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Weddings

About

A beautiful location on an island on the Bow River in the middle of the city. All you need to add is love. At River Café they have created a beautiful place in an extraordinary setting and have tended to the details that make you feel at home with staff who care, chefs who are passionate about quality and the regional seasonal ingredients that bring to your palate a taste of place. River Café sits in the heart of Prince’s Island Park - a unique restaurant housed in a space that felt as though it had always existed and belonged naturally in its setting along the Bow River. The restaurant has the feel and nostalgic appearance of an old Rocky Mountain fishing lodge with its open-hearth fieldstone fireplace and orchard wood burning oven. The outdoor patio provides an opportunity to step out and enjoy the panoramic views of the park and Calgary’s dramatic cityscape beyond.

Facilities and capacity

River Café can accommodate up to 100 guests for a seated lunch, brunch or dinner event and up to 150 guests for a standing cocktail reception Whether you choose a Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall wedding, it’s the ideal environment for couples that want to experience the natural beauty of Prince’s Island Park. Enjoy the sun-washed garden and trees blossoming in the spring and summer, glowing orange leaves and crisp air during a cozy fall day in the park, and the snow dusting the ground and branches in a winter wonderland setting. Numerous vistas offer many breathtaking backdrops to your perfect day and magnificent photo opportunities abound both inside and out. Celebrate your special day surrounded by friends and family in the unique elegance of River Café.

Services offered

The venue has an amazing team of staff who will help you plan your day. The services they offer include:

  • Event Manager/Day of Event Manager
  • Floor Plans and Function Orders
  • Food and Beverage
  • Liquor License
  • Wedding Cake
  • Chairs, Tables and Furniture
  • Flatware and Glassware
  • Linen Napkins
  • Table Numbers
  • Card Basket
  • Seating Chart
  • Candles
  • Dance Floor

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Frequently asked questions

How many event spaces or rooms does your venue offer?

1

Describe your venue:

Restaurant

Describe the style of your venue:

City
Garden
Rustic
Waterfront

What kind of settings are available?

Indoor
Uncovered outdoor

Which of the following wedding events does your venue service?

Ceremony
Reception
Bridal shower
Engagement party
Rehearsal dinner

What event services do you offer?

Catering / bar
Clean up
Event planning
Liability insurance
Lighting / sound
Outside vendors
Set up

What catering services do you offer?

Cocktail reception
Dessert
Hors d'oeuvres
Outside cake
Plated
Server(s)
Stations

What bar services do you provide?

Bartender(s)
Champagne toast
House beer
House wine
House liquor
Limited bar
Liquor license
Open bar
Premium liquor
Signature drink
Specialty beer
Specialty wine

What event items are available?

Audio equipment
Dance floor
Furniture
Chairs
Tables

What food and beverage items are available?

Barware
China
Flatware
Glassware
Linens

What transportation and access is available?

Wheelchair access

Do you have a site fee for wedding receptions at your venue?

No

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during peak season?

$15,000

What is the starting site fee for wedding receptions during off-peak season?

$1

Do you have a site fee for wedding ceremonies at your venue?

No

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during peak season?

$500

What is the starting site fee for wedding ceremonies during off-peak season?

$500

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Set up
Clean up
Event planning
Chairs
Tables
Flatware
Glassware

What is the average catering price per person for plated service?

$90

What is the average catering price per person for buffet service?

$1

What is the average catering price per person for stations?

$85

What is the average catering price per person for hors d'oeurves?

$25

Which of the following are included in the cost of wedding catering?

Server(s)
Dessert

What is the starting price per person for bar service?

$40

Which of the following are included in the starting price for bar service?

Limited bar
Open bar
House beer
Specialty beer
House wine
Specialty wine
Champagne toast
House liquor
Premium liquor
Signature drink
Bartenders

Reviews for River Café

Julie
Julie Sent on 08/12/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Beautifully rustic and flexible venue with delicious food

When researching venues for our wedding, my husband and I only had two major criteria - we wanted to be married in nature (with a reliable rain plan!) and we wanted the food to be tasty. When I googled “get married in Princes Island Park”, River Café Weddings popped up as the first result and the rest, as they say, is history. Jessica was our initial point of contact who turned into our event planner, and she patiently communicated the deposit and booking procedure, the function order, and the details pertaining to how weddings usually run on the day itself. My husband and I (and the majority of our family and friends) travelled from out of town for the wedding so it was really important to have a calm and competent event planner coordinating the details for the day itself. It was nice because there was enough structure to make decisions easy, but with enough freedom to personalize our day and make it unique. We made a trip about a month before the wedding to make some final decisions and although Jessica was taking some well-deserved time off between event-filled weekends, she stopped in to introduce herself and say a quick hello while we were having dinner at the restaurant. We genuinely appreciated this kind gesture and commitment to service and can’t thank her enough for contributing to our special day.

