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[Paragon]

I am having trouble finding outdoor garden/lawn ceremony-only venues for 150 guests seated. Anyone know how to get in touch with private mansion owners willing to rent their lawn/garden for a couple hours? I've heard of this being done and it sounds perfect...but how?

Before you respond, here are my research already done, might be of help to other brides:

a) Brock house - you have to have your reception there - too pricey!
b) Celebration Pavilion Queen E Park - only holds 100 ppl.
c) Public parks - have to stand up, no music, etc. and I've heard horror stories about dogs pooping and guys jogging by your ceremony with shirts off. No privacy.
d) Called some Bed and Breakfasts but many not zoned for weddings - am still open to this idea! trying to contact Balfour
e) All other gardens you have to be having your reception there from what I have found! (Aberthau House, University Golf Club Gazebo, Momiji Gardens is linked to The Hastings Room I think)
f) Van Dusen, way pricey, but we're thinking about it now!
g) UBC Botanical - not allowed more than 12 ppl.
h) Park and Tilford Gardens - Not allowed more than 50 or so?
i) Cecil Green Park, great lawn, but even if not having reception there, you have to rent the whole house to have cermony there and it costs $2100! And too small for a 150 reception.

I heard about Haverhill House, a mansion in West Van privately owned and rented last year for a wedding...any info on how to get in touch? Michael something or other owns it...?

Casa Mia on Marine Drive would be another great one!

[tanya777]

I can totally relate to you. I couldn't find anything in my price range and the big thing was I couldn'd find a garden ceremony place for 130+people. I'll keep an ear open for places. I gave up and just went with a golf course. Ceremony and reception now at the same place (bonus for me) and I still get the flower, green grass, pond, patio affect that works for me.

Good Luck...

[Paragon]

Yeah, golf courses are becoming main contenders for me too! But they are not that cheap for dinner/drinks. And location can be a problem (we are right in Vancouver and reasonable golf courses are far away). The cheaper courses are farther from the city.

I actually have a date set at Mayfair Lakes in Richmond...gorgeous ceremony site on the "island" , reception room is alright, nothing spectacular with small dancefloor. I was worried about having to put up all my guests at some hotel in Richmond that wouldn't be as nice nor exciting as downtown Vancouver and personally I don't want to have my wedding night in Richmond. I want to go to Le Soleil downtown!

So I am still undecided!!

My other option is the Law Courts Inn restaurant for reception, and find a garden ceremony location in or near the city. So until I exhaust that option, I am not ready to book for sure at Mayfair.

[katy]

I had my wedding in August at Mayfair Lakes Golf and Country Club and it was fabulous. The wedding site is beautiful and so was the reception room. Everything at Mayfair was excellent from the moment you and your guest arrive 'til you leave at the end of the day. My guests especially enjoyed the food, which is the most important thing. You know what they say, "People might not remember your wedding but they will remember the food." Everybody, including myself and my husband, loved the food (especially the prime rib).

I cannot say anything bad about that place. I highly recommend it.

If you see Devon tell her Katya said "hi". She's such a sweet gal.

[admin]

Hi Katy,

How about sharing some of your wedding photos with us by posting them on our photo gallery? I have never been to Mayfair before.

[tanya777]

I would love to see your picture too Katy

[katy]

Here are some wedding pics taken by friends and family.

[jen m]

You could check out this place:
http://www.gardenweddingsbyladybug.ca/index.htm

You can choose to have the only the ceremony there, but they
do receptions also. They provide the chairs, awnings etc. and do all the set-up which is great. They quote a price for 75 guests so you would have to call to see if they can accomodate 150. The other drawback is that it is in Bradner, out near Abbotsford.
Trying to find a venue is sooo frustrating I know.

Good luck!

[2times]

here's a link to the Rose Garden in New Westminster
http://www.nwpr.bc.ca/parks%20web%20...%20garden.html

another link for the City of Burnaby
http://www.city.burnaby.bc.ca/cityha...src_fclts.html

and here's one for the Hart House Restaurant, Burnaby
http://www.harthouserestaurant.com/banquets.html

here's the link for the Centennial Rose Garden on Burnaby Mountain (close to Horizon's restaurant)
http://www.tourismburnaby.com/node/120

then you could try the GVRD website for heritage homes & picnic sites http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/

good luck with your search!

[Paragon]

Hey Katy,
I love your pics of Mayfair lakes! Who did your pillars and bouquets for the front of the ceremony? Are those fresh flowers or silks? I need something similar and am wondering what you paid, who you used! Please advise!

Also, I for anyone on this thread, I booked at Hycroft Manor for the ceremony! Very reasonable and you can use their lovely gardens and some rooms of the house for under $1000! I rented 3 rooms and gardens for $425 for 4 hours. They are RIGHT in Vancouver, so handy for me, and it's a mansion like I always dreamed of...

paragon

[jen m]

Originally Posted by Paragon

Also, I for anyone on this thread, I booked at Hycroft Manor for the ceremony! Very reasonable and you can use their lovely gardens and some rooms of the house for under $1000! I rented 3 rooms and gardens for $425 for 4 hours. They are RIGHT in Vancouver, so handy for me, and it's a mansion like I always dreamed of...

paragon

Do you mind if I ask what day of the week you booked it for? When I enquired about Hycroft, I was told that on Saturdays the only option was to book the whole house for 8 hours at a cost
of $3500! and that did not include chairs or tables.