5 Great Golf Course Wedding Venues in B.C.

B.C.’s best golf courses provide a beautiful backdrop for your big day

A union near the green can be a welcome escape from the bustle of an urban locale, offering majestic views, simplified scheduling and quality care with a smaller event footprint.

“Many feel that a golf course is a real getaway only minutes from the city,” concurs Joni Martinson of the University Golf Club in Vancouver (venue pictured above).

From photo-friendly vistas to ceremonies under the stars, these five clubs provide sophisticated venues to exchange your vows throughout British Columbia…

 

1. University Golf Club, Vancouver

The meticulously manicured grounds of Vancouver’s University Golf Club (UGC) have been pleasing athletes since 1929—but wedding parties will find just as much on offer. “The tall trees and greenery make for a spectacular backdrop for a wedding,” explains event coordinator Joni Martinson. The UGC provides suggested vendors but parties are not held to any set decisions. “We have a venue that is flexible in different areas of planning which helps couples arrange a wedding that represents themselves and what they are truly about,” says Martinson. “We welcome groups to hire whoever they wish to augment their weddings, yet if they are looking for help we can certainly make recommendations.”

The club boasts catering, a personal event coordinator, elegant banquet rooms, on-site ceremony space, an expansive photography area and even pre-wedding golf options for those who want to sneak in a tee time prior to the main event. The many resources create a wealth of possibility. “A golf course can be a great venue for more than just ceremonies and receptions too!” says Martinson. “Rehearsal dinners, bridal showers… golf courses are great options for wedding events of all types.”

Capacity: 50 to 200
Cost: Starting at $2,700 for minimum 50 people at lunch and $3,950 for minimum 50 people for dinner, plus gratuity and applicable taxes (Rates include room rental and ceremony fee, if applicable)
Lead time: Bookings open in January each year for the following calendar year
All season: Yes
Planner: On-site event coordinator
Decor: Items like linens, bud vases, candles, head table decor, etc. is complimentary, but couples are welcome to provide their own if they wish
Catering: On-site available
Minimum spends: Yes, for both food and alcohol
Tastings: Two complimentary tickets for wedding tasting event included with a booking (if booking made prior to annual springtime event date) and private tastings for events with plate-served meals
Permits: Liquor license in place but special event insurance recommended
A/V: Minimal but some
Dance floor/DJ: Dance floors in reception rooms but no in-house DJ
Parking: Complimentary parking for all guests with two reserved spots outside front entry
Closing times: Daytime weddings wrap by 4 p.m. and evening weddings by 1 a.m.

 

2. Meadow Gardens Golf Club, Pitt Meadows

“Let your dreams come true” is the motto at Meadow Gardens. “It’s a great place to get married because it has all your wedding needs,” promises events coordinator Kayla Bell. “Our staff is always prepared to make sure that your special day happens beyond expectations. Our guiding principle is that the attention is always on the bride and groom.”

With its stunning backdrop, all eyes will certainly be on the couple in question when photos are taken. Nestled at the doorstep of the Golden Ears Bridge in serene Pitt Meadows, the club boasts postcard-ready panoramas. “Photographs can be exquisite on our famous eighteenth hole bridges or surrounded by snow peaked mountains,” explains Bell.

Capacity: 30 to 300
Cost: Starting at $450 for room rental and buffets from $39 per person while plated service varies, plus gratuity and applicable taxes
Lead time: One to one-and-a-half years (peak season bookings), eight to 12 months (off season bookings)
All season: Yes
Planner: On-site event coordinator
Decor: Available for rental, from pipe and drape to overlays and sashes
Catering: On-site available
Minimum spends: Yes, for both food and beverage, depending on room selection
Tasting: Yes, depending on plated or buffet choice
Permits: Liquor license in place
A/V: Rental available, set-up and take-down included
Dance floor/DJ: Yes, in all banquet rooms, but no in-house DJ
Parking: Complimentary parking for all guests with reserved parking for wedding party
Closing times: Guests must depart by 1 a.m. on Sundays while Fridays and Saturdays permit a 2 a.m. departure (bar service wraps one hour prior)

 

3. Northview Golf and Country Club, Surrey

Northview Golf and Country Club provides an alternative to complicated logistics in the downtown core of a major city centre. “Getting away from the traffic and concrete buildings are a huge reason why more and more brides are choosing picturesque locations such as golf courses,” says Lisa Marshall, Northview’s director of sales and marketing. And the locale certainly combines outdoor luxury with indoor sophistication: the ‘Enchanted Garden’ showcases a gazebo and cascading waterfalls while the clubhouse provides a sophisticated spot for dining and dancing. “The views are breathtaking,” continues Marshall. “Overlooking the eighteenth green, they are majestic. You just can’t get that downtown.”

