8 Reasons Why You Should Get Married at
Courtesy of Tara Whittaker
Courtesy of Dani & Chad Thompson
Planning your wedding is a rollercoaster ride, with many ups and downs as you make choices for your big day. One of the most important is choosing a venue. One venue to consider is a park, though not all parks are created equal when hosting an event. Some will allow you to build a tent, put in rows of chairs along a river bank for your ceremony, or use a day-rest area, but the City of Calgary may have strict guidelines, so doing your research is paramount. However, Calgary boasts a beautiful provincial park right within its city limits, and luckily the logistics are relatively easy-going. Fish Creek Provincial Park is one of the largest urban parks in Canada, stretching 19 km from east to west. Though home to a variety of wildlife on natural land, at the eastern end of the park lies an area perfect for events, including the Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant, the Meadow Muse Pavilion event tent, the Fish Creek Visitor Center, and the Artisan Gardens. Imagine your beautiful day in the heart of all this wonder! Here are eight reasons to bring your celebration to Fish Creek: 1. Make your theme one with nature. Hosting your wedding in a park creates a breathtaking natural landscape for any theme. The Meadow Muse is a blank slate with the picnic sites providing natural settings for ceremonies, photo shoots, and receptions. And the Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant is a grand historical location. Adding décor is a breeze. Whether you choose to go glam or au naturel (and anything inbetween), rental deliveries to the park are simple, as roads allow access to the event areas. 2. Your photos will be amazing. From long grass fields, to historical landmarks, to babbling brooks, to the quaint porch of Annie’s Bakery & Café, the backdrop possibilities are endless. Choose utter romance for the theme of your photos or show off your “roughing-it” lifestyle.
Courtesy of Dani & Chad Thompson
You can choose the bright flattering afternoon light or opt for the softness of a fading evening; either way every shot will bring out the best in you and your partner. Add high-end lighting, and the midnight mists will strike an element of mystery and magic in late night outdoor photos. 3. It’s in the city, but somehow escapes the city. It’s not a busy downtown hotel, but your guests will still easily get a cab home after the evening’s festivities. Some of the city’s cab companies will even allow you to pre-book a few cars, but nonetheless, this is an area into which cabs regularly drive, so getting your guests home safely won’t be an issue. The hush of the park paired with the excitement of your special day will bring new meaning to your celebration. With no traffic noise or surrounding hustle-and-bustle, the only sounds outside of your DJ or band will be the night owls and other animal noises throughout the park. 4. Your wedding can look just like in the movies. With just a little attention to detail, the stunning wedding-in-thepark you saw in your favourite romantic comedy movie can be yours. Whether in the historical Bow Valley Ranche mansion, the stunning event tent, or anywhere on the grounds, you too can create your dream park wedding—without the need to hire Jennifer Lopez! 5. It’s a paradise for the rustic bride. All the base elements are already in place. Just add your special touch to make it your own. Here are just a few ideas: • Use centerpieces that incorporate the natural foliage of the provincial park. • Vintage shop for little brass fi gurines of the animals you might see frolicking in the fields, like owls, deer, or birds. • Allow the restaurant or café décor to inspire a genuine, rustic feel to your tables and vignettes. • Use vintage elements like old chalkboards, burlap linens, oak barrels and antler fixtures.
18 | Let us be your guide to Fish Creek Provincial Park
