Top Wedding Venues in Winnipeg
Some of my most popular blog posts highlight my personal fave wedding venues, but in the last few years, there have been quite a few changes in the Winnipeg wedding venue landscape so it’s time for an update!
Whether you’re looking for a wedding venue inside Winnipeg or within a few minutes of the perimeter, we’ve got some really great options — just make sure you book it early!
Some of my most popular blog posts highlight my personal fave wedding venues,
but in the last few years, there have been quite a few changes in the Winnipeg wedding venue landscape so it’s time for an update!
Whether you’re looking for a Winnipeg wedding venue or something within a few minutes of the perimeter, we’ve got some really great options — just make sure you book it early!
Previously, I’ve broken this up into My Top 5 Unique Wedding Venues, and Top 5 Best Wedding Locations in Manitoba (outside of Winnipeg). Since those posts, we’ve seen a number of new venues open, as well as a few on my previous lists close down or shift gear. I’ve had the distinct pleasure of working at almost all of these venues within the last 12 months, and they’re all SO great.
Without further ado, here are my Top favourite wedding venues in Winnipeg (and area) in absolutely no particular order!
Winnipeg Art Gallery
The WAG has long been one of my favourite venues for weddings. The building is absolutely beautiful, and of course, has every amenity that you need already taken care of. The rooftop makes for a gorgeous spot for ceremonies and cocktail hour (though prepare for wind! There’s nothing quite so windy as the WAG rooftop), Eckhardt Hall is a breathtaking backdrop for chic receptions, and since the opening of Quamajug, there are a few additional spaces available that are also visually inspiring.
The White Poplar
Near East Selkirk, the White Poplar has been a popular outdoor venue for a few years. It’s similar in style to a lot of tent facilities, in that you bring in your own caterer, florals and decor, music, and so on, so you can really customize how much your wedding is going to cost you. The pavilion style building has open sides with a permanent roof, a fantastic catering building that also houses the washrooms and a wedding party suite. The property features a pond, is fully treed, and has multiple options for gorgeous ceremony backdrops. There are a lot of wins here!
One thing you need to plan for is wind. It’s a windy property, and seemingly no matter what is happening in the sky, it’s going to be windy enough to knock vases or candles off tables in the pavilion. Plan to keep your centrepieces low and large enough that the vase has good weight to it and is more likely to stay on the tables, and consider framing your table numbers and tucking menus and place cards into napkins or forks.
Another great thing about White Poplar — they are SO good to vendors. Honestly, they make our jobs easy and that’s not something you find at every venue. Extra bonus points for a happy vendor team 😊
The Pavilion at Assiniboine Park
I am SO EXCITED that the Pavilion is once again open. They did weddings back in the day, and then the restaurant was closed, and then they reopened for weddings with a refreshed look but then Covid happened…and I just am so happy about it because it’s a beautiful wedding venue with a long list of pros. Some of my favourite elements include
-an open ceiling that allows me to hang flowers 🌸
-gorgeous natural light thanks to a lot of windows
-a prime location inside Assiniboine Park making it so easy for guests, and so many locations for your wedding photos
-a beautiful outdoor terrace perfect for ceremonies and cocktail hours
-the venue capacity for a seated dinner is 100 people, which gives you the perfect excuse to have a slightly trimmed down guest list while still including all your most important people!
The St Norbert Arts Centre
SNAC is just a few minutes south of the city, making it really convenient while also being situated in a unique historical and natural environment. The room is on the smaller side, with light hardwood floors, lots of windows, and white walls. Long tables work really well here, and in the image above, we brought in the crossback chairs and ceiling drapery to create a more refined rustic vibe.
Heads up, though, that the SNAC is not air conditioned, so you’re likely going to want to avoid booking a mid-summer wedding here. May/June and September/October is PERFECT.
The Manitoba Club
The Manitoba Club is one of my favourite venues in Winnipeg. Now here’s the thing — the Grand Ballroom and the Oak Room are two absolutely stunning rooms, with a very old-world quality that lends an elegant, traditional atmosphere, but the thing that I love the MOST about Manitoba Club is actually their outdoor space, the Bonnycastle Garden! Just take a look at this — it’s perfect for intimate wedding receptions, an outdoor wedding ceremony, or even your cocktails and dancing!
Alloway Hall at the Manitoba Museum
I’m super excited that, after a few years’ hiatus, the Manitoba Museum is once again taking wedding bookings in Alloway Hall! I’m eagerly anticipating my first wedding there next summer. We’re going with a lot of colour and a maximalist gallery vibe, which will go beautifully in the large, open, white and black space. You can do a LOT of things in here, but you’re not going to want to go minimal with decor.
