
5 minute read
COZY COUPLING
FOUR LOCAL SPOTS FOR ROMANTIC WINTER NUPTIALS
by Josh Murray
Whether you choose to bring the outside in with fresh winter greens or want to showcase a stunning vista as a backdrop for the ceremony, these warm, inviting spots around British Columbia provide for your perfect winter wedding.
1 The Brew Creek Centre

Imagine the most sky-scraping of conference hotels, ominous and sprawling-- and you'd be completely off the mark. The Brew Creek Centre, located in the pastoral woods surrounding Whistler, is a quiet and reflective escape ruled by romanticism.

"We are nestled in a forest, with a wonderful creek flowing through. A lovely winter wonderland, connected by bridges," explains Pamela Wright, the venue's director of sales. "There are vignettes throughout... there's a true quaintness to it."

The antithesis of local chain hotels, the centre offers exclusive access for the couple and invited family and friends over a wedding weekend. “They eat together, stay together... they are in that family and friend strata for the weekend,” says Wright.

That focus on relationships lends a special brand of intimacy. “When people leave the Brew Creek Centre, they talk about the food, the location and the people. There’s a very heartfelt feeling about the property.”
PREVIOUS WEDDINGS
Approximately 20 each year
CAPACITY
30 to 65 in winter, with more in summer
MINIMUM SPEND
Site fees and accommodation costs vary by date
LEAD TIME
Six months to one year
PLANNERS
Day-of organizers or wedding planners are required
A/V On-site, and costs are included in site fees
OUTSIDE CATERING/LIQUOR
No outside alcohol permitted, but Brew Creek will allow for special requests, working with couples to create menus and tend to dietary choices
2 Nita Lake Lodge

Whistler’s only lakeside hotel, the cozy, boutique charm of the Nita Lake Lodge extends to its service. Heralding a commitment to a “truly Canadian experience,” thanks to a dedication to personalized service, the locale offers visitors a fashionable blend of sophistication and rustic charm. “It’s truly romantic and unique,” says meetings and event manager Kathryn Birrell. “With two outdoor ceremony spaces—even when it’s snowing— it’s perfect for anyone who is in love.”
Just steps to the Creekside gondola and boasting an award-winning spa on-site, Nita Lake offers a luxurious, all-encompassing retreat for wedding parties but retains a sense of intimacy, hosting just one wedding per day.
PREVIOUS WEDDINGS
More than 70 weddings in 2019 alone
CAPACITY
From 30 to 140, depending on venue selection on-site
MINIMUM SPEND
Rental rates for specific locations on-site begin at $500
LEAD TIME
From three weeks to 18 months
PLANNERS
Outside planners welcome
A/V
Screen, projector and microphone rentals are available; other A/V requires an outside supplier
OUTSIDE CATERING/LIQUOR
No
3 Terminal City Club

Tastes change, but tradition stands strong... and Vancouver’s Terminal City Club has long been a regal landmark in the city’s financial core. For more than 80 years, the same
Hastings Street location has been home to a series of festive events and receptions. “We pride ourselves on delivering a highly personalized experience,” says Brittany Whalen, the catering sales manager on-site. “We work directly with our talented and versatile culinary team to craft a tailored menu... or let us take the extra decision-making off your hands with some of our tried-and-true favourites.”
The space—showcasing two ballrooms and a number of wellmaintained garden patios—is perfect for both elaborate affairs and intimate gatherings. “We’ve done small dinners in our elegant dining room, tea ceremonies in our pretty Gibson Suite, beautiful outdoor ceremonies on our terrace, and dance parties to remember with a live band in our ballroom; we even had a couple build a sublime flower wall,” explains Whalen. “It’s really great to work with couples to bring their vision to reality.”
PREVIOUS WEDDINGS
More than 200 in the past six years alone
CAPACITY
300 in the larger of the ballrooms on-site
MINIMUM SPEND
For Saturdays in peak season Metropolitan Ballroom is $15,000; the Terrace Ballroom is $7,500
LEAD TIME
Flexible
PLANNERS
Outside planners welcome
A/V
Offers some in-house A/V services, but additional needs require rental
OUTSIDE CATERING/LIQUOR
No
4 Audain Art Museum

Showcasing some of British Columbia’s most impressive and engaging artworks from the late 18th century to the present, Whistler’s Audain Art Museum may seem like an unlikely spot to tie the knot at first glance. But the space has seen an influx of receptions and blissfully happy wedding parties over the past three years. “Couples with a passion for British Columbia, an eye for design and a sentimentality toward the West Coast will find themselves immediately falling in love with the museum inside and out,” explains Justine Nichol, marketing and communications manager. With a number of rooms available for weddings and other events, the museum offers stunning backdrops, thanks to ingenious design and a location tucked away near Whistler Village in what is proudly describe as a forested enclave. “The museum’s breathtaking event spaces have floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the snow-covered forest surroundings, while remaining warm and cozy, thanks to the West Coast wood interior elements that are iconic of British Columbia,” says Nichol.
PREVIOUS WEDDINGS
Tallies are confidential
CAPACITY
From 150 to 200
MINIMUM SPEND
$2,500
LEAD TIME
Flexible, depending on calendar
PLANNERS
A wedding planner is required
A/V
Microphone available, with all other A/V needs requiring rental
OUTSIDE CATERING/LIQUOR
Required; preferred catering options available


