Ceremony/Reception Venue in the Lower Mainland

bfunk89

Hey everyone,

We've tentativly set September 21st 2013 as our date but I'm having troubles finding venues! Our guest list is about 65 and I'm looking to keep it small, rustic and somewhat casual but elegantly so with an outdoor ceremony. I've checked out the Brew Creek Center, it's gorgeous, but way too expensive due to having to book out the entire lodge! I've also been looking at the Fraser River Lodge in Agassiz, but I'm not 100% satisfied. We're hoping to keep the budge to $15,000 (dress and rings not included) which I didn't think would be hard with a small guest list but I keep getting proven wrong!

So this is my plea! haha. Does anyone have any Lower Mainland venues to suggest? I'm open to anywhere in the Lower Mainland, from Hope to Whistler, maybe the Island if it's something spectacular.

Thank you in advance!
Bri

jcrmc

I'm having mine next august at Kirkland House in Ladner. The interior is not available to hold reception (the use one room for the bride's getting ready room) but the exterior is GORGEOUS (the pics they have up don't do it justice) and they have 2 20x20 marquee tents available to rent. Rental includes tables and chairs to host up to 200, and the ground floor washrooms are accessable as well. PM me if you want to see my photos of the exterior.

ETA: my wedding is also around 65 ppl

MissMoniqueP

I've looked at a few places in and around Abbotsford. 
**I've booked at The Secret Garden, which is a greenhouse in the Abbotsford/Chilliwack Sumas flats.  It's about $3000 to book, but as I'm an avid gardener.
**Minter Garden is beautiful, but don't get sucked in if you have a budget... Firstly, you will not be the only bride.  They have 3 weddings per day at each site (6 brides in the same area on one day?!) and two reception sites that are attached to one another.  The price is ridiculously high, and you have no real options to make the wedding unique.
**If you are looking for something really cute (it might not be your style) but you might be able to rent the Trethewey House by Mill Lake in Abbotsford.  It's a heritage home with the barn converted into a little hall.  They normally have a wine festival there, so that's how I know it could be an option.
There are a few wineries around that love to take in weddings (I believe there's two on 16th from Abbotsford to White Rock). 
Good luck!
~Monique Papineau

elellingson

Check out the UBC boathouse!
Also, consider doing tapas style/passed heavy appetizers (can still be delicous!) instead of a sit down dinner...I think its more fun anyways
Photographer - Check out erica rose: www.ericaroseblog.com she gives great deals to BC brides, just ask!

toothpastechica

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_canada-vancouver_ceremonyreception-venue-in-the-lower-mainland?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:625Discussion:bdd80e9b-0bc3-46a9-8ba3-aba6be3272adPost:74bf22de-87e5-4f99-af9d-63dd2c4c2627">Ceremony/Reception Venue in the Lower Mainland</a>:
[QUOTE]Hey everyone, We've tentativly set September 21st 2013 as our date but I'm having troubles finding venues! Our guest list is about 65 and I'm looking to keep it small, rustic and somewhat casual but elegantly so with an outdoor ceremony. I've checked out the Brew Creek Center, it's gorgeous, but way too expensive due to having to book out the entire lodge! I've also been looking at the Fraser River Lodge in Agassiz, but I'm not 100% satisfied. We're hoping to keep the budge to $15,000 (dress and rings not included) which I didn't think would be hard with a small guest list but I keep getting proven wrong! So this is my plea! haha. Does anyone have any Lower Mainland venues to suggest? I'm open to anywhere in the Lower Mainland, from Hope to Whistler, maybe the Island if it's something spectacular. Thank you in advance! Bri
Posted by bfunk89[/QUOTE]

THere is a lodge in minnikhada in Port Coquitlan that is stunning, they will rent out thier space. Also the hall in Old Orchard Park in port moody is by the beach, but it is quite small.
Harrison Hot springs, the resort will do weddings, but probably not cheap.
Not sure where you are, but look up what the city or nearby cities offer as a lot of the rec centers etc have halls that can be rented, some are prettier then others....do some of your own research before calling them...look up the venues, drive past them, etc.

ErikaEd

We are booked at Richmond Olympic Oval for beginning Sept 2013. They have a huge grass area on the North Plaza and very affordable rental pricing...and best of all it's not run by City of Richmond, but the Oval's own rental coordinator.

So many ppl go there to take wedding photos at the back of the Oval, so why not get married there!? 

Good luck with your planning mrs. brides!

eliza&mark

Would you be interested having your wedding on a boat/yacht? I saw a couple of options listed on Weddingful. I'm thinking about planning an intimate outdoor wedding as well. I was also looking at the Hazelmere Golf & Country Club. They can do outdoor ceremonies but their reception is indoor. I hope that helps!

