I'm a wedding photographer based in Ottawa Ontario, but travels worldwide. My photography approach is intentional, honest and editorial. An organic approach to capture fleeting moments. This blog lives to inspire your wedding photos and provide you planning tips.
Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba, screams vibrancy with its art world and music scene. Sandy beaches, sparkling lakes, pristine dunes, and other attractions are all within a two-hour drive. It is home to many famous sites such as The Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Located close by, The Exchange District features early twentieth-century architecture and art exhibitions.
Without hesitation, Winnipeg offers the most stunning landscape and sites for an intimate wedding or elopement! Need help determining which place is The One? There are so many locations to suit your wedding day, check out the list below to find the perfect one for you!
The White Poplar is a wedding and celebration venue established on 70 acres of heavily wooded property. The venue, located on an isolated estate, provides an unparalleled grassland atmosphere and intimacy. Plus, they’re only a 20-minute drive North of Winnipeg’s outskirts! Fresh, fun, and modern are the self-described words of choice and they couldn’t fit more perfectly! Over the span of three years, the sweet owners crafted the entire venue and even wed there themselves. If that doesn’t convince you that this is the ideal venue for weddings and events, I don’t know what will!
Pineridge Hallow is ready to take care of all aspects, from the initial walk down the aisle to catering and food for everyone, they have it covered. Even the smallest aspects you might overlook, they keep in mind and even set up a timeline to help you with details during wedding planning (why carry extra stress?!). There are loads of possibilities and bundles to select from. Whether you would prefer to wed under a big meadow horizon, among the tender flower gardens, landscaped grass, or forested areas, your ceremony will be complete with majestic scenery (and the perfect pics!)
Prefer the high-end + classy ballroom wedding of your childhood dreams? Manitoba Club is THE venue. This site was founded in 1874 and situated at the distinguished 194 Broadway in Downtown Winnipeg. It is the perfect balance between classical splendour and contemporary relaxation. The club features classily decorated rooms and a garden which can comfortably fit intimate wedding ceremonies as well as large celebrations. With multiple ballrooms, this venue can accommodate 40-400 guests!
Lily Stone Wedding Venue, found approximately 40 minutes south of Winnipeg, is a multi-season location. The venue’s allure stems from its place on a flower farm! The one-of-a-kind site provides a clean slate for an absolutely thrilling outdoorsy wedding. The reception area itself is 3600 square feet and thus can confidently cater to 185 people. Something I like is how they offer a fully open vendor policy, meaning you can hire outside vendors of your choosing! Likewise, you can hire them for floral rentals or they’d gladly make recommendations for some fantastic vendors.
All animal lovers, unite! Who wouldn’t want to meet some of the venue’s animals whilst also celebrating their wedding? The Gables Wedding Barn is a spectacular place for sharing vows and commemorating special occasions. The Gables venue rental includes seating, tables (for both indoor and outdoor spaces – seating capacity of 200), speakers, a microphone system, and a projector. Offered during all four seasons, this site is both fully heated and equipped with air-conditioned for any time of year. Found tucked away on 8.5 acres in the farmlands of the Pembina Valley. If you’re stuck and need some inspiration, their website has a ton of vendor options!
Enveloped by 76 acres of stunning and unique meadows, you can host up to 150 of your favourite people. Kinloch Grove is only steps from Lake Winnipeg. This venue has received rave reviews in every category! A gorgeous chandelier, pretty string lighting, and rustic hand-built tables will add a breathtaking touch to your special day. In general, this location offers the most perfect accommodations for the woodsy, outdoor wedding you’ve been dreaming of!
Operating from May to October, Oakland Estate is a clear tent wedding venue on over 20 acres of property! Is getting ready for your big day something you’re really looking forward to? The bridal cottage is THE getting-ready spot. With a makeup and hair area, a bathroom, a living room, and a kitchen, this is the perfect spot for the bride + her party to prepare! Finish the night with a first dance under the stars as newlyweds. Oakland Estate is both woodsy yet classy.
Views of the Red River Valley. Dining outdoors under a starlit sky. Evening bonfire with all your loved ones. Like the sound of all that? Starlit Point is for you. This venue is ideal as they provide complete site accommodation, which involves all necessary buildings and furniture. Located just under 30 minutes south of Winnipeg on 25 acres of endless farmland, Starlit Point is a perfect destination for outdoor wedding ceremonies.
