National Gallery of Canada – Ottawa’s most prestigious wedding venue

National Gallery of Canada – Ottawa’s most prestigious wedding venue

Venue Review Part 4: National Gallery of Canada - Ottawa’s most prestigious wedding venue

The awe-inspiring National Gallery holds Canada’s most precious works of art, history and culture in this iconic Ottawa landmark. There is only one venue like this in all of Canada and it embodies elegance, grandeur and national significance offering a fitting backdrop for a true luxury wedding. As a Wedding Planner deeply committed to creating dream weddings, I’ve had the privilege of working with couples seeking venues that are exceptional and the National Gallery is a top choice for the discerning couple.

National Gallery of Canada Outdoor Summer - Palm Tree Studio - Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

I’ll take you through a detailed review of another wonderful option for a downtown wedding celebration, the National Gallery of Canada. Make sure you don’t miss my other reviews on The National Arts Centre (NAC), the Ottawa Westin’s Venue TwentyTwo, and the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. Let me equip you with all the information you need to make the perfect choice for your wedding venue. I’ll dissect the pros and cons of this remarkable space, helping you navigate through the decision-making process for your special day. We’ll start with what I love about this venue.

The pros

There is only one National Gallery of Canada so the prestige that comes with booking this venue will wow your guests upon arrival. It’s not just a venue; it’s an experience steeped in opulence. With soaring ceilings, neutral flooring, and ample natural light, the Gallery offers a stately backdrop for your wedding celebration. The building is so impressive and when your guests come through the front doors they will instantly see this is not a typical wedding venue. For the two of you, there are many amazing photo locations not only on the grounds of the Gallery and surrounding area but also inside, among the priceless art collections.

National Gallery of Canada Rideau Chapel - Union Eleven - Erica Irwin Weddings and Events
National Gallery of Canada Art Exhibit Wedding Portrait - Union Eleven - Erica Irwin Weddings and Events
National Gallery of Canada Garden Court - Union Eleven - Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

Hosting your wedding at the National Gallery provides an unparalleled experience for your guests. Situated in the heart of the city, it offers a cultural immersion unlike any other venue. Additionally, you have the option to elevate your cocktail hour by offering guests a curated gallery visit, adding an extra layer of sophistication to your event.

National Gallery of Canada - Union Eleven - Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

The most sought-after room is the Great Hall with the glorious long ramp up the corridor as guests enter and then the sight of the stunning Great Hall awaits. It is unlike any entrance to any reception room in Ottawa. It’s also a wonderful space to capture photos together and for guests.

National Gallery of Canada Great Hall - Mocha Tree Studio - Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

The high ceilings provide an abundance of natural light as well as recognizable sites in the heart of Ottawa such as the Parliament buildings and Chateau Laurier. It’s a wonderful choice if you have out of town guests who are new to Ottawa, and you want them to experience a landmark of our Nation’s Capital. If you are fortunate enough to get a date where there are fireworks you can often see them from the Great Hall.

National Gallery of Canada Great Hall - Mocha Tree Studio - Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

This is a large space that could hold up to 300 guests for a sit-down dinner reception though I would recommend 260 guests as a maximum occupancy for a wedding with dancing. With its unique shape and endless windows as well as the grey stone-coloured floors, the Great Hall is a blank canvas allowing you the freedom to craft your wedding vision without constraints. It truly is awe inspiring to be in this room.

The ceiling also has a state-of-the-art lighting, and you can either choose to use the Gallery’s seasonal colour scheme or you can pay an additional fee to have them customize this for your wedding colours. The lighting accentuates the sails that are integrated in the ceiling and are mostly visible at night. No other venue offers this feature.

National Gallery of Canada Great Hall Ceremony - Palm Tree Studio - Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

For smaller weddings of under 125 guests, it is possible to do a ceremony and a reception all in the Great Hall. This requires design experience with the space to section out the ceremony, cocktail and reception all in one room and to ensure it flows easily for your guests. This option can help keep your rental fees lower since you would only be booking one space for the entirety of your event.

