Choosing My Vendors: Venue - Option #4

Option 4: Six Pines Ranch & Farm

Cost: $950 for grounds

Includes:

• Horse shoe pit,
• Swings for kid’s etc.
• Viewing of outside animals at own pace, and own responsibility.
• Tree house, use at own responsibility.
• Paths for walking though
• Picnic tables
• Sheltered area for eating
• Large grassed area for games
• Garbage removal, parking area
• Outhouses water stations set up for washing of hands.

Bon-fire could be supplied at additional cost of $75.00 – Bartending costs $17.00/hr per

Camping also available – add. cost – self contained units no hookups $28/nite.

After seeing that the Lower Fort Garry site would not work for me, I was convinced that this would be perfect for us. It would fit in our budget, provide a shelter so I didn't have to rent a tent but still allow for an outside ceremony if weather agreed.

I had called to make an appointment to view when my BF suggested that I check out one other location first. I had my doubts but agreed, after checking it out I was sold and I never bothered to visit this venue. I still believe that it would be an amazing venue!

The option I went with coming up next...

Choosing My Vendors: Venue - Option #3

Option 3: Fort Gibraltar

Cost: Ceremony $350 + Reception $32/person for food.

Capacity: 120 max

I think this location is gorgeous and unlike Lower Fort Garry it is inside the city so there isn't as far a distance for guests to travel, but I would be forced to cap my invites to 120 for the sit down dinner and I don't have the option to do my own catering, including my cake. Apparently ONLY licensed bakers allowed to make your cake.

Beautiful but I think this venue is a no go.

Choosing My Vendors: Venue - Option #2

Option 2: Lower Fort Garry - Picnic Shelter (south of the historic grounds, near the visitor reception centre)

Cost - $490/day

Capacity - 150+. They supply picnic tables at no extra cost. Tables & chairs I would have to rent myself.

The picnic shelter is electrified and lit. Not sure on how cater-friendly they are though.

For all facility rentals, guests would get free entrance to visit the historic grounds and you would be able to have wedding photos taken on the historic grounds at no additional charge. Additionally, there is the opportunity to have some heritage programming by Parks Canada staff incorporated into the event (such as a special guided tour just for your guests)

I love the idea of letting my guests view the historical grounds/reenactment between the ceremony and receptions.

My issue with the location:
- When I actually went to see the site I realized that the picnic site didn't offer as much of a shelter as I had expected, leaving little room for a dance floor. Not to mention that if it rained my guests would not be happy.

-The picnic shelter is located very close to the highway and the main interpretation center. Not as close to the historical site as I had hoped.

So it probably wouldn't work for our wedding but I still love the idea of having it at a historical site like this so it made the list.

Choosing My Vendors: The Venue - Option #1

I've been searching online for over 2 year now (yes...prior to my engagement!) for venues in and around where I live, as I've decided that I will not be going back to my home town to get married as its a bit of a drive for the majority of people (approximately 6-8hours) and my sister already did a gorgeous wedding in my parents' yard. So unless I want to duplicate her wedding there isn't many options there. With that said I've found only a few options that I think are viable, both for capacity and cost, as well as, esthetically pleasing.

Option 1: The Peace Gardens at the ERRICK WILLIS PAVILION

Cost: $620 for the day

- Tables and Chairs provide, must provide your own linens, silverware, glassware, punch bowl, and dishes.

- Capacity 125 (I think I could squeeze more though)

- Campsites and Dorm rentals available for guests - very affordable.

My issues with this location:

- It site's on the boarder of Canada & the US, so although you don't require a passport to get in you will require one to leave. I think this will make some people shy away for the event.

- It is approximately 3 hours away from Winnipeg. Although it is close to a lot of MY relatives there will be travelling for most of our friends and his family. This also will limit who I can use for a caterer and possibly increase my costs if I need to transport things so far.

-Capacity is 125...although I would love to think I could squeeze more, my guest list is over 200 people and I don't want to run the risk of not being able to fit everyone.

Although there isn't the best option it is a beautiful one so I'm keeping it on the list.