If you’ve started researching your Canmore wedding, chances are you’ve already heard the term “minimum spend.” But what does it actually mean, and how does it impact your wedding budget?
Having planned many of our own weddings, we know most couples have never hired a venue or been closely involved in planning a wedding.
And there’s nothing more frustrating than hearing industry jargon you’re not familiar with being thrown around during a venue tour or planning meeting.
So, if you’re planning a Canmore wedding, let this be your guide to understanding what a minimum spend commitment is, why it exists, and how it impacts your wedding budget.
What is a Minimum Spend at a Wedding Venue?
A minimum spend is a pre-determined dollar amount that must be met or exceeded to hire a venue for your wedding.
Most wedding venues in Alberta operate with a minimum spend requirement. The minimum ensures the venue covers its costs, including expenses like staffing, property management, and business overhead.
Many venues, including us, will adjust their minimum spend requirements based on days of the week and season (for example, summer dates and Saturdays usually come with a higher minimum spend requirement due to their popularity).
Here’s the catch: At many venues, this minimum spend only applies to what you spend on food and beverage.
So, while you may think you’re securing your dream venue with a clear number in mind, the reality often looks different. Everything else, the venue rental, coordination, décor, and sometimes even staffing, comes as an additional cost.
But not at our venues…
How Cornerstone Weddings is Different
At our Canmore wedding venues, our pricing structure makes it easier to budget for the entirety of your wedding.
Our minimum spend includes everything you book with us. Not just food and beverage, but the full scope of services and add-ons you’ll need for your day. That means:
- Your Venue: Choose one of our 3 stunning venues, Cornerstone Theatre, The Vista, or The Rundleview Room.
- Ceremony and Reception Packages: Which include the venue rental, all venue furniture, music and PA systems, and décor such as arches.
- Staff (Including a Personal Wedding Coordinator): Everyone you need to execute your perfect day are included, from your Wedding Coordinator and Event Manager, to set up staff, servers, and bartenders.
- Décor: Choose from our selection of in-house décor add-ons, including table runners, faux florals, stationery packages, and even upgrades like cold sparkler fireworks.
- Food and Beverage: All your food and beverage selections count towards your minimum spend, including what your guests spend at the bar!
- Set up and Take Down: Our team will take care of all setup and takedown of your ceremony and reception – including your own décor. When the party ends, we’ll take it down and box it up for you to pick up the following day.
Simply put: as a Cornerstone couple, your investment covers all your venue needs under one roof.
One investment. One team. One seamless experience.
Why Couples Love Our All-Inclusive Approach
Planning a Canmore wedding should be exciting, not overwhelming. Our couples tell us time and again that the best part of booking with us is the peace of mind.
- You don’t have to juggle multiple vendors.
- You don’t have to worry about surprise invoices (we don’t have any hidden fees, and we don’t charge extra for things like cake cutting or SOCAN fees).
- You can be as hands-on or easygoing as you want with the planning.
Plus, with an all-inclusive venue, your budget goes further by allowing you to invest in the aspects that really matter to you—whether that means a food-focused wedding with experiential chef-attended stations or a gourmet plated experience, or an Instagram-worthy celebration with tons of upgraded décor.
So, when you’re comparing Alberta wedding venues, always ask the question: What does your minimum spend include?
The answer will tell you a lot about how the venue fits into your budget and approach for your big day.
Ready to Start Planning? Let’s Chat.
Ready to say goodbye to confusing pricing structures and hello to a team that handles every detail? Cornerstone Weddings is here to make it happen.
📅 Our 2027 wedding bookings launch October 1st, 2025 — and the peak dates won’t last long.
Get in touch today to learn more about our venues, packages, and all-inclusive planning approach.
Photos Courtesy of Chelsey Key Photography, Hannah Gracie Photo and Film, and Taylor Hillier Photography.