National Gallery of Canada Foyer - Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

Generally though, couples are either holding their ceremonies off-site at for example Notre Dame Cathedral across the street or they are using the Gallery Foyer for their ceremonies and then the Great Hall for their reception.

For those opting to host their whole wedding at the National Gallery but who require more space than just the Great Hall for their ceremony and reception, the Foyer is the perfect choice. The water feature on the ceiling sparkles against the glass blocks on the floor, creating a magical yet modern backdrop for your vows. One of my favourite set-ups for this space is when we put our couple in the middle, so they are positioned under the water feature and their guests surround them. Here is an example floorplan for a Jewish ceremony where we are placing their chuppah in the middle of their 200 guests!

National Gallery of Canada Foyer 200 Guest Ceremony Floorplan - Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

Now good news for foodie couples! Though you must use one of their approved caterers, some of the city’s best are listed as options. This is extremely important for couples who want to offer exceptional food and bar choices for their guests. You have the flexibility to craft a unique menu and not be constrained by wedding packages. This ensures that your wedding feast is nothing short of extraordinary.

The cons

With the splendor of a National Gallery wedding lies a few considerations for couples contemplating it as their wedding venue. While hosting a wedding amidst priceless artworks is undeniably amazing, you will need to navigate the financial and logistical intricacies associated with such a prestigious location. Couples must be prepared to accept the Gallery’s identity as a space dedicated to art first and events second.

Let’s start with the biggest obstacle – cost. As one would expect from a venue as prestigious as the National Gallery, rental fees tend to be on the higher end. The listed pricing quickly goes up as they factor in security, cleaning, administration fees etc.

Since the space is essentially a blank slate, you’ll need to allocate a substantial portion of your budget towards decor and rentals as well as set up and take down fees.

Also, since you are using a caterer instead of an in-house food service like some other downtown venues, you are also responsible for the cost of plates, cutlery, glassware, catering equipment etc. This venue is not for the budget “faint at heart”.

Another consideration is the logistical intricacies of hosting a wedding in a public space. Access for the loading in or out of your rentals / decor / florals, as well as setting up is done during hours that the Gallery is closed to visitors. When the Gallery is open to the public, any wedding preparations must be done behind an approved stanchion roped off area. This requires very stringent timelines, a dependable vendor team and multiple floorplans, all which need to be approved by the Gallery team.

Once the Gallery closes to visitors at 5 pm, that’s when the ultimate hustle begins. Tables can be moved outside the stanchion ropes as per your floorplan, guests can be let into the ceremony space and the event can begin. Similarly at the end of the evening, the take down must be executed by an experienced and quick to move team as the timeline to remove all items is tight.

So, as you can see, planning a wedding at the National Gallery isn’t for the faint of heart. With tight timelines, complex logistics, and rigorous security protocols opting for DIY isn’t feasible at this venue.

The Gallery team prefers to work with a small list of curated Wedding Planners who have prior experience navigating the intricacies of their space. As one of their preferred Wedding Planners, I offer Full Planning for this venue to ensure your wedding day at the National Gallery is perfectly executed. I also build a team of trusted and experienced vendors to fulfill your wedding day vision while adhering to the Gallery rules.

It’s important to remember that the National Gallery is first and foremost an art institution. While its aesthetic appeal is undeniable, you’ll need to make peace with the fact that the artwork on display in their event spaces may not align with your personal taste. It is not uncommon for the Great Hall to have a prominent work of art on display that may not mesh with your design dreams, and the timing when certain pieces come and go is out of your control. Additionally, there are restrictions such as the prohibition of flame candles, fog, haze, CO2 guns etc. that are non-negotiable. The protection of the works of art within the Gallery is the priority.