Here’s what I love about Alloway Hall:
-it fits a LOT of people - up to 600!
-it features tall ceilings, white walls, and dark floors with a gallery-style vibe, so it’s a great blank canvas for different styles
-one wall is entirely windows, with a gorgeous view of the Steinkopf Gardens between the museum and the Concert Hall
-built-in lighting options!
Restaurant Weddings: Smith, Gusto, and Cibo
Restaurant weddings will always be a fave of mine. Why? The food is always going to be great, the atmosphere is a bit more relaxed and less traditional than your typical wedding venue, and they’re often so beautifully designed that you just need to add a few flowers or candles and you’re all set to go.
Keep in mind that tables are usually a bit more helter-skelter (they won’t all be exactly the same, making the floor plan a bit trickier to figure out) and also usually quite narrow, so you won’t have as much space for florals. I’d recommend doing a plated dinner as there often won’t be enough space for share platters.
St Charles Country Club
In the heat of the summer, sometimes what you really need is an indoor wedding venue with the reliability of air conditioning and no wind. And ideally, a pretty space as well :) You certainly get that at St Charles! Plus gorgeous grounds, a truly idyllic outdoor space, and a gorgeous fireplace for those iconic portraits and first dance moments. They renovated a few years ago, and it still feels fresh and clean. The ceilings are on the lower side, and the floor plan can be a bit strange because it’s a long room with two wings on either end, so not every guest will be able to see the wedding couple throughout the evening (though I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing!).
The Fort Garry Hotel
The Hotel Fort Garry has been hosting weddings in their ballrooms for over 100 years already so it’s not as though you didn’t already know the venue existed, BUT, it’s still one of my favourite wedding venues in downtown Winnipeg, and in particular, the Provencher Room on the first floor is a personal fave. If you want your wedding to feel classic and elegant, there’s no better option for you. The benefits of being able to get ready in one of their suites, visit the spa, and simplify your out-of-town guests’ stay are obvious as well!
For this gorgeous flower-filled wedding, they utilized the entire 7th floor and created a really unique guest experience. Guests stepped off the elevator and knew the entire space was for their celebration. The ceremony and pre-cocktail party were in the Concert Ballroom, with additional cocktail tables and the seating display in the loggios / hallway, dinner in the Crystal Ballroom, and then back to the Concert for dancing. It worked beautifully!
Wild Skies Resort
Owned and created by amazing wedding photographer Megan Steen, Wild Skies is an incredibly unique outdoor venue that’s ideal for couples who love camping/glamping, are eco-conscious, and are looking for something a bit more on the intimate side. In 2021 I was so lucky to do Tiffany and Stephanie’s intimate wedding under the trees at Wild Skies, and since then, they’ve built a modern pavilion (complete with pizza oven 🤤) that I’m aching to see in person.
Pineridge Hollow
Pineridge Hollow has always been on the list, and for good reason. Everyone loves it! It’s a semi-permanent tent situated in the tree line at this popular destination bordering Birds Hill Park.
At PRH you always know the food is going to be top-notch, and the grounds are beautiful. They also offer unique customizations that take the guest experience up a few notches. While the tent itself could use some refreshing, they’ve recently added permanent bathrooms (woo!) and offer multiple ceremony settings so you can really get the vibe you’re going for. At this recent wedding, I added greenery to the ceiling (lighting by Event Light) and decked out the entranceway between the bar tent and the main tent, and that really amped it all up.
Lilystone Gardens
New kid on the block! Lilystone is the perfect example of why every wedding venue should be designed by a wedding florist, my friends. Kelly has done the most amazing job of creating a space that is just begging to be covered with flowers AND EVEN BETTER it’s at her flower farm. WHAT.
Air conditioned. Indoor and outdoor spaces. Multiple gorgeous ceremony locations. Catering kitchen on premises. Getting ready suite right there. I mean. There are only pros here. I’m so excited to have a wedding here next fall!
Florals in the above photo by the talented team at Lilystone! I did work on the hanging installation along with Deer Dutch, though 😊
Ariana Tennyson Photography
Hawthorn Estates
Hawthorn is just about 30 minutes outside of the city (and it’s actually super close to my end of town, so it’s very convenient for me lol!) and they’ve done SUCH a beautiful job of creating this amazing wedding venue. They have options for your ceremony to be fully outdoors or in their covered solarium (I LOVE THE SOLARIUM!), and the reception space features this gorgeous fireplace (which also makes for a stunning ceremony spot!) and beautiful distressed timber beams throughout. There’s a great amount of natural light, as well as really nice bathrooms, which always bumps a venue to the top of my personal list!
