8 Reasons Why You Should Get Married at Fish Creek Provincial Park

from 2015 Experience Calgary

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.

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 figurines 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.

6. Keep it real: choose a garden site for your picnic wedding.

Romantic gazebos, stunning flowerbeds, meandering pathways, and lush summer foliage welcome you and your entourage if you decide to pick one of these many lovely sites. If your guest list is small, a picnic wedding is an especially great way to make your celebration quaint. (Just make sure you have a back-up plan for inclement weather).

7. Go all out: book the Bow Valley Ranche house.

From the Grand Salon and peripheral rooms on the main floor, to the bridal suite above, to the immaculately groomed lawn and wraparound veranda of this stunning mansion, your wedding can have throwback glamour written all over it.

The Bow Valley Ranche is rich in local history and many of the existing pieces are from the era in which it was built. Originally erected in 1896, the ranch house was a center for refined social activities in the Calgary region, and its sophistication was unparalleled. The menu is stacked with locally-sourced items for the discerning foodie bride and groom.

8. The ultimate outdoor experience with all the comfort of an indoor wedding, and save money: The Meadow Muse Pavilion.

Unfortunately, unless you own suitable land, erecting a tent in a park is often expensive, and after permits, rentals, flooring, and lighting are looked after, your budget may look a little slim. The

Meadow Muse Pavilion offers all the amenities at a much lower cost. The tent is permanent with beautiful dark hardwood floors, heaters, and chandelier lighting already built in. Tables, chairs, and dinnerware are already included for a much lower price than your average rental.

This stunning blank slate has clear walls that display the natural glory of Fish Creek Provincial Park. Or retract them to let in the fresh summer air. Unlike most permanent tents, The Muse provides flexibility and simplicity. Add a little touch of colour or completely transform the space to make it your style. With all the amenities included, weddings are a breeze at the Meadow Muse. Inclement weather won’t spoil your day. Your guests will be warm and protected.

Remember, choosing the location for your wedding will dictate your logistics for the day. Like timing, budget, décor, and guest list, it could even affect some of your vendor choices.

It’s a decision you must make early: it’s one of the building blocks of your day. There are so many possibilities for your ceremony, photos, and reception at Fish Creek Provincial Park. Choose your own wedding adventure with all the possibilities the park has to offer!

By: Kasia Gorski Great Events Group