Recap

R  Luxurious iconic venue
R  Unique Guest Experience
R  Diverse Catering Options
Q  High rental fee
Q  Not a DIY space
Q  Expert and approved Planner required
Q  Art prioritized over events

In conclusion, the National Gallery of Canada presents an unparalleled setting for couples seeking a wedding that exudes sophistication and cultural richness. However, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons carefully, considering factors such as budget, logistical challenges, and the venue’s artistic responsibility as a Gallery. With the right team and a clear vision, your wedding at the National Gallery can truly be a masterpiece.

As your trusted Wedding Planner and an approved Planner of the Gallery, I am ready to guide you through every step of the journey, ensuring that your wedding at the National Gallery unfolds seamlessly, leaving you both with incredible memories of an unforgettable day.

Please feel free to ask questions in the comments.

Your exceptional wedding and planning experience starts here

Bonus Video!

Here is a video of Kathleen and Freddy’s gorgeous fall wedding at the National Gallery by Mocha Tree studios for under 200 guests in the Great Hall with an off-site ceremony.

This colourful and intimate wedding of under 75 guests is a beautiful example of using the Great Hall at the National Gallery to host your entire wedding.

Up Next!

Next on my blog is one of our biggest 2024 weddings at my favourite venue to host a wedding weekend. If you like the idea of whole weekend with your guests, or you just love a colourful wedding inspiration, you won’t want to miss this post!

POST INFO AND CREDITS

If you liked this post …

Be sure to read my other posts in this serious on our fabulous Ottawa wedding venues!

National Gallery of Canada – Ottawa’s most prestigious wedding venue

The National Gallery is for couples who really want to WOW their guests with a luxury wedding venue. Housing Canada’s most treasured works of art, this is a true guest experience that will not be easily forgotten. Let me take you through everything you need to know about hosting your wedding here.

Fairmont Chateau Laurier – Ottawa’s most iconic wedding venue

Fairmont Chateau Laurier is Ottawa’s most iconic downtown wedding venue. It’s our castle in the city with the amenities of a hotel. A true luxury option to host your wedding day and wow your guests. Let me take you through everything you should consider before saying “yes” to this Ottawa treasure.

Ottawa Westin TwentyTwo – Downtown venue with the best view

An elegant glass box perched on the top of the Ottawa Westin, TwentyTwo offers the best views of our Nation’s Capital skyline. With the convenience of an upscale hotel, floor to ceiling windows, excellent service and food there are many pros, but as always there are things to consider.

National Arts Centre (NAC) – A Downtown Ottawa Wedding Gem

The NAC is located right in the heart of downtown Ottawa. It’s proximity to Parliament Hill, the canal, and our beautiful hotels makes it a true downtown wedding venue. With light-filled ceremony and reception areas, its one of the prettiest, neutral spaces in the city but there are a few things to be aware of if you are considering this wedding venue.

Ultimate Pricing Comparison of the Top 5 Downtown Ottawa Wedding Venues

The biggest question when choosing your venue is usually around pricing. Since all venues have different packages and line items, it’s not easy to make a true comparison. Let’s get started with our Top 5 downtown Ottawa venue price comparison!

Your once-in-a-lifetime wedding deserves an extraordinary planning experience. Follow me on

Chloe & Lars

Chloe & Lars

Chloe & Lars

Summer wedding at Fairmont Chateau Montebello with a ceremony by the water and reception in the Canada room

Summer wedding at Fairmont Chateau Montebello with a ceremony by the water and reception in the Canada room

From start to finish, Erica made the event planning for our wedding weekend so easy and fun. Having her there meant we could both truly enjoy every single moment of our day with 100% confidences – which was absolutely priceless.

Bride and groom in the Canada room of Chateau Montebello photo by Union Eleven Photographers

From start to finish, Erica made the event planning for our wedding weekend so easy and fun. She had advice and a suggestion for every little aspect, brought together our random ideas in a gorgeous cohesive way and fixed anything that went wrong, always with a smile on her face. Throughout the process, Erica kept us organised and made our time as efficient as possible while also making every step fun, and we always looked forward to our calls with her. She is an incredibly positive and professional problem-solver and you can rest assured that with her on board, absolutely nothing will go wrong (because she’ll sort it out without even telling you what happened!). Having her there meant we could both truly enjoy every single moment of our day with 100% confidences – which was absolutely priceless. Plus, all the vendors she suggested were complete rock stars. Our venue Chateau Montebello was also OBSESSED with Erica which tells you everything you need to know. She is just the best!

