[NumberFive]

Wanted to pick the brains of the Calgary folk... got engaged on the weekend and looking for locations.

Right now, we have a hold on the Newport Grill (Inn on Lake Bonavista) for our date, but aren't sure if we want to do both the Ceremony and Reception there... or just do the reception there and do the ceremony elsewhere (if we do both there, there would be about a 25 minute time period where they taking down the chairs and setting up our tables).

We also have a hold on Valley Ridge Golf Course to do both the wedding (outdoors on their stone patio) and reception there (in their big banquet room).

Not sure what to choose though...

Anybody here been to any weddings recently in Calgary that they remember the venues being particularly good? Any advice for us between our two locations?

[RWin]

How many guests?

Went to one at Lougheed House. Nice place.

[NumberFive]

How many guests?

Went to one at Lougheed House. Nice place.


We're pretty flexible on guest size... we made a "min list" at 105 invites, and a "max list" at 155 invites...

[RWin]

We went to a wedding this summer at Levilla Restaurant. The reception and JP ceremony was at the restaurant followed by a small ceremony in the couple's back yard.

This place had the best wedding food I've ever had. The room was fairly small but I think there was still around 75 guests.

(We've probably been to about 20 weddings in the last 2 years.)

[h0twired]

My wife and I got married at Valley Ridge.

EXCELLENT location and the food quality surpassed my expectations.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Congratulations.

Hmmm...last wedding I went to in Calgary was just the post-wedding reception party. The actual wedding happened out of country since they lived out of the country, but they wanted to do something for the friends and family in Canada.

They had it at Broken Plate in Kensington. Great food, and a really nice space for it. They even did the breaking plate thing which was a lot of fun. Although it was a smaller gathering than what you're looking at. Probably about 50.

Whatever you end up doing, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. My wife and I just got married two months ago in Banff and we had more fun than either of us could imagine. I don't think I ever remember laughing and smiling so much in my life. Ours was very small (19 people at dinner including us). Try not to panic too much before hand and just enjoy the day.

[freeweed]

If we ever have a brain fart and do go in for the whole wedding thing, we've already picked out several spots:

Top of Fairview Mountain, Top of Cascade Mountain, or if we're feeling very masochistic, top of Mt. Temple. It's a great way to keep the guest list manageable (:haha:), and sure to be a memorable experience.

Needless to say, we're not known as the most traditional couple you'd meet. ;)

I assume this is nothing like what you're asking for in terms of suggestions though. :jester:

[NumberFive]

Congratulations.
Try not to panic too much before hand and just enjoy the day.

This is no easy task.

[NumberFive]

My wife and I got married at Valley Ridge.

EXCELLENT location and the food quality surpassed my expectations.

We were wondering how the food would be there... it seems like a nice location, and easy to do. We have a date held there, and don't know why we're waivering on it... but the appeal of having reception (and potentially ceremony) overlooking Lake Bonavista is still there.

[HomeInMyShoes]

This is no easy task.

Haha, I totally understand. Just try to keep perspective because it's the day itself and not every little detail that is going to make it awesome. I'm speaking from my wife's revelation at the end of day that the day wasn't about the dress, but about the people around us.

Have you been sucked into any of the wedding planning sites yet? That's sure to drive you insane. :)

[HomeInMyShoes]

Have you been there to eat NumbeFive? That's always a good way to get a feel for the menu and the quality of the food, especially since food is a pretty subjective thing. There's no guarantee that it'll be the same guys working the kitchen when your day comes up, but it should give you an idea what they do management-wise. Again, in the end some things are out of your control, so I would probably pick location over food.

[SubwayRev]

I went to a wedding at the Wainwright hotel in Heritage Park. The reception was great, and it's kind of a unique setting. I've heard of weddings at Devonian Gardens, which I think could be quite nice. You can do the cermony and the reception there.

[NumberFive]

Have you been there to eat NumbeFive?

Have eaten at the Newport Grill... never at Valley Ridge though.

[Rusty van Reddick]

CONGRATS!

We went to a wedding in an odd space that ended up working beautifully- Virginia Christopher art gallery on 11th Ave near Brewster's. The food was fantastic because there's also that restaurant on site (one of the Ennest's projects- they're the folks behind Diner Deluxe, Urban Baker, etc)

[NumberFive]

I went to a wedding at the Wainwright hotel in Heritage Park. The reception was great, and it's kind of a unique setting. I've heard of weddings at Devonian Gardens, which I think could be quite nice. You can do the cermony and the reception there.

We had heard the Devonian Gardens is nice... looked it up and looks decent.

[NumberFive]

CONGRATS!

We went to a wedding in an odd space that ended up working beautifully- Virginia Christopher art gallery on 11th Ave near Brewster's. The food was fantastic because there's also that restaurant on site (one of the Ennest's projects- they're the folks behind Diner Deluxe, Urban Baker, etc)

Often I've heard it's the obscure places that end up being the most memorable and having the most character.

[chenmau]

Calgary Chamber of Commerce

[Doug]

Of all the weddings I've been to in Calgary, the venue that stands out is the Ranche in Fish Creek Park, although I would expect it to be pricey for that many guests. Also been to ones at Rouge in Inglewood, the Eagle's Nest at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, and the Canmore Nordic Center - all great sites.

