5 Historical Wedding Venues in Vancouver that You Should Consider
Vancouver is one of the most culturally and historically rich locations in the world for weddings. Every year this beautiful city attracts a large number of destination weddings from around the world. If you are planning to have your wedding in Vancouver, let us help by providing you with our recommendation of the 5 historical wedding venues in the city.
Heritage Hall
As one of the oldest government buildings in Vancouver, Heritage Hall was originally constructed as a post office in 1915 and in 1974 it was designated as a heritage building by the city of Vancouver. Below is the Heritage Hall’s timeline:
1915 – 1922 Operated as a post office
1922 – 1962 Dominion Agricultural Building
1965 – 1976 Operated by the Royal Mounted Police
1976 – 1982 Vacant
1982 Restored by Main Source Management Society
Community and cultural resource centre
During the restoration, the main floor offered the most creative opportunities. It was renovated and designed to be a ballroom similar to that of an old French Chateau. There is a significant amount of original details from the 18th century French Provincial style when it was redesigned in 1982.
Wedding
Surround yourself by the grandeur of the high ceiling, large windows and stained-glass chandelier. This wedding venue features a 3,300 square foot event space and a spacious 300 square feet kitchen for outside caterers to use.
This space can accommodate up to 150 seated weddings and up to 200 standing ceremony.
Say your “I Do’s” in the historical Women’s Club of Vancouver, founded in 1907. A ballroom, terrace and garden space will bring you that prestigious exclusivity only a century-old club can provide.
History
1909 – 1911 – The McRae family funded the construction of Hycroft and its completion in 1911 as their private residence. Alexander Duncan McRae, a leading businessman and politician in Western Canada at the beginning of the twentieth century.
1911 – 1941 – The McRae family hosted many social events and balls during this time. It was the centre of Vancouver’s social scene at the time.
1942 – The McRae family donated the Hycroft to the Federal Government for $1.00 and was used by the Federal Department of Veterans’ Affairs as a convalescent hospital for war veterans.
1962 – The Hycroft was brought by the Women’s Club of Vancouver. It took 1 year to purchase and over 5 years to complete its full restoration.
Weddings: The Hycroft Manor is a splendid venue with numerous jaw dropping event spaces. Each one has its own features and historic charm.
Drawing Room: A wonderful and charming room features an artisan ornament moulding, marble fireplace and elegant furnishings including the Steinway grand piano. You will be happy to find a pair of French doors that open to the terrace where you can find a splendid view of the mountains and English bay. At 840 square feet, it is perfect for intimate weddings with up to 50 seated guests.
The Main Foyer and Grand Staircase: A perfect reception area for your wedding and photoshoots. The grand staircase is a central feature to the room where the bride and groom can announce a toast or command the attention of their guests.
Green Solarium: A truly one-of-a-kind enchanted space will definitely wow your guests. The Green Solarium is tiled with original Italian tiles, built with large windows overlooking the lush gardens and feature intricate Tiffany stained glass ceiling and doors. This 336 square feet solarium is perfect for a small cocktail reception between the wedding ceremony and dinner reception.
The Terrace: The Hycroft is probably best known for their grand terrace. This 2600 square feet outdoor space is has hosted many outdoor weddings and ceremonies. The terrace is partially covered (35’ by 25’) and overlooks the Vancouver city lights.
The Gardens: Surrounded by lush greenery, the gardens offer a secluded outdoor space for ceremonies and wedding receptions. You will be find seasonal blooms, flowering shrubs and manicured lawns. The seating capacity (theatre style) is about 130.
Hycroft Ballroom: This elegant Edwardian Ballroom with sprung hardwood floor for dancing, backlit stained glass windows and fireplaces at each end, transforms into an exquisite dining – dancing room for weddings. Capacity is 130 for seated dining and 175 for theatre seating.
McRae Lounge: Right next to the Hycroft Ballroom, The comfortable McRae Lounge, with its carved beams, marble floor and adjacent spectacular heritage Bar is now a welcoming sitting area or meeting room. At 31′ x 22′ its capacity is 30.
1988: 2 years after Vancouver was incorporated as a city, Stanley Park opened in year 1988
1911 – 1913: Construction began and was open in 1913 for the public. It was acted as the central meeting and social spot for the entire party.
It was known as one of Vancouver’s first social venues for dancing, dining and refreshments. Many weddings, social and meeting events were held there ever since.
In 1959, it hosted Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Vancouver
1933 – 1938: The Lions Gate Bridge was built to connect the City of Vancouver, British Columbia, to the North Shore municipalities of the District of North Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver, and West Vancouver.
“Lions Gate” refer to the twin mountains peaks located north of Vancouver
2015: Stanley Park Pavilion went through some major restorations to restore its former glory.
Weddings: Situated in a world renown park (Stanley Park), the Stanley Park Pavilion exudes history and is the perfect venue for any wedding or social event.
The Lord Stanley Ballroom: This turn of the century ballroom is the venue’s main event space. It features large chandeliers, clean crown moldings and elegant neutral colours. It can seat up to 200 dinner guests or 300 standing.
The Tea Room: Another fabulous event space that comes with a full bar built-in bar, wood-burning fireplace and dedicated washrooms. This boutique space can seat up to 100 diner guests and 200 standing. It is perfect for cocktail events and intimate weddings.
Stanley’s Bar & Grill: A central space that can be adjoined with the Tea Room and / or the Lord Stanley Ballroom. This space features an indoor space that can fit up to 40 seated and an outdoor space that can seat up to 200. It also provides direct access to the Pavilion Park Lawn.
Pavilion Park Lawn: A beautiful backdrop for any wedding the Pavilion Park Lawn is perfect for intimate outdoor weddings / events. It is perhaps most commonly used for ceremonies. It can seat up to 220 theatre style.
