How an Ark Wedding Comes Together

A simple, flexible flow — designed to give you options, freedom, and control over your budget.

1. Secure Your Date

Lock in your weekend with a $1,000 deposit

  • Choose your date

  • Place a $1,000 non-refundable deposit to reserve it

  • Remaining balance is due two weeks before your wedding

No per-person pricing.
No packages.

80 guest maximum. No guest minimum.
No pressure to add anything you don’t want.

Once your deposit is in, the weekend is yours.

2. Choose Your Food (Total Flexibility)

You decide what’s served — and how

You are not required to use an in-house caterer. We don't have one!

Couples commonly choose:

  • A full-service caterer - we recommend Bytown Catering for quality and price

  • A food truck (or two)

  • A pig roast or BBQ

  • Family-style or DIY meals

  • Late-night snacks

  • Simple, relaxed menus that fit their budget

You book directly with your food provider, which keeps costs transparent and under your control.

3. Design Your Bar Your Way

Bring what you want, how you want

There are no mandatory bar packages or corkage fees.

Popular options include:

  • Open bar

  • Toonie bar

  • Beer and wine only

  • Signature cocktails

  • BYOB with a bartender

  • Gradually stocking up over time to spread out costs

Many couples save thousands simply by having this flexibility.

4. Music That Fits Your Style

DJ, band, or fully DIY — it’s your call

You’re free to:

  • Hire a DJ

  • Book a live band

  • Create your own playlist

  • Use Spotify or a similar service

  • Mix live music with playlists throughout the day

We provide the sound system and the venue is equipped with wifi if you want to stream.

Some couples start building their playlist months in advance — and end up loving that part of the process.

5. Send your "seating chart" and special requests to Mike

We supply the dining tables and chairs and ceremony bench seating.

Send the following information to Mike 3 days in advance of your ceremony and he'll have everything ready for you by noon on Friday.

  • Total number of guests

  • Table seating ie. 8 people at head table, 4 tables of 10, 2 tables of 8, 1 table for 6

  • Any special requests, ie. canoe set out for beer, wedding day photos with a horse...

6. Time to Make the Space Yours

The following example is for a typical Saturday wedding, but the same 3 day flow will apply regardless of the day of your ceremony (my favourite weddings have been the Sunday afternoon Jewish weddings - so much fun!)

Friday access: Noon – 6:00 pm

The day before your wedding is reserved for decorating, but not required. You're welcome to set up Saturday morning if that works better for you.

  • Set up at your own pace

  • Rehearse the ceremony, test music

  • Test lighting and layout

  • Walk the space calmly

  • Make it feel personal

No same-day decorating rush.

7. Your Wedding Day

Saturday access: 9:00 am – 1:00 am

You have the space for the full day and night:

  • Morning setup

  • Ceremony

  • Cocktail hour

  • Photographs - on premise, 2km to hayfield, 5km to river

  • Dinner

  • Speeches - we provide the sound system

  • Dancing indoors or under the stars

  • A relaxed, unhurried evening

You have complete flexibility throughout the day. If there are intermittent rain showers, we can move the ceremony indoors or wait for a clear spell.

We've hosted close to 100 weddings here and I don't know if a single one went precisely to plan. But in the end, the day was always perfect.

8. Easy, Low-Stress Cleanup

Sunday access: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

  • Come back rested

  • Pack up without pressure

  • Say goodbye to the space properly

We do the bulk of the cleanup for you - empty half full glasses, clear tables of garbage, etc.

But you'll want to pick up your gifts and decorations and leftover bar.

The Big Picture

This flow is designed to give you:

  • Choice instead of restrictions

  • Control over where your money goes

  • A wedding that reflects you — not a package

Most couples tell us this is what allows them to have the kind of wedding people remember —
without sacrificing their financial future.

Beyond the venue itself, every wedding has a few additional moving parts. Here’s a simple checklist many couples find helpful as they plan.

Everything Else (Not Venue-Related — Just a Helpful Planning Checklist)

Ceremony & Attire

  • Choose wedding dress / suit / tux

  • Schedule fittings and alterations

  • Choose shoes and accessories

  • Decide on hair and makeup (DIY or professional)

Flowers & Decor

  • Decide on flowers (florist, local grower, or DIY)

  • Bouquets, boutonnieres, and ceremony florals

  • Table arrangements or simple greenery

  • Candles, lanterns, or seasonal decor

  • Set-up plan for Friday decorating time

(Many couples mix real flowers with greenery or candles to keep costs down.)

Guests & Communication

  • Finalize guest list

  • Send save-the-dates

  • Send invitations

  • Collect RSVPs

  • Create seating plan (if needed)

Vendors

  • Photographer / videographer

  • Officiant

  • Caterer or food plan

  • Bartender (if applicable)

  • DJ / band / music setup

Details & Personal Touches

  • Wedding favours (optional)

  • Signage (welcome sign, seating chart, bar menu, etc.)

  • Guest book or alternative

  • Ceremony readings or vows

  • Day-of timeline

Logistics

  • Accommodation for guests

  • Transportation (if needed)

  • Weather backup plan

  • Assign someone to handle day-of questions

  • Pack an overnight bag

Final Week

  • Confirm vendors

  • Final walkthrough

  • Stock bar / beverages

  • Print playlists

  • Relax — the big decisions are already done