I’d love to work with a client at Hawthorn who wants to get creative…I’d picture the ceremony in front of the fireplace, with the sweetheart table moved in front for the reception, and a mix of banquet and round tables throughout the room. Velvet linens, lush florals on the fireplace…oh baby, who’s in?
The Gates on Roblin
The Gates is one of those spaces that has been around for a long time, has gone through multiple iterations of itself, and always exudes excellence. My aunt was married in the restaurant when I was kid, and I remember just loving that day, so it’s always been special for me.
The food is excellent, the venue staff are fantastic, and you have the option to have your ceremony outdoors or indoors, cocktails on the patio, and if you have a smaller group, then the restaurant has several private rooms you can use instead of the full venue!
In my opinion, the reception space does require a lot of dressing up, so ensure that you’ve budgeted appropriate for ceiling and wall drapery. It’s a pretty neutral space, so you can do pretty much any colour palette well, which is always a bonus!
LOOKING FOR A WEDDING FLORAL DESIGNER IN WINNIPEG?
2023 wedding dates are now booking! Whether it’s an intimate wedding for 30 or a celebration the likes of which have never been seen before, reach out to Stone House Creative for stunning bridal bouquets, truly unique ceremony backdrops, and beautiful floral centrepieces to create the perfect ambiance for your wedding!
How Much Do Wedding Flowers Cost in Manitoba
I hear this question ALL the time. Literally, all the time. And while I can't give you an accurate blanket statement response, I wanted to at least give it a shot and explain some of the behind-the-scenes of wedding flower pricing for you. Because, let’s face it, pricing of everything in 2023 has changed, flowers included!
How much do wedding flowers cost?
If you’re getting married in 2023, you have to be prepared to spend 2023 money.
Over the years, I’ve written multiple blog posts about wedding flower budgets in Manitoba, how much bouquets actually cost, ideas for maximizing your flower budget, and more. I personally think those posts are extremely helpful…except for the fact that in this post-(ish)Covid world w’ere living in, with inflation and costs being what they are, literally everything has changed.
So, I figured it was time to revisit the topic of what wedding flowers actually cost in Manitoba, and hopefully it’s a good time of year for you as you’re planning your 2023 and 2024 weddings!
The other day, I was talking with a wedding planner friend of mine. I had just received an inquiry that was so unrealistic in her budget expectations that I had to vent about it. Her answer was amazing, and it’s everything that you need to keep in mind:
“If you’re planning a wedding in 2023, you have to be willing to spend 2023 money.”
AKA if you’re planning a 200 person wedding at a high end venue, and your floral requests are “lush and full,” you absolutely cannot expect to spend less than the $2500 budget this particular bride had budgeted. In fact, you can’t expect to spend less than probably $7000.
To be clear, inflation hasn’t risen so much that a $2500 budget from a few years ago is now equivalent to a $7000 budget…it’s definitely risen BUT that $2500 budget wouldn’t have been sufficient for that bride’s floral wish list for at least the last 15 years. Maybe never, I don’t know. I’ve only been doing this for 12 years 😉
So, here we go. What do wedding flowers, in Manitoba, in 2023 and beyond, ACTUALLY COST?
Figuring out how much to budget for your wedding flowers can be a major challenge — for most newly engaged couples, it's just going to be a major shot in the dark. Most of the online resources available are in American dollars, from very different markets than we are in, and are written by magazine editors — not florists — who haven't bothered to do their research on how much things actually cost, making their supposedly helpful suggestions to be completely unrealistic. Some of the big magazines and wedding planning sites offer "helpful" wedding budget breakdowns, with a suggestion for spending 10-20% of your overall budget on flowers, but there's a big difference between 10 and 20%!
So, before you even try to figure out a preliminary wedding flower budget, start here:
1) Figure out your priorities and what aspects of the flowers you really care about, and what aspects may be less important.
2) Understand that your budget needs to match your wants and needs list. If you don't want to spend a lot of money on flowers (which is perfectly fine! I was a budget bride, too!), you can't expect the world.