I got married early on a Saturday morning on a dock at Lake Tahoe - no guests, and then went skiing for the rest of the day:)

[mersar]

We had heard the Devonian Gardens is nice... looked it up and looks decent.

My cousin got married there a few years back, was decent for a smaller number of guests (probably max of about 50-60).

[NumberFive]

Of all the weddings I've been to in Calgary, the venue that stands out is the Ranche in Fish Creek Park, although I would expect it to be pricey for that many guests.


My buddy had his there a couple summers ago, although, they did it on a Thursday avoid some of the costs of having a Saturday there.

[NumberFive]

My cousin got married there a few years back, was decent for a smaller number of guests (probably max of about 50-60).

They seem to have a few different areas accommodating various sizes.

[Deepstar]

My cousin got married at Heritage park (Wainwright Hotel) and it was a good time. Summer would obviously be better.

[jawagord]

Wanted to pick the brains of the Calgary folk... got engaged on the weekend and looking for locations.

Right now, we have a hold on the Newport Grill (Inn on Lake Bonavista) for our date, but aren't sure if we want to do both the Ceremony and Reception there... or just do the reception there and do the ceremony elsewhere (if we do both there, there would be about a 25 minute time period where they taking down the chairs and setting up our tables).

We also have a hold on Valley Ridge Golf Course to do both the wedding (outdoors on their stone patio) and reception there (in their big banquet room).

Not sure what to choose though...

Anybody here been to any weddings recently in Calgary that they remember the venues being particularly good? Any advice for us between our two locations?

My wife and I had our wedding and reception at Spruce Meadows, very nice facility and grounds. We also looked at the zoo tropical gardens who have a great set-up for smaller weddings and receptions. Friends of ours had their wedding and reception at COP in the 90 meter jump tower rooms.

[NumberFive]

My wife and I had our wedding and reception at Spruce Meadows, very nice facility and grounds. We also looked at the zoo tropical gardens who have a great set-up for smaller weddings and receptions. Friends of ours had their wedding and reception at COP in the 90 meter jump tower rooms.

Looked into Spruce Meadows... was it really expensive?? Seemed that way when we looked.

[jawagord]

Looked into Spruce Meadows... was it really expensive?? Seemed that way when we looked.


It was more expensive than some of the other places we looked at, I don't recall the price, but it was value for money.

[bendecido]

I was going to pipe in about Spruce Meadows as well. I guess it's all relative because you get what you pay for. My sister got married at Spruce Meadows in January, which I went back for. I used to work at Spruce Meadows when I was younger and was curious about how I would experience it as a "customer." I can tell you, if you have the money to spend, I can't imagine many places in Calgary doing a better job than they did. Food was great, staff was professional and courteous, and the setting was just great.

[bigcanuck]

Local weddings I've been to:

Springbank Links (my own) - large outdoor patio overlooking the city. Reception room is nice, members lounge can be used for a 'informal' cocktail party style reception if you don't want the traditional sit-down event.
Zoo - nice atmosphere in the greenhouse (or whatever it's called) - can be noisy if they forget to turn the waterfall off. Size can be an issue. Meal was ok.
Canyon Meadows G&CC - underwhelming - older facility
Ranche at Fish Creek - very good. Nice outdoor lawn for reasonable sized group. Food was v.good.
Deane House - can be small. Food was good - setting is nice but it's not one big room like standard wedding settings.
Glenmore Inn - typical hotel ballroom setting. Thin walls between meeting rooms and can be distracting if the neighbouring wedding kicks off their dancing prior your speeches being complete.
Al Azhar Temple - nice outdoor lawn for ceremony. Nice big inside room for reception - if you don't mind animal antlers and photos on the walls (not my cup of tea).
The Wedding Pavilion - kinda formal and frou-frou. Underwhelmed with food & service. They screwed up the recorded music twice for the bride.
Calgary G&CC - Nice setting - ceremony would be good for a modest amount of people. Reception was very good - food was good. Nice setting but likely pricey or for members only.

[NumberFive]

Local weddings I've been to:

Springbank Links (my own) - large outdoor patio overlooking the city. Reception room is nice, members lounge can be used for a 'informal' cocktail party style reception if you don't want the traditional sit-down event.
Zoo - nice atmosphere in the greenhouse (or whatever it's called) - can be noisy if they forget to turn the waterfall off. Size can be an issue. Meal was ok.
Canyon Meadows G&CC - underwhelming - older facility
Ranche at Fish Creek - very good. Nice outdoor lawn for reasonable sized group. Food was v.good.
Deane House - can be small. Food was good - setting is nice but it's not one big room like standard wedding settings.
Glenmore Inn - typical hotel ballroom setting. Thin walls between meeting rooms and can be distracting if the neighbouring wedding kicks off their dancing prior your speeches being complete.
Al Azhar Temple - nice outdoor lawn for ceremony. Nice big inside room for reception - if you don't mind animal antlers and photos on the walls (not my cup of tea).
The Wedding Pavilion - kinda formal and frou-frou. Underwhelmed with food & service. They screwed up the recorded music twice for the bride.
Calgary G&CC - Nice setting - ceremony would be good for a modest amount of people. Reception was very good - food was good. Nice setting but likely pricey or for members only.

