Wedding Ceremony Venue Ideas

[Bill Bumface]

I'm getting hitched next year and have the reception booked, but no luck on the ceremony yet.

We have a JP friend we'd like to do the ceremony if possible, and both of us are godless heathens, so we aren't too into having to do church marriage counseling or anything like that.

Close to downtown is good, old is good. Cheap is better, but if it's cool I'm willing to spend some money on it. Has to hold 150 people.

Options we've tried so far:

Zoo- $$$, and it's outdoor with the backup plan being the Safari Lodge (meh) and June is the wettest month of the year.

Heritage Park- Nothing big enough

Globe Theatre- a bit $, but an option

The Plaza- Unknown pricing and won't book very far out

Aerospace Museum- I was so excited for this one... $3700 though

Lougheed house- too small

Knox United- $$, and can't use our guy

Endeavor Arts- $$ plus have to rent chairs


Any other good ideas for us?

[FireFly]

Devonian gardens should be available again... probably pricey though.

There's the bird sanctuary which is nice... not sure if they do things like that.

[FireFly]

Oh, and Congrats.

[sketchyt]

I found the Delta downtown was reasonably priced compared to other downtown hotels.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by FireFly

Devonian gardens should be available again... probably pricey though.

There's the bird sanctuary which is nice... not sure if they do things like that.

Devonian isn't open for booking until it's open to the public again, but that would be awesome.

Originally Posted by fotze

Good thinking on the wedding timing, and I must say 'wow' you know your future wife well, should be a good match.

Do it in your backyard thats what we did and as you will see, what everyone did themself is the best idea.

haha, I actually thought of the backyard thing. Think I could squeeze 140 back there? I was kind of doubting it...

Funny story, my possession on the house took forever because..... the last guy got married back there.

[Shawnski]

DJed a wedding at the Zoo before. Bit of a pain in the @$$ to haul the gear in but it was a nice setting.

Does the wedding have to be at the same place as the reception? If not, you might consider renting a community center for the reception and have the wedding wherever you think is scenic, etc.

[albertGQ]

We had ours at confederation park. We ordered chairs and booked the day. It was in September so the leaves on the grass made it a very nice colour.
We got some butterflies as a surprise and gave them to our family who sat in the front row. When we did our first kiss, the butterflies were released. Everyone at the ceremony didn't know about it so they were pretty amazed. We saw tons of pictures afterwards with the nice blue sky, colourful leaves and butterflies fluttering in the air.
It was pretty awesome.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

I don't know how Calgary works, but if your ceremony is short are there any park venues that would be appropriate?

Here in Sydney lots of people get married in the Gazebo of the big park downtown, then do pictures throughout. I don't think there's even a cost to it. However if you wanted decorations and such other than the landscaping that's done I don't know if it would be possible.

Are you ONLY looking for a ceremony venue? What about reception? I would assume out there, it would operate like here, you'd be able to use the reception venue for the ceremony itself, then simply move things around for the actual reception.

Sorry I couldn't be more help, but I'm just trying to think of options here and suggest if there are comparison's out there.

I'd think for 140 standing, lots of the hotels would be able to accommodate that.

If you didn't want to get married in a church, possibly a church hall (or any other community centre, legion, etc?)

Is there anything at the University? I'd bet you could get room out there cheap during the summer (but I don't know what SAIT, Mount Royal or UofC are like, let alone in the summer so I could be way off base there).

What about a small theatre? (Again throwing ideas at the wall and seeing if they stick)

[getbak]

Do it as a flash mob at Olympic Plaza.

[surferguy]

Be unique and do it on the C-Train. Seats are already there and an aisle already exists! I guess some people might have to sit backwards though. Pros and Cons

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by getbak

Do it as a flash mob at Olympic Plaza.

I was coming in to actually say that one...but went with ^^^^ instead

[VladtheImpaler]

If you want old... the Ranche at Fish Creek. You could also do the gazebo at the Ranche which is (a) cheap ($150 I think) and (b) a nice setting, but it's outside and you would just need to strategically place the guests...

[EVERLAST]

Pick your 3 favorite restaurants ........see what they would charge for a private function....usually they can offer quite a bit.

The Ranche at Fish Creek park would be a great spot .....^^^^^posted seconds after VLADDY

[Shawnski]

The Ranche is a nice venue (DJed one there last summer), but you wouldn't get 150 squeezed in there (for a reception), I don't believe.

[saskflames69]

Rexall Place.

It's always available during this time of the year.

[Northendzone]

How about under the fifth st. Flyover. Outside and covered in case of rain.

[ranchlandsselling]

Outdoor at the Ranch. Went to one in a september. It snowed.

[manwiches]

My wife and I got married at the wedding pavillion 2 years ago. it was gorgeous then, and i heard it's still gorgeous now. Booking there comes with a wedding planner for the ceremony etc. It's very grandeur, and very picturesque. We aren't religious by any stretch either, so it provided a wedding hall feel without the religious aspects around.

We loved it. Would recommend anybody to at least take a look.

[To Be Quite Honest]

Congratulations!

Banff/Canmore of the side of a mountain. I know a few nice spots.

Also, I know a great guy who can build you a kick butt wedding video!

[Street Pharmacist]

Kelowna at a winery. It's a little far, but gorgeous