Probably the worst part of my job is finding a way to delicately tell a couple that their wish list is just way too enormous for the amount of money they're comfortable spending. While I adjust some prices on my end, most of what I have to charge is set by the growers and the wholesalers. There are a LOT of hard costs in this industry, which means that as much as we would love to, your floral designers can't just give you everything you want without a price tag attached to them. If you take just one thing away from this entire post, please know this: we aren't trying to rip you off. Believe me, we don't make a lot of money, especially when compared to the intensive work we do. There are simply very definite hard costs in the floral industry, and that just kind of sucks, because it means that we can't necessarily give you as much as we would honestly love to!
There are many things to consider that contribute to the overall amount of money you're spending on wedding flowers, including:
-The flowers themselves (duh).
-The amount of items your florist needs to make (8 bridesmaid bouquets add up really quickly!).
-The time of year (sorry to everyone who wants to get married in February, but all growers increase wholesale flower pricing for the month of Valentine's!).
-What your style is (some design styles require a lot more or less floral than others).
-The supplies required to create a design (you'd be surprised at how much time floral designers spend in Rona!).
-There's also, unfortunately, the border crossing factor. While I love to use locally grown flowers as much as possible, there are many things that just don't grow here in Manitoba. Anytime a flower crosses the border, there are increased expenses. It's a bummer, but a simple reality. What a florist in California might pay $0.50 per stem for, I have to pay $1.50 for.
-You're also paying for the service that you receive and the experience and expertise of the floral designer you've chosen. Perhaps you've chosen to work with someone who's been working with flowers for 15 years. Their experience deserves a higher pay grade. You'd expect to pay an experienced accountant more than a brand new one, wouldn't you? Or maybe you've chosen someone based on their creativity and the unique designs they create. Part of what you're paying for is their brain, which no one else has - being able to access their creativity is a benefit to you!
-Set up and delivery has a price tag attached to it, too (more on this coming in a future post!).
a few notes on what impacts flower pricing:
Covid:
Covid has affected so many areas of the floral industry. When it first hit, basically every farm worldwide had to lay off staff because they couldn't safely have their employees work, and because there was no demand for flowers. With that, they completely mowed down their crops. Some of these crops are flowers that take multiple years to grow before you can actually cut and produce them. This means we're looking at several years before production returns to full normal. At the same time, Americans decided that everything was "back to normal", causing a huge surge in demand with very limited availbility. Farms are still struggling with financial losses, and prices have increased. And as can expected, covid caused many wrinkles with shipping. Fewer airplanes are in the air, everything associated with crossing the border is more expensive, etc etc. Everything costs more to get here.
Supply and Demand:
Supply and demand, baby. Wedding trends affect pricing. The more people who want the coveted toffee rose, the more expensive they're going to be (and hot dang, they are expensive).
Supply Chain Issues:
Yep, just like the rest of the world, the supply chain is affecting hard goods and supplies in the floral industry. It's definitely getting better, but it's still hard to find the quantity of vases that we want, and the ones we can get are more expensive than they used to be. There are also certain supply products (like floral glue) that are just no longer made.So, how much do wedding bouquets cost?
The graphic below has long been one of my favourites, though the pricing is no longer relevant. My wholesale costs have risen, on average, 30% this past year. So, add 30% minimum to each of these bouquets and I guess you’d be closer to accurate pricing; $150 is now $200, $250 is now $325, and $350 is now $455. The graphic is still a great visual comparison. For those of you who like a certain style but aren't so picky about the types of flowers that are used, be sure to take a closer look - this might give you some thoughts on how you can lower your overall budget!
For reference, my bridal bouquet pricing now starts at $300 each, with some exceptions.
Quill + Oak, a florist friend of mine in Ontario, recently put together this comparison on centrepiece sizing and pricing, and it's also a pretty good estimation on what you could expect to receive in Manitoba!
Floral designs by Quill + Oak | Photos by Olive Photography
I’d suggest that if you’re looking for a nice, medium sized centrepiece, you start your budget at $100 each. A bud vase trio can be more cost-effective, while a tall arrangement you’ll want to budget minimum $250 each, and keep in mind that that is the bare minimum and not the lush, full arrangement you’re seeing on Pinterest and Instagram.
Candles are always a must-add, in my opinion. Whether you’re looking at taper candles, pillar or floating candles, or simple votives, aim for 3-7 per table depending on the centrepiece design and combine smaller votives with larger/taller candles for a more interesting look. But there’s this misconception that candles are the cheap option…I mean, if you’re doing 1 candle on a table, sure. That’s $10-$15. But that’s not what’s shown in the inspo pic that you’re giving me…you’re probably showing me something with $75 worth of candles and rental, per table. Just keep that in mind.