Simplicity is also key. “Everything can be done here at Northview: starting with the ceremony and moving right into the reception,” says Marshall. In addition, Northview claims one more advantage: efficiency. “Our attention to detail is what makes us different,” she says. “We make the day unforgettable not just for the bride and groom but for all their guests.”

Capacity: Up to 200 with dancing
Cost: Buffets start at $46 per person, plus gratuity and applicable taxes
Lead time: Usually one year prior to event but shorter lead times if space permits
All season: Yes
Planner: On-site “Wedding Specialists”
Decor: Wedding party selects their own decorator
Catering: Additional
Minimum spends: Minimums in place for peak times
Tastings: “Wedding Day Showcase” each spring allows for tastings
Permits: Liquor license in place
A/V: Yes, with new HD TVs in 2017
Dance floor/DJ: Yes, large dance floor available, but no in-house DJ
Parking: Complimentary parking
Closing times: 1 a.m. on Saturdays, other days may be earlier

 

4. St. Eugene Golf Resort Casino, Cranbrook

The Kootenays offer no end of natural wonder and striking settings but the region’s historic St. Eugene Golf Resort Casino covers all the bases in the wedding world. “We’re set on 300 acres along the winding St. Mary River and against the picturesque backdrop of the Purcell and Rocky Mountains,” explains marketing and digital media manager Jessica Britton. The Spanish-colonial style building houses a variety of activities one would struggle to find at other event locations so a destination wedding remains accessible and affordable but still showcases a plethora of ways to pass the downtime. “Championship golf course, casino, spa and exceptional dining; our resort is the perfect place to celebrate your special day,” continues Britton.

The resort boasts 125 guest rooms and suites—with group room rates available of course—plus a new RV park is under construction and will open later this summer, providing further options for wedding guests in from out of town.

Capacity: 50 to 260
Cost: Customized quotes available upon request 
Lead time: Six months to two years for a preferred date
All season: Yes, except for the Joseph Creek Pavilion (The Pavilion is St. Eugene’s biggest venue with a capacity of 260, which is closed from late-November to mid-March annually.)
Planner: Yes, Sales and Wedding Manager on-site
Decor: Yes, including tables, chairs, linens, chair covers, table runners, chair ties and back drops
Catering: Additional
Minimum spends: For events in the Pavilion, minimum spend of $5,000 on food and beverage
Tastings: Arranged upon request
Permits: Liquor license in place
A/V: Yes
Dance floor/DJ: Dance floor available, preferred vendor list for DJs provided
Parking: Ample complimentary parking in addition to the availability of shuttle service to and from the airport just five minutes away
Closing times: Guests must depart by 1:00 AM though a 12:00 AM curfew is in place for music

 

5. Kelowna Springs Golf Club, Kelowna

Designed by renowned golf course extraordinaire Les Furber, Kelowna Springs Golf Club has built a stellar reputation since opening in 1990. It’s a beloved 18 holes for those in the Okanagan but weddings always receive a warm welcome. “Our management crew loves to host weddings, as it is a great break from the day-to-day golf focus,” explains Ian Robertson, general manager and owner. “Our chef gets to show off his skills and our serving crew looks forward to taking everything up a notch.”

The service is not the only reason to book. “Beautiful green spaces, a non-stressful environment, a spacious clubhouse with prime views of the golf course,” lists Robertson. “Prices are often more attractive than those at dedicated, seasonal wedding venues.” Relaxed energy, committed staff and a beautifully landscaped facility? I do indeed.

Capacity: 50 to 130
Cost: Starting at $30 per person
Lead time: Generally six months but shorter lead times if space permits
All season: Closed January and February annually
Planner: Yes, Event and Restaurant Manager on-site
Decor: Not provided but happy to work with requests
Catering: Clubhouse restaurant utilized for food
Minimum spends: Generally, 50 or more people is optimal but no specific limit in place
Tasting: Clubhouse tasting can be arranged
Permits: Liquor license in place
A/V: Yes
Dance floor/DJ: Can be arranged
Parking: Complimentary
Closing times: “When the party is over!”

 

CREATED BY REAL WEDDINGS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVERSITY GOLF CLUB.