Policies and procedures

As of Jan. 1, 2023, Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site requires a portion of the total event fees as a deposit and signed application to secure the date of your event. This deposit is payable at the preliminary pre-event site visit and is non-refundable. The balance is due ten (10) business days prior to the event.

You will receive a Special Event Activity License thirty (30) days before your event. Upon receipt of this permit, you will have ten (10) days to sign and return a copy. You will also need to provide your proof of insurance and any relevant permits (i.e. alcohol, noise) at this time. After you have signed the permit, adjustments to the guest count, heritage programming, resources and equipment can still be made. You may also change your desired location for your event up to ten (10) days prior to your event, so long as no one else has booked the alternate venue.

In the unfortunate event that you choose to cancel your function, you will forfeit your deposit. If you have paid the balance, those funds will be returned to you. Additionally, you will forfeit your deposit should your event be cancelled because you have not secured any necessary permits and insurance and provided copies to Lower Fort Garry at least 10 days before your event. You will receive a full refund should your event be cancelled, at the discretion of Parks Canada, due to acts of God/Force Majeure, including: fire, flooding, etc. We handle postponements and cancellations on a case-by-case basis, attempting a fair resolution between our clients and Lower Fort Garry.

If you wish to have your event in a tent, you are responsible for the tent rental and you may be responsible for tables and chairs if your guest list exceeds the available supply. You are responsible for returning the site to its original state – ensuring the removal of all garbage; otherwise, a cleaning fee will be assessed.

If you are planning a reception at Lower Fort Garry, you will be required to obtain general liability insurance for the event. This insurance policy must be provided to your Parks Canada contact at least ten (10) business days prior to the event. Otherwise, the function will be cancelled.

Contractors and delivery personnel will have vehicular access to the ceremony/ reception site to drop-off necessary supplies. All vehicles be removed from the grounds to the designated parking areas immediately following the delivery of required materials. Vehicles cannot stay parked on the historic grounds or adjacent to the picnic shelter area.

There is no additional fee for wedding photos if you are renting one of our facilities for either your ceremony or reception. Only the bride and groom may have their photos taken inside the historic buildings (subject to availability). All other photos are to be taken outdoors.

If you wish to use the site just for a wedding photo shoot, please contact us.

You must provide your Parks Canada contact with the names and telephone numbers of all contractors and suppliers who will require access to the Event prior to, during, and following the event and their arrival and departure times, one week prior to the Event. This includes: tent and chair/table suppliers, wedding planners, florists, JP/Minister, car service, etc.

Weddings typically require many hours of work throughout the planning process and continuing through the event. Prior to your wedding, you will be asked to provide the names and phone numbers of primary contact people (other than the couple) should any key decisions need to be made on the day of the event.