Free/Cheap/Mustachian Ottawa Wedding Venue Ideas?

[lifejoy]

It is probable that I will be planning a wedding with my boyfriend soonish. His father is ill. My bf and I have long had plans to get married, but we may speed them up so that everyone's parents can be involved. Anyway.

I am definitely doing my own research, but I wanted to hear from the locals! :) I have never lived in Ottawa but that's where my bf's parents live. Travelling is not really an option for them, so it is likely that a ceremony would be in Ottawa. I am very flexible about location/venue. I seek only to keep costs down, while making it somewhat worthwhile for out-of-town guests.

Our budget is pretty small, and guest list would be 20-60 people, depending on who is able to make it.

I really appreciate any ideas, as the only people I know in Ottawa are his parents, and my preliminary google searches are turning up legit wedding venues ($$$) instead of thinking-outside-of-the-box locations. I'm open to outdoor spots, indoor spots (a hip bar that can be rented out?) - ANYTHING.

Thanks :)

[RetiredAt63]

I don't know Ottawa that well, but possibilities - do the in-laws belong to a golf or curling club?  Or have close friends who do?  These will often rent out facilities.  Costs vary a lot, my curling club does this, we are relatively inexpensive as a venue but we are pretty basic.  Not close enough to Ottawa for you, though.

Any large restaurant should have a private dining room that would hold your whole group, if it is on the small side.

I know people used to get their wedding pictures taken at the Experimental Farm, but that was a long time ago, I have no idea if you need to make official arrangements, or just show up.  There are some very nice flower beds on the grounds, they make nice backgrounds.

I'll pass this on to people actually living there now.

[Ottawa]

Hey there!  It all depends on what you consider low $$...bear in mind that parents chip in a bit, guests give cash etc...our wedding worked out to a cost of ZERO for us at the venue below.

It was a while ago now - but we did our whole wedding right here:http://www.courtyardrestaurant.com/weddings.aspx.  This is an old place downtown in the byward market.  It is very close to parliament/US embassy, in the hub of things.  Our wedding was around 60; they have a couple of venues within their restaurant that will suit different sizes (i.e. 20 or 50).

If you like the medieval vibe  - you'll like it here.  The food was fantastic the ambiance magnificent!  There is a lot of flexibility in what you can 'order' for your menu, whether or not you have cash bar, all the decor/DJ/ etc. The whole venue/food/bar(open) thing cost around $5000... 

Check their spring wedding menu and pricing structure as an example of options:http://www.courtyardrestaurant.com/uploads/pdfs/wedding%20menu%20spring%202014.pdf

[Primm]

I don't know Ottawa either, I'm not even in the same country. But my husband and I got married in a park that could be hired exclusively. Was going to cost us $400 for the venue, but we told them it was a "party" not a "wedding" so cost came down to $140.

Cold cut and cheese platters from Woolworths, wine by the case, we bought glasses from Ikea and sold them afterwards at a net cost about 1/3 of hiring them. We had about 60 people and it was an amazing day. We went out for dinner afterwards and invited anyone who wanted to come along, but everyone paid for themselves. Some people came, some didn't, and we partied on at the Casino in our wedding finery.

I'm not going to tell you how much the dress cost (pre-Mustachian days...) but suffice to say the entire wedding was a seriously cheap affair, went on all day and was a huge hit from all accounts.

[lifejoy]

Great ideas, everyone! Especially you, Ottawa - thanks for living up to your (user)name! It's a big help :)

[Ottawa]

Great ideas, everyone! Especially you, Ottawa - thanks for living up to your (user)name! It's a big help :)

No worries - give us a PM if you want specific help!

[lifejoy]

Great ideas, everyone! Especially you, Ottawa - thanks for living up to your (user)name! It's a big help :)

No worries - give us a PM if you want specific help!

Will do :)

[daverobev]

Do you want to be down town or out in nature? Have a look at Tucker House - in Rockland, so about half an hour away. I'm 'affiliated' but suggesting it doesn't do me any good so there is no real conflict of interest. You can then DIY a lot, there are beds for 15 people or so, lots of nature, etc.

It's a spiritual retreat center but they do rentals for whatever. Depends on what you want! We were actually married at City Hall, but there are only seats for 7 or so, went and had breakfast after, really lovely day.

Alternatively, we had a not-really-wedding-ceremony at a ski chalet place in Mont Tremblant (off season), not free but not too expensive to rent for a couple of days - not a traditional place, and sleeps 40 or so. PM me if you want more info!

[lifejoy]

Do you want to be down town or out in nature? Have a look at Tucker House - in Rockland, so about half an hour away. I'm 'affiliated' but suggesting it doesn't do me any good so there is no real conflict of interest. You can then DIY a lot, there are beds for 15 people or so, lots of nature, etc.

It's a spiritual retreat center but they do rentals for whatever. Depends on what you want! We were actually married at City Hall, but there are only seats for 7 or so, went and had breakfast after, really lovely day.

Alternatively, we had a not-really-wedding-ceremony at a ski chalet place in Mont Tremblant (off season), not free but not too expensive to rent for a couple of days - not a traditional place, and sleeps 40 or so. PM me if you want more info!

Great ideas, thank you!! I'll look at Tucker House. I really like the idea of city hall, then breakfast after.... but I see myself having 20-40 guests, so that probably won't work.

[rescuedog]

Another idea just to throw out there, rent a vacation home that allows events. 

Here is an amazing one with one heck of a yard for $200 night (starting).

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p3000389



HomeAway.com
VRBO.com


Of course you'll have to contact the owner to see if events are allowed.  Some say they are, some you'd have to ask.  It might add more logistics like who is going to bring the food/cook the food, who is going to clean everything up. 

A private room in a restaurant seems like the easiest (linens, chairs, staff, ambiance are all ready there).  Sometimes restaurants can help you create a shortened menu, so that guests can order one of three items, etc. 

If everyone is local to your area, then maybe something in the park with a few hors d'eourves would be appropriate.  If you have guests that have to fly in and rent cars/hotels, I just feel like they need something "more" for their travels if you know what I mean.  But if a park wedding with light snacks is all you want to pay for, then your invitations should convey that type of wedding/reception so that guests can decide.

PS I was in the middle of planning a wedding and my dad was given 4 months to live.  The wedding was in 5 months.  We ended up cancelling the wedding we had planned, and had a private wedding after he passed away.  My sisters were telling me to not have a wedding earlier just so dad could be there because they did not want to fake their happy smiles just for my sake.  I know everyone's family is different, but no one was really interested in a wedding when dad was dying.  It was OK, I did not want a wedding in my dad's state either.  Without wedding $$ on my plate or mind, I was able to fly home often during that time frame to spend time with him including the night he passed away.  Best of luck to you guys.

[feelingroovy]

I really like the idea of city hall, then breakfast after.... but I see myself having 20-40 guests, so that probably won't work.

Never been to Ottawa, but just wanted to mention, when I got married, we did it at the county courthouse on a Sunday morning, then went to a brunch buffet at a local hotel.  We had about 30 ppl and we made reservations, but didn't even ask for a separate room.  It was awesome.  No fuss.

[lifejoy]

These are some really swell ideas. I don't have many married friends, and I have zero friends in Ottawa, so this is so so helpful!!! And it's nice to ask for advice/ideas from people who "get it" - AKA, I don't want a $20,000 wedding.