5 Super-Affordable Wedding Venues in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley

Getting married isn’t cheap. In fact, weddings in Canada cost anywhere between $30,000 to 50,000 on average—especially if you’re in a city like Vancouver. While food and alcohol are major contributors, venues can also take up a significant portion of your overall budget. Of course, it doesn’t have to be that way. Take the below venues: none of them will set you back more than a couple thousand dollars (in some cases, you won’t even need to spend more than $200).

1. Contemporary Lawn and Arbour 

Location: Vancouver

Maximum Capacity: 250

Price: $400 per hour

The UBC Botanical Garden boasts six gorgeous event facilities, including a reception centre, ampitheatre and glade—but the arbour is the most unique of them all. It’s also one of the more budget-friendly sites; available to rent by the hour, brides and grooms can choose to host just a portion of their special day on premises. It looks stunning whether set up for an intimate garden ceremony or a long-table dinner reception.

2. Cleveland Dam Field

Photo: White Dahlia Studios

Location: North Vancouver

Maximum Capacity: 125

Price: $96

Cleveland Dam Field, located at the southern tip of Capilano Lake in North Vancouver, is a hidden gem—and not just because of the price tag. With sweeping mountain and forest views, it provides a beautiful backdrop for both intimate elopements and large ceremonies. Due to construction in the surrounding area, the site unfortunately isn’t available to rent until after October 2022, but we think this one is worth the wait.

That said, if you have your heart set on tying the knot next year, there are plenty of other (equally affordable) Metro Vancouver park locations and facilities to choose from—including the Inverholme Schoolhouse that set the scene for this camping-themed wedding.

3. Whonnock Lake Centre

Location: Maple Ridge

Maximum Capacity: 160

Price: From $207.95 per hour

Lakefront wedding venues tend to be on the pricier side, but this community centre in Maple Ridge is surprisingly affordable (and you won’t need to limit your guest list to keep it that way). The large patio is perfectly suited for an outdoor ceremony, and the 2,500-square-foot hall can easily seat up 160 people. Renters will need to commit to at least four hours, but at such a cheap rate, it’ll be hard to resist booking the entire day.

4. Minnekhada Lodge

Location: Coquitlam

Maximum Capacity: 50

Price: $143 per hour

If you often search for “rustic wedding ideas” on Pinterest, but don’t want to exchange vows in a barn, look no further than the Minnekhada Lodge. This idyllic property, originally built as a hunting retreat for Lieutenant Governor Eric Hamber in 1934 , is just a 45-minute drive from Vancouver—and offers both indoor and outdoor spaces. Most couples choose to say “I do” on the covered patio before transitioning into the banquet hall for dinner and dancing.

5. Clayburn Village Church

Location: Abbotsford

Maximum Capacity: 80

Price: From $725

Clayburn Village Church, built in 1912, is perfect for couples that have their hearts set on a more traditional venue. The heritage brick building features stained glass windows, hardwood floors and a decorative organ. If budget allows, you can also choose to rent the neighbouring schoolhouse ($1,400 per day; 120 persons max capacity)—but if not, you should at least explore the church grounds and surrounding area. Both have high potential for pre- and post-ceremony photos.

Still not sure where you want to get married? Check out these other Vancouver wedding venues that won’t break the bank.

Originally published May 2022