Are micro-weddings more your speed? With this intention in mind, this venue covers weddings of all sizes! The possibilities are endless at Hawthorne Estates. My favourite feature is the unique, open-air solarium! Catering, style, and entertainment are all specially designed for each celebration to provide the best ambience for your guests. They work with you every step of the way to create a day that is both affordable and tasteful! Rain or shine, Hawthorn Estate has you covered.
Evergreen Village is the epitome of connectedness and classic style. This venue features stunning details such as a lush grove, a vintage farmhouse (free of charge), and stunning rustic ceremony spaces (both indoors and out!). Found just twenty minutes outside of Winnipeg, this venue completely transforms into your dream wedding space. Couples looking for a fully-equipped place with intimate yet classy accents should go to Evergreen Village! They even have vendors on deck to help alleviate some of that wedding day stress!
26 acres of gorgeous event space await you just twenty minutes from South Winnipeg. Whitetail Meadow is there to provide you with whatever you need to make your day perfect. From exclusive access to the grounds from the beginning, they’re here to help you by all means. Additionally, they offer lots of options for dinner! A food truck for your intimate wedding or a formal dinner for your large wedding attendance. Open all seasons, they have allll the accommodations to provide the utmost comfort to your guests, no matter what time of year. Skip the stress of finding a hotel to spend the night as newlyweds and stay right at the venue at the Marigold Cottage.
This park offers different buildings/locations to have weddings and receptions. I’ve listed the 3 I really like below:
The photos of this place are indeed insane! Floor-to-ceiling windows that offer an especially amazing view of the water (with ducks omg) + Assibiniboine park itself – Yes, please! Celebrate your day in the unparalleled crispness of nature as pine and oak surround you. With a menu designed exclusively for your event by Executive Chef Heiko Duehrsen, nothing but high-quality and class is served. A sit-down dinner can accommodate 80-180 guests.
The outside of this venue looks like something out of a movie! With a glass ceiling to enjoy views of the night sky and surrounding greenery, this is the overall perfect outdoor wedding without the stress of the weather itself! Charming spaces within can seat anywhere from 38-100 people, ideal for smaller weddings! Full of nothing but class and elegance, this venue is perfect for the couple who wishes for an old-world vibe wedding. Who wouldn’t want to get married at one of Winnipeg’s most well-known landmarks?!
A truly unique location for your wedding ceremony, provided by the union of enchanting artistic works and unmatched scenic wonders. The Leo Mol Sculpture Garden is undeniably a tranquil oasis filled with flowers and well-known bronze sculptures. The ceremony seating capacity is 150 people. Move from a gorgeous ceremony at The Sculpture Garden to an equally stunning reception in other wedding venues Assiniboine Park has to offer.
There are so many unique spaces to choose from, suitable for all kinds of styles. From art-focused rooms to zen rooftop gardens, there’s a lot of variety. High ceilings in addition to stone-covered walls made of Manitoba Tyndall, the WAG’s signature event site is renowned for its elegance. Wedding sizes can vary depending on the space that best suits your style! My personal favourite is the Skylight Gallery, which features beautiful works of art as well as a ceremony right beneath the skylight itself.
Modern design, opulent cuisine, and above all, a dazzling location in the soul of Winnipeg. The Forks Ballroom spotlights fine lighting, contemporary architecture, and access to an outdoor terrace. The Ballroom, which can accommodate 108-200 guests, serves the most and is best suited for a vast reception. When you reserve the Waterfront Parlor, you provide a perfect intimate space for 16-30 guests with gorgeous panoramas of Downtown Vancouver. For a larger intimate reception, Solstice offers the ideal atmosphere. The 600-square-foot space can be arranged for you and 50 guests.
When I saw this space my jaw dropped. With such a gorgeous clean aesthetic, I can already picture the most beautiful weddings hosted here. With the main detail being windows from wall to wall, this space is 2715 sq ft that is fully customizable. While there is 140 person capacity, the space is yours to play around with and fully make your dream day.
Last but not least, your backyard, your parent’s backyard, or better yet, a family cottage!
If you live in Winnipeg you know how common it is for of couples to go for the backyard wedding route. It can sound enticing but I do have to warn you, it can be a lot of work getting every nitty gritty thing put together. Evidently, this is why I recommend hiring a wedding planner to help you through it.
Winnipeg wedding planners to check out:
Still not seeing exactly what you want? Message me, let’s chat — I want to help you through this process! I have lots of vendor connections and can make sure you find a space that fits your vision!
Mary Calotes is an elopement and wedding photographer based in Ottawa, Ontario. Specializes in capturing genuine moments that gives you all the feels.