Chloe & Lars

Your exceptional wedding and planning experience starts here

Your once-in-a-lifetime wedding deserves an extraordinary planning experience. Follow me on

Ottawa Westin TwentyTwo – Downtown venue with the best view

Ottawa Westin TwentyTwo – Downtown venue with the best view

Venue Review Part 2: Ottawa Westin TwentyTwo – Downtown venue with the best view

Picture this: You’re standing in TwentyTwo, holding a glass of champagne surrounded by everyone you love in the world with panoramic views of the city skyline, the historic Parliament buildings, and the beautiful Gatineau mountains. The sun is setting, there is a golden glow over our beautiful city and you are just soaking in this moment of your wedding day.

Choosing the perfect wedding venue is not an easy decision, but with TwentyTwo at the Ottawa Westin, your dream wedding can be breathtaking!

Ottawa Westin TwentyTwo - View of the City Skyline | Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

As your downtown Ottawa wedding venue expert, I’m here to ensure you consider the best options Ottawa has to offer, so you can select the perfect venue for your wedding. Let me take you through the pros and cons of this fantastic Ottawa venue, starting with the reasons why I think it’s a great choice.

The pros

First, the location is unbeatable. TwentyTwo is situated at the top of the Ottawa Westin, resembling a glass cube with breathtaking views of downtown, the Gatineau mountains, Parliament, Chateau Laurier, and the city skyline. Witnessing the sunset over the city is always a treat for your guests. They rush to that side of the room to capture stunning selfies, as it’s truly a magnificent sight.

Another added bonus to surprise your guests with is if you’re fortunate to book a wedding date coinciding with fireworks. Its undoubtedly the best place in the city to see them.

Fireworks view from Ottawa Westin TwentyTwo - Union Eleven | Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

Although you are surrounded mostly by beautiful windows, the room also manages to feature a media wall, essential if you’re planning to put all of your favourite memories on display in a photo montage. Not all venues can accommodate this option which is important to know if you are considering adding this moment to your day.

Next is the food; it’s exceptional, and the presentation of dishes makes you feel as though you’re indulging in a work of art. The staff is remarkable, from pre-sales through to the banquet, they’re dedicated to ensuring your event is a success. The event manager you worked with post-booking will be present on your wedding day and then transitions to the banquet manager for the reception, providing consistent support.

A big advantage of booking TwentyTwo is that you have all the amenties of the Westin hotel at your fingertips, most notably the Rideau Suite which is included in the wedding package. Located just down the hall from TwentyTwo, it’s a very large condo-like suite with sweeping views of downtown Ottawa. It serves as your “honeymoon suite,” but it’s also perfect as a getting-ready space since it provides enough room for your hair and makeup team to set up while still leaving room for bridesmaids and Moms to comfortably relax, eat, and enjoy a mimosa.

My couples have enjoyed being able to sneak away to their suite to use the washroom, freshen up, change into dancing outfits, change shoes, etc. Then, at the end of your wedding night, your room is only a few steps away – No transportation needed! 

I highly encourage my couples to book and enjoy the Rideau Suite the night before as well so that you have early access on your wedding day. This is important for starting your hair and makeup preparation time and not having to wait for the room to be turned over from the previous night’s guests. There is enough room for everyone to put on their dresses and for your photographer to do your “getting-ready photos” as you put on your gown. On rainy days, we have even used the room to take photos.

Rideau Suite Ottawa Westin TwentyTwo - Grey Loft Studio | Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

Another suggestion I make to my couples is to consider booking a similar space just one floor down called the Bonaventure suite. It’s a great place for the groom and groomsmen to get ready and do their photos. With it’s beautiful views of downtown Ottawa and a wrap-around terrace, it’s a perfect fit to host a rehearsal dinner or welcome drink the night before for close family and friends. You can bring in your own food, bar items, and there is plenty of room both inside or outside on the terrace.