If you’re looking for an arch of some kind, those price ranges can vary wildly. A floral arch is going to be a minimum of $1500 - $2000, but I’d really suggest planning on $3000+ if you want full coverage, double that if the entire back of the arch needs to be covered (most of the time we have a light green coverage on the back). If you like the idea of a single floral piece added to an arch, plan for at least $500 per piece.
So, let's get down to IT. How much can you expect to spend on wedding flowers in Manitoba?
For full service florals (bridal party and family flowers, ceremony decor, reception decor), my clients are spending an average of $7500 + taxes. This might not apply to your specific needs, your guest list, your vision, but I hope that’s helpful as you budget!
And if you need to reduce your spend, here are my top tips for lowering your wedding flower quote:
-Cut out all boutonnieres and corsages. They’re small details that don’t get much attention and are kind of tacky and outdated, anyways.
-Cut or reduce your bridesmaids’ bouquets. I’ve had quite a few weddings this year opt for single roses just for the girls to have something in their hands walking down the aisle. At this Spanish-inspired wedding, the women carried hand fans and it was so chic!
-Create a couple of large, focal design moments that your guests will interact with, that will set the tone, and simplify the rest. Scaled back candle centrepieces are all you need if you’ve got a killer hanging installation above. Forgo aisle flowers and increase the arch. Eliminate boutonnieres and corsages to add a beautiful floral arrangement at your welcome table.
-Forget about the lie that greenery is cheap. It’s not. Costs on foliage have risen so high that I honestly can’t afford to include much greenery in my floral orders anymore. You get WAY more bang for your buck with colourful floral than you ever will with a couple of stems of greenery.
-Cut out the flowers on your signage. For the last maybe 5 years, everyone has wanted a “floral or greenery touch” on their welcome sign, their seating chart sign, etc etc. Man, this is a waste (in my opinion). Unless you have the budget to really make this special, save the $150 and push it to something that will actually be noticed and make your design more impactful.
Here's what I offer to clients:
-Full Service Floral Design (with a minimum investment budget of $5000)
-Event Design (in addition to floral design, and you can find out more about that here!)
I would love to discuss your wedding flower needs. I can help you narrow down your style, determine what are the most important aspects of the flowers to you (and therefore, where you should focus your budget and where you can reduce your spending), and also come up with some great ideas for unique designs that your friends didn't all have at their weddings.
Don't hesitate to reach out by clicking the button below!
Read More Like This
What's the Actual Cost of a Bridal Bouquet? Late Summer Boho Bouquet Breakdown
I’m often asked by brides-to-be on Instagram about the cost of a particular wedding flower arrangement that I’ve posted. I won’t lie - I often don’t hear back from those inquiries.
I can’t always give specific pricing because it’s not necessarily relevant to the inquiring bride’s date, or flower requests, or it might not be appropriate to share what an actual couple has invested in their flowers, so I generally give price ranges that someone might expect. For reference, my bridal bouquets start at $225 and often come in between $225 - $250. Couples who are attracted to my work generally fall within a similar design style (garden-inspired, romantic, floral-heavy), and that means incorporating certain types of flowers that start at a higher price point - garden roses, peonies, ranunculus are all examples. I wrote an entire blog series on wedding flower costs in Manitoba and if you want to know more, you can read that here!
I’m often asked by brides-to-be on Instagram about the cost of a particular wedding flower arrangement that I’ve posted. I won’t lie - I often don’t hear back from those inquiries.
I can’t always give specific pricing because it’s not necessarily relevant to the inquiring bride’s date, or flower requests, or it might not be appropriate to share what an actual couple has invested in their flowers, so I generally give price ranges that someone might expect. For reference, my bridal bouquets start at $225 and often come in between $225 - $250. Couples who are attracted to my work generally fall within a similar design style (garden-inspired, romantic, floral-heavy), and that means incorporating certain types of flowers that start at a higher price point - garden roses, peonies, ranunculus are all examples. I wrote an entire blog series on wedding flower costs in Manitoba and if you want to know more, you can read that here!
So, with all that said, I wanted to break down this actual bridal bouquet that I designed for a photo shoot at Manitoba Club in late August. I’ll be sharing the full shoot soon, so consider this a sneak peek!
Bridal Bouquet Ingredients
Zinnias*
Lisianthus*
Garden Roses
Cosmos*
Amaranthus*
Gardenia Foliage
Acacia Foliage
Lunaria
*Denotes locally grown here in Manitoba - yay!