Originally serving as a loan company in 1907, the Bank of Canada called it home in 1935. Have your first dance in front of the original Bank of Canada vault in their elegant and dramatic main hall.
History
1907 – Opened its doors in 1907 as the “Permanent & Loan Company”
1929 – The building became vacant
1935 – Bank of Canada took over this property
1966 – Bank of Canada moved out and the build was used by many other businesses
2009 – Restoration of the building began by Eric Cohen. A project that cost over $1.5 million.
2013 – Received heritage awards by the City of Vancouver and the province.
Around 2016, the build officially launched as an event venue for weddings / social events as well as for film and television production.
Weddings
The one-of-a-kind space can host your special event with old world charm and modern elegance. Formerly the first Western branch of The Bank of Canada which started out as a Loan company – this historic venue has been fully renovated to include newly restored stained glass and a sixteen-foot bar.
It can hold 130 seated dinner and 250 standing cocktail.
The following is included complimentary with your rental:
On-site supervisor/facility manager
One front door security host
Post-event cleaning
Epson zone specific sound system with iPod hook up and two wireless microphones
LED 8500 Lumen Projector with HDMI and VGA connectivity
Zone specific light dimmers on main and second floors
Wireless internet
Crystal wine glasses, highball glasses, rocks glasses, and champagne coupes
Catering Facilities
Bridal room / Green Room / Back of House
Coat check facilities, racks and hangers (attendant extra)
1912: The house was commissioned in 1912 by Edward Pease Davis and named the house Kanakla meaning “House on the cliff”.
1920: Electricity was installed
1940: During the 1930’s the house was offered to the UBC by was declined. This is during the beginning of World War II. Kanakla was sold for $9,000 in 1940 although it was valued at $25,000 under the Land Registry Act. The house was renamed “Langara” by Mrs. Schwitzer.
1951: Property was purchased by senator Stanley Stewart McKeen for $55,250 and was again renamed “Yorkeen”
1964: Yorkeen was sold to the Basilian Fathers of Vancouver for $100,000. It was originally intended as a dormitory for its members of the religious order, but was instead used as an emergency classroom.
1967: The house was purchased by Ida and Cecil Green for $135,000 and donated to UBC along with a $200,000 for renovations. To honour the generous offer, UBC renamed the house Cecil Green Park.
1986 – 1989: Upon Ida Green’s death in 1986, Ida endowed and funded the renovations of Cecil Green Park which was completed in 1989.
Weddings
Yorkeen Room: This beautiful renovated event space was originally used as the drawing room. Today, you will find detailed 1800-style mouldings, a elegantly restored marble fireplace and inlaid hardwood floor that matches the neutral colours. The Yorkeen Room is 40’ x 20’ and can be used for an indoor wedding ceremony of up to 100 guests or up to 90 guests in a seated reception.
Kanakla Room: Another one of Cecil Green Park House’s main rooms, the Kanakla was the original dining area. The room is paneled in flame mahogany and you will be pleasant to find original stained glass windows surrounding the room. This room is 36’ x 18 can be used at the main reception area and be converted into the dancing area of your wedding. Just like the Yorkeen Room, it can sit up to 90 guests for a ceremony.
Langara: Located between the Yorkeen Room and the Kanakla Room, it is the perfect space or your cocktail reception to happen. It can also be used for extended seating from the Yorkeen Room if needed.
Terrace: The beautiful outdoor terrace overlooks the private gardens and the ocean. It is facing the sunset and is perfect for intimate summer ceremonies and outdoor weddings. It seats up to 120 guests for reception.
The Private Gardens: A great space that is maintained meticulously by the University of British Columbia (UBC). You will find rhododendron bushes, a lotus-flower-filled koi pond, magnolia and cherry blossom trees, and much more.
I hope you learned a lot about Vancouver’s historical venues. Below you will find some information about Elle Weddings and some other articles that you might be interested in
Meet Leslie Luu (Elle Weddings)
I am described as a zealous person with an insatiable curiosity, a trendsetter in the world of colour (see blog), and an adventure seeker with an admiration for world libraries, beautiful architecture, and delicious food. I believe that beauty is found in the tiniest and most unexpected details and it is these beautiful things around me that fuel my inspiration to do what I do.
As a teen I loved hosting birthday and holiday parties for my family and friends. I was fully involved in all aspects of event planning such as handwriting invites, decorating the house, cooking, baking, and organizing games and activities. Despite my love and enjoyment of planning events at this time, I graduated with a university degree in Criminology and pursued a career in law enforcement instead. Unhappy in this field of work, I left and found work decorating for weddings and assisting local planners in day-of coordination gigs. From then on a passion blossomed, I earned a degree in event management, and my journey into weddings began.
Leslie was organized, efficient, worked with what we wanted, easy to communicate with, and so lovely to work with. I wouldn't have wanted anyone else to plan our wedding! She is super knowledgeable about all of the best deals and vendors in the area and was able to create our dream vision with our budget. She took a lot of things off our plate with handling the vendors and everything on the special day making it stress free. On top of taking on all of these responsibilities, she was always so quick to respond. Leslie is the best and we will miss working with her!
Leslie helped to ensure our wedding day was amazing. She is attentive, responsive, flexible, and always smiling. Working with her was a pleasure and we'd highly recommend working with her. My husband and I were able to just enjoy the day while she took care of all the details on the day of, guiding us with a smile and always showing her caring attitude. As the day passed by me as a blur, I remember Leslie always busy working to make sure the details were perfect. Very grateful to have found her and for the work and love she put into our wedding. Thanks Leslie!