The entire guest experience when all wedding events are hosted in the hotel is so wonderful. This is important to consider if you have a lot of out-of-town guests or even those who you know might enjoy a staycation. Friends and family meeting up meet in the lobby, eating at the restaurant, or going shopping in the attached Rideau Centre together simply adds to the wonderful wedding memories. Guests also appreciate the ease of accessing their rooms during the wedding to change shoes and freshen up. Those with small children book a babysitting service and can easily go and check in and return to the party!

Now let’s address some considerations before booking this space.

The cons

The primary complaint I hear when touring this space is regarding the carpeting in the ceremony and cocktail areas. The ceremony space is located on the 4th floor in one of the Governor-General spaces, and the carpet is in dire need of replacement. Though in most hotels, event space carpeting is typically heavily patterned. I’ve always wished they would install light wood flooring instead of hotel carpets!

Governor General ceremony space Ottawa Westin TwentyTwo | Erica Irwin Weddings and Events

After your ceremony, guests generally move to a space next door for the cocktail hour before transitioning upstairs to TwentyTwo for the reception. Hosting both the cocktail and reception in TwentyTwo can be tight unless your guest count is on the smaller end (under 100).

As the name suggests, TwentyTwo is on the 22nd floor, and the stunning view comes with complexities around moving items and people up and down in elevators. I highly recommend hiring a Planner if you’re considering this venue, especially one who is familiar with events in their spaces.

With everyone moving between ceremony, cocktail, and reception on multiple levels of the hotel, as well and the couple needing to slip in and out for things like photos, having a Planner to facilitate these transitions will be key to your day running smoothly. 

Your Planner will need to be familiar with the hotel to build a proper timeline and keep everything on track throughout the day. This includes coordination with vendors around the use of the loading dock and single elevator for movement of rentals and equipment. Some vendors charge an additional fee due to the extra time required to load in and out.

The final and possibly biggest drawback of this space is the noise restriction for music; they have a decibel level you need to stay under, and the music must stop at midnight due to the impact on hotel guests.

If you’re considering a band, this is not the venue for you. A great alternative after midnight would be to switch to silent beats, an offering some of our DJ partners provide, where guests can still dance with music coming through high-quality earphones.

Noise complaints have been heard all the way from the 6th floor, emphasizing the importance of keeping both hotel guests and wedding attendees happy.

Recap

R  Unparalleled views of Ottawa
R  Exceptional food
R  Dedicated staff
R  Rideau Suite
R  Westin hotel amenities
Q  Lacklustre ceremony space
Q  22nd floor logistical challenges
Q  Noise restrictions

As a seasoned Planner familiar with the intricacies of this venue, let me assist you in navigating these challenges and ensuring a seamless and unforgettable wedding day experience for you and your guests.

Please feel free to ask questions in the comments.

Your exceptional wedding and planning experience starts here

Up Next!

Next up on the blog, featuring Ottawa’s most iconic wedding venue, the Fairmont Chateau Laurier!

POST INFO AND CREDITS

If you liked this post …

Be sure to read my other posts in this serious on our fabulous Ottawa wedding venues!

National Gallery of Canada – Ottawa’s most prestigious wedding venue

The National Gallery is for couples who really want to WOW their guests with a luxury wedding venue. Housing Canada’s most treasured works of art, this is a true guest experience that will not be easily forgotten. Let me take you through everything you need to know about hosting your wedding here.

Fairmont Chateau Laurier – Ottawa’s most iconic wedding venue

Fairmont Chateau Laurier is Ottawa’s most iconic downtown wedding venue. It’s our castle in the city with the amenities of a hotel. A true luxury option to host your wedding day and wow your guests. Let me take you through everything you should consider before saying “yes” to this Ottawa treasure.

