Here at Rush Salon, we have seen it all – and while we offer our hair salon services to many people in search of those special cuts and colours, we also love working on full hairstyles for entire wedding parties, just hours before the big event. Over the years, we’ve helped men and women around Calgary look and feel their best for the big day.
When it’s time to tie the knot, every lucky bride and groom wants a perfect setting for their wedding. From unforgettable sunset prairie views to beautiful city backdrops, there are plenty of wedding venue options in Calgary to suit any taste…and we’ve helped add a touch of style to many of them! Here are some of what we consider to be the best wedding venues around Calgary, with enough options to please even the most particular of brides-to-be.
The Best indoor wedding venues in calgary
1) Charbar (East Village)
Charbar, situated in the heart of the East Village, stands out as an exceptional indoor wedding venue in Calgary. The biggest factors that set it apart? The breathtaking riverfront views, providing a picturesque backdrop for your special day, and the large windows that allow natural light to flood the space for a warm and inviting atmosphere that looks amazing in both day and night settings.
The interior design combines modern elements with rustic accents, offering a versatile canvas for couples to personalize according to their tastes and wedding theme. And speaking of tastes, the catering services provided are second to none, and your guests will love every bite that’s offered.
2) Azuridge Estate Hotel (Priddis)
Nestled in the foothills just 20 minutes outside Calgary, the boutique Azuridge Estate Hotel offers a private and intimate setting that makes it a top pick for brides and grooms. Think amazing architecture, lush gardens, and specialized service that all combine for a truly enchanting wedding experience.
The hotel provides a team of butlers, wine sommeliers, gourmet chefs, and seasoned wedding professionals to serve up to 250 guests, plated or buffet style, either indoors or outside. As it is a bit outside the city, the on-site accommodation is also convenient for anyone who doesn’t want to drive home. If you want an incredible wedding experience, Azuridge Estate Hotel is the place to be!
3) Hotel Arts (Beltline/Downtown)
Hotel Arts is a one-stop shop for weddings, offering accommodations, event spaces, catering, and décor services. Enjoy the expansive and eclectic ballrooms that can be configured for either a ceremony or a reception, with the flexibility to open up or enclose areas like dance floors as needed. Able to hold up to 320 guests, Hotel Arts is a particularly good choice for big weddings that need a grand and memorable space.
Hotel Arts is near major landmarks like 17th Ave, 4th St SW, Stephen Avenue, and Victoria Park station, making it easy to find and get to for your guests (plus, there’s on-site and street parking available). There’s a variety of meal options from the friendly staff, who are committed to making your special day go off without a hitch. So, if you need a versatile and centrally located wedding venue in Calgary, Hotel Arts might be just what you’re looking for.
4) The Lougheed House (Beltline)
The Lougheed House is an exceptional historic wedding and reception venue, seamlessly blending rustic charm and turn-of-the-century elegance. Dating back to 1891 and recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada, the Victorian sandstone mansion offers a timeless backdrop for ceremonies and celebrations with landscaped gardens and stonework facades.
Inside, the restored interior is full of period-appropriate furnishings, original architectural features, and versatile spaces that can be customized to your wedding experience. The on-site team is known for their event flexibility and professional support, while the central location in the Beltline district adds to its accessibility and appeal.
5) The Lake House (Lake Bonavista)
Located next to the shores of Lake Bonavista in the city’s southeast quadrant, The Lake House is a serene and elegant backdrop for local weddings of up to 250 people. Large windows face out onto the lake, allowing for exceptional sunset views later in the day, with a dedicated patio to take it all in. However, the restaurant itself is fully enclosed, allowing for winter weddings as well.
The staff at The Lake House can cover nearly aspect of your wedding planning, too – from liquor and food to music, service, guest parking, and table décor. They can even make your wedding cake!
The Best Outdoor Wedding Venues in Calgary
6) The Calgary Zoo (Bridgeland/St. George’s Island)
The Calgary Zoo is one of the most well-known venues in the city for weddings and receptions, offering a unique setting for couples who want a distinctive celebration. Located on a river island just east of downtown Calgary, the zoo provides a one-of-a-kind backdrop with its diverse and beautiful habitats for animals from around the world. The grounds are quite large, offering plenty of space for photos and ceremonies of every type. Plus, if you and your spouse-to-be support conservation and animal welfare, then giving back to the zoo will directly contribute to the cause.
People love the zoo because of the settings and the animals, but the event staff also make it an excellent choice. They will help coordinate, cater, plan, and decorate, making it a stress-free selection for your big day.
7) Heritage Park (EaGle Ridge/Chinook Park)
Situated on the shores of the Glenmore Reservoir, Heritage Park offers a picturesque backdrop of rustic buildings and scenic lake and mountain landscapes that make an idyllic setting for timeless, romantic celebrations. It’s a versatile space that can have both indoor and outdoor ceremonies, large and small, staffed by a professional events team that works behind the scenes to keep everything flowing smoothly for you and your guests. They’re so good, in fact, that in 2023 the Park was recognized as the “Best Indoor Wedding Venue for 100+ Guests” by Avenue Magazine!
If you’re looking for an eternal elegance and photo shoots that’ll never go out of style, Heritage Park could be the perfect place to blend past and present.
8) Canada Olympic Park (Bowness/Greenwood)
Got a sports lover in one of the wedding spots? Make it unforgettable by having your big day at Canada Olympic Park, a popular sports destination off the Trans-Canada Highway. Choosing this venue gives you access to world-class catering, an extensive and delicious menu, flexible floor plans (often with floor-to-ceiling windows), and tons of unique activities that you won’t find anywhere else in the city. Plus, if you’re really hoping to pack in the guests, the WinSport Event Centre can hold a lot – up to 3,000!
The on-site events team can help plan and decorate for your event, as well as cover any other small detail that you may have forgotten. And with the recent finishing of the Stoney Trail ring road, it’s easier than ever to reach, too.
9) Prince’s Island Park (Eau Claire/Crescent Heights)
A natural park within an urban landscape, Prince’s Island Park offers a green-space getaway just minutes from downtown. Home of major events like the Calgary Folk Music Festival in the summer, this beautiful spot has river views with skyscrapers in the background – an amazing theme to inspire a magical set of photos.
You can have the ceremony outside under the canopy of trees, and then move the festivities over to the River Café for a delicious meal. The café can hold up to 100 seated guests (150 standing) and is available all year-round. On-site services and staff include an event manager, furniture, dance floor, dishes and cutlery, liquor license, and so much more.
The Best Hairstylists for Weddings in Calgary
Whether you choose to hold your wedding at one of these uniquely Calgarian venues or another one that you’ve found on your own, the important thing is that the whole wedding party looks and feels their absolute best on the special day. We can speak from experience when we say that nothing builds confidence like an expert hair cut and style from a dedicated hairstylist before that walk down the aisle. The perfect hairstyle is the best way to top off the final days of your pre-wedding beauty plan!
So, if you’re searching online for “wedding reception venues Calgary” while planning a wedding in or around Calgary, let us take some of the worry off your plate with our professional hairstyle services. From our Silverado location in south Calgary, we are happy to bring you everything you need to get that wedding-ready look. Our consults are always free, so let us show you what we can do to serve you and make your wedding day everything you’ve dreamed about!
