Café Modelé has been the talk of the town since opening its doors last year in the trendy Marolles neighbourhood in Brussels. Soon, it will host the wedding party of one its first-ever customers.
Half cafe, half workshop, the space has become what urbanists call a ‘third place’ – a social environment separate from both home and work.
People are invited to paint ready-made ceramics pots in the style of their choice, while also ordering a beverage (menu includes both coffee and wine) or try the home-made cakes while they do it.
The concept is simple: you choose your piece of pottery from the shop’s selection, choose your colours, paint it (with inspiration assistance from the team), send it off to be fired in a 1000°C oven and then collect it after 10 days.
Café Modelé. Credit: Pumpkin Agency
The cafe’s resounding success was reflecting when it made it into Google Maps’ prestigious most-highly rated spots in Brussels, coming third in the rankings which were released last February.
"Ceramic painting is so accessible that it always works out beautifully," says Café Modelé owner Aryann. "I just wanted a place where everyone could feel legitimate in creating. It’s so simple that everyone should try it… and leave proud of the result."
This formula has proved popular, with two of its earliest customers, Alice and Thibaut, choosing to celebrate a part of their wedding at the cafe in typical Brusselier fashion, after getting married inside the Grand-Place on 4 October.
Café Modelé owner Aryann. Credit: Pumpkin Agency
"They chose Café Modelé because they wanted for the whole celebration to happen within the confines of the City of Brussels," Aryann tells The Brussels Times. "So getting married on Grand Place, then taking the courtège by metro to my space."
The newlyweds picked Café Modelé in part because they have 35 guests and the cafe has exactly 35 seating places, but mainly because they wanted to spread "positive vibes in our neighbourhood."
"Our idea was to organise some type of out of the ordinary activity, something quirky, something unexpected," soon-to-be newlyweds Alice and Thibaut told The Brussels Times.
"We chose Café Modelé as it is located in the heart of Brussels where we live. Having met the owner Aryann just after she opened, we felt this could be our way to give back to our local community in a creative manner," they continued.
Inside the café, each guest will paint a piece of the couple’s future tableware set, themed around Belgium and its cultural icons, especially the country’s legendary comic books.
The happy couple chose this theme to pay tribute to the country where they were born, grew up, met, and plan to build a future together.
Alice & Thibaut will be getting married at Café Modelé on 4 October
"We simply love Belgium; its people, its heritage and culture," they continued. "It is a country of hopeful complainers. As we are sandwiched between the chauvinistic French and overly enthusiastic Dutch, we often dare not speak proudly or recognise these aspects."
The newly-weds have chosen food, drinks, comic strips, landmarks, art & design. All of the pieces painted by the wedding guests will form part of Alice and Thibaut’s future kitchenware.
To celebrate, right before the wedding party arrives, Café Modelé will open its doors with an exceptional offer to paint as many pieces as you’d like at half price from 15:45 to 17:15.