Bridal Bouquet Cost: $285
You‘ll probably ask, what makes this bouquet $285? Like I said, most of my bridal bouquets come in between $225 - $250, and this one incorporates a lot of the typical types of blooms that I’m drawn to: garden roses as a focal flower, lisianthus and zinnias are the perfect secondary flowers (truly some of the best locally grown flowers available - they’re just totally delish!), and a few varieties of greenery.
You’ll be surprised to find out that one of the most expensive part of this bouquet is actually the lunaria - the unique, silvery white flat seed pods popping out here and there. I only included 3 stems - for a total of $45! I’m sure all of you would agree that they’re totally stunning, but even so, I doubt most of my clients would feel really strongly about including a few stems into their bouquets when they find out the cost.
On the other hand, the garden roses are also pricey but they play a more important role: garden roses are a more impressive and immediately noticed focal flower, and they really create the foundation of this colour palette. These garden roses come in at $18/stem, and with 7 stems in the bouquet, make for a total of $126 - just shy of half of the cost of the bouquet.
I also designed a couple of corresponding boutonnieres, a ceremony space, a completed reception tablescape, and some other accents (like a cute lounge and bar set up!), but you’ll have to wait to see the rest!
Vendors:
Planning and Venue: Manitoba Club Weddings ~ Photography: Black and Gold ~ Florals and Design: Stone House Creative ~ Linens and Chairs: Planned Perfectly ~ Stationery: Little Dove Calligraphy ~ Rentals: Trend Decor ~ Cake: Cake Studio ~ Dress: Bliss Bridal Boutique ~ Suit: EPH Apparel ~ Makeup and Hair: Fifth | Makeup: What’s Her Face Beauty | Hair: Hair by Abs
Hire a Talented Wedding Floral and Event Designer in Winnipeg
2021 wedding dates will be opened in the new year, and in the meantime, you can get on my waitlist! Couples interested in full event and floral design will be contacted first about their dates. I offer a limited number of dates for event design each year, in order to allow me to work closely with each couple. Combining event and floral design is the perfect option for couples who live out of town, or couples who feel they need a little extra help in creating the visual plan for their wedding day. Click this link to learn more!
My Top 5 Favourite Unique Wedding Venues in Winnipeg
There are a lot of awesome options for gorgeous wedding venues within a half hour or so drive of Winnipeg…but most of those require a few more logistics than the convenience of a city wedding (you can find my top 5 best wedding venues in Manitoba here!). But, most of the wedding venue options within Winnipeg are hotel ballrooms - and while there’s nothing wrong with a hotel ballroom, I find that most of my clients are looking for something that’s a bit more interesting and less “ballroom.” So, here’s a roundup of my Top 5 Favourite Unique Wedding Venues in downtown Winnipeg!
SMITH Restaurant
Photos by Kamp Photography
First of all, I LOVE restaurant weddings - and SMITH is at the top of my list. Located on the main floor of the Inn at the Forks and recently renovated, it’s a really gorgeous and unique option for a wedding. I love the idea of seating your guests throughout the restaurant, and if you haven’t eaten there before, the menu is PHENOMENAL. If you have a smaller guest list, you can seat all of your guests in the main space, but there’s also a large solarium, and the lounge typically doubles as the dance floor area.
Eckhardt Hall at the WAG
Photos by Megan Steen Photography
I LOVE Eckhardt Hall, on the main floor at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. It’s not a new space or a hidden treasure by any means, but that doesn’t stop me from loving it. It’s just such a cool venue! Your guests will walk into the WAG and enter right into Eckhardt Hall. The natural stone floors and walls are neutral and have a lot of Manitoba character, the ceilings are incredibly high, and you might get lucky with a very cool art installation or paintings hung on the walls. I also love their rooftop, which is such a great place for your wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, etc.
View this entire, colourful wedding here! | For another look at weddings at the WAG, check out this modern rooftop wedding!
HUT K
Photos by Esther Funk Photography, Bottom middle an iphone shot from my less-than-awesome Photography skill set ;)
Hut K is technically a furniture store, but they have a gallery space at the back that can be rented for smaller weddings and events - and it’s pretty cool! It lacks some of the amenities of a traditional wedding venue, so I recommend hiring at least a day-of wedding coordinator if you book your wedding here, but it makes up for this with style factor. White walls, open ceilings (AKA your florist can have fun with hanging floral installations!), and a long, rectangular shape make this a really unique space. You can’t seat a massive amount of people (I think it’s around 100 for a comfortably seated dinner) but if you’re going for a cocktail style reception, you can host up to 200 people.
