Saddlery on Market
Nothing about books here, just our wedding venue Google review. Otherwise known as one of my most favourite reviews.
Finding a venue was the worst part about planning our wedding for my partner Jon and I. We poured over the “All Things Wedding in Manitoba” Facebook page. We sifted through spreadsheets from friends who had gotten married earlier this year. And when we finally got to an in-person location scout, we crashed our car on the way to a venue.
By April, we knew we would have to push the wedding to next year if we didn't nail down a location soon. The idea of prolonging the planning made us both shudder. So we doubled down, and it was during one of these frantic late-night searches that we stumbled upon the Saddlery.
As Winnipeg history buffs, the old brick building hit a sweet spot for both of us. And as a person who has had a million different jobs, I found it funny that I had worked there as a hostess during its Don Pedro’s Mexican grill era.
We wanted a venue that could accommodate our 70-person guest list. One where we could hold the ceremony + reception in the same space. Something within our not-extravagant budget, with cozy lighting, good food, and room for a bumping dance floor. The Saddlery had all of this and more.
My Dad is a musician, and we had asked him to woo our guests with a set to kick off the party. We went there for drinks before the wedding so he and my best friend/our wedding DJ could take a look. The Saddlery manager and wedding contact, Roula, was working that night. She very graciously answered questions as my Dad dreamed up the greatest one-man classic rock set of our dreams.
To say our wedding was a dream day and night is an understatement. Walking through a room stuffed with the people we love most in the world, towards our wooden ceremony arch (rented from the Saddlery!) and the gorgeous flowers that adorned it (shout out to Shop Public!) was absolutely magical.
The rest of the night was just as beautiful. We took in our artfully laid-out floor plan (suggested by Roula) from our sweetheart table view. We enjoyed every moment of the lovely atmosphere, the excellent and intuitive service from all the staff, the way the room gave space for old friends and family to chat and new connections to grow.
We are fortunate enough to have a flood of loving and supportive family and friends who made our wedding possible, alongside a wedding planner (and then a backup when she got sick) who helped out with logistics (definitely recommend!). As we took in our dream party a wave of vindication flooded over us. The venue where you choose to have your wedding does matter. And we were very lucky to have found our perfect spot.
Newlyweds!