(Vancouver | Calgary & Edmonton | Toronto)

[beleebala]

Originally Posted by lovepirate

Whereabouts?

I'd look into maybe finding a gorgeous bed and breakfast or a nice restaurant.

Great to see you return to this forum to give advice to new brides! This forum would not have existed without the help from "Founding Members" like you!
Thanks!

[lovepirate]

Originally Posted by beleebala

Great to see you return to this forum to give advice to new brides! This forum would not have existed without the help from "Founding Members" like you!
Thanks!

Aw shucks
this forum is awesome! i still like to keep an eye on it sometimes even though my wedding is long over and gone, i did learn a few things back then and am always willing to help.

[angelfire99]

Well I'm mainly looking in the Vancouver area, but outside the city would be okay as well, within reasonable distance (an hour or so drive). My other concern is how much it would cost. We're on a tight budget as we're paying for this ourselves and I want it to be very casual yet elegant.

[vmec]

Hi,

I believe that surgarandsurgar is AKA Canvas lounge (these days...)

[jenkuma]

You might want to try http://www.ultimatevenues.com. It's the only site (as far as I know) that lists venues with capacity and pricing information.

Anyone know of anything similar for flowers, deejays, etc.?

[Holly_-_82]

Hi,

Thank you very much for this "master list".

But please, is anyone able to give kind of stars to these reception halls according to the Quality/price?

I just arrived in Vancouver and I'm pretty scared to have to visit half of these reception hall....

Thank you very much for the help you can provide.

[hhsu]

The Master List is fantastic - thank you so much!

I have 2 questions:

1. I'm wondering if anyone has any feedback about Law Courts
Inn?

2. We're also looking for church venues - any suggestions?

Thanks!
Helen

[mackenzie10]

My fiance and I are looking at venues for our ceremony/reception outside of vancouver area. I am looking at Port Moody, Pitt Meadows, Fort Langley even out towards Mission. Even in the Okanagan. I found the Old Orchard Hall in Port Moody but I can't find a way to contact them. Can anybody help?

[LateWinterBride]

I've been to a gorgeous wedding reception held at Minter Gardens.

http://www.mintergardens.com/Home_Map.htm

Gorgeous grounds, beautiful venue. Food was great. The couple had their ceremony in Chilliwack in a lovely quaint chapel owned by the wedding photographers, White Album Photography

http://www.whitealbumphoto.ca/

I would also consider the Harrison Hot Springs resort if you are having a summer wedding. You could get married on the beach!

Hope this helps!

<3 LateWinterBride

help!!
My fiance and I are looking at venues for our ceremony/reception outside of vancouver area. I am looking at Port Moody, Pitt Meadows, Fort Langley even out towards Mission. Even in the Okanagan. I found the Old Orchard Hall in Port Moody but I can't find a way to contact them. Can anybody help?

[mackenzie10]

thanks, i have checked out minter gardens but u have to use their catering im hoping to bring in my own caterer. We've also set the date finally! oct.23.2010 yay!!! so hopefully we'll get a pretty fall wedding ...anybody have any suggestions for locations?

[jenkuma]

Hi Mackenzie,

For the Old Orchard Hall, you can use this email address: tania.cook@cityofportmoody.com. You can also call her at 604-469-4552. Good luck!!! If you're still looking for venues after contacting them, try http://www.ultimatevenues.com. That was my resource. It has a separate list of venues that allow you to bring in your own caterer (by rental price!) I really like the Heritage Hall on Main Street and the Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavillion myself.

Good luck!

[jenkuma]

Oops - sorry - you aren't looking in Vancouver. How about the Old Mill Boathouse? They let you bring in your own caterers as well!

[mackenzie10]

thanks alot for the info on the old orchard hall ... I'm also looking for possibly a barn venue and the one i founnd closest to us would be the Saar Bank Farms in Abbotsford. I cant get too much information about so I'm wondering if anybody knows anything about them.

[LateWinterBride]

Hi Helen,

I'm pretty much set on Law Courts Inn as my venue! My friend has booked a conference with them in the past and she highly recommends them. I haven't been there, but my friends checked it out for me and voted for it as their favourite venue. We'll be using their restaurant space. They are doing renovations on their patio and will be finished in Jan 2010.

Hope this helps!
Cheryl

Originally Posted by hhsu

The Master List is fantastic - thank you so much!

I have 2 questions:

1. I'm wondering if anyone has any feedback about Law Courts
Inn?

2. We're also looking for church venues - any suggestions?

Thanks!
Helen

[Nicolyn]

I am very interested in the Newlands golf and Country club. I am a little timid, I don't have the biggest budget, so I don't want to call them and ask for details, when they may not even be feasible. Has anyone used this venue? What kinds of costs can I expect, the services seem so good. Please let me know any additional details.
Nicolyn

[mackenzie10]

A friend of mine had her wedding there last april in the conservatory room. I'm not quite sure what she spent there but she did say that she spent quite a bit but did get an awesome deal for an open bar. Hopefully that gives you somewhat an idea.

[Late Bloomer]

Anyone have any feedback on the Teahouse at Stanley Park?

Thanks!

[kunibob]

Here is some updated info (current as of Autumn 2009) that will hopefully help people out.

