15 Winnipeg Wedding Vendors You Need to Know
Okay listen. Iâm a little anxious about publishing this blog post because there are a LOT of great wedding vendors in Winnipeg (and the surrounding areas). It pains me to not include everyone that I love working with because there are MANY of you. I thought about breaking this out into vendor categories, or doing it as more of a list style, and when it came down to it, I thought:
Iâm going to include the vendors who I feel go out of their way to consistently elevate their work, and thereby elevate our industry as a whole.
Okay listen. Iâm a little anxious about publishing this blog post because there are a LOT of great wedding vendors in Winnipeg (and the surrounding areas). It pains me to not include everyone that I love working with because there are MANY of you. I thought about breaking this out into vendor categories, or doing it as more of a list style, and when it came down to it, I thought:
Iâm going to include the vendors who I feel go out of their way to consistently elevate their work, and thereby elevate our industry as a whole.
Brittany Mahood Photography
This is a huge point for me. The wedding industry and Winnipeg are kind of the same in that theyâre âbig small worlds,â if that makes sense. Thereâs not many of us, but thereâs also a lot of us. There are automatically different levels of professionalism, different levels of service, different groups of vendors who frequently work together, different styles and aesthetics. Iâm always seeking excellence in my own work, and I want to be surrounded by other professionals who also seek a similar excellence.
We have an incredibly talented industry. These are simply vendors who I love and have noticed doing amazing, amazing work.
I also need to give the caveat that I have next to no interaction with many vendors whose work happens DURING the wedding â caterers, bar service, DJ, etc. As a result, I have not included these types of vendors.
There are so many other incredible wedding professionals in this town and if you need a referral for anything, donât hesitate to ask! For example, photographers and videographers. There are easily 5 other photographers I could have included on this list, who I love working with and always do an amazing job. I say it again, if you need a referral, ask away!
If youâre searching for your wedding venue, you can find a list of all my favourite Winnipeg and area wedding venues here.
Brittany Mahood Photography
Event Light
Event Light is PHENOMENAL. And they do a lot more than just lighting (though they do that exceptionally!). Hereâs why I love Event Light:
They are behind most of the rigging that Iâve created hanging installations on. Cam, the owner, is just brilliant and has done such an amazing job of figuring out what is needed to create a structure for me to work on. I trust him implicitly. And he didnât make fun of me when I terribly drove around a scissor lift for this tent wedding (at least not to my face).
The Event Light crew is pretty decently large, and theyâre all so great! Theyâre efficient, kind, hard working, and they always know what theyâre doing. They also seem to always be having a great time and to genuinely enjoy working with each other.
Lighting. Obviously. As well as the audio visual side of things. They just know what theyâre doing, how to do it, and they do it all REALLY REALLY WELL. And what they do, always elevates the event in question.
Brittany Mahood Photography
Planned Perfectly
Itâs very rare when I work on a wedding that Planned Perfectly isnât. There are a lot of reasons why.
First, Kylee and her team are awesome. Theyâve always got a smile on their faces and a joke at the ready. Theyâre also courteous and aware of whatâs going on around them, so they do their best not to hold up anyone elseâs work, resulting in a much more streamlined day for you (whether you know it or not!). Their day-of service is unparalleled.
Planned Perfectlyâs inventory is really lovely â theyâre the best at draping, their linens are high quality and current design styles, and they regularly update their products (though theyâre not always reflected on their site â be sure to reach out to them for all of the details on what they have). For example, they have a fantastic collection of glassware, flatware, and dishware, along with their linens, chairs, and finishing touches.
Their smoke glassware is my personal favourite and I cannot tell you how many times Iâve used their taupe panama table linen!
Brittany Mahood Photography
Paper & PalM
Really fantastic custom wedding stationery has always been hard to consistently find in Winnipeg. Weâve had a number of great designers over the years, but for one reason or an other, theyâve left the industry. Weâve also got a lot of great stationers who will take your idea and replicate it really well, but searching for truly custom, with inspired ideas and elevated taste, has been a harder find. When I came across Paper & Palm at the Wonderful Wedding Show last winter, I got so excited. Iâd seen Paulaâs work on instagram beforehand, but seeing it in person was fantastic.
Paper and Palmâs work features high end details, creative touches, elevated styleâŚitâs everything that you want. Iâve only worked with her a couple of times, but I hope for many more opportunities to tag team weddings and events together!
Michael + Melanie Photography
Beyond the Lounge
Beyond the Lounge doesnât have an enormous inventory appropriate for weddings (lots of great options for corporate events and trade shows), but what they do have is awesome. Their smoke grey acrylic Lotus dining chair is one of my favourites.