Sweet info, thanks.

[NumberFive]

I don't suppose any of you have and any exceptional or bad experience with any notable photographers, have you?

Those things have become REALLY pricey it seems...

I'm meeting a guy tonight, small studio, only a part time thing for him. But he's affordable at least (and I don't necessarly believe he's any worse some of the "big names"). I've talked to some other people, but lots of packages start for nothing less than $4000, which is quite outrageous if you ask me.

[240glt]

Isn't your future father in law supposed to be paying for all that ? :D

[HomeInMyShoes]

^^Haha, pricey. Everything that has the word wedding attached to it in anyway is instantly marked up 220%. I bet you could get a cake from a bakery for like $95. Say you need a wedding cake and it's automatically $225. Seriously. It's insane. Welcome to hell. :)

[bigcanuck]

I don't suppose any of you have and any exceptional or bad experience with any notable photographers, have you?

Those things have become REALLY pricey it seems...

I'm meeting a guy tonight, small studio, only a part time thing for him. But he's affordable at least (and I don't necessarly believe he's any worse some of the "big names"). I've talked to some other people, but lots of packages start for nothing less than $4000, which is quite outrageous if you ask me.

Our photographer was good - www.alanmaudie.com

His rates were very reasonable at the time (under $2k) and he gave you the digital images. His rates went up a couple of years ago and I'm not sure if he still gives the image files.

[Beltliner]

My younger sister had her wedding, dinner, and reception for about fifty guests at the Rouge in Inglewood--lovely setting, wonderful cuisine.

Can't quote you a price, but it's still probably cheaper than a trip to Las Vegas. Mind you, we had our wedding-day supper for a party of five at the MGM Grand's Nob Hill--not even remotely cheap, but fantastic Bay Area cuisine, excellent service, and many happy memories, chief among which was the auntie-in-law declaring at the top of her lungs that "Thish izh a clashy plaish!" :D

[NumberFive]

^^Haha, pricey. Everything that has the word wedding attached to it in anyway is instantly marked up 220%. I bet you could get a cake from a bakery for like $95. Say you need a wedding cake and it's automatically $225. Seriously. It's insane. Welcome to hell. :)

It's true. Actually, my fiance has a relative who makes great looking wedding cakes as a hobby/side business... can get a beautiful multi-tiered cake for really cheap.

But ya, it is insane.

[NumberFive]

Our photographer was good - www.alanmaudie.com

His rates were very reasonable at the time (under $2k) and he gave you the digital images. His rates went up a couple of years ago and I'm not sure if he still gives the image files.

Ya, talked to him. He costs a fortune now. His base package is $4600, and that doesn't take into account adding extra time (he only stays with you for 6 hours, which isn't really enough to get a whole days worth of events in) or getting the digitals. At a cost of $500 for every extra hour you need him, and $1000 to get a CD with all the pics on it, it was going to add up quickly.

Met a guy today who has only been around a couple years... he's willing to spend the entire day with us, give us the originals on disk, along with 200 pictures of our choice "touched up and enhanced" for $2500. Seemed like a way better deal.

[NumberFive]

Our photographer was good - www.alanmaudie.com

His rates were very reasonable at the time (under $2k) and he gave you the digital images. His rates went up a couple of years ago and I'm not sure if he still gives the image files.

It seems like the biggest difference between some of the prices is simply how well known they are. When you look at their portfolios, a lot look the same... but some other guys can't charge as much because they aren't well known enough to get booked at that rate. A guy like Alan Maudie can charge whatever he wants. When he's doing weddings like he did a month ago in Banff (800 person, biggest most expensive wedding ever held out there), he can do pull in any business he needs.

[sync]

me and my girl are thinking of having our wedding at artists of the world.

www.artevo.com/aotw/

[bigcanuck]

Ya, talked to him. He costs a fortune now. His base package is $4600, and that doesn't take into account adding extra time (he only stays with you for 6 hours, which isn't really enough to get a whole days worth of events in) or getting the digitals. At a cost of $500 for every extra hour you need him, and $1000 to get a CD with all the pics on it, it was going to add up quickly.

Damn - I guess we had good timing. We caught Alan before he was bigtime.

[NumberFive]

me and my girl are thinking of having our wedding at artists of the world.

www.artevo.com/aotw/

I looked into that place and called them, but they never called me back!

[HomeInMyShoes]

Alan's prices have gone up again obviously. $4000 used to include the colour-corrected digitals. I can say nothing but good things for him being professional, easy to work with, great at making us feel comfortable, and for having an absolute blast all day.

[glam]

Not exactly in Calgary, but my wife and I got married in Banff at St. George's in the Pines and then had our reception up on the 2nd floor of Ski Lodge at Mt. Norquay.

The food was very good and the service was great and the atmosphere was magical.

Thankfully, the weather cooperated and nobody had any troubles (in particular out of town and overseas guests) getting up the switchbacks in the road.