Frequently Asked Questions

There are no restrictions as to the location for outdoor ceremonies, as long as regular visitors continue to have access to the historic buildings. With the exception of rooms in the Visitor Centre and the Warehouse, the interior of historic buildings can only be used during the off-season or after hours during the regular operating season. The primary location restriction for outdoor receptions is access to electrical power and proximity to washroom facilities. For this reason, the majority of tent receptions are located east of the picnic shelter, close to the Visitor Centre.

All events at Lower Fort Garry must adhere to public health restrictions implemented by the Province of Manitoba during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please bring any further questions or concerns to your Parks Canada contact.

You are responsible for acquiring and setting up your own tent(s).

In case of rain or other inclement weather, outdoor ceremonies may be moved into either the multi-purpose room, Warehouse (less than 70 guests) or the theatre for no additional charge. Outdoor receptions can only be moved indoors if: there are fewer than 120 guests; no other events have been booked for the multi-purpose room; and 24 hours' notice is given.

Yes, the facilities are licensed. You will be required to obtain an Occasional Permit, one Smart Choices-certified server per 50 guests and the appropriate liability insurance.

Anything thrown or laid on the ground at the ceremony must be removed immediately following the ceremony. There will be an additional fee added to your bill for clean up if you do not arrange this yourself. Bubbles, streamers, or other means of celebrating are highly recommended. Please discuss your plans for the ceremony site with your Parks Canada contact.

You are welcome to use decorations at the ceremony and reception sites that do not damage or mar any of the buildings or walls. Thus, you may not use nails, tape or other adhesives – but you may tie decorations to pillars and gates or use the Stick-Tak on interior walls in the Visitor Centre.

The Big House and the Picnic Shelter, as well as the Multi-Purpose Room have sufficient electricity to supply most choices of music (portable speaker, live musicians, etc.). However, other outdoor venues will require long extension cords to reach an electrical source. All entertainment outside may need to have the volume reduced at 11 p.m. to comply with the RM of St. Andrews noise by-law.

The reception can last until 1 am, at which point the Visitor Centre will close. No alcohol can be served after 1 am. All décor, linens, food and alcohol must be removed from the reception location by 2 am and either removed from the site or packed, ready for pickup the following day.

Yes, there is a boardroom in the Visitor Centre that can be reserved for the bride to change into her wedding gown or simply to wait until the ceremony is about to start. There is also a separate room where the groom can get changed if needed.

Staff members can either shuttle you to your ceremony with an electric buggy or you may drive out in a personal vehicle and park in a designated area.

As guests arrive in the Visitor Centre, staff will direct them to the appropriate venue. It is also possible to plant small signs, but they must be removed immediately following the event.

All guests are required to park in the parking lot adjacent to the Visitor Centre. Your guests have the option of walking through the grounds to your event or you can make arrangements to have one of the electric shuttles take your guests from the parking lot to your ceremony location, if it is available. Please discuss this option with your Parks Canada contact. There is no additional fee for this service.

There are designated smoking areas on both the historic and non-historic grounds. No smoking is allowed in any of the buildings. There will be an additional fee added to your bill for cleanup if a large number of cigarette butts are found on the grounds.

Only one reception per day is permitted on the grounds. We will allow up to two (2) wedding ceremonies to occur on the site, so long as: they are separated geographically (one on the historic grounds, the other in the picnic shelter area); or they are at least three hours apart if they are to occur at the same location. Having multiple ceremonies on one day is also dependent on the number of chairs needed for either event.

Pets are welcome to be part of your ceremony provided they are on a leash no longer than three (3) metres long at all times and you clean up after them.