Even better, they do an incredible job of maintaining the quality of their inventory. They take such careful care so there are no scratches, dents or dings.
An extra note â Iâve seen and heard Kari and her team during setups and tear-downs. She speaks so kindly to them, training them well and treating them with respect. It doesnât always seem like thatâs a guarantee these days, so this is an extra perk of Beyond the Lounge in my opinion. The photos below are from one of my favourite weddings Iâve ever done.
Joel & Justyna Photography
Soiree Event Planning
Iâve been working with Soiree since my very young days, when I was working at a local wedding magazine and not even in flowers yet! From Soireeâs inception, owner Andrea has set the standard in Winnipeg for event planning. Her team is constantly upping the game, with very high touch service and are highly regarded in our industry.
While I appreciate all things logistical that they excel at (and they certainly do excel at the communication and logistics side of their job!), one thing I noticed consistently this year more than ever before is their teamâs creative designs. Iâll be honest with you, itâs not the easiest job to design amazing wedding after amazing wedding and still keep things fresh (especially when youâre working in a smaller market with a smaller rental inventory available at your disposal, like ours!). Iâm constantly amazed at how great of a job they do taking the same pieces but reinventing them to create a completely unique design. Theyâre not interested in giving their clients something that other couples have had before, so they work really hard in this regard.
Brittany Mahood Photography
Rae & Dot
Hello fun and modern design!! I donât know why the wedding stationery world seems to favour trite, dated, and quite frankly, tacky invitation styles. Lexi and Robyn have a current, fresh design style and know what little details to use to create an invite suite that just looks good.
Rae & Dot offers both custom design and a semi-customizable collection, each with different colourways and paper shapes, so even if you donât have it in the budget to do a custom suite, you can create a custom-feeling piece. A few years ago, they designed a custom suite for one of my couples and we included stickers and they were just the fricking cutest things.
Then theyâve also got all the little stationery pieces that really tie an event together, like signage and menus and so on.
I actually designed Lexiâs wedding flowers this past summer, and she did such a fantastic job of curating the entire event design, and you know when a vendor has excellent personal style that theyâre going to be able to hone in on something amazing for you, too.
Kass Donaldson Photography
Big City All Star Band
So I donât ever actually get to be part of the reception, and have no idea what goes on once the evening starts. BUT Iâll tell ya this: if I were getting married now, a live band would be a priority for me. And then Iâll tell ya this: I get to listen to a lot of warmups and sound checks, and I always have the MOST fun when Big City is on the stage.
Carlin and his crew do an awesome job of basically any type of music. Theyâre also friendly, fun, and high energy, which is exactly what you want from a band.
Photos by Brittany Mahood / Planning by Harlow Events
Brittany Mahood Photography
I donât think any of you would be surprised to find Brittanyâs name on my list here, because I absolutely love her (both as a person, and as a photographer) AND because sheâs amazing.
Brittanyâs skill is incredible. Her galleries never miss. Youâll fall in love with her portfolio and the way she captures people, places, and things (especially light), and then youâll be so thrilled to find out that all of her work is of the same high calibre.
Her work has been recognized nationally and internationally, and itâs always well-deserved.
Brittany shot my maternity photos, sheâs taken our family photos, she came to Hawaii for my sisterâs weddingâŚbasically I love Brittany. You will, too.
Brittany Mahood Photography
Feast & Festivities
I love Emily from Feast & Festivities, and have so much admiration for both how she does her work, and the final product. I know itâs kind of strange to hear your wedding referred to as a âfinal product,â but when you have a creative at the helm who pours herself into conceptualizing every single element and detail, itâs the right phrase. Your wedding is the result of a LOT of hard work.
Emily is really easy to get along with. Sheâs got a fantastic and surprising sense of humour and a really nice energy. Sheâs calm and kind, a necessity for couples who are feeling stressed out and need someone to lead them in their planning.
Another of Emilyâs strengths is her ability to design a wedding. Dang, is she ever good at this. She truly does think of every single thing, and really excels at bringing YOU into your wedding design. Itâs not just a good looking event; itâs YOURS. She also works on a lot of custom projects for her weddings, particularly in personalizing stationery and signage elements.
Emily only takes a small number of weddings each year, and she just pours her heart into each of them. I know sheâs booked for 2024 but if youâre looking for 2025, you should reach out asap.
Megan Steen Photography
Lovenote Bride
Excuse me â Canadian designed and made wedding dresses? And theyâre stunning?
