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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
  • 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
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?

$10,000

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

Yes

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

$10,000

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

$10,000

Which of the following are included in starting site fee?

Set up
Clean up
Event planning
Chairs
Tables
China
Flatware
Glassware
Lighting/sound

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

$90

What is the average catering price per person for stations?

$90

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?

$60

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

Michelle
Michelle Sent on 21/01/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Best Wedding Ever!

It was perfect!! Thank you Kerry and the River Cafe team for making the day magical! Thankfully the weather gods shined on us for a beautiful patio ceremony and cocktail hour! We are passionate foodies and the River Cafe was always a favourite dining spot. We wanted food quality to be high on our list, without feeling pretentious. And it was 100%!! We didn’t bring in our own decor or furniture because we wanted to keep the feel of the place we loved so much. The white table linens were gorgeous with our flowers! The food choices that we made were fantastic for our guests…they loved all of it!! We decided to forgo a wedding cake as the desserts are epic on their own!! We had the ceremony at 4pm so that allowed us plenty of time to take photos on the island before. After many lunches with Kerry (such a gem!) we felt so good about how the day would go! And to be clear, Zoom calls were absolutely an option but who wants to give up a chance to have lunch there?! And I would drive from Edmonton for that! We had a great wine consultation about a month before to decide on the wines and again…perfect!! As far as price, I felt it was good for what we received in return. I had priced out other venues and I just feel this was a perfect fit for what we wanted. The day ran sooo seamlessly…it all just flowed. All of our guests said this was the best wedding they had ever been to!! It truly was a magical day that we will never forget!! We had 75 guests and that was the perfect size! No one felt too crowded and there was seating for everyone on the patio.
Brett
Brett Sent on 13/01/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Incredible Venue

We could not recommend River Café more highly as a wedding venue. From the very first email with Kerry, the amazing coordinator, we knew they were better prepared and more thorough than other venues we'd reached out to. The level of care, professionalism, and attention to detail throughout the entire planning process was exceptional. Communication was seamless from start to finish, and Kerry made thoughtful recommendations that made everything feel personal, effortless, and elevated.

The venue itself is absolutely stunning. We hosted an 85-person wedding and it was the perfect size. Intimate, warm, and beautifully laid out without ever feeling cramped. One of the things we loved was the flexibility with ceremony locations. We were lucky enough to have incredible fall weather, and being able to host our ceremony outdoors made the day even more special.

The food was unreal. It was a total hit and months later, we still have guests raving about how good the meal was, which says everything you need to know. The oyster bar was a nice touch and really fun day-of.

River Café exceeded our expectations in every way. If you’re looking for a venue that delivers an unforgettable experience, incredible food, and a team that truly cares about your day, this is it.
E
Evan Sent on 11/01/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Leave it to Kerry to make your day special!

We got married at the River Cafe in the fall. We have not been to a lot of weddings or have much experience with planning a wedding, but the team at River Cafe lead by the incredible Kerry were sensational. We heavily relied on her for her experience, patience and kindness when planning our wedding.

River Cafe has always had a special place in our heart and was our initial choice for where we wanted to get married. We wanted people to leave our special day and talk about how amazing the food was, and they sure did! Comparing the minimum spend at the River Cafe to any other venue in Calgary, I truly do not think you can get a better value for the service and quality.

On the day of, I was amazed at how throughough Kerry and her team was, felt like they were always one step ahead of any concerns I may have. We truly felt cared for. The patio and restaurant itself were beautiful, we enjoyed having the windows open with the fresh air and a lovely view. She also recommended an excellent DJ that played beautiful music throughout the evening and got the party started after dinner.

Each time I see someone from our wedding we get to hear about how amazing of a time they had. This would not have been possible without Kerry and all that the River Cafe has to offer. The only mistake you will make, is if you do not choose the River Cafe.
H
Heather Sent on 07/01/2026
5 out of 5 rating

The most magical night of our lives!

My husband and I had our wedding reception at the River Café in October 2025.

We don’t even have words to express how magical our experience was. From the moment we arrived, it felt like stepping into a world where every single detail had been thoughtfully crafted. The ambiance, the service, the food, everything was executed with such grace and precision that it honestly took our breath away.

The team at the River Café deserves the highest praise, it's so clear that there's strong leadership and a deep commitment to excellence behind the scenes. We felt care in every interaction; from the way we were greeted to the perfectly timed courses. The service was warm, genuine, and attentive without ever being intrusive. Every person we encountered radiated pride and joy in what they do, and that made the experience feel so special.

Kerry, the events manager, is so incredibly warm and professional. She helped us with every step of the planning process and was instrumental in bringing our vision to life. Our final guest count was down to the wire (due to some overseas guests with visa issues) and Kerry was very kind and flexible. My husband is Indian, and we were able to incorporate some Indian flavours into the vegetarian dish, which received rave reviews from our guests.

Many of our guests told us that it was the best wedding they’d ever been to. We’re still hearing from friends and family about how much they loved the venue and the food. The River Café is a beautiful restaurant with such a warm, cozy atmosphere, incredible staff and outstanding food and drinks. It would be a mistake not to book the River Café for your wedding! We wish we could relive the night over and over again.
Steph
Steph Sent on 07/01/2026
5 out of 5 rating

11/10 wedding day (and venue)!

River Cafe has been one of my favorite places in the city for decades. Even though I had moved from Calgary several years ago, it was the first place I thought of when thinking about my wedding. Now, I can't imagine having gotten married anywhere else!

Everything from the planning process to day-of scheduling went smoothly. We worked with Kerry as our event coordinator, who was wonderful and brought such positive energy throughout. I had no stress or worries at all leading up to and on the big day. The entire River Cafe team is incredibly experienced with providing great service and running events. From the ambiance to the pacing of courses/service, everything really felt like it went perfectly. And of course, the food was excellent! That was one of the most important things to us, as big "food people" with many guests coming from a major U.S. metropolitan area. Every guest we spoke with told us they were blown away by the food!

Aside from the food, we wanted an intimate and casual yet elegant wedding that would also be a great experience for our guests. We had an average budget, but were also willing to skimp on things not as important to us (such as flowers) for others we knew were a must-have (like great food and drink). Value-wise, River Cafe was excellent for the food/service/atmosphere, especially coming from the U.S. They also worked seamlessly with all of our vendors to bring our vision to life, and it helps that Prince's Island Park is such a beautiful locale—our photographer was able to find plenty of great spots for taking photos.

River Cafe is a true gem!
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!
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.

Awards

27

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

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