As your wedding inspiration board starts to come together, you might wonder how your hometown, Edmonton, fits into the picture. Especially if you’ve spent hours combing traditional lists and forums for the perfect venue, the right space might seem further away than ever. But what if we told you there’s another way? An intimate setting through a private rental contract might be exactly what you’ve been missing.
Choosing between all the wedding venues in Edmonton can come with a lot of pressure to get it right. From a contemporary venue with a playful twist to a historic venue oozing rustic charm, you can’t go wrong committing to one of ours.
You may not begrudge spending your hard-earned money bringing your conference or wedding vision to life, but that doesn’t mean you’re immune from sticker shock when you start venue shopping. Thankfully, the Giggster app is the solution! We specialize in helping you through elegant affairs on a budget.
Ready to make sure your celebration is picture-perfect? Whether you’re on the prowl for a stunning wedding venue with stylish decor or another intimate gathering space, an unforgettable backdrop starts here.
Edmonton Reception Venues Curated by Giggster
Your next event needs a vibrant backdrop to stand apart from the rest! Here’s a snapshot of the difference personalized service and an unforgettable event space from the Giggster app can make:
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From tiny little boutique hotels with uber-trendy lobby lounges to large-scale resorts with convention centres and sprawling grounds, a partial or full buyout is the ultimate solution for exclusive events. With on-site accommodation, no one needs to fuss about calling a taxi at the end of the night.
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Maybe you want to keep things casual with a coffee and pastry bar at a cute cafe. Talk about urban appeal with millennial hipster undertones!
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House parties are the backbone of the intimate gathering scene, from backyard birthdays to trendy microweddings. You can set up your own bar, connect your Spotify playlist to the bluetooth speaker, and gather ‘round the fire pit for a low-fuss way to celebrate in style.
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Skip the DJ and give your crew some real entertainment. An activity-focused reception at one of Edmonton’s premier “fun zones” could look like roller skating with pals or sharing platters of pub grub in a neon-lit pool hall.
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Photography studios and creative hubs offer New York-style loft vibes, but with more space. These beautifully curated spaces boast chic furnishings, oodles of natural lighting, and hello, well-appointed photobooth stations so everyone can fill their social media with memories from your event!
Incredible Reception Venues in Edmonton Start at $50/hour
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Your special day deserves only the best of the best! Among our selection of 44 event spaces, you’re guaranteed to find a picturesque setting that pairs well with our expert customer service.
Hassle-Free Booking: Don’t let complicated rental agreements and steep prices stop you from landing an elegant venue for your grand celebration. We know that forming unforgettable memories starts with minimizing your stress as a host, so we’ve made affordable rates (as low as $50/hour) and easy-peasy app navigation our bottom line.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: We know making plans can be complicated so we’re cutting you a break! As long as your reception is more than 48 hours away from the time your reservation is made, you have 24 hours to cancel for free.
Platform Protections: Disruptions, damage, and liability concerns can ruin a party. Thankfully, you can enjoy top-rated Edmonton venues like Conference Centre Edmonton South without the fear of a nightmare legal situation when you opt into an add-on protection package with us.
Things to Consider for a Reception in Edmonton
Downtown Edmonton is the perfect setting for almost any special event, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some city-specific highlights and pitfalls that will impact your planning experience. Here are a few quick things we think might be helpful as you get started:
Advantages
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When you’re not celebrating your love story or milling about a creative hive to network with like-minded individuals, you’ll find no shortage of things to do around the city. Perhaps you’ll browse a hidden art gallery or score tickets to travelling trade shows at the Edmonton Convention Center. Alternatively, the Alberta Aviation Museum offers an opportunity to step back in time and soar about the clouds!
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There’s no shortage of comfortable accommodations to serve as your guests’ home base. From trusted chains like Four Points to the iconic Varscona Hotel, they’ll be in good hands.
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Edmonton, Alberta and the surrounding area is perfect for lovers of the great outdoors! With scenic views, hiking trails, and waterfront access to the Saskatchewan River, you’ll be able to please every city dweller and naturalist alike.
Disadvantages
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Canada has a relatively limited window of time where an outdoor event is possible. If you’re planning a reception in the sunshine, you’ll want to target the summer months, or opt for an indoor venue with an outdoor patio to make the most of spring and autumn.
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Public transportation is fine at best. Because the city is sprawling, it can be difficult to get to venues on the outer reaches of Edmonton. You may want to hire transportation (or at least provide reliable information) to guests so they can plan ahead of time.