Having our wedding at the River Café also meant that we didn’t have to make as many decisions (HOORAY!), as much of the décor, tableware, and seating arrangements are part of the restaurant and overall package. The wedding package details some amazing vendors which helped us a lot, and we couldn’t be happier with the selections we made from their recommendations (Kendal and Kevin Photography, Flowers by Janie, Pie Junkie for wedding pies). The food and drink were INCREDIBLE – everything was delicious, but the charcuterie/cheese boards, late-night sliders and poutine bar, Arctic char, and beef tenderloin really stood out. The staff were very accommodating in kids’ meals and were very attentive to allergens. We had our wedding on the lawn and our guest count was around 70 people, which fit comfortably into the space provided. The only consideration I would make for this venue is the fact that it is in a park which is pedestrian access only, however the event planner provided permits and instruction for driving onto the island and our family generously helped to escort drivers to the venue and ask pedestrians to make way (we gave them high vis vests, which I like to think helped). Overall we had an amazing day filled with good food shared with the people we love most. We highly recommend the River Café to anyone planning a wedding or large event, and hope that someone we know will get married at the River Café so that we can attend as guests!
Anton
Anton Sent on 05/06/2024
5 out of 5 rating

River Cafe: The Perfect Venue for Our Intimate Wedding Ceremony and Reception

We recently celebrated our intimate wedding ceremony and reception at River Cafe, and it was an absolutely magical experience. This beautiful venue has always been one of our favorite spots, and now it holds an even more special place in our hearts.

The setting of River Cafe is stunning, offering a picturesque backdrop that made our day truly unforgettable. The staff were exceptional, ensuring that every detail was taken care of seamlessly. Our guests couldn't stop raving about the delicious food – the empty plates after each dish spoke volumes about how much everyone enjoyed their meals.

A special “Thank You” goes to Jessica Hitzer, the Events Manager, whose dedication and expertise made the planning process smooth and stress-free. Jessica and her team went above and beyond to make sure our day was perfect.

We are deeply grateful to everyone at River Cafe for making our wedding day so memorable. If you're looking for a venue that combines breathtaking beauty, outstanding service, and exquisite cuisine, River Cafe is the place to go.
S
S.p Sent on 17/11/2023
4.8 out of 5 rating

Perfect Wedding Venue

Perfect venue. Staff were above and beyond, and the food was amazing! It was perfect to not worry about the details on the day of. Some minor communication issues with changes in the coordinator, but overall was wonderful. We loved that we did not have to worry about linens, rentals, caterers or set up and take down.

If you are looking for a venue with amazing food, a beautiful ambiance and the best staff, come to the River Cafe.

Our wedding had approximately 75 people and it was the perfect size.
M
Melissa Sent on 10/09/2023
5 out of 5 rating

The perfect venue!

We are so happy we chose the River Cafe to host our wedding! Everything about the venue was perfect, and our guests are still raving about the amazing food and drinks, the beautiful scenery, and the incredible service.

We had a late afternoon ceremony on their beautiful and private patio, followed by our indoor reception (although we still had access to the patio). We hosted 97 guests - the space was certainly cozy for this many people but we loved the atmosphere!

A number of our guests commented on the prompt and attentive wait staff service, and of course the food was incredible.

The River Cafe was very helpful through the planning stages, and they are able to take care of so many decor / day of coordination items which we really appreciated!

Thank you to the River Cafe for making our day so perfect!
Emma
Emma Sent on 02/04/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Exceptional food, drinks, space, location and service!

We held our wedding at the River Cafe on October 9, 2022, and had an absolutely incredible time. We would recommend the River Cafe as a venue to anyone! Carla and her team were so on the ball, they were totally organized and fun to work with, and of course the food and drinks were spectacular. We heard from so many people afterward (including our fanciest relatives) that this was the best meal they had ever had at a wedding. We are so grateful to the River Cafe team, and keep wishing someone would invite us to another wedding there so we could just enjoy as guests! Thank you, Carla and team!
C
Crystal Sent on 24/06/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Everything we wanted!

When initially looking for a wedding venue, our topmost priority was a place with good food - and we got it! It was fantastic working with Carla and everything went so smoothly, we are so thankful to the Chef and all the staff for making our afternoon wedding so wonderful and memorable!
V
Veronica Sent on 16/04/2022
5 out of 5 rating

April 2022 Wedding

We started planning our wedding in late 2020 and picked a date in 2022- from start to finish the River Cafe team was quick to respond, willing to work with our view, and ultimately I couldn’t have pictured a more seamless evening. Everyone kept saying how gorgeous the venue was and how delicious the food was! Perfect venue!
Cheyanne
Cheyanne Sent on 04/03/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Exceptional venue

Months later, friends and family are still raving about the wedding ceremony and lunch we hosted at the River Cafe. Obviously, this is a stunning location. They were also a joy to work with. I was looking for minimal planning/stress, and their team handled literally everything to execute a flawless event. The food was truly a highlight. I wouldn’t change a thing about our day. Thank you River Cafe!!
N
Nikolina Sent on 06/01/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Best venue for wedding!!

The best decision we made for our wedding was booking with River cafe. The planning process with them even during the covid19 pandemic was fantastic! June and the team went above and beyond, and helped us with some of our personal requests which they carried out perfectly. The venue is a beautiful location for any private and intimate event. The staff & experience at river cafe on the night of the wedding was amazing. Everything was on time & handled expectionally. They had more than enough staff to make sure a full venue with plated dinner was served within a few minutes after the head table. They kept in constant communication with us throughout the night and went above and beyond to make sure we were having a night we could never forget. The quality of food and drinks were fantastic! Everything was truly perfect. Even now we still have our family and friends rave about how amazing and how much they enjoyed the food, staff and atmosphere of river cafe. If we could give above 5 stars for our review we would. Thank you to the team at River cafe for making the most important day of our lives so special to us!!
C
Chelsea Sent on 17/10/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Great experience with River Cafe

The River Cafe is a great choice for a wedding venue. June Doan is the Events Manager and she's so helpful throughout the entire experience. June and her team were able to organize an amazing wedding experience, even during COVID-19.

We would not change a thing from our experience with River Cafe and we strongly recommend to others.
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

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25 Prince's Island Park T2P 0R1 Calgary (Alberta)

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