Best Wedding Venues in Central Alberta
There are so many incredible wedding venues around Central Alberta, I’ve had the pleasure of shooting at many of them but there are still a few I would LOVE to shoot at but haven’t had the opportunity. Here are my favourites to shoot at and what I love about them as well as a list of venues on my wish list and why I want to shoot there!
Hilltop Wedding Centre
I’ve got to put Hilltop at the top of the list because the weddings I’ve shot there are some of my favourite weddings EVER. There is such a great variety of locations to shoot at, from the pond, to the golf course, to the many beautiful gardens (seriously the care they put into the landscaping is incredible), and of course the view of Sylvan Lake that offers the most stunning sunsets a photographer could dream of. As the sun sets it lights up the reception tent creating this amazing golden glow. They also have a wedding suite you can get ready in that overlooks the lake and makes for some beautiful photo, your wedding party can even golf there the morning of the wedding which I think is SO COOL and I don’t even golf. It’s also just 5 minutes out of Sylvan Lake so there are a ton of accommodation options to choose from.
Maximum Capacity: 200 guests
52 North Venue
Another amazing venue just a few minutes outside of Sylvan Lake! Their venue features an industrial-chic reception space, beautiful outdoor ceremony areas surrounded by trees, AND on-site accommodations for up to 14 guests!! You can get ready in their luxury on-site suite and spend the night there! There are very few venues that offer accommodations for your VIP guests as well so I think that’s a big plus! They also have The Vault for additional wedding prep space. There are so many nooks and crannies both inside and outside the venue, no matter the weather you will have a beautiful wedding! They have big sunshine doors that let the perfect amount of light in, a stunning brick wall with sliding barn doors, and so many string lights hung up outside.
Maximum Capacity: 200 guests
Tin Roof Event Centre
This venue is a photographers dream! The crisp white walls and stunning giant windows make for some truly incredible photos, not to mention the beautiful scenery those windows overlook. They offer several different ceremony locations all of which are absolutely gorgeous and overlook the pond. They include set up, take down, and a table dress rehearsal with their stylist. Located 10 minutes outside of Lacombe there are plenty of accommodation options.
There is a big patio for guests to enjoy as they watch the sunset, yard games for everyone to play, and a separate suite to get ready in. You can either stick around the venue to have photos done or take a short drive 6 min drive to JJ Collett Natural Area if you want a little adventure. Tin Roof is the perfect venue to get those sunset photos done as you only need to take a few steps outside of the venue to create some truly magical golden hour photos.
Maximum Capacity: 210 guests
Heritage Ranch
Conveniently located right in Red Deer, this is one of the most romantic venues I’ve ever shot at! You can literally take a horse drawn carriage to your ceremony site, of which there are 6 different spots to choose from. There are two reception spaces to choose from, one is private & intimate with a maximum of 30 guests, I’ve had the privilege of shooting two weddings here and they were both so romantic & charming, and their Ranch Classic venue with a maximum of 130 guests which I have not had the chance to shoot at yet.
If you’ve ever eaten at West Lake Grill you’ll know how incredible the food is! Every meal I’ve had there has been incredible. Heritage Ranch resides on over 200 acres along the Red Deer River so there are a TON of different spots to go take photos. I grew up venturing through those trails so I know all the best spots to go. Another bonus is the stunning sunsets, another venue you don’t have to stray far from your reception to get those golden hour portraits.
Maximum Capacity: 130 guests
River Valley Wedding Venue
Located just 20 minutes outside of Red Deer, this modern barn venue has so much space you will be able to have a big dance floor and invite all the guests you want! There is an absolutely stunning bridal suite to get ready in that has THE MOST INCREDIBLE LIGHT! Actually, the whole venue has amazing light as it faces south and the sun shines in brightly through the windows, I think the photos speak for themselves. I’ve only had the opportunity to photograph here during the winter so far but looking through photos on their IG the outdoor ceremony sites looks absolutely stunning and offer a beautiful view of the pond and their fields. I love the loft overlooking the reception area, it makes for some amazing photos and gives extra space for guests to party or play some board games.
Maximum Capacity 290
Venues i’d love to shoot at
Pine & Pond - located outside of Ponoka with a maximum of 200 guests. It really is a shame I haven’t had the chance to shoot here yet given our names are so aligned!! But seriously this venue has been on my wishlist for years, there are so many beautiful spots to take photos, a stunning clear top tent, long wooden tables and crossback chairs, and multiple getting ready spaces.
Photo by https://www.photosbyemilie.com
The Valley - located outside of Wetaskawin with a maximum capacity of 188 guests. The first word that comes to mind when thinking of The Valley is enchanting. It gives off some serious elvish vibes with their reception space that has a clear roof fully immersing you in a forest, like you’re getting married in Lothlorien (I know my fellow LOTR nerds would love this place). The bar looks like something out of a fairy tale as well! I get to shoot here this summer and I could not be more excited!
Photo by: https://www.sierramanntaiphoto.com/
Cork & Crate Estates - located on a tree farm just outside of Olds with a maximum capacity of 200 guests this venue is truly charming, with 28 acres full of trees and flowers I can’t even imagine how many different spots there are to take photos! They also have multiple getting ready spaces and they even offer 40 campsites for your guests to camp on site!
Archway Manor - located just outside of Bowden with a maximum capacity of 170 guests . This is one of Central Alberta’s newest venues and possibly the only European-inspired one I’ve come across! This venues SCREAMS luxury with it’s grand staircase, marble white gazebo, two getting ready suites, 25 acres of scenery featuring a one-acre pond, covered terrace, cottage you can spend the night in, juliette balconies (I mean come on!!! someone plz book me for a wedding here!), and finally twenty on-site campsites for your guests!
Photo by: www.revelphotography.ca
Westwood Estates - located 5 minutes west of Ponoka with a maximum capacity of 200 guests. This is another new venue in Central Alberta and I am so excited to shoot here this summer! This venue offers a gorgeous blend of modern & rustic, with a white barn that has a huge vaulted ceiling and tall windows that almost reach the ceiling. They have two getting ready suites, a loft, a shop that is connected to the barn by a breezeway, and are able to provide furniture, decor, and A/V equipment.
Photo by: https://stuartreece.ca/