Discussions

Okay so I'm getting married in August 2018. I am having the hardest time trying to find a venue in Brandon! At first I wanted an outdoor wedding because I think it would be beautiful! But the more I thought about it, the more it made me rethink my decision. The weather is super unpredictable in Manitoba and the Mosquitos in the summer are insane. So I'm leaning more towards an indoor venue. I've gotten a quote from the Vic inn for buffet style and individually served plates/meals for the wedding. Buffet came in at the most expensive with $7,500 and buffet style at $9,500. That's for 180-190 guests. Insane, right!? Or am I wrong?  
 
So my question is, has anyone gotten married at the Vic inn or the Clarion (Royal Oak)? How much did it cost you? What was your experience? Which did you prefer & why? Are there any other indoor venues that you'd recommend!?  
Also, would it be cheaper to go with an outdoor wedding and get catering from another place? I'm at a complete loss and unsure of what to do at this point. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance

The price they quoted you is pretty normal. There are very few venues in Brandon to host 200 people for a sit down meal.  
If you are on a budget then you may have to shorten your list or go with the outdoor wedding. I would get something booked quickly as they tend to go quick!  
There is a great tent rental place in Virden too if you need outdoor tents. Knight Rentals  
Also..... I highly recommend Bryan at Expressions Entertainment and the staff at Party Professionals are fabulous!!!  
 
Edited by Popcorn Twist, 2017-04-21 10:22:57

When we got married, we were approaching things the exact same way you are.  
 
What we found was that with renting a place like Riverview Curling Club (capacity of 250) and having it catered (we used the folks from Cranberry's) we were able to afford to have an open bar for what it would have cost us to put a bottle of red and white wine on each table at the hotel.  
 
We used Party Professionals and they helped us to set up for the ceremony inside, and then when we went for pictures, they took care of transitioning the venue to be ready for the reception. I can not say enough good things about our experience with Party Professionals and how they were worth every single dime we paid.  
 
Try giving Linda at Riverview a call, she was very easy to deal with.

Check out http://www.sacredacres.ca  
It's new to Brandon this summer.

We didn't get a caterer, but asked some friends to help do kitchen work. We chose to buy cold cut & cheese plates & fruit & veggie plates and had a big slab cake done. We invited about 200.  
 
Everyone was happy, and we actually even had leftovers. It was way less than what a caterer would cost. Hands down.  
 
If you do an outdoor wedding, this is very acceptable in the summer.  
 
On a pricier note, we went to a wedding that had a spit done pig roast. It was to die for. Fruit & veggie plates would accompany this quite nicely. They rented a tent.

I highly recommend Prairie Fire House. When they throw open the big doors you get the best of both worlds ... indoors and out.

I had my reception at Sokol Hall. Food was great and staff fantastic. Their most expensive meal was still less than Victoria Inn/Royal Oak's cheapest. The best thing about it was that any leftover food that you don't want, they give to the soup kitchen. Check what they do with the food the doesn't get eaten at these places you might be surprised. My daughter even got married there, as well as my sister.

Try Glen Lea Golf Course!

I'm not sure if you found a venue yet but our new outdoor venue called Valley Gate still has dates available in August 2018. We are located 30 minutes North West of Brandon. Our venue is outdoors and is situated overlooking the Assiniboine River Valley where the view is quite stunning. New this year we planted a vine wall at the back of the ceremony area (photos on Facebook).  
Website: http://www.valleygate.ca  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valleygatevenue  
 
If you still like the idea of a outdoor wedding but not the hassle, you could split the difference and still do your ceremony outdoors but your reception indoors. Just a thought. All our bookings come with full day of wedding planning as well so it takes the stress out of your big day knowing that someone is working behind the scenes all day.

I sent you a private message!

Our son got married there and they catered and set up the bar. Also if you need a marriage commisioner my wife will do it. She married our kids right at the Sokol Hall up on the stage. Really nice venue. If you need a marriage commisioner phone her at 204-761-8361 or 204-727-4583.

Rent a Hall, have an evening wedding about 7:00 PM and have a late lunch sort of like a social. Cuts back on eal cost. If you are having an outdoor wedding you really EE a tent. Weather is unpredictable and if it rains it will ruin your wedding. What happens with the many people in the rain? They will leave. Tents are not cheap an it will enup cosin you more.

from my experiences of planning my wedding I would say if you aren't willing to put a lot ( and I mean A LOT) of work in to plan everything separately then I would suggest getting a but more comfortable with prices. Places like royal oak and Vic inn will do most of the work for you, and the price reflects that. The price you just shared isn't that bad IMO. I'm having my ceremony in my backyard (on farm) and having the reception at a hall in my hometown. Then I am having a local caterer for the dinner. The hall rental and the food (buffet) come to $6000.00 for 175 people.  
Basically there are a lot of options around you just have to talk to lots of people and search the internet like it's your day job haha.

 
 
Edited by Kristinelc, 2017-07-14 16:06:48