{Updated for 2021: Sadly, Hut K is no longer in this space, and this space is no longer available for weddings!}
Alloway Hall at the Manitoba Museum
Above photo courtesy of Manitoba Museum, Below Photos by Casey Nolin Photography
Alloway Hall at the Manitoba Museum is a surprisingly large, newer space (it was opened in 2017) and it makes for a pretty great wedding space - if you can get in. Because it is primarily a museum, available wedding dates are slim as their priority is always exhibits, and rightfully so. But if you can squeak in a wedding date when they aren’t booked with an exhibit, you can do some pretty cool things design-wise. Here’s what I love about Alloway Hall:
-it fits a LOT of people - up to 600!
-it features tall ceilings, white walls, and dark floors with a gallery-style vibe, so it’s a great blank canvas for different styles
-one wall is entirely windows, with a gorgeous view of the Steinkopf Gardens between the museum and the Concert Hall
-built-in lighting options!
Canadian Human Rights Museum
Photos by Moore Photography
It’s nothing new to say that the Human Rights Museum is a great place for a wedding, and I suppose because it’s been popular for a few years now, it may not exactly be considered “unique.” But what I love is the different spaces that are available that you may not have thought of before. Buhler Hall is where most people host their receptions - it fits a lot of people well, but it’s really dark. There are, however, other spaces - I’m particularly excited for a wedding next summer where the reception is being held in the Garden of Contemplation (where a lot of couples will host their ceremonies). It’s open and airy, with beautiful light and is just a really unique setting.
Check out another Human Rights Museum wedding here!
Updated for 2021 :
Cloakroom Wellness
Cloakroom Wellness checks SO many boxes for an intimate space. It’s such a unique combination of clean and minimalist with historic industrial. It’s not huge, but if you’re hoping for a smaller wedding, I think it would ideal for about 75 guests or under, still with enough space for a sit down dinner. It would also be a great option for an indoor ceremony if you have a larger guest list for your reception elsewhere!
Some of the best features are the floor to ceiling windows, both clean white walls and vintage brick walls, and original hardwood floors. The room is a 1.5 story walk-up from street level, so do keep that in mind!
Manitoba Club
How the heck did I miss Manitoba Club when I first made this list? It’s one of my favourite venues in Winnipeg. Now here’s the thing — the Grand Ballroom and the Oak Room are two absolutely stunning rooms, with a very old-world quality that lends an elegant, traditional atmosphere, but the thing that I love the MOST about Manitoba Club is actually their outdoor space, the Bonnycastle Garden! Just take a look at this — it’s perfect for intimate wedding receptions, an outdoor wedding ceremony, or even your cocktails and dancing!
Check out more that I’ve done at Manitoba Club here! | See their indoor spaces here!
Kitchen Sync
Another interesting space in downtown Winnipeg is Kitchen Sync! This is also on the smaller side, seating a max of 80 people, but has an open commercial kitchen so you can work with your caterer to create a really unique culinary experience for your guests to enjoy.
The venue is on the basement level, so there is a short flight of stairs, but is otherwise easily accessible with plenty of surface and parkade parking lots in the neighbourhood. One of the gorgeous features of the room is the stone walls and the dark wood pillars — it creates a moody, dramatic vibe that is just untouchable!
Photos by Brittany Mahood Photography
Honourable Mentions: Hotel Fort Garry and The Kingshead Pub
Okay, I know the whole point of this post was to highlight unique, non-hotel wedding venues in downtown Winnipeg, and the Hotel Fort Garry has been hosting weddings in their ballrooms for over 100 years already. BUT it’s still one of my favourite wedding venues in downtown Winnipeg, and in particular, the Provencher Room (seen above). If you want your wedding to feel classic and elegant, there’s no better option for you. The benefits of being able to get ready in one of their suites, visit the spa, and simplify your out-of-town guests’ stay are obvious as well!
See more from this gorgeous, flower-filled wedding here!
I also did a wedding reception this fall at the Kingshead Pub! They have SUCH delish food and a cool atmosphere, so if you’re looking for something more laid-back with a hangout type of vibe, this could be a really good option for you. For this wedding, the entire second floor was rented (so you would have your own bar, your own bathrooms, your own dance floor, etc) and then it opened to the general public around midnight.