While not based in Winnipeg, Lovenote opened a Winnipeg store about a year and a half ago. Itâs in the Johnston Terminal at the Forks, and itâs absolutely gorgeous. Modern, chic, filled with natural light, TONS of space in the fitting rooms.
Their gowns are stunning. Thatâs all I can say.
OH and the store manager just so happens to be a friend of mine, Erika. Sheâs a truly wonderful person, and does an amazing job of making women feel as beautiful as they deserve to.
Aimee De La Lande Photo
Jenna Rae Cakes
Do I have a slight bias because Iâve been close friends with Ashley for almost 15 years, or because I was Jennaâs first part-time employee when she opened the bakery? Yes. Does it matter? No. And hereâs why.
Everything that JRC does, including but not limited to their weddings, is done with excellence. The production value is incredibly high, and while I know that âproduction valueâ of a wedding is not (and should not be) the most important thing to you on your wedding day, it should also be an incredible relief to know that you absolutely do not need to micromanage, worry, or concern yourself about anything where Jenna Rae Cakes is concerned.
Unfortunately, I have a gluten allergy. That means I havenât been able to eat anything of Jennaâs in about 9 years. But back in those daysâŚwoah baby. Was I a happy girl! If I were getting married now, and I didnât have a gluten allergy, Iâd promptly be ordering a lemon raspberry cake from JRC â that lemon curd is SO GOOD.
Izabela Rachwal Photography
Cathy Wiebe Clothes
Custom wedding gown and accessory design unlike anything youâve experienced before. And I guess if you havenât had a custom made gown before, then of course youâd have no experience to compare it to, but I can tell you from personal experience: Cathyâs level of service and her skills are incredible.
Many many years ago, Cathy made my high school grad dress. I loved it. And Iâm telling you, it was a really really long time ago. In the almost 2 decades that have passed since then (â ď¸), sheâs refined and practised her skills and really come into her own. I can always tell a Cathy gown when I see one. Sheâs not afraid to tell you about the late nights and the chaos that comes with her job, which I actually really appreciate â the art of a true artist isnât necessarily completed in a typical 9-5 working day.
One of Cathyâs amazing skills is embroidery. Several of my past clients have had her embroidery work on their veils and dresses, adding flowers (including specific flowers I was using in their bouquets to tie it all together!! Talk about that customization!!) and even words and monograms into her brideâs pieces. These are literal works of art.
Also, and this may sound strange (Iâll have to hear what Cathy says about it!), I find Cathyâs work on sleeves to be really amazing. Look at Vanessaâs belled sleeves below and tell me this is anything short of divine and I wonât believe you.
Kass Donaldson Photography
Megan Steen Photography
Megan is one of those people who can see the beauty in anyone and everything around her. Sheâs refreshingly true and kind, and I think that filters through her camera. Sheâs welcoming, and not in your face, and isnât going to make you pose awkwardly. All perks :) Sheâs down to earth and comfortable to be around. And she often has a pretty quick turnaround time on photos!
Something thatâs unique about Megan is the way she loves the world. She loves people, yes, but she also loves the earth and sheâs pretty vocal about it. Iâm always seeking to work as environmentally-friendly as possible (itâs surprisingly hard in the floral industry!), and Megan prioritizes a very low-waste approach to life and work. She also loves being in nature, and that translates through her photos. You can just SEE her love for the natural world in her imagery â even if youâre the focus of the photo.
Megan and her partner also run another business, Wild Skies Resort. Itâs an eco-friendly glamping resort that is incredibly beautiful and cool. Iâve had multiple couples take their honeymoons here, and have absolutely loved it. Sheâs another one of those professionals who only take on a few weddings each season, and she travels widely, so be sure to get in touch.
Alli Mae Events
I LOVE working with Alli. When clients ask me about her, I often describe her as the tiniest person who gets the most done. Sheâs this tiny bundle of incredible energy and strength.
Alli and her team are fun to be around (a vendor team who has a good time working on your wedding is a major plus! Thatâs the kind of atmosphere you want) and theyâve always got an âI can do thisâ attitude, no matter how big the task is.
I appreciate how organized Alli Mae Events is. Youâd think, âshouldnât all wedding planners be organized?â And the answer is yes. But Alliâs got a really great system, which empowers all your vendors to be able to do their job to the fullest, while also freeing up her own time on the wedding day so she can focus on what SHE needs to get done, and not just answer questions from everyone else.
MYUZ Artistry
Winnipeg has a lot of phenomenal makeup (and hair!) artists. Like, so so many. One of my favourites is Myuz.
