There is nothing more romantic than holding a rustic wedding in a secluded spot surrounded only by nature and your loved ones. Unfortunately, the logistics of planning and executing such a vision can burst your bubble well before you pop the champagne. Barriers to accessibility, lack of different options for accommodation, and high travel costs can all negatively impact your guest list—not to mention our notoriously unpredictable weather.

The Lake House in Calgary offers the quaint charm of a lakeside cottage with the conveniences that come with a big city. The full-service restaurant is perched directly over Lake Bonavista and has breathtaking scenery both inside and out. Ornate elk antler chandeliers cast a warm glow over the grand stone fireplace and the 21-foot antique bar. The bar dates back to the 1800’s and was previously housed in a mercantile shop in Montana. Large glass windows provide views of the lake from the comfort of your table, or you can savour the warm summer nights from the spacious patio.

The Lake House is managed by Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts, so if you’ve ever dined at Cilantro in Calgary or Emerald Lake Lodge in B.C, you know the food and service will be exceptional. Chef Thomas Neukom and his award-winning team create inspired Western Canadian dishes sourced from local ingredients—most of the bison and elk meat come from CRMR’s own ranch just outside the city. You can view the extensive and diverse selection of wine from the stunning glass-encased cellar as you enter the restaurant. But it’s not all fine dining; there are fun options for midnight lunch such as mac and cheese, poutine, and pierogi stations.

The Lake House can accommodate weddings year-round for nearly any size and budget. The Private Dining Room holds 60 for a banquet-style dinner and the Bonavista Dining room can seat 130 (or 160 for a cocktail reception). For even the grandest of parties you can book the entire venue to accommodate 190 guests for dinner or 250 guests for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. If you really want to save some cash without skimping on quality, there are discounted rates for Sundays and weekdays.

Take a moment, breathe deeply, and let your dreams fly. Invite the nostalgia of a summer night at the family cabin watching the sun set over the serene waters to your wedding. Welcome the romance of a crisp autumn day as the backdrop of trees shimmer in shades of crimson and gold. Let love and a crackling fire keep you warm as snow envelops everything in a wonderland of white. Or delight in new beginnings with a sunny spring brunch affair. The possibilities are endless. Whatever your dream, hosting your wedding at The Lake House ensures you can share it with everyone—from your little old granny to your frugal aunt and uncle.

We gather together to enjoy a good meal, to work towards common goals, and to celebrate life and love. In today’s digital age, spending time together is something we often take for granted. The Hauser family have perfected this seemingly lost art and have made it their mission to share their love of togetherness on their family farm and event space. Welcome to Gathered.

The family of seven had always dreamed of setting up a homestead and living off the bounty of their land, and one day they decided to just go for it. They moved to an acreage in Kathryn, Alberta in 2013 and immediately broke ground—literally. The eldest daughter, Alysa, was planning her wedding and wanted to get married under the open skies. The family planted gardens both for food and to turn the property into a naturally beautiful oasis. The wedding day was a success and sparked a new flame: the Hauser’s wanted to share the fruits of their labour with others.

Located just 30 minutes from downtown Calgary, Gathered is an idyllic spot for a rustic wedding. The transparent tent seats 140 and allows you to dine under the big prairie sky without worrying about unpredictable weather. There’s no pretentious or processed food here; expect a delicious, home-cooked meal with fresh local ingredients—many of which are organically grown on the farm. The gorgeous wood furniture, dishes, glassware and spectacular country views are all included so all you need to add is your personal touch for décor.

If you want to celebrate love, food, family and land—and perhaps roast a few s’mores—on your wedding day, let the Hauser’s share their dream-come-true with you. Your wedding day is all about togetherness, and there’s no better place to get together than Gathered. As they say, there’s no place like home.

More savvy couples are booking restaurants for their weddings, and for many great reasons. Food is the top priority for any successful restaurant, so expect that to be the case for your reception. Plus you can easily sample the menus before committing to a deposit. You’ll also save big on décor since restaurants will already have unique accoutrements, as opposed to standard banquet hall furniture—add a few flowers and creative centrepieces to make the space your own. Relive the romance of your wedding day for years to come by revisiting the restaurant for anniversaries and other special celebrations.

Here are three amazing Calgary restaurants to say “I do” to:

• Cilantro

Cilantro offers an intimate setting in the heart of the city. The interior boasts wood paneling and stained-glass windows that let in lots of natural light, while the enclosed patio features lush greenery and heaters to keep the party private and comfortable. Cilantro can accommodate up to 60 guests for a sit-down dinner or 100 guests for a cocktail reception.

Photo: Grey Lily Photography

• The Lake House

Looking for a rustic lodge within city limits? The Lake House sits above Lake Bonavista and offers breathtaking views both inside and out. The interior features elk antler chandeliers, a massive stone fireplace, glass-encased wine cellar, and a refurbished bar from the 1800’s. The patio offers a tranquil space to mingle and watch the sun set over the water. The Lake House has brunch, lunch and dinner options for up to 250 guests.

Photo: Shannon Yau Photography

• The Loft

The Loft Lounge at the new Granary Road Market offers an open, casual space just ten minutes south of Calgary. The lounge itself sits high above the main marketplace with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside—the perfect setting to dine on locally-sourced menu items and sip Alberta craft beer.

Blush had the pleasure of attending this year’s hottest unveiling of Calgary’s newest state-of-the-art event complex. Hudson is a one-of-a-kind venue located in the historic Hudson Bay building in downtown Calgary. The wedding and event room is situated on the sixth floor of the HBC flagship store, boasting sweeping city views like none-other.

You are greeted with a clean, contemporary feel with breathtaking chandeliers, exposed brick and posh interior design. Hudson is the perfect blank slate for your special event.

Hudson features two unique spaces to suit any soiree. The contemporary Hudson Loft featuring just over 10,000 square feet with seating capacity of 480 guests and the grand Hudson Flat with just over 7,000 square feet with seating capacity of 300. Looking to accommodate a really large event? Rent out the entire floor for up to 780 guests! One of the greatest features of Hudson is the choice of configuration for your event to customize based on size for a truly unique experience.

We cannot forget about the mouth-watering food catered by Oliver & Bonacini, one of Canada’s leading restaurant and event companies. You will not be disappointed with Hudson’s catering and top-notch service, just another feature of the spectacular venue.

If you are looking for something truly unique, with breathtaking views, exquisite food and impressive design then look no further than Hudson.

Who doesn’t love a charming stylized wedding shoot? Combine the already beautiful venue with a blend of loose floral arrangements and the charm of antique china shot by Red Bloom Photography and it’s a win for amazing inspiration!

Reflections Weddings & Events gathered a group of Calgary wedding vendors at the British House to shoot this perfect blend of old beauty with modern day romance.

The colour palette combined the romantic and fresh colours of turquoise, white, lavender and punches of fuchsia to create a unique summer palette.

The water colour cake and stationery brought the old world into the new again and the mix of 19th century antique furniture with the 2015 Hayley Paige wedding gown showcased that everything old can be new again.

Enjoy the awe-spiring images below!