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After dark, crime rates spike, as they do in most major cities. Big, corporate receptions (or even weddings) may want to consider what security measures are in place.
What Kind of Venue Can I Rent for Receptions in Edmonton?
Besides a convenient location, the Giggster app’s selection of event spaces can offer you modern amenities, stunning natural surroundings, and customizable options. Whether your vision includes an unforgettable wedding experience or a profitable charity fundraiser, we’ve got everything you need to create the ideal atmosphere for hosting your family, friends, and colleagues.
Wedding Ballrooms – The Lavish and Lacey. Full of crystal, chiavari chairs, and drapery, massive events call for banquet halls. They aren’t just for weddings; they’ll make a big splash at charity galas and corporate functions too! They offer customizable packages and tons of amenities on site, including in-house vendors to streamline your planning process.
Trendy Restaurants – Food for Thought. With a local dining establishment, you can choose from a wide range of vibes and cuisines, including funky modern lounges and laidback Italian that reminds you of pulling up a seat in Nonna’s kitchen. You might even find it more budget-friendly in the end because you can save on other areas like DJs and decor!
Patios and Courtyards – Summer Sophistication. The laid-back lawn spaces or outdoor dining spaces of local bistros make the perfect backdrop for a summer meal with friends and family. Bring in entertainment and decor or keep it simple and let the urban atmosphere speak for itself. Once again, this is a venue you can tailor to you by choosing a space that fits your event’s mood board without a ton of modification.
Historic Event Spaces – Oldies But Goodies. Want to amp up the visual impact of your event? From industrial warehouse-style spaces to surprisingly well-curated lofts above community churches, Edmonton has plenty of vintage beauties where little architectural features add character and charm. Wood beams, exposed brick, and some updated touches make these old-school spaces perfect for the modern party host.
How to Plan a Reception in Edmonton
Here are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind as you start to piece your reception together, so hopefully you have less things to worry about as your big day gets closer.
Search for Full-Service Options – All special occasions come with a never-ending to-do list. Cut yourself some slack and choose vendors that can take some of those tasks off your hands. This starts, of course, with a venue that may offer in-house catering or tech setups, but could also be bakers who deliver or florists who return to collect their vases the following morning so you don’t have to.
Make the Most Out of the Space you Have – If you choose a venue with panoramic views of the skyline or rolling hills at the edge of the city—use them! Whether you choose to set up your ceremony area with them as the backdrop or an open-air cocktail hour where they are the focus point, orientation matters. Train your guests' eye towards the stunning views and you’ll find the payoff in their perception of your venue is huge!
Spruce Up Your Venue – A flexible space that acts as a blank canvas is a dream when it comes to curating your unique wedding vision. The downside? You’ll need to put a lot of effort into transforming it. Come up with your decor plan early and ensure your events are beautiful from start to finish.
Plan the Rest of your Wedding Day – The wedding reception might seem like the grande finale, but it’s also not the reason why you’ve gathered in the first place. Wedding ceremonies deserve to be front and center on your planning checklist because those are the precious moments you’ll want to look back on for years to come.
How to Save Money on Your Reception in Edmonton
It’s no secret that party planning can come with some unwanted stress, and a lot of that stems from costs that stack up every time you turn around. Building a strong budget (and the iron willpower to stick to it) is the first step to keeping your spending under control, but we’ve also got a few tricks up our sleeve to help you save money in practical ways.
Go for a self-serve cocktail hour.
Passed apps (and the servers required to distribute them) cost significantly more than grazing tables. Even if you don’t want to go all-in on a buffet dinner, you can save some money by allowing guests to help themselves to charcuterie and fruit platters.
Hold a stag and doe.
You may have also heard these called a buck and doe, a jack and jill, or any other number of quirky names. No matter what you call them, these pre-wedding fundraising events are not just an excuse to celebrate your impending nuptials one more time, but also to offset the steep costs of hosting a wedding.
Skip the Saturday.
Saturdays are the most popular wedding date, and naturally, the most expensive. Did you know that many venues (and other vendors) have discounted rates or upgraded-for-free packages on other days of the week? Now, you may worry that choosing a Friday or Sunday will impact your final guest count, and it may, but ultimately this will translate to more savings and the people who are really important to you wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Edmonton Reception Venues with Giggster
Whether you’re planning a wedding celebration or your next meeting, the right space is the springboard for curating an unforgettable event. With properties like a grand ballroom with customizable packages and a warehouse with exposed wooden beams, the Giggster app puts the perfect backdrop for your event.