If youâre a skincare aficionado, or if, like me, you have struggled with acne (or something else skin related) for most of your life, then Myuz needs to become part of your regular budget. Whether youâre getting married or not, healthy skin makes a person feel so much more confident and Myuz is the top for skincare. But if you ARE getting married, then you also need to check them out for makeup.
My clients whoâve chosen to work with Myuz are often the happiest with their makeup, and very frequently I have asked someone, âwho did your makeup?!â and the response has usually been, âTina!â
LOOKING FOR A WEDDING FLORAL AND EVENT DESIGNER IN WINNIPEG?
Weâre connected with many of the best wedding professionals in Winnipeg. We can partner with them to create the wedding of your dreams!
Call me biased, but flowers are the best way to make a statement at your wedding. Whether you already have a specific vision or want me to dream up something custom just for you, 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!
Top Trends for 2024 and 2025 Winnipeg Weddings
Writing my annual wedding trends post is one of my favourite posts to work on. Itâs fun to see how many of my couples of digging into âtrends,â and TBH itâs also kind of fun for me to hate on trends that other people are talking about. Not all trends are good trends, friends.
I focus on the design-related trends here. There are lots of other cool trends you might consider adding to your wedding â the audio guestbook, for example, or having a content creator with you all day long. Iâm just going to stay in my lane, and talk about pretty things.
I always love forecasting wedding trends, so here we go!
Writing my annual wedding trends post is one of my favourite posts to work on. Itâs fun to see how many of my couples of digging into âtrends,â and TBH itâs also kind of fun for me to hate on trends that other people are talking about. Not all trends are good trends, friends.
I focus on the design-related trends here. There are lots of other cool trends you might consider adding to your wedding â the audio guestbook, for example, or having a content creator with you all day long. Iâm just going to stay in my lane, and talk about pretty things.
Photo above by Three Photography
As always, before I jump into some of my favourite trends that I hope weâll see in 2024 and 2025 weddings, here are a few things that are always at the top of my list:
Environmental Responsibility
Quality Over Quantity
Locally Grown Flowers
Doing Things Your Own Way
I just read a quote the other day encouraging couples planning their weddings: âYou canât please everyone, so please yourself. Trying to make every family member and guest happy can lead to a wedding that doesnât reflect you two as a couple. Focus on what makes you happy.â So my friends, if you donât like what I have to say here, thatâs TOTALLY FINE. You do you, my friends. Make your wedding the greatest it can be, for you.
Oh, and I am still obsessed with the trends that we talked about last year; in fact, I inclulded a few of them here again! Check that out here if you want.
And now, letâs get into the pretty and inspirational! (And PS â if youâre newly engaged, congratulations! If youâre new here, welcome! I share a deep look into my real weddings, along with sharing planning advice and tips!)
Photo by Liz Andolina / Design by Trille Floral and Winsome Floral
Sculptural Floral Design
Weâre seeing unique shapes, funky ingredients and textures and REALLY letting the flowers shine. Thereâs no micromanaging with this â weâre beholden to what cool ingredients we can get, so a client cannot be particular if this is the style they want.
And after so many years of âjust a little greenery,â I cannot tell you how truly thrilled FLORAL DESIGNERS are to see a return to actual floral design.
Focal Design Moments
Letâs favour a few focal floral features and minimize other elements. I always look to Australian wedding trends; trends often start there and work their way here â and weâre seeing a lot of abundant, over the top hanging installations, focal floral arrangements, and then somewhat minimized tabletops for banquet tables. Statements moments like a hanging piece, a killer entrance moment, a spectacular cake set upâŚchefâs kiss.
Mono-Bloom Bouquets
Weâve been seeing mono-bloom bridesmaid bouquets popping up more and more on Instagram, and Iâm all for it. Basically, this means we take one specific flower type for each bridesmaid, giving them each a unique bouquet, and then tying it all together with your bouquet.
I really love that we can create very different vibes with this â whimsical and gardeny, modern and sleek, obviously hitting different parts of your colour paletteâŚitâs all good and Iâd love to do more of it.
Weâre also still scaling back on bouquet size, aiming for a more petite feel.
Creative Seating Plans
An amazing floor plan is like a love language to someone who works in events. A plan that creates visual interest in the room and allows for multiple different design elements, at the same time as allowing for excellent flow, is the absolute dream.
Weâre talking differently shaped and sized tables, mixed cocktail and full size tables, introducing interesting seating elements (as long as theyâre still comfortable!) and you have got yourself one heck of a good base for your event design.
Colour
Neon.
K now donât get too worried â this isnât going to be a widespread trend. But Iâm really excited to see some hints of neon working their way into fun, bold wedding palettes. Note that this will be hard to do with flowers, so this is something to consider bringing in with candles, vases, stationery, and so on.
