How To Choose a Wedding Venue

Wedding season is here! If you’ve recently gotten engaged, the summer is a wonderful time to draw inspiration from the many summer weddings that we host. At Cornerstone Weddings, we know just how exciting planning your wedding day is. As one of the most trusted Canmore wedding venues, we partner with couples to plan their special day in either of our two venues: Cornerstone Theatre or the Canmore Nordic Centre.

Finding the perfect venue is one of the most important parts of planning your wedding, and with a few pointers in mind, narrowing down your list can be easy. Below, we’ll highlight some of the key details to keep in mind when looking at venues for your Alberta wedding. Read on to learn more!

What Kind of Venue Fits You?

Just like no two couples are the same, every venue will have different perks for your special day. For example, those looking for an outdoorsy feel will likely love the Canmore Nordic Centre. Located inside a Provincial Park, the Canmore Nordic Centre offers a choice of outdoor ceremony sites featuring breathtaking views of the mountains as well as a bright and airy indoor reception space for between 30 to 80 guests. For those looking for a cozy and intimate cabin style reception along with access to an exclusive outdoor ceremony site, Cornerstone Theatre is a perfect fit for wedding parties between 80 to 200.

When looking at venues, take some time to consider what kind of ambience you want, what amenities you need (more on that below), and if you have a specific theme in mind that may influence your venue choice. You’ll also want to try and book ahead as soon as possible since wedding venues can book up much faster than you think, especially during the busy months!

Define Your Budget

Your budget will ultimately dictate several parts of your wedding planning and your venue is no exception. It’s important to have an honest conversation about your maximum spend before you look at venues or big ticket items to ensure that you remain objective and prevent overspending. Once you know what you’re comfortable spending, you can view venues confidently and have the peace of mind that there will be no sudden financial surprises.

Guest Count

The sooner you can nail down your wedding numbers the easier it will be to find the right location for your special day. While it can be tricky to get hard numbers early on, know exactly how many invites have gone out and do your best to have a hard estimate of attendees when venue browsing. As an additional note, it’s best to look for a space with some extra room as opposed to a space that just barely accommodates your guests. Everyone wants to feel comfortable moving around and enjoying the space, especially when the dance floor opens.

Accounting for Specific Needs

Once you have numbers in mind, it’s important to consider any unique needs that you, your wedding party and your guests may have. Never assume that venues have “standard” offerings and always speak up if you or your guests have mobility needs, have concerns about on-site amenities or need to inquire about accommodating other special considerations.  Also, always ask about accommodating dietary requirements too. Most venues will take care of this, but it is always worth a check.

Wedding Packages

Reserving the same venue for both your ceremony and reception is a great way to keep things convenient for yourself, as well as for your guests! Most venues that offer packages will have them clearly listed, but always ask for further details.  At Cornerstone Weddings we are an all-inclusive venue and offer many products and services that others don’t.

Starting with the above hints and tips should assist you with how to choose your wedding venue.   

Ready to Say “I do” in the Rockies?

Find out more about planning your Canmore wedding for 2024-2025 by contacting our team today!