Finding the Perfect Venue

So the first thing that we needed to tackle in this whole wedding plan was where we were going to have it.  (Surprised that it's not "what shoes will I wear?"  I know...me too.  But trust me, there are going to be many blog posts coming down the pipe for what I have in store for that for the big day!)

When it came to a wedding venue, Eric and I decided that we wanted a place that reflected us as people, as well as was very unique.  You see, we are not a fan of the cookie cutter wedding, and there were many things that we decided that we were going to kibosh that are normally a part of the typical wedding.  While the details of that are a blog post for a different Wedding Wednesday, one of the things we decided was that we did not want to have our wedding reception at a golf club or a hotel.  Which effectively eliminates about 90% of the wedding venues in Winnipeg.  But luckily there are still a few great choices in the city for spectacular, unique venues.

There were a couple of venues that we were considering, the first was actually the Fort Garry Hotel, which directly went against our "no golf club or hotel" rule.  However, you cannot argue the fact that this venue is absolutely stunning.  From the high ceilings to the ornate decor  and chandeliers, this is a venue that just exudes elegance and opulence.  Gorgeousness!

Wedding at the Fort Garry Hotel

 

Another venue we considered is the new Qualico Family Centre at Assinaboine Park.  This was very attractive to us both because we would be able to have our ceremony outdoors (weather permitting) and the building and grounds are absolutely gorgeous. 

 

 

The Qualico Family Centre

 

 

A very interesting venue we came across was the Roblin Centre at the Red River College Princess Street Campus.  We actually didn't know that they did weddings there, and what was attractive to us about this venue was that it was certainly nostalgic.  Eric and I are both graduates of the Business Administration program at RRC and before we went on to the Asper School of Business we both count our days at RRC among the best of our post-secondary experiences!  Also the high ceilings, exposed brick and technology installations make this a very attractive venue for a wedding.

 

 

 

Weddings at RRC Princess Street

 

 

But ultimately, I had my heart set on a venue that I had never set foot in, that I had only heard about in the usual urban wedding legends, and that I had been pining for before I ever got engaged.  (What, like you never thought about your wedding before you got engaged?)  The Millennium Centre on Main Street.  It used to be an old bank before being converted into one of Winnipeg's most popular wedding venues.  It has beautiful high ceilings with a large lighted dome, and beautiful marble pillars and bars.  We feel it also reflects who we are as a couple, with its urban location and modern decor.  (We're definitely not the "country" or "vintage" type...)  Eric and I went and saw the venue last Friday and I was not remotely disappointed.  It was simply stunning.  Not only that, but the owner Mitch is very friendly, funny and knowledgable about weddings, and they allow you to bring in your own alcohol under your own permit.  This was important to us because we are planning a special event in between our ceremony and reception, that I will also be blogging about at a later date! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images of weddings at the Millennium Centre

 

 







Because the Millennium Centre was everything we had hoped for, we didn't have to think long about booking a date for our wedding there.  However, another great thing about the Millennium is that you can book a tentative date without paying a deposit.  If another couple calls and wants your date, you have 72 hours to either pay the deposit and secure the date, or forfeit the date.  This really works for us because there is another SUPER SECRET venue that Eric and I have our eye on.  So secret in fact, that I can't even give you any details about it on this blog.  If it ends up working out for us, then we can book this new place without losing any deposit.  If it ends up not working out for us, then we will pay the deposit and book the spectacular, unique, beautiful Millennium Centre for our ceremony and reception.  It's win win!

Happy Wedding Wednesday!!!

~M