Are these acrylic place mats not DIVINE?!
Outside of just neon, Iâm thinking weâre going to keep seeing a lot of orange â mostly just in accents, but itâs presence will be felt.
Meandering Aisles
This isnât exactly anything new, but Iâve been noticing more and more ceremony designs making use of the space they have by creating a meandering aisle. This means that your chairs are not perfectly aligned, instead creating a wave pattern that then allows your floral designer to tuck floral arrangements into. Note that youâre going to need a lot of space to do this, and it will not work in every setting as a result.
Unique Draping
This one is a bit harder because it really hinges on your venue, but Iâm seeing a lot of really interesting, unique draping installations and Iâm HERE for it. Why?
Draping can create a really cool ambiance, and completely change the vibe of the space. Dreamy, modern, organic, cleanâŚall things possible with drapery. And no unsightly venue walls to contend with.
Bows
This one comes to us from my friend Emily at Feast & Festivities:
Bows are a timeless design (they're never out of style), but this year they are making a statement. Big bows and dainty bows, you'll find them tied around the stems of champagne coupes, on the shoulders of gowns, on wine bottles, and adorning anything from menus to cakes and floral installations.
looking for a wedding floral designer in winnipeg?
We can design an incredibly beautiful wedding for you, trendy or not.
Flowers are the best way to make a statement at your wedding. Whether you already have a specific vision or want me to dream up something custom just for you, 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!
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 itâs time for an update!
Whether youâre looking for a wedding venue inside Winnipeg or within a few minutes of the perimeter, weâve got some really great options â 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 itâs time for an update!
Whether youâre looking for a Winnipeg wedding venue or something within a few minutes of the perimeter, weâve got some really great options â just make sure you book it early!
Previously, Iâve broken this up into My Top 5 Unique Wedding Venues, and Top 5 Best Wedding Locations in Manitoba (outside of Winnipeg). Since those posts, weâve seen a number of new venues open, as well as a few on my previous lists close down or shift gear. Iâve had the distinct pleasure of working at almost all of these venues within the last 12 months, and theyâre 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! Thereâs 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. Itâs 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. Itâs a windy property, and seemingly no matter what is happening in the sky, itâs 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 â they are SO good to vendors. Honestly, they make our jobs easy and thatâs not something you find at every venue. Extra bonus points for a happy vendor team đ
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 happenedâŚand I just am so happy about it because itâs 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 đ¸
-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 youâre 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 hereâs the thing â 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 â itâs perfect for intimate wedding receptions, an outdoor wedding ceremony, or even your cocktails and dancing!
Alloway Hall at the Manitoba Museum
Iâm super excited that, after a few yearsâ hiatus, the Manitoba Museum is once again taking wedding bookings in Alloway Hall! Iâm eagerly anticipating my first wedding there next summer. Weâre 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 youâre not going to want to go minimal with decor.
Hereâs 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 itâs 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 theyâre often so beautifully designed that you just need to add a few flowers or candles and youâre all set to go.
Keep in mind that tables are usually a bit more helter-skelter (they wonât all be exactly the same, making the floor plan a bit trickier to figure out) and also usually quite narrow, so you wonât have as much space for florals. Iâd recommend doing a plated dinner as there often wonât 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 itâs 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 donât 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 itâs not as though you didnât already know the venue existed, BUT, itâs 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, thereâs 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 guestsâ 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 thatâs 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 Stephanieâs intimate wedding under the trees at Wild Skies, and since then, theyâve built a modern pavilion (complete with pizza oven đ¤¤) that Iâm aching to see in person.
Pineridge Hollow
Pineridge Hollow has always been on the list, and for good reason. Everyone loves it! Itâs 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, theyâve recently added permanent bathrooms (woo!) and offer multiple ceremony settings so you can really get the vibe youâre 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 itâs 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. Iâm 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 đ
Ariana Tennyson Photography
Hawthorn Estates
Hawthorn is just about 30 minutes outside of the city (and itâs actually super close to my end of town, so itâs very convenient for me lol!) and theyâve 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. Thereâs a great amount of natural light, as well as really nice bathrooms, which always bumps a venue to the top of my personal list!
Iâd love to work with a client at Hawthorn who wants to get creativeâŚIâd 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 fireplaceâŚoh baby, whoâs 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 itâs 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 youâve budgeted appropriate for ceiling and wall drapery. Itâs 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 itâs 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!
What Do Floral Installations Cost at Weddings?
Itâs basically impossible for someone whoâs not in the floral industry to have any clue how to budget for, or price out, a floral installation. Let me help!
