Over the past 30 years, weddings have become big business, and in the southeast this is no exception. Gone are the days of traditional church weddings with a “reception to follow in the lower auditorium.” Bridal couples and their dream events have evolved to include a huge variety of possibilities, from backyard tent weddings to ballrooms to decked-out barns. For many couples, there is a growing trend to get outside the city limits for their special day, retreating to idyllic rural settings with trees and room to move. Others, still looking for glamour and a carefree event, can find those options here too.
Where there is a demand, there are businesses willing to meet that demand. Here in the southeast, we have wedding venues to suit any and all of a bridal couple’s wishes.
Niverville Heritage Centre
Right in the heart of Niverville is the Heritage Centre, a vast multiuse campus which houses an elegant ballroom, timber-frame atrium, and outdoor gardens. Perfect for the couple wanting a stress-free, all-inclusive classic wedding. Between the ballroom and atrium, couples can host a large group of guests for a ceremony in one room and a reception in the other. The outdoor gardens provide a great place for photo ops and the nearby Hespeler’s Tavern is a good place for rehearsal parties. Weddings are held here year-round.
Whitetail Meadow
The newest kid on the block is Whitetail Meadow. Located on the corner of Highways 311 and 200, this venue is scheduled to open in the fall of 2017 and will provide unique options including a honeymoon cottage and a riverside view with plenty of outdoor activities across the grounds. The 70-year-old hip-roof barn onsite is being renovated to create a 6,000-square-foot wedding and event facility, including a mezzanine and outdoor balconies from which to view the rural countryside. This will be a year-round facility.
Ashgrove Acres
A few miles south of Niverville along Highway 305 is Ashgrove Acres, a relatively new facility that also caters to couples looking for an attractive indoor and outdoor setting. Here too couples can find a spot set apart from neighbouring buildings with plenty of mature trees providing shelter for the ideal courtyard wedding. The venue includes a brand new, state-of-the-art reception centre with windows all around, creating an outdoor feel but providing protection from the elements. This is also a seasonal facility.
The Evergreen Village
Just a few miles north of Niverville along Highway 59 is The Evergreen Village, a quaint, spacious event centre and former homestead. If a couple desire trees and privacy, this centre has that. A large tent-like structure offers a lovely place for a reception in a relaxed atmosphere and the grounds are ideal for an outdoor ceremony. The renovated home on the grounds is used by brides and their attendants for primping and grand outdoor entries to the nearby courtyard. The owner provides in-house catering. This is a seasonal
facility.
Mustang Club
Just inside Winnipeg’s perimeter on St. Mary’s Road is the St. Vital Mustangs Football Club. Located on a vast stretch of greenspace with a view of the Red River, this venue offers a rural feel within city limits. The clubhouse provides plenty of natural light with windows overlooking a park-like setting. It’s a popular venue for socials and weddings alike, with an indoor capacity of up to 348 guests. The spacious banquet area has plenty of room for a variety of options in décor and seating setup.
Howden Community Centre
Howden Community Centre lies just outside city limits along beautiful Red River Drive, between St. Norbert and St. Adolphe. The quaint hall is reminiscent of the old days with its hardwood floor and high ceiling. Though it’s been around a while, it has recently undergone a complete transformation with modernized kitchen, washroom facilities, and a large veranda overlooking the wooded countryside. The banquet area also has plenty of space to accommodate a number of different décors and seating plans. They host weddings, socials, and bridal showers all year round.
La Lune
La Lune Weddings & Events is located just outside St. Pierre on Guenette Road off Highway 59. Also a fairly new facility, the event centre took off after the owner’s daughter wanted to have an outdoor wedding on their property. The couple worked hard to create a beautiful outdoor atmosphere, calling the resulting look “organic elegance.” The rural grounds include an outdoor courtyard, a barn for receptions with a cedar deck dance floor, and outhouses to round out the organic theme. This is a seasonal facility.
TransCanada Centre
The TransCanada Centre is a year-round facility in Île-des-Chênes with a banquet hall that seats 500 guests. The hall’s neutral tones and high ceiling provide for almost unlimited décor options and the space is large enough to host both the ceremony and reception in one place. The large modern kitchen with commercial appliances is any caterer’s dream.