Ottawa Westin TwentyTwo – Downtown venue with the best view

An elegant glass box perched on the top of the Ottawa Westin, TwentyTwo offers the best views of our Nation’s Capital skyline. With the convenience of an upscale hotel, floor to ceiling windows, excellent service and food there are many pros, but as always there are things to consider.

National Arts Centre (NAC) – A Downtown Ottawa Wedding Gem

The NAC is located right in the heart of downtown Ottawa. It’s proximity to Parliament Hill, the canal, and our beautiful hotels makes it a true downtown wedding venue. With light-filled ceremony and reception areas, its one of the prettiest, neutral spaces in the city but there are a few things to be aware of if you are considering this wedding venue.

Ultimate Pricing Comparison of the Top 5 Downtown Ottawa Wedding Venues

The biggest question when choosing your venue is usually around pricing. Since all venues have different packages and line items, it’s not easy to make a true comparison. Let’s get started with our Top 5 downtown Ottawa venue price comparison!

Your once-in-a-lifetime wedding deserves an extraordinary planning experience. Follow me on

Hillary & Kevin

Hillary & Kevin

Hillary & Kevin

Downtown Ottawa, fall wedding with touches of rustic florals at Chateau Laurier, dinner reception at restaurant e18hteen

Downtown Ottawa, fall wedding with touches of rustic florals at Chateau Laurier, dinner reception at restaurant e18hteen

Erica saved us from ourselves! Her in-depth knowledge of all things weddings (from venues, to vendors) makes working with Erica so worth while.

Bride and groom outside Chateau Laurier photo by Union Eleven photographers

Erica saved us from ourselves! If we hadn’t been introduced to Erica, we would have made many, many mistakes that would have cost us a fortune. One example – before we hired Erica, we nearly invited 40 more guests than our venue could realistically hold. Her in-depth knowledge of all things weddings (from venues, to vendors) makes working with Erica so worth while. The vendors she introduces you to are key. I can confidently say our photographer, hair/makeup, DJ, etc were all incredible. I never would have met those vendors if it wasn’t for her. Since our wedding, we’ve heard from many guests who genuinely said our wedding is the best one they’ve been to in years. That’s all because of Erica. Do yourself a favour, and hire her. It will make your day, and the run-up to your day, soooo much more enjoyable. Thank you Erica!!

Hillary & Kevin

Your exceptional wedding and planning experience starts here

Your once-in-a-lifetime wedding deserves an extraordinary planning experience. Follow me on

Fiona & Kevin

Fiona & Kevin

Fiona & Kevin

Fall wedding at Chateau Montebello with a ceremony by the water and reception at the Golf Club

Erica is insanely organized, professional, resourceful, and a joy to work with! Her extensive network of recommended vendors and experience with Chateau Montebello made planning very straightforward for us. Knowing we had Erica coordinating everything let us be fully in the moment all day long.

Bride and groom in the dining room of  Chateau Montebello Golf Club photo by Union Eleven

We hosted our wedding at Chateau Montebello in the fall and we couldn’t be happier with how it went! Hiring Erica was the best decision we made! Hands down! Erica is insanely organized, professional, resourceful, and a joy to work with! Her extensive network of recommended vendors and experience with our venue made planning very straightforward for us! We worked exclusively with the vendors she recommended, who were all great! She provided us with an easy-to-use wedding planning portal that gave us the confidence to know we had done everything we needed and were on track! Such an organized planning process gave us more time to focus on the small details that made the wedding day unique for us as a couple! Knowing Erica was there coordinating everything during the wedding made the day genuinely stress-free for us! She took charge and ran everything incredibly smoothly, so we could be fully in the moment all day long! We cannot recommend Erica and her team highly enough! Erica, we cannot thank you enough for making our special day absolutely perfect!

Fiona & Kevin

Your exceptional wedding and planning experience starts here

Your once-in-a-lifetime wedding deserves an extraordinary planning experience. Follow me on

Pin It on Pinterest