Itâs basically impossible for someone whoâs not in the floral industry to have any clue how to budget for or price out a floral installation. Let me help!
Photo: Esther Funk Photography
I recently had an off-putting encounter with a bride (not one of my clients), who walked into the tent at Pineridge Hollow while Deanna and I were setting up a wedding.
She was just checking it out as her wedding was upcoming there, and she asked which floral company we were with. When I responded âStone House Creative,â she kind of muttered âof courseâ and I politely responded, âwas I already booked for your date?â She replied no, and kind of fumbled over the words: âyouâre too expensive.â She then proceeded to say that she was willing to splurge because she wanted the ceiling covered in greenery and the tent entrance poles covered with florals and greenery exactly like she had seen me design for another wedding at the same venue last fall.
SoâŚshe thought that I was too expensive, but hadnât even inquired with me or received a quote from me, all at the same time as wanting TWO very labour-intensive and product-intensive installations.
I was so confused and a few weeks later, itâs still so unsettling to me. I know that you all donât know what goes into the costs of floral design and what it is what we do â and you donât have to know! Thatâs totally our jobs.
But there are a few lines that need to be drawn, and thatâs this: donât assume something is too expensive without looking into it, AND if youâre supposedly on a low budget (because Iâm too expensive? thatâs the inference I assumed from the conversation) then donât assume that you can afford multiple large installations.
(And to note: Stone House Creative is not really more or less expensive than any other established floral designers who specialize in weddings and use the premium quality product that I do. There are definitely companies who charge too little, but that doesnât mean that Iâm charging too much â thereâs a big difference between the price tag associated with a company that undercuts or doesnât charge for rental items, and a company like mine that is built on solid business practises and isnât interested in going into the red to pay for other peoplesâ weddings.)
This does give me the perfect opportunity to talk to you all about budgeting for installations. When a floral designer or wedding planner uses the word âinstallation,â weâre referring to those large focal moments that are massively eye-catching and make a huge impact on your wedding design. These are also going to be large budget line items, as they generally require a lot of labour, a lot of product, and a lot more logistical consideration than just designing a centrepiece and popping it onto a table.
So, letâs talk about floral and greenery installations, and what they cost.
First, I have to give the annoying caveat that every installation is going to cost a completely different amount than the next. The very nature of an installation is that itâs 100% customized to the space, the product used, the amount of time and labour it takes to put together, and so on.
Second, Iâll give the broad-scale notice that nothing large is âcheap.â Ever. Nothing. You can look at a very floral-heavy installation and think âif she makes it out of carnations, itâll be cheap.â Thatâs just not true â large, statement making pieces require a TON of product, time, expertise, and labour, and none of that is inexpensive. Itâs like if youâre buying a car, and you think âa Mercedes is too expensive for my budget; Iâll get a Corolla instead,â but then you upgrade to literally every single premium option in that Corolla, youâre still going to be spending a lot of money. Itâs still not cheap.
Planning: Feast & Festivities | Photo: Megan Steen Photography
Greenery on Ceilings
If youâve spent any time on Pinterest or Instagram looking for wedding inspo, youâll have seen images of tents or ballrooms with greenery vining across the ceiling. It can be incredibly gorgeous, yes!
Hereâs what youâre not thinking about: the rigging or lighting company needs to first go up on ladders or a lift, and install cables or line for the florist to then go up and attach the greenery to. This takes them a few hours.
Then the floral designer gets up on the ladder or the lift and attaches the greenery. This takes a few hours, and at least 3 staff. And not everyone is comfortable getting up on a ladder!
Now, the vining greenery that we often use for this type of work is called smilax. It comes in a large quantity, often in a giant garbage bag crammed into a cardboard box. It does not come in smaller quantities. You canât just get a small bit of it. Itâs also covered in thorns, and twisted up in vines and itâs really time consuming to carefully pull apart to get the right pieces. And quite frequently, by the time it gets to us in Manitoba, itâs partially rotten and so we have to buy more to account for this.
Based on the amount of product that we have to order, the absolute bare minimum that youâll need to invest in ceiling greenery is $1000, and thatâs just the cost of product. Thatâs not including labour, time, or logistical needs like renting a scissor lift. Depending on how large of a space youâre covering, or how dense you want the coverage, this is most likely not going to be nearly enough. Without knowing anything about your space, Iâd suggest budgeting at least $3000 for anything on the ceiling. This could easily go up to over $8000 depending on the size of space youâre working with.
Planning: Feast & Festivities | Photo: Megan Steen Photography
Tent Entrances or Staircase Installations
I love a good tent entrance moment ⨠Read more here to find out why (and some of my other favourite ways to design a tent wedding!).