Photos below by Brenna Faris
Looking for a Wedding Floral and Event Designer in Winnipeg?
My 2020 waitlist has already been started, and couples interested in full event and floral design will be contacted first about their dates. I offer a limited number of dates for event design each year, in order to allow me to work closely with each couple. Combining event and floral design is the perfect option for couples who live out of town, or couples who feel they need a little extra help in creating the visual plan for their wedding day. Click this link to learn more!
Behind the Scenes: Wedding Planners Styled Day
Aimee De La Lande Photography
I am a HUGE believer in community over competition. The wedding industry is an interesting one because we all create so much - and that can make it very competitive and judgemental ("will that couple book with me or with them? This thing that I just made is total crap. This thing I just made is incredible and no one will ever beat it."). It can be hard to find the balance between viewing the other people in your industry as colleagues versus competitors.
So, for the last two years, one thing that I've really enjoyed putting together is a Styled Shoot day for a handful of wedding planners in the city. My goals are primarily to have fun (they have stressful jobs!), fostering community, creating connections, and building portfolios. But, I do it a little differently than other styled shoots which are usually planned down to the last detail. I do it as a surprise for them! I usually give them the overall colour palette, and that's it. When they show up on the day, they'll find tables full of options that they can pull from to create a look that they love. This includes dresses and accessories for their models, plenty of vase options for centrepieces, flatware and dishes, linens, chairs, stationery, and so on!
Here's a little behind the scenes from that day! It's pretty different than the behind the scenes for a wedding day, but it's still fun!
Video by Prairie Wedding Films
A HUGE thanks to everyone who took part!
Venue: Alloway Hall, Manitoba Museum | Linens and Chairs: Planned Perfectly | Tabletop Rentals: C&T Rentals | Stationery: Jennifer Bianca Calligraphy | Makeup: Jessica Kmiec Artistry and Lidia Najera | Hair: Annette Wilkinson Designs and @steph.wall | Dresses and Accessories: Bliss Bridal Boutique | Favours/Sweets: Jenna Rae Cakes and Bronuts | Video: Prairie Wedding Films
Esther Funk Photography
Tell you what, guys: designing on site with a limited amount of ingredients for a lineup of wedding planners is a little tricky (as you can see from that first pic! ha!).
We also had an amazing crew of photographers who volunteered their time and were each partnered with a planner.
Reanne Berard Photography with Amanda Douglas Events
Victoria Anne Photography with White Ivy Weddings
Esther Funk Photography with Feast & Festivities
Aimee de la Lande Photography with Ashley Brooke Weddings
Casey Nolin Photography with Inspired Elegance Events
Below are some images from a demo table that I put together, photographed by Esther Funk Photography. With the warm fall tones in the flowers I thought the light blue linen would be a nice contrast. I was planning to do something completely differently, but I love how it turned out!
And now for the finished design!
Below are some of the details from the tables that each of the planners put together!
First up, Emily from Feast & Festivities. I have to give her major kudos for taking on the challenge of a chartreuse velvet linen. This woman is not afraid of colour and I love that she dubbed this an "Oscar the Grouch" wedding look! 😂
This feminine, pretty table was designed by Ashley at Ashley Brooke Weddings. She's a girly girl so I wasn't surprised when she chose a feminine palette. I love the gold accents and that deep hit of plum. And I love that photographer Aimee de la Lande chose that black wall to take photos in front of. Wooo!
Up next is Sheila from Inspired Elegance Events! It was funny to chat with her while she was putting this together. Her only thought coming into the shoot day (knowing that there was nothing she could do to prepare) was "I'm not going to do pink." ha! I liked this take on pink. Instead of the light, airy blush that has been going around for a few years (and let's be honest, is always beautiful), she added some serious depth with those dark wood crossback chairs and berry toned flowers. I also loved that she chose to go with a tall arrangement. I'm not usually a huge fan of tall centrepieces, but sometimes and in some spaces, tall arrangements are perfect.
This design was put together by Amanda Douglas Events. I like that it really plays off of natural tones as the base, and then layers in some of that brighter, richer warm tones. Those wood charger plates are such an awesome texture that's added in, and Amanda tucked in a few of her own details - the candles and black plates.
And finally, we've got a newer planner: Ashley from White Ivy Weddings. Her favourite element from everything that was available to choose from was the rich, warm orange copper beech leaves, and she built her entire design around them. I LOVE the orange ranunculus paired with those golden mustard roses, the addition of the burgundy taper candles, and the warm brass coloured linen.
