How to Have a Wedding in the Prairies
We live in Manitoba and we should take advantage of this beautiful province – have a wedding in the prairies is the perfect choice. The prairies are beautiful, wonderful, magical (we could keep going) and we love getting to watch all these local brands, farms, and shops use our land to creative great things.
To add to all of it; have you seen wedding pictures in the prairies? They are absolutely stunning. Have you been to a wedding in the prairies? The options are limitless (yes, mountains are great too, but that’s not this post). Manitoba prairie weddings use the beautiful scenery that we have available to us and are so unique.
Here is a list of tips and things to consider to help you plan your prairie wedding.
Weather
Have you ever made plans for a weekend that is supposed to be sunny and then the weekend comes and your stuck inside? Yep, Manitoba weather. It’s a real thing (hashtag and all). Having an outdoor wedding is so great because the nature that is there doesn’t have to be planned, but what happens when nature doesn’t cooperate? Tents are a great option to protect yourselves and your guests from any weather we experience. In having a tent wedding you can glamorize the tent so it resembles a ballroom (or just go simple; whatever your flavour). You can do extravagant lighting, or swaging from the top of the tent.
Tents can be used under a sunny prairie sky or on a rainy wedding day. Tents can shelter your guests from those bright and high UV ray days but still allow you to get those perfectly lit pictures. Tents have the option of having side panels to be used a backup plan, which is a great option if it our weather takes a turn and decides to pour!
Another option is to book a backup location like a local hall or venue (there is the lost cost of it if you don’t use it but it’s worth it and we call it a “stress free” – well worth the money in our opinion).
Prairie Sunsets
We’ve all been driving in Manitoba at some point when the sun is setting and you want to just pull over and stare at it. These sunsets are amazing, vibrant with colour and, are FREE, so take advantage of them!
With your photographer, try and work in a schedule where you and your partner can step away for some Manitoba sunset pictures! (that’s what we’re for too – we always want you to get twilight photos so make sure you mention it in our Itinerary Planning Meetings and we’ll schedule it in and make it happen on the day)
Whether it is just you and your partner or your wedding party, these pictures give a great background and pictures that would go great on a thank you card (or to get blown up as a canvas for up on the wall).
Winter
Winter here in Manitoba seem to last 10 out of the 12 months, right?! With our winter periods lasting so long, we often forget about the good things about this season and just focus on the bad. Minus 40 and 3 feet of snow, sounds awful when you say it out loud but let’s make this a positive. If you’re planning a winter wedding, some unique things you can do to make it seem not so cold for your guests are having flannel blankets or a hot chocolate bar. In the hot chocolate bar include things such as different flavours of hot chocolate, different milks (include options for your vegan and dairy free guests), maybe a couple flavoured liqueurs, different marshmallows, and don’t forget the toppings! (bonus wedding points if you include a s’more station with this – yes an indoor s’more station. There’s nothing like surprising your guests with something they’re dreaming will come back – summer and camp fires. Give them a modified version of this and they’ll be happy).
Another fantastic detail of a winter weddings are the photos. Snow is sparkling, specifically when it is falling. Unfortunately, snowfall is unpredictable so when it starts to fall, take advantage of it immediately with your photographer (most things can be paused for 5-10 minutes to capture this moment)
Unique Activities
Manitoba is home to some unique and exciting activities. We can take advantage of some of these unique features and use it at weddings. Some exciting things we’re so thankful for here in Manitoba are farmers markets, breweries, The Forks, Downtown, The Exchange District, food trucks and, local talent. Yes, a great list of things but how do you bring that into your wedding?
Try getting your caterers to include some fresh local fruits or vegetables from the farmers market to give your menu a special touch. Another great idea is using your favourite food truck as a midnight snack (or even better as your full meal!) Not only do the food trucks provide delicious food but it would make super cute pictures for you and your partner pretending to cook up a storm in the food truck! (or just in front of too)
Local talent is also a great way to include uniqueness into your wedding. You could hire a local band to play at your wedding or perhaps getting a local artist to do your wedding favours.
Manitoba is full of “secret” talents so why not use it to make your special day more memorable! (more on that below)
Prairie Landscaping
Manitoba is flat, no hills, no mountains, no canyons, just grass and fields. We can turn this around by embracing it. Yes we have fields and flat land but in those fields there are abandoned cars, trucks, barns and houses, hay bales and pure beauty. You can use these landscapes in your wedding pictures. The pictures would be natural and one with nature (did we mentions our forests? A stroll in the woods with your photographer is blissful and the photos you get are pretty great too). If you’re not into the flat landscaping of the prairies, try and fit it into your timeline to get some photos in Clear Lake, Riding Mountain or Birds Hill Park (or do your engagement session there)! These locations would provide some scenery that adds in some extra forestry, the lakes and, the overall beauty of the parks!
Tents
A tent is a type of wedding venue that we think is extremely underrated. Tents are something that shelter us from the weather but tents give the vibe of comfort and warmth. There are so many options that can be included with decorating, layouts and, unique touches. Like we mentioned a tent can be glamorous like a ballroom or it can used to give a rustic country feel. Tents can open up your options for locations too. Luckily in the prairies, we have tons of open fields and spaces, try looking for the owner of a farmers field to see if you’re able to rent it out for your reception! (keep in mind that you’ll need to bring everything – think generators – so talk to your Planner to help you bring it all together)
With tents there are a few unique touches that you can add to your day to make it so it is extra memorable. For example, if you’re having a tent ceremony and reception in the fall or spring, place a basket with some fur or knitted blankets to keep your guests warm. If you’re doing a spring or summer wedding you’ve got the ability to add tons of greenery to the poles of the tent to make it blend with the nature around. It’ll look like fairytale forest (we’re all for a themed wedding – think Lord of the Rings, oh yes!)
No matter what you’re planning here in Manitoba make sure you bring in your own personality, work with the space you have, enjoy yourself in the planning process, the unique nature Manitoba weddings have and, of course always have a bad weather plan.
Local Talent
Winnipeg is so fortunate to be a city of aspiring musicians, artists and, business ideas. Why not use some local musicians to sing on your special day! You could incorporate them by getting them to play your first dance song, the song you come down the aisle to, playing during cocktail hour or, even having them as a band instead of a DJ at your wedding. Winnipeg is all about supporting local talent and we think that it is a genius idea!
If you were looking for a first dance, a song that is a little more upbeat is Our Love by The Brothers Landreth. Another great option is Petric (If you’re looking for something a little more country) a great first dance song we could suggest is Everything You Got. Or perhaps even David James has a song that is something more along your style.
