In our previous post we shared 5 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Ceremony Venue. Today we’re sharing 5 important questions to ask the venues you’re considering booking for your reception or wedding celebration.

1. What time must the event end? Are there any community noise bylaws that must be adhered to? Most commonly in Alberta we see a 1:00 AM bar closure time, but some venues choose to shut down a bit earlier than this. Other communities have noise bylaws that prohibit loud music past 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM. This can especially be true for venues located in residential areas, or backyard tented events. Check the bylaws in your area if you’re hosting an event at home.

Whyte Museum Grounds (Banff, AB) / Natalie Andrusiak

2. When can the venue be accessed for decorating? When must all items be removed? It may seem early to worry about logistics, but it is important to consider when you will be able to set up and decorate for your event, and when everything must be taken down and picked up. Most rental and decorating companies will charge a premium to come back late at night, so if your venue allows next-day pick up this can save you some cash.

50th Parallel Estate / Tara Peach

3. Is catering provided by the venue, or is external catering permitted? Are alcohol and bartending services provided by the venue, or can you bring your own alcohol and liquor license? It can be convenient when the venue provides all food and beverage services. On the other hand, choosing your own caterer and bar company offers you more control over your menu and budget. In either case, be sure to ask ahead about meal service styles (plated vs buffet vs family style) and any special must-have menu items or cultural dishes.

JW Marriott, Wayne Gretzky Ballroom / Mango Studios

4. What are the nearby options for guest parking? It is helpful to include parking details on your invitations or wedding website so guests have a heads up about parking locations, costs, walking distance to the venue, and whether they can leave their vehicles overnight. If your venue is outside of an area serviced by taxis or Uber, consider arranging shuttle bus service to provide your guests with a safe and convenient way to attend your wedding.

Aspen Valley Events / Andras Schram

5. What is included with the venue rental and what am I responsible for renting or supplying? Find out what the venue provides and what you must bring in yourselves or rent. Some examples of items you may require for your wedding reception include: chairs, tables (ask about sizes), linens, napkins, staging, dance floor, podium, AV equipment (microphones, sound system, projector, screen), dishware, flatware, glassware, candles, easels and coat racks.

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge / Nicole Ashley Photography

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Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Edmonton Wedding Planners, Edmonton Event Planners

Along with 150 of their favourite people, Grace and Shane travelled to the majestic Rocky Mountains for their winter destination wedding at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

As most guests were visiting the area for the first time from the US, Grace and Shane hosted a welcome reception the evening prior to the wedding. They shuttled their guests from Lake Louise to wine and dine at the The Bison and experience the world-renowned Town of Banff.

The wedding day itself was mild as far as Canadian winters go, and the happy couple were able to exchange vows outdoors in front of the icy blue lake. After dinner and toasts, they danced the night away in the Victoria Ballroom to old and new hits covered by Five on the Side Band!

Credits:

• Wedding Day Management: Jennifer Bergman Weddings (Suzanne)
• Rehearsal Dinner Venue: The Bison Banff
• Ceremony Venue: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (Lakefront Terrace)
• Reception Venue: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (Victoria Ballroom)
• Photography: Photography
• Officiant: Jason Suydam
• Ceremony + Reception Music: Five on the Side Band
• Wedding Gown: Lilybridal
• Florist: Banff Mountaintop Flowers
• Charter Buses: ABBC Charter Busses
• Rentals: Mountain Event Rentals
• Hair + Makeup: Botega Salon + Gallery

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Suzanne, Lead Planner | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Lake Louise Wedding Planners
Rocky Mountain Wedding Planners

While we’re based in Edmonton, Alberta, we’ve had the pleasure of planning and designing weddings in many beautiful destinations – both in Canada and abroad! This series will showcase some of our favourite locations including information for couples considering a wedding away from home.

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Destination ‘I Do’ Wedding Series: Lake Louise, Alberta

Nestled in the Canadian Rockies and just a short 40 min drive from Banff, Lake Louise is truly a unique mountain escape. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (CLL) has a rich history dating back as early as 1911 when the General Manager of the Canadian Pacific Railway constructed a one-story log cabin on the shores of Lake Louise – a glacier fed lake with stunning emerald hues. CLL has hosted many famous guests and Royalty including Marilyn Monroe, Christopher Reeve and Queen Elizabeth II, to name a few.

Chateau Lake Louise offers several different event spaces to host your wedding festivities no matter the size – from an intimate gathering of 20 guests in the Lefroy Room, all the way up to 600 guests in Mount Temple Ballroom. One of the most popular wedding spaces is Victoria Ballroom, which has recently completed renovations in September 2016.

You can see from our weddings below that no matter the season, The Chateau’s views will not disappoint!

Here are a few photos we have compiled of our Lake Louise weddings with this gorgeous gown to show you the
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise at its finest: Real Wedding: Jenny + James // Sharon Litchfield

Real Wedding: Jodie + Chris // NewHairLine

Real Wedding: Shelley + Stewart // katebackdrop

Real Wedding: Zahra + Jordan // Kelsy Nielson Photographer

Real Wedding: Tess + James // Kelly Redinger

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Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Lake Louise Wedding Planning + Design
Rocky Mountain Wedding Planning + Design