Occasions by the Pond and Willoughby Manor were my two favourite venues that we saw, and we had a tough time deciding between them. Both allowed you to bring in alcohol. You can see my complete pre-wedding review of them in this post here. I highly recommend these venues if you have ~100 people (or less), are looking for ~$25/plate, want to bring your own liquor and want some sort of greenery around you (+ an indoor/outdoor option.) Both have very warm and friendly coordinators who know what they're doing.

Other random bits of info on other venues:

• 5 Star Catering (Surrey) - Capacity 210, rental $0-$600 depending on the catering package you get. Facilities renovated in Sep '09, so they're nice and new. Overlooks a golf course. Includes all linens, setup/takedown, many decorations (arches/indoor trees etc.), licensed until 1 am (bar service available), day-before decorating. Must use their caterer/liquor. Food is ~$30/guest, buffet.
• Aberthau Heritage Mansion (Vancouver) - everything must end by 11 pm, no hard liquor allowed. Capacity 90, rental <$1200 for the day.
• Best Western Coquitlam Inn (Coquitlam) - the owners are family friends, so I can vouch that they are responsible and reliable. There is a wedding area by the pool, with a gazebo and lots of rainforest-style greenery. Looks quite lovely. Must use their own caterer/liquor. Prices start around $30/plate and go up from there. Not much dance area in the wedding room we saw, but they have several conference rooms, so you could probably rent one out.
• Burnaby Lake Pavilion (Burnaby) - Capacity 200, <$1000 for 8 hours, includes tables and chairs. Can bring own food/liquor.
• Eagle Creek at Burnaby Mountain Golf Course (Burnaby) - beautiful tucked away outdoor venue (golf course, pond, flower beds), indoor reception area is quite nice too and very reasonably priced. There is an indoor backup (cafe) for a ceremony if it's raining. Staff seem organized and friendly. The food is delicious. Cannot bring own food/liquor.
• Firefighter's Club (Burnaby) - includes almost everything you need for a ceremony (even much of the decor) and reasonably priced (I think it was ~$70/head including everything), but the email indicated that there was a minimum guest number. The coordinator is very fast with responses & communication. I believe you can bring your own liquor, but I don't see that in my spreadsheet, so don't quote me on that.
• Fraser Valley Community Hall (Maple Ridge) - hall has large windows and is spacious, with a dance floor and stage. Large bathrooms. Kitchen is a bit small. Right near a gorgeous park that you can use for an outdoor ceremony if you wish, but you have to provide your own chairs for that. PA system included. Everything must end at 11 pm. It's in a senior's housing area, so respect for the neighbours is emphasized. Professional coordinator. Capacity 150. Can bring own food/liquor.
• Glenbrook Community Centre (New West) - Dates booked up fast. Coordinator was hard to reach. Lovely facilities & garden, ~$1000 for a day's rental, can bring own food/liquor.
• Heritage Hall (Vancouver) - Capacity 150, <$1200 for the day. I believe you can bring your own food/liquor, but not sure.
• Heritage Valley Resort (Abbotsford) - Avoid. They are trying to phase out weddings in favour of their other services. From their email, it seems that any Friday/Saturday weddings can be cancelled at the last minute if they have corporate groups booking in. Ceremonies and photos are not allowed on the grounds.
• Langley Seniors Centre (Langley) - <$1000 for all day rental.
• Meadow Gardens (Pitt Meadows) - Must use their own caterer/alcohol, food/drink minimums. Our 100-person estimate ended up being >$5000 minimum. Looks quite lovely, though, if you aren't cheap like I am!
• Occasions by the Pond (Surrey) - review available in this post here.
• Quilchena Golf & Country Club (Richmond) - Capacity is 30-60, so I stopped looking then. Not sure if that info's useful to anyone or not. :P
• Richmond Country Club (Richmond) - Minimum 130 adults. Must use their caterer/liquor. Very pleasant communication with the coordinator.
• UBC Boathouse (Vancouver) - Looks lovely. >$3000 for 8 hours.
• Vancouver Golf Club (Coquitlam) - For 100 guests, the price worked out to $10,000 minimum (minimums on their food/drinks). Man, is it ever pretty, though. If I were rich...
• Westminster Club (New West) - Excellent communication from the coordinator -- very organized and thorough. Capacity is 140. Available to non-members. Venue price is <$700 including many decorations. Must use their caterer/liquor, though you can bring your own wine ($8 corkage fee).
• Whonnock Lake Centre (Maple Ridge/Mission) - Went there for a friend's wedding recently and I believe it is the holy grail of wedding sites. So pretty. Can bring your own food/liquor. Books up EARLY, though; we contacted 1.5 years in advance and they were booked through the July & August Saturdays. Get on it early if you want this venue!
• Willoughby Manor (Langley) - Review available in this post here.

I hope this info helps someone.

[jenick44]

Hi Brides!

Has anyone heard any reviews on the Coal Harbour Community Centre for a reception? It is all self serve, but I believe the catering company will set up the linens etc. Also, does anyone know of any other venues in Vancouver that don't have a corkage fee? I would like to save $$ by serving my own alcohol.

Any input would be great!!

[Future Mrs.G]

Im having mine at Theas Lounge in the Grad Student Centre at UBC. You cant bring in your own alcohol but you can your own catere.

The alcohol is really really cheap though Its all run by grad students and you get two bartenders for 6 hours for liek 300.00 or something...its great!!