5 Tips On How To Plan Your Countryside Wedding In Alberta (2023/2024)
Planning your wedding is an exciting undertaking, especially when it comes to choosing your perfect venue. If you and your partner are nature enthusiasts and are looking for a venue with the charm of the countryside with the comforts of the city, then holding an outdoor ceremony followed by an indoor reception at an out of town venue like Pine Valley Resort might be the best option for you.
Here are some tips to help you plan a successful outdoor wedding ceremony and indoor dinner reception at a countryside venue.
Choosing the right venue
One of the first steps in planning your dream wedding is picking your venue. While most wedding venues can start off as blank slates, each venue has its own inherent style. Choosing a countryside wedding venue means your wedding experience will feel down to earth, closer to nature, and relaxed.
You want to ensure your venue fits your style, budget, and guest list. Pine Valley Resort is the perfect venue for couples looking for a farm style wedding with an outdoor component. We’re able to host up to 150 guests in our indoor reception area for sit down dinner receptions, and up to 300 for standing room receptions.
Prepare for the weather
Having the availability of outdoor ceremony and indoor reception locations means you’ll be prepared for any weather conditions. The Pine Valley Hall can serve as a backup indoor ceremony location in the case of rain or extreme weather.
But if you’re planning to have your wedding ceremony outdoors come rain or shine, consider having blankets or umbrellas on hand for guests. While we always hope Mother Nature is on our side, at Pine Valley Resort, we require 24 hours notice to any change of plans. Consider asking your wedding planner or coordinator about how they can accommodate any changes due to weather, and how much time they would need for set-up and tear down in between the ceremony and reception if your wedding was to be moved indoors.
Our in-house photography expert recommends purchasing clear umbrellas for you and your wedding party. We find that the clear umbrellas detract less and the beauty of the Tawatinaw Valley can continue to shine in your photos, and you get to stay dry!
We recommend keeping an eye out on the forecast leading up to your wedding day and to be as prepared as possible.
Choosing your decor
A countryside venue offers a unique charm that’s perfect for farm, boho and garden style weddings. Choosing decor that compliments your theme such as wildflowers, romantic draping, and lush greenery. We love lanterns, candles, and cafe/string lights as it creates a cozy atmosphere for indoor receptions. Our indoor reception hall has some mechanics on the ceiling and walls that allow you to hang string lights to create the perfect atmosphere for your dinner reception.
Guest Experience
We know that you want to create an unforgettable experience for your guests and that you have their comfort in mind. Depending on how you’ve set up your wedding day timeline, consider hosting a cocktail hour before settling in for your reception. From experience, we know that one of the most important parts of the guest experience is the food! Our high quality catering is what creates such an unforgettable wedding experience, and if you’re looking to up the anté, we have a wide selection of nibbles and treats to choose from for your cocktail hour and/or midnight lunch.
To create a seamless experience to welcoming people into your reception, consider setting up a seating chart for your guests to avoid confusion. As our wedding venue is located 45 minutes North of St. Albert and Edmonton, we know that transportation to and from the venue is something to keep in mind — especially if your guests plan on drinking. Fortunately, Pine Valley Resort has on-site lodging available with 29 rooms and 63 beds available. This means you and your guests can rest easy knowing that a good night's rest is just steps away.
Entertainment
Setting up lawn games for your guests to play during cocktail hour can add to the guest experience, and photobooths are a fun way for guests to take home physical memories with them at the end of the night.
Depending on your style, hiring a DJ, live band, or musician can provide evening entertainment to keep you and your guests dancing all night long. The Pine Valley Hall, our indoor reception space, has a stage area which is perfect space for performances or your head table.
Summary
Regardless of how you envision your wedding day, planning your wedding with an outdoor ceremony and indoor reception at a farm style venue like Pine Valley Resort can provide a beautiful and unique experience for you and your guests. If you’re looking for a wedding venue with the beauty of the countryside and the amenities of the city, contact us for more information and to book your venue tour today.
Photography by Pam Kriangkum Photography & Minted Photography