Some of my favourite central Ottawa wedding venues, every one a room I have actually played.
Fairmont Chateau Laurier
The Fairmont Chateau Laurier's main ballroom is centred, grand and full of historic paintings, proper old-money elegance. I plan the night to match the room, classy through dinner then a full floor after.
Lord Elgin Hotel
The Lord Elgin is a classic downtown hotel that hosts weddings. In my experience couples often use it for the ceremony, with the party moving elsewhere after, so I scope it to what your day actually needs.
Sala San Marco
Sala San Marco runs multiple halls, so a couple of weddings can happen at once, but the rooms sound clean with no echo issue when the subs are placed right.
Canadian Museum of Nature
The Canadian Museum of Nature does cocktail hour inside the whale exhibit, which is a jaw-dropper. Load-in is easy off the dock and the staff run a tight, professional ship.
Sidedoor
Sidedoor is a tighter downtown room with the floor in the back. Load-in means parking on York Street and walking gear in, but the vibe is worth it.
E18teen
E18teen plays like a downtown club, with a club style load-in and a service door for gear. I set up for a club room so the floor hits.
Riviera
Riviera is a tall, tiled room, but it carries bass well, so no extra subs needed to fill it. I scale the rig to the crowd.
Lago
Lago at Dow's Lake is my favourite room in the city, two floors, plug and play AV, unreal lake views and a pro team led by owner Janaya. Flawlessly run even on double-wedding days, with a guest shuttle to boot.
Somewhere
Somewhere is more of an upscale supper club than a full wedding venue, best for a smaller, stylish private party. I can DJ it, just go in knowing the room.
Army Officers Mess
At the Army Officers Mess, the smart load-in is the side and accessible entrance into the kitchen area, not the front stairs.
Lebanese Palace
Lebanese Palace is a large banquet hall that holds a big guest list. The interior's a touch dated and load-in takes some hauling, so I plan for it.
Peaches and Cream
Peaches and Cream sets the DJ in the middle, between the dining room and the front lounge, so the floor pulls energy from both sides.
Britannia Yacht Club
Britannia Yacht Club puts the floor up on the upper level, a great waterfront room that gets hot and sweaty once it's packed, so I pace the night around it.
Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Club
At the Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Club the floor is upstairs in the clubhouse, a room with real character, not down on the courts.
The Marshes Golf Club
At The Marshes Golf Club the floor lands in the dining room, middle and slightly right, near the bar, which keeps the dancing right where the energy is.