Tent entrances and staircase installations are relatively similar in the way that we have to design. Basically we need to take the amount of space that weâre designing (50 stairs approx 12 inches deep each, or 2 tent poles approx 8 feet high, etc) and then figure out how much product we need per foot, and multiply that by the dimensions weâre working with. We also need to consider how much volume weâre using, if weâre trying to camouflage something like a tent cable, and so on.
Another important question to ask is, are we using all greeneries/foliages or are we incorporating floral, or is it entirely floral? This is going to affect the final cost, as well as how long itâs going to take, what the mechanics are, what needs a water source, and so on. A tent entrance could likely start around $2500 for a foliage-focused design, while Iâd suggest that a full staircase installation like the photos youâre looking at on Pinterest would start more around $10k.
Planning: Soiree Event Planning | Photo: Brittany Mahood Photography
Hanging Installations
Hanging installations can come in many shapes and sizes. This season alone, weâve done medium to large pieces hanging over a bar or a head table, to greenery-dense grids hanging over a dance floor, to floral clouds hanging over an aisle. You can see how itâs impossible to give a blanket quote for these types of things.
7 years ago, when I started doing a lot of hanging ceremony installations at the now closed Cieloâs Garden, I priced them starting at $500. Just as with every other industry in the world, floral costs have increased much since then.
If youâre wanting a single hanging piece over a head table or a bar, for example, Iâd suggest budgeting at least $800 (similar in size to the picture above). This will also vary if you need it completely double sided, or single sided (as in, is the back going up against a wall and no one will notice if there are no florals on the back side?).
If youâre wanting something more dramatic, like flower clouds down your aisle or a large piece over your dance floor, Iâm going to again suggest budgeting a minimum of $3000. If you have a large space (like a 20x20 dance floor, for example), obviously that will take more product to cover. You also donât need to fully cover it! A few hanging pieces here and there can be absolutely dreamy!
Photo: Ariana Tennyson Photography
Fireplace Mantles
Fireplace moments are SO delicious to me. Weâve got a few wedding venues in Winnipeg and area that have some glorious fireplaces that I love flowering, including St Charles Country Club, Hawthorn Estates, and Lilystone Gardens.
One thing thatâs great about fireplace installations is that it can be a great place to repurpose a ceremony floral piece! Make sure to measure the fireplace and ensure itâs deep enough (some are mostly decorative and donât have much space on the mantle). If you have aisle pieces or an arch piece, these might find a good home on the fireplace.
Floral designs always come together best when theyâre designed for one particular spot, so if budget does allow for you to give the mantle itâs own moment, youâll be the happiest with the final product. Mantles can be done as a lush, full floral and greenery piece, as well as easily done as a collection of candles and mixed stem vases and varied size arrangements.
The cost is going to depend on the size of the fireplace, but if youâre looking at a large floral piece, Iâd start your budgeting around $200/foot of coverage that you want, and if youâre looking to incorporate candles and stem vases, you could probably budget that at $75 - $100/foot of coverage.
Planning: Eventzy | Photo: Mandy Wright Photography
Custom Backdrops and Focal Points
Sometimes weâll get requests for a floral spotlight at a welcome sign, as part of a photo booth backdrop, a cake table, and so on. These prices are also going to range widely, but I think youâd be safe to start your budgeting at $300-$500 for a âsmallerâ floral piece, and $500+ for a larger moment.
I hope this is so helpful for you! I know that wedding flower budgeting is incredibly unsexy and also very mysterious. Itâs not a world that youâre familiar with, and thatâs okay. Generally speaking, online resources are completely useless and out of touch with reality, so that doesnât help you either. Thatâs what weâre here for :)
Getting married in 2024?
Flowers are the best way to make a statement at your wedding. Whether you already have a specific vision or want me to dream up something custom just for you, reach out to us for stunning bridal bouquets, truly unique ceremony backdrops, and beautiful floral centrepieces to create the perfect ambiance for your wedding!
Make Your Wedding Cake a Focal Point
My wedding design philosophy centres around creating focal design moments that will be memorable, interactive, and highly photographed. These are also where youâll end up investing chunks of your budget. Choosing to invest in focal moments helps ensure that youâre not going to blow your budget overall by spending on every little thing, but rather giving your spending a focus.
i know people have their ups and downs with wedding cakes and whether theyâre a priority or not. in my mind, it comes down to this: if youâre going to invest in a wedding cake, then make đđť it đđť a đđť Moment đđť
If youâre going to invest in a wedding cake, then MAKE IT A MOMENT.
