A Wedding Planner’s Guide to Cool Girl Wedding Venues in Montreal.
According to Brides magazine a cool girl wedding “is derived from a style and attitude a couple evokes….chic, fashion forward, confident and in the moment…The cool girl wedding aesthetic is all about the effortless elegance that comes from not taking yourself too seriously..” Brides published on 05/04/23
It’s that "je ne sais quoi” that will leave a lasting impression on your guests. After all, isn’t that what we all want? Evidently, none of this is possible without having a great venue to host your nuptials. The wedding venue dictates the overall design direction and budget of your wedding. Often, couples pick their venue before hiring their wedding planner. I don’t recommend doing this as your planner will be able to inform you of the pros and cons of each wedding venue because they have most likely planned a wedding there before. Having said that, if you still want to proceed without a wedding planner please read my guide on Montreal venues for “the cool girl” wedding first.
Why not get hitched in a historical building that used to be a bank and is now a cafe/ co-working space. Sounds crazy? Well, believe it or not, some of the most elegant weddings and ceremonies are held in this space. It’s iconic and needs very little to make it feel grand. Everything has to be outsourced as the venue does not provide anything besides its outstanding architecture. All your rentals can easily be organized by a wedding planner. You don’t need to go too crazy on decor, the choice is yours. It can be simple or as grand as you would like, it’s completely up to you, both looks work very well in the space.
This is probably the best Italian establishment in the city. The food is exquisite and can compete with fine dinning in Italy. The vibe leans more towards upscale hipster because Gia is by no means inexpensive. They can accommodate 70 people seated inside and 60 people outside on their terrace. Keep in mind the restaurant is attached to an industrial building overlooking a parking lot. It has a lot of character and I believe that with a few design touches, such as wedding flowers and candles this can be a chic and sophisticated soirée.
Le Serpent is another gem in the city. It can accommodate up to 80 guests with no outdoor space. This modern industrial restaurant is a unique spot in the city with delicious food. It truly is the best space for a fashion forward event.
If you are a larger group, Le serpent happens to be in the same building as the Fonderie Darling Art Complex and they have a huge concrete room that is unconventional in the best way possible. It takes a lot of vision and a good eye for design but this can be a noteworthy event. Furthermore, the catering is from Le Serpent whether you have your wedding in the restaurant or the venue. This venue also has access to the pedestrian road in the front if the building which can be marked off for a terrace.
A Montreal institution that has been around for over 100 years. The venue used to be a gentleman’s club. It kept its cachet and has been properly restored and maintained over the years. The buyout for the entire 2nd floor is reasonable in price. You can rent the outdoor space for the duration of the event and have your own private terrace but you will need to reserve all six hotel rooms that surround the terrace. We’ve covered the the terrace with a clear top tent to have an outdoor wedding dinner. It was so romantic eating underneath the stars. Bar George is perfect for intimate dinners or cocktail dînatoire style weddings. Some investment will be required to spruce up the place to highlight the wedding, funny enough, for a gentlemen’s club this venue adorned with wedding flowers is actually quite nice. The florals work well in the space, the transformation is amazing to see.
Jatoba is a high end Japanese restaurant located in downtown Montreal. It is understated and chic and the food is sublime. There is very little that needs to be done to this place all you need to do is show up. They have a beautiful enclosed solarium that is perfect for a ceremony, guests can then go upstairs into the main restaurant section for cocktails while the space if flipped for dinner. The restaurant is pricey considering the limit is about 60 guests and the buyout is in the tens of thousands of dollars so you are looking at quite an investment but it will pay off in droves. This is type of elegance and refinement you do not find just anywhere.
This new space is a wonderful spot that can host up to 90 guests. It has that Soho loft look and feel. It’s located at 124 McGill street which is in old Montreal. The space already has a working kitchen with an in house catering team, they provide modern furnishings and decor. Again, not much to do here. It has a lot of value and I believe will be widely popular among couples looking for an intimate and stylish dinner for their wedding.
Another one of a kind event space in Montreal. This venue was built in 1688. It has a gothic and dark feel but the weddings have been nothing but beautiful. They offer three different locales to host your wedding reception. The venue also has an in house restaurant that boasts French fare. The prices for food and beverage are fair. The venue provides everything you need to host your wedding; however, I strongly recommend certain upgrades. I believe a small investment can go a long way and make your event remarkable. Auberge St-Gabriel is strictly for those looking for a darker colour palette. Light and airy does not work in this space at all. In my experience, embracing the darker tones always works. Lighting up the space is not worth the time or the effort. It must be appreciated for what it is.
This venue is another Montreal wonder. Its design is inspired by Parisian opera houses. It was originally built in 1923-1924 and is now a National Historic Site of Canada. The architecture and design is unparalleled. I can’t even find words to describe all the work that went into this theatre, you have to see it for yourself. Getting married in a movie palace may not be for everyone but it would be an unforgettable experience. Because this venue is a landmark it does cost quite a bit as you will need to invest in external vendors to dress up the place and make it more conducive to weddings. If you love music and want a live band for your wedding and to make it all about the dancing, this is definitely the place.
I hope this will help you in your wedding planning journey, do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions, we would be happy to help.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
My name is Jennifer and I’m the founder of Events by Cece. We plan weddings in Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto. We also love destination weddings particularly in Italy or Greece. Most of our designs are composed with flowers created by our team. Please get in touch as we would love to see how we can help create your event.
