a warm, cozy setting, professional lighting and sound systems, a smooth flow between the reception, dinner, and dance party… That’s what makes the difference today. The dance floor doesn’t need to be kicked off. It has to come alive spontaneously.”
That shift has another striking effect: winter, for years the “off-season” for weddings, is gaining a new kind of appeal. A winter wedding almost automatically calls for a strong indoor concept. And that’s exactly where the FABRIKA event venue in Ghent sees an opportunity for the new format of wedding parties.
A wedding at FABRIKA can take place perfectly well in both summer and winter. The story of the wedding venue isn’t about a season, but about the experience and creating an unforgettable day for the couple and their guests.
More certainty
Statistics have shown for years that winter is traditionally less popular for weddings, with the peak occurring in and around the summer months. Our national wedding survey also shows that the most popular months for weddings in 2025 and 2026 are May, June, and September, and that winter months are the least popular for weddings.
That’s exactly what makes winter so appealing to couples looking for something different. There are more available dates, no backup (outdoor) plan is required, and, above all, you’re choosing a setting that naturally feels more intimate and festive.
“With a winter wedding, the focus is immediately on the indoor experience,” says Lieven. “That’s exactly what makes it extra appealing to some couples. You’re choosing a celebration that’s guaranteed to be a success from the start, regardless of the weather.”
From dinner to dancing: the wedding reception as a “cocktail + party”
The biggest shift, however, isn’t in the season, but in the format. Even in the wedding trends of 2026, we’re seeing more and more couples replace the classic seated dinner with a cocktail-style reception, food stations, or a walking dinner, and couples want to get the party started sooner with a more relaxed, spontaneous, and non-traditional schedule.
Lieven recognizes this immediately: “It makes sense: a long dinner can make an evening feel more static. A standing reception, on the other hand, keeps people moving, creates more spontaneous encounters and opportunities to chat, and gets the dance floor going much sooner. Couples literally say, ‘We want everyone to get into the vibe quickly.’ That doesn’t work if you’re ‘sitting at the table for three hours waiting for the party to start.’ We’re therefore seeing more demand for: a longer reception with bites, a short time at the table, dessert at a food station, and then immediately the feeling of a memorable night out with friends and family.”
At the same time, this trend can be a sensitive issue: discussions sometimes arise in the media about parties where guests don’t get to experience a “real dinner.” That makes one thing clear: if you decide to skip the dinner, you need to get the alternative right and still prioritize hospitality—just in a different way.
“It’s not about saving money,” says Lieven. “It’s about a different experience and a celebration that better reflects the couple’s personality. You still ensure that people have fantastic and ample food, in a way where the timing is right, there’s enough variety, and there are late-night snacks, for example... That’s a different approach than the classic banquet, with a customized plan.”
A complete experience with production value
Many couples prefer a setting where they don’t have to arrange everything themselves and, ideally, don’t have to make too many decisions. Lieven explains: “Many couples are no longer looking for a ‘totally blank space’, precisely because that can entail a huge number of choices, additional vendors, and potential stress during the planning process.”
This is precisely where Fabrika positions itself differently from a traditional banquet hall, and more as a venue that offers a total package. It is not a neutral white space, but rather a place where the ‘production value’ is already in place: lighting and sound provide a technically club-worthy setting, which is perfectly suited for wedding receptions and other private events.
“Our added value is that you no longer have to ‘build’ a wedding party,” says Lieven. “Lighting and sound aren’t an afterthought that you have to rent separately; they form the foundation. For couples who say, ‘we want an experience above all else,’ that makes a huge difference.”
Combine venues for a unique flow
Will you be spreading your wedding activities across different venues? “More and more couples are choosing to spread out their wedding celebrations,” says Lieven. “This creates a sense of calm, allows you to choose a different atmosphere for each moment, and makes the experience all the more memorable.”
With Lucky Lemon’s offerings, you can easily combine different venues. PUBLIKA, the other restaurant and event venue operated by Lucky Lemon near Ghent City Hall, is a natural starting point for couples getting married at City Hall. Within walking distance of the ceremony, you’ll find an intimate setting here for a first toast, appetizers, and a relaxed moment with family and friends. Afterward, the party can move on to FABRIKA for dinner and a dance party in a larger, fully equipped hall.
You’ll also find that flexibility in how Lucky Lemon operates as an event agency. Lieven explains: “In addition to our own venues, the team also creates complete concepts at other locations—including outdoor ones—always starting with one question: which place best suits the couple and the story they want for their day? Whether it’s a single celebration or multiple wedding events, in a fixed setting or at a new location: Lucky Lemon takes care of everything, combines elements, and crafts a complete experience that’s perfect down to the last detail.”
About FABRIKA
FABRIKA positions itself as the premier event venue in Ghent, offering a unique indoor experience. This recently renovated ballroom can be fully customized to your wishes, while also providing a ready-made foundation for an unforgettable wedding celebration. The professional, state-of-the-art lighting and sound system, spacious catering kitchen, and bright, airy spaces ensure that everything comes together perfectly.
Lucky Lemon, operator of FABRIKA and a leading party organizer in Ghent, takes your wedding day to the next level here. With years of experience in Ghent’s nightlife & event scene, Lucky Lemon takes on the role of event director: from coordinating with catering and the bar, to decoration, design, technology, hospitality, and music. Thanks to their extensive network and ongoing bookings of DJs, you’ll be matched with the perfect DJ: someone who perfectly senses the vibe you’re looking for and builds the excitement and energy at just the right moment. This way, everything on your big day is fully taken care of from start to finish.
Learn more about this topic via these links:
Top wedding venues in the city
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