Madeline Kate Photography
My wedding design philosophy centres around creating focal design moments that will be memorable, interactive, and highly photographed. These are also where youâll end up investing chunks of your budget. Choosing to invest in focal moments helps ensure that youâre not going to blow your budget overall by spending on every little thing, but rather giving your spending a focus.
i know people have their ups and downs with wedding cakes and whether theyâre a priority or not. in my mind, it comes down to this: if youâre going to invest in a wedding cake, then make đđť it đđť a đđť Moment đđť
AKA, letâs make some floral magic happen.
Looking for more? Iâve also created a Pinterest Board rounding up some amazing wedding cake focal moment designs. Check that out right here!
Fresh Florals + Sugar Flowers = CAKE LOVE
Alright, so Iâm pretty confident that Iâve never seen a more gorgeous wedding cake than this one. Everything about it was divine, but just overall the way Jenna styled the fresh florals with sugar flowers and fruit was just glorious. Totally, totally glorious. It took centre stage on an equally beautiful dessert table and we didnât add any extra major floral moments, because the cake itself was perfection.
Of course youâll want to see this entire wedding at The White Poplar, which you can find here.
Little Cake, Big Style
This was just a simple Baked Expectations carrot cake but we really went for it on the flowers. This was a completely floral foam-free cake surround â I donât like foam ever, but I would never use it near a cake. Itâs just straight up cancer chemical plasticâŚno bueno. So this was designed in mixed sizes of vases and little chicken wire rolls! Hereâs a look at how we designed it!
Bonus: If youâre an interior design lover, then shop your home! This table is from Brennaâs living room and it was totally perfect.
Slide it Under the Arch
Well, this is one weâll never forget! The ceremony arch was set up in the Concert Ballroom at the Fort Garry, and then dinner was in the Crystal Ballroom down the hallway. That gave the perfect amount of time to flip the ceremony space into an afterparty and slid the cake under the arch.
Hot dang you guys. The cake itself was a remarkable 6 tiered showstopper, and under this 12 foot tall arch, it was a SERIOUS moment.
See more from Karleigh and Mattâs luxurious Fort Garry Hotel wedding here!
Re-Using Your Ceremony Setting
If your ceremony and reception venues are in the same space, then you literally have to think no further than adding a cocktail table with a gorgeous linen to use as a cake table, and sliding that right under or in front of your ceremony floral feature.
Set at The Novella, this editorial shoot featured a super cute circular ceremony platform with a hanging floral installation above. It was a no-brainer to re-use this as the perfect setting for the gorgeous cake (but if it was your wedding, youâd probably want those ceremony chairs taken out!).
Pies and Flowers
So if youâre doing a dessert table of any kind (in this case, pies and donuts), you have the opportunity to make it a fun and interactive display, more than just a buffet line like youâd see at a social.
First, I love the way the treats are all displayed on various crates and cake plates to give height and visual appeal.
We added ground-based floral pieces to both sides of the table, kind of moving around the front of the table. Lots of movement and height, super textural, tying through the colour paletteâŚit looked gorgeous, if I may say so myself.
If youâre doing large aisle pieces, this could be the perfect way to repurpose them!
See more from Stephanie and Tiffâs rainy fall wedding at Pineridge Hollow here!
Simple and Romantic
Even if your cake is on the simpler side, you donât need to scrimp on style! The hand painted petal detailing on the cake was light and romantic, so we wanted to mimic that with a frilly petal design on the cake table itself.
This was also a cute way to fill the table, without adding a ton of cost to your budget! And of course, it also makes for a super pretty addition to those champagne tower pouring photos đ
More coming from this editorial soon!
Summer Colour
I loved the juicy pops of colour on this cake! I wanted to create a partial floral surround and just load it full of colourful blooms, and I used a lot of locally grown deliciousness for it.
This is a great design if youâre opting for the traditional cake-cutting moment, because youâve got easy-access to most of the cake but still have the eye-catching florals.
See the rest of this cute and colourful editorial here!
Rose Garden Vibes
Marisa requested a straight-up rose garden for her wedding cake. Ummm YOU GOT IT.
This would be another perfect way to repurpose those aisle flowers! Youâll just want to make sure that your floral designer and your wedding planner connect regarding the scale â the florals canât be too low to the ground, the cake table canât be too high, etc.!
See more from this lovely all-white wedding at St Charles Golf Course here!
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My 2024 bookings are now open!
Call me biased, but I think flowers are the best way to make a statement at your wedding. I would love the creative challenge of taking your wedding vision and spinning it into a reality that you never could have dreamed of.