DandD1982

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_canada-vancouver_ceremonyreception-venue-in-the-lower-mainland?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:625Discussion:bdd80e9b-0bc3-46a9-8ba3-aba6be3272adPost:74bf22de-87e5-4f99-af9d-63dd2c4c2627">Ceremony/Reception Venue in the Lower Mainland</a>:
[QUOTE]Hey everyone, We've tentativly set September 21st 2013 as our date but I'm having troubles finding venues! Our guest list is about 65 and I'm looking to keep it small, rustic and somewhat casual but elegantly so with an outdoor ceremony. I've checked out the Brew Creek Center, it's gorgeous, but way too expensive due to having to book out the entire lodge! I've also been looking at the Fraser River Lodge in Agassiz, but I'm not 100% satisfied. We're hoping to keep the budge to $15,000 (dress and rings not included) which I didn't think would be hard with a small guest list but I keep getting proven wrong! So this is my plea! haha. Does anyone have any Lower Mainland venues to suggest? I'm open to anywhere in the Lower Mainland, from Hope to Whistler, maybe the Island if it's something spectacular. Thank you in advance! Bri
Posted by bfunk89[/QUOTE]

<div>I come from the future with a tip: At Fraser River Lodge you must book 8 rooms at $150 each with your wedding package. It's a gorgeous location though.</div>

wifeyparttwo

we are planning our wedding for harrison hot springs, its not actually too badly price, the location for venue and reception and catering for 70(my guestlist)  is about 5000.!! Newlands golf course also does an all inclusive package! and If you wanna travel much more north Seymour golf course in north van does brides on a budget for those of us trying to keep it under 10000!

v1ronco

So I've totally nerded out and made a spreadsheet of all the venues that were possibilities for us before we finally decided on ours. Our budget is similar to yours and we wanted out door, with ceremony and reception in the same place. I hope this helps!

Venue	Location	Capacity	Time	Ceremony Fee	Reception Fee	Reception Style	Minimum Buyout	Alcohol	Corkage Fee	Dinner Per Person	Dinner with 75 Guests	Accomodation Fees per person	Accomodation Fee for 75 Guests	Extra Fees	Notes	TOTAL WITHOUT ACCOMODATION	TOTAL WITH ACCOMODATION
Merridale Cidery	Cobble Hill (Vancouver Island)			750	2040					44	3300	0	0				6090	ADD ALCOHOL
Bowen Island Lodge	Bowen Island			-	6000				750	missing		122	9150		Max 48 People. 2 nights buyout		15900	ADD ALCOHOL
Cecil Green Park	Vancouver		5:30-1Am	-	3800	outdoor on terrace		not included		126	9450	0	0	$2/chair for folding chairs			13250	ADD ALCOHOL
Bodega Ridge	Galiano Island	120			7000			30 per bottle starting	-	50	3750	62.5	4687.5		Max 42 people		15437.5	ADD ALCOHOL
Alderwood Farm	Bowen Island				16,000		included			included	0	0	0		Includes tax and gratuities		16,000	ALLOWED TO BRING ALCOHOL
Hastings House	Galiano Island				1500			45 per bottle		75	5625	207	15525		Do you need to buy out the hotel to rent the venue? Is the venue able to do ceremony and reception? What time does the reception need to end?
Tea House	Vancouver		5:30-1am	400	2800		7000	35 per bottle		45	3375	0	0	500 for dance floor			10700	LEAVES 4,000 for alcohol
Hart House	Vancouver		6-12am	300	3900					58	4350	0	0				8550	ADD ALCOHOL
The Brew Creek Center	Whistler			2000	-		10000			75	5625	143	10725		full buyout of hotel required at 10K for 70 people.		7625	ADD Accomodation 10K, assuming people pay for their way.
University Golf Course	Vancouver			350	300					60	4500	0	0				5150	ADD ALCOHOL
Mayfair Lakes	Richmond			500			9000	24 per bottle		48	3600	0	0	65 socan			9500	LEAVES 5,400 for alcohol
Furry Creek Golf & Country Club	Furry Creek
Brock House Restaurant	Vancouver
The Stanley Park Pavillion	Vancouver		4-1am	2400	3700		8000			71	5325						18100	LEAVES 2300 for alcohol
Horizons	Burnaby						9000
Fraser River Lodge	Squamish				11650					included
Secret Garden at Woodbridge Ponds	Abbotsford				Ranges: 2700-3900	Outdoor/Indoor Garden		not included	25	not included
Rocky Creek Winery	Cowichan Bay	100	All day until 11pm		1200	completely outdoor		not included	not included	not included